WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Washington County, Utah)
ROBERT D. COVINGTON MANSION
Washington, Utah
LOCATION
181 East 200 NorthWashington, UT 84780-1681
Northwest corner of 200 North and 200 East
37° 8' 5" North Latitude, 113° 30' 20" West Longitude
37° 8.045' North Latitude, 113° 30.401' West Longitude
12S E 277338 N 4112688
HISTORY
This large structure was built in 1859 by twin brothers who also worked on other historic buildings in the area, including the Cotton Factory in Washington and the fort at Pipe Springs, Arizona. It is built of native Navajo sandstone quarried one quarter mile east of the site. Originally, it was the home of Bishop Robert D. Covington and served as as a meeting house for the Saints, and as a way station for the early missionaries to the Indians. The spacious upper floor, entered only by an outside stairway, became a community social center with parties, dances, and plays held there until 1877.The Covington House was added to the National Register of Historic Places (#1978002711) on April 20, 1978.
The Covington home is the oldest remaining building in Utah's Dixie. It is pretty much in its original condition. However the upper floor has been divided into bedrooms and an inside staircase added. The windows have the original glass and the original chimney running through all three floors is still there.
It is currently a private home. Inez Mitchell bought the house in 2001. It was for sale as of 7/2/2009.
Commentary by Mary Phoenix:
In April of 1857, Brigham Young called a group of twenty-eight families to go to Washington to serve as reinforcements for the Cotton Mission, which had been founded a few years previously.
The leader of this group was Robert Dockery Covington, a native of South Carolina. He had even owned slaves before he became a Mormon and was supposed to know something about the culture of cotton.
Evidently everything he touched was prosperous and so in 1880 he began to build this house, worthy of his status as a church, civic and business leader.
The house was unusual in that it was built of stone. The Averett brothers, who did the stone work on Winsor Castle at Pipe Springs and on the Cotton Mill, were the builders. The condition of these buildings more than a century later is testimonial to the quality of their craftsmanship.
While the house had two stories, the upper story was not divided and was one large room with a fireplace. This was handy for such household chores as drying fruit, quilting, weaving and the like. Its space was also valued by the community for meetings, plays and dances. An outside entrance by a separate stairway made it possible for these events to occur without bothering the family activities.
The house has been kept up and restored so that it is basically the same as when it was first built.
BIOGRAPHY
Robert Dockery Covington was born August 20, 1815 in Rockingham, North Carolina. He married Elizabeth Thomas of Marlboro, North Carolina, in 1838 or 1839 and they had four children: John Thomas (born August 7, 1840), Emily Jane (born January 1, 1943), Sarah Ann (born February 2, 1845; died 1845), and Robert Laborius (born August 1, 1847). He crossed the plains in 1847 in Edward Hunter's Company under Captain Daniel Thomas arriving in the Valley on September 25, 1847. Elizabeth died on December 7, 1847. While in Salt Lake City, Robert married two women, Malinda Allison and Nancy Roberts. He was called by Brigham Young in 1857 to lead the second group of 28 families down to Washington, Utah, to establish the "Cotton Mission". With his two wives, they left Salt Lake City on April 6, 1857 and, after a stop in Parawan, arrived in Washington on May 6, 1857. Covington was appointed Branch President of the Washington Branch (associated with the Harmony Ward) on May 7, 1857. On August 1, 1858, the Washington Branch was made the Washington Ward. Covington became the Bishop and served until 1869. He was in the Territorial Legislature from 1858 to 1859. He was the Notary Public for Washington County in 1860. Covington died in Washington on June 2, 1902.PHOTOS
 WCHS-00123 Plaque in front of the Covington Mansion |
WCHS-00124 Front of the Covington Mansion, now a private home |
 August 1977 photo by Kent Powell of the west side looking northeast |
 August 1977 photo by Kent Powell of the front looking north |
1940 photo of the west end of the house by Delos H. Smith
WCHS photos:
WCHS-00557 Jon Bowcutt sketch of the Covington Home
Other photos on the web:
Photos from the National Register of Historic Places nomination form
Waymarking Photo Gallery
REFERENCES
Library of Congress, Historic American Buildings Survey, Robert Lund HomeCall Number: HABS UTAH,27-SAGEO,5-
Survey number HABS UT-15
National Register of Historic Places, Building #78002711
National Register of Historic Places, Inventory - Nomination Form
History of Robert D. Covington
Another history of Robert D. Covington
Another history with information about Robert D. Covington
Historical Buildings of Washington County (Volume 2), pp. 6-7.