Deuel Log Cabin, Salt Lake City

The Deuel Log Cabin in Salt Lake City is a remarkable remnant of early Mormon pioneer history, nestled discreetly between the Museum of Church History and the Family History Library, just across from Temple Square. Built in 1847, this cabin stands as one of only two surviving original log homes constructed by the Mormon settlers upon their arrival in the Salt Lake Valley. The Deuel cabin preserves its authentic roof, walls, and supporting beams—materials that have endured for over 170 years.

Originally home to Osmyn and Mary Deuel along with Osmyn’s brother Amos, the cabin measures a compact 15 by 20 feet, offering a rare glimpse into the modest pioneer lifestyle through a plexiglass viewing door. Restored to reflect its 1847 condition, it is furnished with period artifacts, illustrating the practical yet sparse living arrangements typical of the time.

The structure has journeyed across several locations before reaching its current setting in 1985. Initially part of the Old Fort at Pioneer Park, it later moved to Temple Square as a preserved historic artifact. Since its restoration, the cabin has been surrounded by landscaping that features native Utah plants, curated to evoke the environment the Deuels would have known.

This cabin is not only a preserved piece of architecture but a tangible connection to the lives of the Deuel family and other early pioneers, capturing a significant moment in the settlement of the Salt Lake Valley. Its enduring presence offers visitors a quiet, reflective space amid Temple Square's bustling surroundings, inviting them to step briefly into Utah’s pioneer past.