Knudsen Family Homes

Wilhelm and Laura Amalie Knudsen came to Brigham City from Denmark in 1854 and initially lived in the Old Fort. The couple had a log cabin built by Porter Squires in 1855. Six of the couple's 13 children were born in this cabin. The cabin was originally on the corner of 1st East and 1st South. Family records say that the cabin was later moved further north on the property and a newspaper article from 1910 noted that the log cabin was used as a coal house for JC, the youngest brother. In 1929, the cabin was moved to Rees Pioneer Park by the Daughter's of the Utah Pioneers. It stayed there until it was moved again in 2000 to its current spot at Brigham Young Park.

The oldest son, Charles William (CW), was born in the Old Fort. Other sons Joseph, Peter, William Otto, and James were born in the log cabin. The youngest son, Jonathan Chester (JC), was born after the family moved into another home.

To help illustrate the growth of Brigham City over a single generation, these boys who were born in a single room log cabin eventually built the homes pictured.

These photos are used for nonprofit, educational and noncommercial uses only. Some of the photos are from the USU Compton Collection of the Merrill-Cazier Library.

Wilhelm Knudsen

Laura Amalie Knudsen

Arrow points directly at what is believed to be the cabin after being moved from the corner of 1st East and 1st South and before being moved to the park. JC Knudson home on the left edge of photo from arrow. CW Knudson home just above arrow. Compton photo

Cabin being moved to Rees Pioneer Park in 1929. Compton photo

Knudsen brothers: William Otto, James, JC, Joseph, Peter, CW.

Home of CW that was on the corner of 100 E and 100 S. Later the home of his son-in-law and daughter Waldemar and Louella Emeline Knudson Call. Compton photo

Approximate area where Joseph's home was at the west end of 200 North.

Former home of Peter Knudsen

Home of William Otto Knudson on the corner of 3rd South and 100 West. Compton photo

A more recent photo of the WO Knudson home (built with brick of the same production as the brick of the original Central School.

Former home of James Knudsen on 100 East near Forest Street. Taken from a Compton photo

A more recent photo of the former home of James Knudsen

The former home of JC Knudson east behind the Capitol Theater