WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Washington County, Utah)
JAMES G. BLEAK HOME
St. George, Utah
LOCATION
391 South Main StreetSt. George, UT 84770
Plat B, Block xx, Lot x on the old pioneer map of St. George.
37° 6' 5.99" North Latitude, 113° 34' 58.70" West Longitude ???
2,678 feet MSL
Tax ID# SG-XXX-x-x-x
HISTORY
Elijah Fordham obtained the land where this home stands in 1865.The James G. Bleak family purchased it in 1874. They built a granary (root cellar) and used it as a temporary home. It consisted of 3 foot thick adobe walls. The entire structure was sunk down into the earth and had three steps down to the floor level. It had double doors for insulation in keeping with the thick walls. The inside was all shelving to store heat and cool sensitive foods and grains. One room was built above that for cooking, sleeping, etc. There was also a leanto on the side for wood, tools, and implements.
The original part of the house was probably built during the next 16 year after 1874. It sits on a rock foundation like the St. George Temple. The inside and outside walls are adobe brick about 24 inches thick with 10 foot ceilings. It has four rooms on the first floor and three rooms on the second floor. The living room has a huge stone fireplace and there are pine wood floors throughout.
The home remained in the Bleak family until 1943, when the William L. Morris family bought it. Later owners included the Arnoldus, Rockwood, Putnam, and Pershon families.
At one time, it was used as a funeral service building.
Another account of 391 S Main St [Suspect one of these addresses is incorrect]
This is the William Webb home before he moved to 197 South 100 East.
Joseph Webb lived in it at a later time.
In August of 1902, William E. Baker was born in the Worthen home, one block north. On November 19, Arvel Webb was born in the Webb home. Bert Sullivan was born November 20 in the old Cannon home on First South. They all had the same doctor, same midwife, went to the same school, and have been friends ever since.
Joseph Webb moved to Hurricane and the house was sold a few times.
Grace Morris bought the house in 1962.
Later, Howard Putnam bought the house. It has been restored and is in good condition.