Step back in time, stay at an 1870 original house.
Constructed of original adobe brick.
Located in downtown St George, Utah.
Property consists of 4 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms.
One of the few homes built after its founding in 1861.
The home was built in 1870 for Frederick and Emily Blake, the son of Benjamin Frederick Blake, Master Carpenter, one of the early pioneers settlers there, he was originally from Dorset, England, and was called to settle the St. George Mission (or Cotton Mission) by the then-president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young.
Benjamin F. Blake (Father) built the home for Frederick on the Northern half of the lot he owned, that already housed his own home he had built previously.
The dwelling is a 1.5-story, with a central Passage form, exhibiting a combination of Classical and Victorian aesthetic elements. It is reportedly constructed of adobe brick, which was one of the few available construction materials available to settlers at the time the dwelling was constructed, and clad in historical plaster (due to extensive cracking and deterioration it has been refinished)
Its moderate eaves, raking moldings, and fenestration, including the pilasters of the entry surround, all reflect the
Classical style, while the decorative barge-boards of the eaves are indicative of “updating” the dwelling’s style during the Victorian period of the late-1800s and early-1900s.
The whole house is beautifully decorated in the period style, there are four bedrooms, three have queen size beds, while the fourth has two twin beds each with a trundle underneath. There are two bathrooms, a beautiful period style living room, a dining room, a kitchen, along with laundry facilities on site,
There is also a rooftop balcony to sit out on with patio furniture overlooking a large backyard to enjoy, and the house can accommodate 10 guests.
The construction of permanent dwellings, such as the Blake House, during the pioneer period was no small feat given the relative scarcity of construction materials, and the tenuous nature of the settlement, roughly 300 persons were called to settle the area but fewer than 100 remained after the initial years and the hardships of the remote location, devastating seasonal flooding, lack of culinary water, and high summer temperatures.
While several dwellings built during the pioneer era are extant in St. George, few retain as high a degree of architectural and historical integrity as the 'Frederick Blake House'. As such, this dwelling is an excellent representation of the period and struggle for the community to survive the extreme challenges of settlement. Before the Blake houses were built the families lived in dugouts, as did many of the pioneers settlers.
The building has seen a small amount of exterior alteration over time. First, there are two small, 1-story additions on the rear of the building that wrap around to the north and south elevations. Both additions exhibit the same plaster cladding as the rest of the structure and
appear to have been constructed during the early historic period, so not too long after the initial construction of the home. These additions retain historical integrity in their own right and contribute to the overall integrity of the dwelling and it is a reflection of the pioneer period in St. George.
Here is a great opportunity to experience some of Utah's early Pioneer history, in the beautiful location of St George.
The property is not pet friendly.
Any guests requesting to film or photograph on or in this property can request custom pricing. No film or photography may be produced on this property without written consent by the owners.
Discounts offered: 5% off a weekly reservation, and 10% off a monthly or longer reservation, deducted at check out.
The Frederick Blake Historic Home is professionally managed by Stay Short Term Vacation Rentals.
**Noteworthy: As with all homes built in the era, the stairs leading to the 2nd floor are steeper than usual and the master bedroom (main floor) is the only inside access to the stairs. You can however go outside the Northwest door and in the West facing Northwest door to gain access.
