salt lake architecture

uhf road trip to cedar city

2011-06-20T04:58:00.000-07:00

The Utah Heritage Foundation is sponsoring a road trip to Cedar City that may interest you. It is happening this Saturday, June 25th and will be visiting some of the great buildings in Iron County. Here is a link with more information. The itinerary is here and you can register here.

lds architecture

2011-03-22T19:40:00.001-07:00

For any who may be interested, I am also working on a project of compiling great LDS architecture, as well as working on a history of LDS meetinghouses. Some of this will apply to Salt Lake buildings, which is why I am posting this here. My belief is that the greatest architectural legacy of the LDS Church is in the Meetinghouse designs. With the exception of a few wonderful publications, very little research has been done to document this Meetinghouse heritage. Especially when compared to LDS Temples.

http://ldsarchitecture.wordpress.com

The initial effort will be to document buildings and sites that are currently still in use. Obviously this will not be a comprehensive effort, but at my discretion will highlight those buildings I deem to be significant or representative of good work. Suggestions are always welcome. Other efforts will include those buildings no longer in use, sold or demolished, as well as documenting typical building types and styles as part of the current Standard Plan program for Meetinghouses, Temples, and Institutes.

Rather than waiting until I have done all the research on a particular building, I will be posting information and images as I obtain them, so it will be an active site with daily postings. Where possible, I will be documenting not just a static point in time of each building, but the history of the building and site through time. The original design; the additions and remodels; the demolitions. This life-cycle story telling will be a reminder of the past and hopefully a guide towards an even better architectural future.

empty lot adjacent to capitol theatre

2011-02-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

There is a great deal to learn from this exposed side elevation of the Capitol Theatre. I count three distinct building profiles that have been directly adjacent to the Capitol Theatre during the history of the building. There may even be more that I'm missing here, but can you spot all three? Does anyone know the history of this site? There will soon be a fourth profiled building adjacent to the old theatre with plans in the works for Ballet West to occupy the site.

Rendering of proposed new building
The beautiful new design for the Jessie Eccles Quinney Center for Dance is raising money for the project and hoping to start construction in Spring 2012.

Front facade of Capitol Theatre
Taken 23 Oct 2010

capitol theatre alley

2011-02-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

Alley adjacent to Capitol Theatre. It's remarkable how many windows were originally in this side facade, and equally remarkable how many of them have been filled in.
Taken 23 Oct 2010

capitol theatre art wall

2011-02-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

Art wall adjacent to Capitol Theatre in alley
Taken 23 Oct 2010

provo tabernacle

2011-01-17T22:37:00.000-08:00

Drawing of Provo Tabernacle in Salt Lake Tribune 18 Apr 1898

Often called the Utah Stake Tabernacle, or the New Provo Tabernacle, this building was first contemplated on the day of dedication for the Old Provo Tabernacle in 1867. (Nineteenth-Century Mormon Architecture & City Planning, page 71)

“Brigham Young…commented that the original tabernacle should have been completed twelve years earlier as originally planned. He stated that it ‘was entirely too small.’ It proved so small that he asked those in the morning session of conference to assemble outside for the afternoon meeting, so all could attend and hear the dedicatory service.” (Nineteenth-Century Mormon Architecture & City Planning, note 64, page 162-63)

Old Provo Tabernacle (Utah State Historical Society Classified Photo Collection)

This request, however, would not be acted upon until 1882 when the Stake Presidency asked for and received approval from the First Presidency to proceed on the new larger building. The architect for the new project was to be William H. Folsom, who was living in Manti while working on the new temple there. Church leaders in Provo asked him to pattern the tabernacle after the Salt Lake Assembly Hall, which was designed by Obed Taylor, whom Folsom had formed a partnership with in 1875 and designed the ZCMI cast-iron façade. As a result, the plans of the two buildings were similar (including a near identical interior to the Assembly Hall), but with an equal number of bays on each side of the transept arms. Shallow pilasters were used instead of wall buttresses. And taking a cue from the Manti temple being worked on, large octagonal corner stair towers were added to the tabernacle. As a result of this, “the gallery could be reached from the outside, freeing the vestibule entrance for those who wished to be seated on the sloping main floor.” (Nineteenth-Century Mormon Architecture & City Planning, page 72-73) Four LDS tabernacles were to be built with a large center spire and smaller spires surrounding. They were the Salt Lake Assembly Hall, Coalville Tabernacle, New Provo Tabernacle, and the Malad Tabernacle. Of these, only the Assembly Hall remains standing.

Of Folsom’s abilities as an architect, Laurel B. Andrew stated, “Without question, William Harrison Folsom was the most sophisticated architect working for the Mormons. Even more than Logan, the Manti temple demonstrates the provincial architect’s adeptness and originality in working with a unique form and in an outmoded style, both of which he reconciled with contemporary ideas to produce an imposing and truly monumental building.” (The Early Temples of the Mormons, page 177)

At a quarterly conference of Utah Stake held in Provo City, September 1st and 2d, 1882, H.H. Cluff, J.P.R. Johnson and J.C. Snyder were appointed a building committee. Some material was collected upon the ground during the fall, such as rock, brick and lumber. During the summer of 1883, the walls were run up to the square and covered for protection during winter storms. (The Daily Enquirer 06 Jan 1888 vol. 12 no. 2)

04 Aug 1885
Construction of the Tabernacle moved along in 1885, and the stake leaders began to visualize early use of the building. At bishops’ meeting, August 4, President Cluff said it had been decided to hold memorial services for General Ulysses S. Grant in the building on August 8. The eighteenth president of the United States had died July 23. Two thousand people assembled on temporary seats in the Tabernacle, which had neither a permanent floor nor doors or windows at that time. The galleries were draped in black… (Places of Worship, page 121)

04 Dec 1885
Stake authorities decided to complete and dedicate the 24 by 30 foot “west room” in the new Tabernacle for priesthood and auxiliary use – even though the building as a whole was a long way from completion. The dedicatory services, [were] held December 4, 1885. (Places of Worship, page 122)

06 Apr 1886
“A little more than a fortnight ago when definite information was received by the residents of Provo that the semi annual conference of the Latter-day Saints would be held within her gates, it found the Tabernacle – the only suitable building for so large a worshipping assembly – in a very incomplete condition, and wholly unsuitable for occupancy. Another people would have been discouraged at the enormity of the labor necessary to make ready for the occasion, but with that characteristic pluck which has built their theatre, their court house, their central school, their bank, the Territorial insane asylum, and other noble public and private edifices, Provo accepted the inevitable with a smile of satisfaction, put on her war-paint, and said the thing could be done. Within that interval of time it may be readily imagined a vast amount of work has been performed, a large force of men being continuously engaged. All the doors and windows have been made and put in place, the entrances temporarily arranged, the panels work in front of the galleries partially completed…”

The building is designed as a Tabernacle for the Utah stake, and its construction has been aided by contributions from all parts of the county, though Provo is entitled to much the greatest need of praise. The estimated cost of the building, when completed, is $75,000, of which $50,000 has been already expended. The ground plan is 156 feet in length by eighty-eight feet in width. This structure, like the other prominent buildings of Provo, is of substantial brick, upon a foundation of solid masonry, the rock work extending as high as the ground and a six foot course of brick above to the water table. This brick work between the rock and the water table will ultimately be plastered with cement and laid off in imitation of rock work. The building is in the shape of a parallelogram, and may be said to resemble in form the Salt Lake Assembly Hall, though about twenty feet longer and ten feet wider than the building. At each of the four corners is an octagon tower, terminating in a spire eighty eight feet in height from the ground, and on the centre of the building a more pretentious one, the spire of which terminates skyward a distance of 168 feet. A promenade around this central tower affords a grand view of Utah Lake and surrounding country. The building may be said to be peculiar in respect to its entrances, of which there are seven (with a vestibule at each), four to the galleries and three main entrances to the auditorium. Besides these there is an entrance at the west end leading to the stands, etc. The peculiarity is that the gallery and main entrances are separate and distinct, each being entirely free from contact with any other and having a perfect communication with the outside. It is understood that Mr. W.H. Folsom, the architect, claims that this portion of the plan was revealed to him in a vision, and as the arrangement is altogether novel and a great improvement over similar edifices throughout the Territory, there is no reason for discrediting his somewhat startling assertion. The auditorium is 126 feet long and sixty four feet wide; from floor to ceiling the measurement is forty feet; the floor has a gentle slope from the west end, where the stands (three in number) are located, to the east end, where the floor is six feet above the grade. West and back of the three stairs is the allotted space for the choir, and back of that is a recess 12 by 20 feet, designed for an organ. A large gallery, 18 feet from the floor, encircles the interior, except at the west end. The gallery at the sides has a depth of 18 feet, with five rises or rows of seats; and at the east end, a depth of 30 feet, with nine rows of seats. The building is capable of seating 3,000 souls. Mr. Harvey H. Cluff, locally celebrated for his ability as a builder and contractor, particularly on account of his success in constructing the Provo Theatre, has directed the work from foundation to pinnacle. Altogether the building is a singularly commodious and convenient one, and one well adapted to the wants of the progressive people whom it is intended to accommodate. (Daily Enquirer 06 Apr 1886 vol. 10 no. 28)

“There is no part in the city that seems to be so busy as the Tabernacle block. About one hundred men are faithfully laboring, clearing up the debris, graveling the side walks, and putting the block into a very neat appearance, while on the inside, under the superintendency of brother James O. Snyder, the carpenters are pushing the work necessary to be done so that the visitors to Conference may be comfortably seated. It is an assured fact that everything possible is being done to make things pleasant for those who attend the general Conference. Nearly all the windows are put in giving the immense structure an improved and otherwise pleasing aspect. The doors before Saturday will be hung so that the eight heating stoves can be placed in to warm up the building. The seating capacity will be about 4,000.” (Daily Enquirer 26 Mar 1886 vol. 10 no. 25)

Because of polygamy raids, none of the members of the First Presidency attended the General Conference in the Provo Tabernacle. Instead, “An Epistle of the First Presidency” was read to the congregation and then published in the newspaper in its entirety.

Deseret News 06 Apr 1886

09 Jun 1886
Our Tabernacle is nearing completion. The painters are taking down the scaffolding on the outside, and Brother Samuel Liddiard, and a corps of men, are plastering the inside. (Deseret News 09 Jun 1886)

06 Jan 1888 – Utah Stake Tabernacle
The whole building covers an area of 160 feet, extending east and west by 88 feet in width, with four octagon corners. The brick walls of these octagon corners extend one story above the roof and each support a tower 88 feet high from the ground. The center tower is supported by the roof on three main trusses, and is 140 feet high from the ground. The main entrance is at the east end, but there are spacious entrances through a vestibule at each side of the building and two door-ways in the west end, thus providing for good ingress and egress. Another commendable feature is connected with this structure, that is the entrances to and from the galleries, which is by a circular flight of stairs at each octagon corner and entirely independent from the body of the building.

The auditorium is 126x64 feet, with raised seats extending from the front stand to the east end of the building. There are three stands ranging one above the other, and in the rear of these stands will be the organ and seating capacity for a large choir. There is one gallery extending on both sides and one end, making a seating capacity for 3,000 persons. The entire cost of the building, when finished, including organ and heating furnace, will be about $100,000. (The Daily Enquirer 06 Jan 1888 vol. 12 no. 2)

03 Jun 1888 – The Utah Stake Quarterly Conference – Sunday Forenoon
President A. O. Smoot called the morning session to order at 10 o’clock, President Isaac Bullock opening with prayer. President Jacob Gates directed his opening remarks to the Seventies of the Stake, urging them to complete the new Stake Tabernacle. The Lord and our leaders, the speaker remarked, have a right to expect the best of work from the seven hundred Seventies of the Utah Stake of Zion. The Presidents of the Seventies were asked to take the matter in hand. The speaker then referred to the privileges of the Latter-day Saints. “We can afford to forego the pleasures of this life for such blessings.” Wished the Seventies to show that those who chose them to that calling were not mistaken.

President A. O. Smoot felt under obligations to President Gates for his reasonings with the Saints. While at Manti lately he had been pleased to hear the report of the donation by the Saints of the Sanpete Stake of a quarter of a million of dollars. Besides this people of Manti have built a fine Tabernacle. Moreover, the wealth of the Stake has been increased not much short of fifty percent. I felt sorrowful to think of our condition. Here is our Stake Tabernacle, stopped and in debt, and we are unable to go on with it. In my opinion, the fault does not lie with the people, but with the authorities. The speaker wished it known that he was decidedly opposed to the late granting of liquor licenses in Provo. The City Council went advisedly and directly against the view of the Stake Presidency and the High Council.

Notes. The two sessions of Sunday were literally crowded, the aisles being occupied by seats. Surely the Tabernacle is needed. (Deseret News 04 Jun 1888)

31 Aug 1888
At length the new Tabernacle for this Stake is so far completed as to permit of the holding of Quarterly Conference tomorrow and Sunday. This will be good news to Conference visitors who, to secure a seat, have previously either had to almost remain in the meeting-house after Sunday forenoon’s services, or else run the risk. The new Tabernacle will accommodate the large influx of people who will attend the coming Conference, and everybody will be enabled to obtain a seat without any risk. Another great feature of the new building, and one which will be greatly appreciated at this season of the year, is its complete facilities for ventilation. The building can thus be made perfectly cool and comfortable.

By the time the next Stake Conference approaches, the Tabernacle will have received other finishing touches. It is the determination of the Stake Presidency and the Building Committee to lose no time or effort in rushing the building to completion. (Daily Enquirer 31 Aug 1888 vol. 12 no. 69)

Pipes from early Provo Tabernacle Organ preserved at Pioneer Village. Grand May Day Festival in the Utah Stake Tabernacle, at Provo, May 1st, 1889, in aid of the Stake Tabernacle Organ Fund. Admit One. General Admission, 25 Cents. (Courtesy, L.Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602.)

1890
At the age of 75, architect William Folsom was arrested for bigamy and fined by the court. He sold his house in Manti to pay the fine. (Find A Grave memorial)

21 Mar 1890 – Utah Stake Tabernacle
This magnificent building is located in the central part of Provo City, on the south-east corner of the Tabernacle block fronting Main Street. It has been erected at a cost of seventy-five thousand, by the Latter-day Saints of Utah stake, as a suitable building in which to hold their stake conferences or other meetings of a general character where much room is required.

The building is by no means a small one, its dimensions being 158 foot long, 130 feet wide and 160 feet high to the pinnacle of the main tower, the general architecture of the structure thus combining space with beauty, neatness of design, comfort and convenience.

To a person standing at the base of this grand edifice, it has indeed an imposing appearance. Its huge brick walls with porticoed entrances, its broad buttresses and its octagon towers at each corner surmounted by conical turrets whose apexes, towering toward heaven all remind a person, but for the elegant architectural work, of the huge oriental castle of medaeval times and the person can imagine himself carried back eight centuries on the wings of time and gazing upon some noted feudal lord’s stronghold where kings and armies with all their war implements of that date, cannot molest him.

There are entrances on all sides of the building, the main ones however, wing from the rear end and sides, where large double doors open through beautiful hood-mouldings to the portal entrances, which are immediately connected with the large hall. Besides these there are spiral stairways in each of the octagon corners, which lead directly from the exterior to the spacious gallery which is beautifully ornamented and supported by twenty-six strong iron pillars.

The room which is illumined by a flood of light from forty large groind windows, is high and well ventilated, the ceiling being dotted with ventilators which are nicely ornimented with plaster of paris.

By the floor being gently raised from the rostrum to the rear end of the room, the audience is materially aided both in seeing and hearing, and a person quite enjoys sitting on the comfortable rounded benches which is very different from the state of affairs in the old adjacent tabernacle where the straight backed seats cause a person to think, after sitting there for an hour and a half, that he has been resting his weary limbs for some time past, on the rock of Gibralter; and, from the manner in which the cruel bench cleaves to him he would also infer that the rock had been highly magnatized.

The necessary appliances for heating the room have not, as yet, been arranged, the building being at present in an unfinished condition; but it is the intention of those who have the matter in charge, to have it warmed throughout by steam.

At the base of the central tower, which surmounts the roof, is a small veranda, where, with an open window near the top of the tower, reached with difficulty by spiral stairways, ladders, etc., the people resort for sight-seeing as the view afforded from the window, of the city and surrounding country, is the finest that can be obtained in this locality. The dwelling houses far below you look as though they might be the habitations of the Dwarfs in Central Africa, and, as you sit there meditating thus suspended between heaven and earth, you become enraptured with the awe and grandure of the secene from the Provo Tabernacle. B.Y. Student. (The Daily Enquirer 21 Mar 1890 vol. 14 no. 24)

Utah Stake Tabernacle (Utah State Historical Society Classified Photo Collection)

07 May 1891 – The Tabernacle Lighted
Last night were seen the luminous jets of the electric lighting of the new Utah Stake Tabernacle, which for the first time sent brilliant rays through the sombre spires of the magnificent structure. The work and cost of lighting has been under the auspices of the Y.M.M.I.A.

One hundred and fifty dollars is the approximate cost of fitting in the 64 incandescent lights which are distributed at intervals around the cornice of the first balcony, and over the Grand stand, where will be seated the chorus, and over them a groupe of ten lights and the same in the centre and at the east end of the gallery. While the initial lighting took place last night the first grand rehearsal for the May Festival was held, which indeed made the air ring with musical enthusiasm. There has from the first been great interest taken by all of the choirs from settlements and the local ward choirs.

The lighting is a special feature for the Festival on the 16th where three hundred and fifty voices and an orchestra of twenty five pieces will render the musical climax of the Garden city. This is only a commencement of musical festivals and now that the laudable step has been taken by the Young Men’s association, others will follow by putting in the heating and organ. (The Daily Enquirer 07 May 1891 vol. 3 no. 133)

16 Jun 1891
Our large Tabernacle will be crowded on Thursday evening to witness a great musical performance…Mme. Carrington and company will sing “My old Kentuckey home” as one of her popular numbers…Don’t forget to buy your tickets at once for the great musical festival in the Tabernacle on Thursday night…Provo did herself proud in securing such a large company of eminent artists to join our own popular singers in a grand festival…The renowned Abbie Carrington will appear at the Utah Stake Tabernacle on Thursday night in grand concert with our most talented local artists. The great inflamatus at the Festival on Thursday evening by our choir and Mme. Carrington as soloist will itself be worth double the price of admission…It was a good idea for the manager of the Festival to have the Carrington company arrange a popular programme with selections that all can understand and enjoy…Reserved seats for the grand festival are selling rapidly. A large number have already been sold. Center floor only 50cts., centre gallery only 75cts., general admission 25cts. on sides. These prices are extremely low, considering that this company charges three dollars per ticket in the east. (The Daily Enquirer 16 Jun 1891 vol. 3 no. 166)

Abbie Carrington. The season of 1890-91, the most successful and extended of her career, was a tour of the Pacific coast and British Columbia which included a performance at the Provo Tabernacle. (A Woman of the Century)

04 Apr 1892 – Tabernacle Concert and A Puff of Smoke.
The concert at the Tabernacle on Friday evening was a musical feast to all those who were fortunate enough to be present. The building was literally packed with lovers of music. The choir marched to their seats from the gallery, while the children entered from below, followed by the Military band and Mandolin club.

Miss Dora Davis’s piano solo was being listened to with wrapt attention when a gust of wind caused a volume of smoke to issue from the stove door; some one hallowed fire, which caused the large audience to rise and hundreds rushed for the doors. Judge Jones jumped on the stand and explained the situation, and Professor Giles immediately gave the signal and the chorus and band started on the ‘Anvil Chorus,’ which was cheered and applauded from beginning to end, and had the effect of calming the audience.

The selection by the boys’ class was ruined by a second puff of smoke, causing another stampede, and this time the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ was given as a pacifier.

Notwithstanding the difficulties under which the performers were placed, they kept the entertainment going and did not permit it to lag a moment. Our visitors were loud in their praise of Provo’s musical talent. The concert that we have had recently gives us an idea what to expect when our Tabernacle is completed, the stand arranged so that the singers can be seated properly, and an organ that will give our organist an opportunity to perform some of his favorite class of music. (Daily Enquirer 04 Apr 1892 vol. 5 no. 104)

19 Apr 1892 – Stake Tabernacle – Statement of Its Financial Conditions
The following letter from the Tabernacle building committee was read Sunday morning April 17th in the Quarterly Stake Conference.

Brethren and Sisters,
The committee on Tabernacle, who have had charge of the building and who have labored long and faithfully to bring it so near completion, through change of circumstances have resigned their positions, and the undersigned, your brethren, having been appointed to succeed them at a general priesthood meeting, together with the bishops of various wards to act as agents in the matter, we would most respectfully and earnestly entreat the hearty co-operation of all in doing what is in their power to assist us in the completion of this much needed edifice of worship for the saints of this Stake of Zion.

We are fully aware of the stringency of the times, but also bear in mind that under circumstances of private and extreme difficulty some of the noblest works of the saints have been accomplished, and that corresponding blessings have followed their efforts. In view of these facts, and being called upon by authorities of the stake, we feel a degree of assurance in calling upon the saints for renewal assistance in the work before us.

The Heating Apparatus, the completion of the stand, and a suitable organ, together with certain appropriate decorations are what is needed for the interior. And we are of the opinion that the opportionment already made to the various wards will be sufficient to complete the work.

It will require considerable cash to obtain the commodities needful for the building, at the same time your committee will use every effort in their power to utilize the products of the country, and considerable merchandise, grain, beef, stock, etc., can be made available.

We also wish to announce that Bishop J.P.R. Johnson has been appointed to superintend the work in building, under the direction of your committee, and that Brother J.W. Bean will act as secretary and treasurer, he being authorized to receive and receipt for all funds on Tabernacle account and to disburse the same, as per order of the superintended, counter-signed by the committee.

It is also the intention of your committee to have presented a statement of the receipts from each ward and from any other source, together with an account of all disbursements of each quarterly Conference. Hoping to receive a hearty response to this important duty,

We remain, Your Brethren,
S.S. Jones, J.E. Daniels, V.L. Halliday, Wm. K. Robinson, Henry Gardner, Committee.
(Daily Enquirer 19 Apr 1892 vol. 5 no. 117)

17 Mar 1894 – Sousa’s Concert at the Tabernacle.
A large audience greeted the Sousa band in the Tabernacle yesterday afternoon. The fact of the entertainment taking place in the afternoon kept some people away who would have given their last dollar to be there. Many lawyers, merchants and clerks were kept at the grindstone, and could only hear the bugle call which was given on the outside of the building. At 2 o’clock promptly the leader raised his baton, and from that moment until the final clash of Wagner’s ‘Lohengien’ the vast audience was swayed by all the emotions to which the soul is heir. (Daily Enquirer 17 Mar 1894 vol. 9 no. 89)

07 Mar 1895 – President Smoot’s funeral
The funeral services of President A.O. Smoot will be held in the Utah Stake Tabernacle at 11 a.m. Sunday next. The body will lay in state, in the Tabernacle, from 9 a.m. till 11 a.m., and the public will have the opportunity of viewing the remains. The members of all the quorums of the priesthood in this stake are kindly invited to attend, and the public in general. (Daily Enquirer 07 Mar 1895 vol. 11 no. 80)

04 Jan 1896
The tabernacle was the scene of one of the valley's biggest celebrations to mark the granting of statehood to Utah. (Places of Worship, page 122)

Provo Tabernacle - South side of Tabernacle looking from south to north (National Register of Historic Places Application)

17 Apr 1898 – The New Provo Tabernacle Dedicated
A vast assembly attended the dedicatory services of the Utah stake Tabernacle this morning. George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith of the First Presidency, Apostles John Henry Smith and Heber J. Grant were in attendance. Prior to the dedicatory prayer by President Cannon, President Reed Smoot gave a descriptive account of the work of completing the Tabernacle, and speaking in the highest terms, thanked all who so generously contributed either money or labor to the same.

The dedicatory prayer was by President Cannon and was pronounced amidst the greatest possible attention. Every entrance to the building was crowded, and crowds thronged the corridors. It was by far the largest audience ever assembled in the house.

Ground for the erection of this now magnificent building was first broken in the fall of 1881, and the work was completed Friday evening, when the body of men who have been engaged drew away and admired the work accomplished in the past two months. Progress at the ????tion of the Tabernacle was necessarily slow, owing to lack of funds. It is remembered that even in 1886, when the general conference of the church was held at this place, there were no seats in the gallery, and the entire building was very incomplete.

The “finishing touches,” as the late improvements might be termed, have been watched with great interest, especially by the older residents, who have anxiously contemplated the completion of the building from its commencement, and they at last behold with gladdened eyes the change from the former comparatively barren place of worship.

The elegant and costly improvements made upon both the interior and exterior of the Tabernacle have placed it equally alongside the very finest ecclesiastical houses of the State. The transformation is not only one of elegance, but everything connected with the work has been made profoundly substantial.

The general appearance of the building and grounds has been remarkably improved. On the interior a heavy ingrain paper covers the upper part of the walls while a wainscoting of ? ? ? made a six-foot border, upward from the floor. The ceiling has been ?paneled magnificently. All the woodwork is grained oak, and by Utah county artists, who feel justly proud of the work.

An assignment of upholstered opera chairs has been purchased for the choir and substituted for the plain seats formerly used. Probably the most attractive subjects upon entering the room are the three chandeliers presented by the Provo woolen mills employees. They were purchased at a cost of more than $200, and each is made for the holding of twenty-four incandescent lights. Besides there in the chandeliers, which hang from the ceiling, a row of incandescents placed at intervals of five feet completely encircles the gallery balustrade.

Artist Fairbanks is engaged in the painting of two subjects, “The Ascension of Christ” and “Joseph Smith’s First Vision.” The pictures will be 8x10 feet in size and will adorn the space over the corner doors in the west end of the house.

Improvements on the exterior are very numerous, the most noticeable being the quarried stone balustrade in place of the old iron railings on the steps of the entrances. The estimated cost of the improvements is ?? The greater part of this amount has been raised by popular subscription, and the people of the county generally, regardless of creed, have contributed to the fund. (Salt Lake Tribune 18 Apr 1898)

Provo Tabernacle ca. 1900. Also shown is the old Meeting House, or Old Provo Tabernacle. (Courtesy, L.Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602.) Between 1886 and 1893 quarterly conferences were held in the Old and New Tabernacle, apparently depending, in part, upon the condition of the new building. Time of year also seemed to have a bearing. Winter sessions consistently were held in the old building until after the boiler and steam heating system were completed in 1893. (Places of Worship, page 122)

18 Apr 1898 – Dedication of the Tabernacle Brings Out Many People
No quarterly Stake conference ever held in Provo has been so largely attended as the one held Saturday and Sunday. This was no doubt owing to the fact that the tabernacle was to be dedicated. Of the leading authorities who were present were Presidents Cannon and Smith, and Elders John Henry Smith and Heber J. Grant of the quorum of Apostles, Dr. Karl G. Maeser, the members of the Stake presidency, members of the High Council and the Bishops of the various wards.

Sunday forenoon the attendance was unusually large; it is estimated that about 4,000 people attended the services, many of them remaining standing all the time. Presidents Partridge and Smoot gave a report of the efforts to finish the building, mentioning the great liberality which had been exhibited by all who were asked to contribute in various ways either in cash or labor, some of whom were not members of the Church.

The dedicatory prayer was then offered by President George Q. Cannon. President Joseph F. Smith then addressed the congregation. He spoke of the good work that had been accomplished by the people in finishing the house, and expressed great pleasure in the reports given by Presidents Partridge and Smoot of the generosity and kindly feeling that had been exhibited. (Deseret News 18 Apr 1898)

Architect William Harrison Folsom

19 Mar 1901 – Death of Architect William H. Folsom
In the demise of Patriarch W. H. Folsom, Utah loses one of her oldtime and most worthy citizens. He was identified with many of the finest structures in the State as their architect and builder, and was respected by all classes of the community....His excellent qualities of mind and heart endeared him to a host of friends, and his material works stand as monuments to his skill and accuracy in both design and execution. (Find A Grave memorial) His skill and energy are expressed in the most sacred and enduring edifices of Utah, and for all time his name will be held in love by many and in honor by all. (Deseret News 20 Mar 1901)

Chicago Symphony ticket found underneath the main floor of the tabernacle by maintenance personnel. (provotabernacle.org)

18 Jan 1902 – Garden City Notes
The Chicago Sympony orchestra with its forty performers and, in addition several soloists of the highest rank will appear in the Tabernacle, Wednesday, the 29th. Special rates will be given by the railroads for the occasion. (Deseret News 18 Jan 1902)

24 Aug 1907 – New Organ in Provo Tabernacle
The above cut shows the $10,000 organ just placed in the Utah Stake tabernacle at Provo. The organ built by the Austin Organ company of Hartford, Connecticut, and is considered by experts one of the best. (Deseret News 24 Aug 1907)

25 Aug 1907 – New Pipe Organ Provo’s Pride
The initial concert given in the Provo tabernacle since the installation of the new pipe organ was attended by a large audience Friday evening. The organ under manipulation of Professor C. W. Reid proved to be a wonderful instrument, fully up to the expectation of the most critical. The vocal selections by the choir and the soloists were of the usual high standard. (Salt Lake Herald 26 Aug 1907)

US President William Howard Taft in Provo Tabernacle

24 Sep 1909 – US President speaks in Provo Tabernacle
The reception of the President at Provo was the chief feature of the day. The train arrived at 12:45, and then came to an automobile ride through the city and to Temple hill, and then back to the Provo tabernacle where the President spoke for nearly thirty minutes, and then shook hands with nearly 2,000 of his ‘friends,’ as he called them. (Salt Lake Herald 25 Sep 1909)

Between 1909 and 1911
The organ was enlarged. (Nineteenth-Century Mormon Architecture & City Planning, page 73)

Interior of Provo Tabernacle ca. 1910

06 Mar 1917 – To Repair Tabernacle
The Provo tabernacle of the Mormon church is to be remodeled and provided with a new roof this spring. Announcement to that effect was made here by Joseph B. Keeler, president of the Utah stake. (Salt Lake Telegram 06 Mar 1917)

1917
Frosted glass was replaced with stained glass when the crossing tower was removed and the ceiling reconfigured. The original chandeliers were removed at the same time. (Nineteenth-Century Mormon Architecture & City Planning, page 73)

A number of significant changes were made to the Provo Tabernacle in 1917. The most noticeable was the elimination of the crossing-tower. Its removal, because of structural inadequacies (causing the roof to sag), significantly altered the appearance and visual cohesion of the building. Moreover, it eliminated one of the most popular attractions in town, as people were able to get a commanding view of Utah Valley from its promenade. The removal of the tower led to a reconfiguration of the ceiling and the replacement of the original frosted- for stained glass windows. The addition of the new windows softened the interior through the presence of ambient light. (www.provo.org)

03 Jul 1917 – Old Meeting House to be Torn Down
The Provo meeting house is to be torn down, as it has been decided that it has outlived its usefulness – that it is out of date. Not that the building is weakened by the years no?? decay, except so far as neglect and the ravages of change and improvement of the last few years have made it shabby and dismantled it of its antique fixtures. It was gutted some years ago, when it was thought it might do for a gymnasium, but it was not used for that purpose very long.

The building was finished in 1867. It was several years building because the people were poor, but the work was not slighted, and with the usual care it would outlast most of the buildings that have since been built. When it was completed it was the finest house of worship in the territory. It is said to be practically a reproduction of a church attended by President Brigham Young in the East. The pulpit was built by Thomas Allman and was a beautiful piece of woodwork, worthy of preservation for that reason alone. The painting of the wooden pillows which supported the gallery and the painting of other parts of the interior was done by James Gledhill and to the last retained a hardness and luster as of polished hardwood. These men, and probably all who worked on the building, wrought with love and pride and not for a day or a day’s reward, and it is perhaps well that they are not here to see the light esteem in which their work is held as a memorial to the toll and sacrifice, the noble planning and the honest execution of the pioneers.

Apart from the sentiment attached to the wood and stone, which form this monument to the faith and works of a past generation, there are memories still left of the spirit of the old house – echoes of burning eloquence and kindly counsel, exhortation and simple faith, and songs of praise and thanksgiving – and they cannot be torn down. Fortunately there will be saved from the wreck the bell, which has summoned thousands to worship. It will be placed at the Brigham Young university, where it will call to work and devotion, this and coming generations, some of them descendants of those for whom at first it tolled. (Deseret News 03 Jul 1917)

1916 photo (provotabernacle.org)

22 Jun 1921 – Tabernacle Grounds to be made into Park
The tabernacle grounds are to be converted into a beautiful park, according to an announcement made by President T. N. Taylor today. Plans that will make these grounds Provo’s central beauty spot are now in the hands of Architect Joseph Nelson, and while all of the details have not been worked out or accepted by the local authorities, President Taylor declared today that they will for the most part be accepted.

The plans call for the main entrance from Center street even with the north door of the tabernacle. In the center of this entrance will be an axis from which paths will run in four directions. At the west end of the path running east and west will be a large lily pool behind which will be erected a pergola which may be used for a speakers’ or band stand. Near this will be an artistic sun dial. Besides the main axis there will be an axis circular in form which will contain a raised flower bed, from which paths will extend in various directions. In the southwest corner of the park will be a group of trees and a clump of tall shrubs will be planted along the west side of the park.

Among the decorative plants to be used in beautifying the grounds will be the spireas, lilacs, privet hedge, dogwoods, ivies, flowering perennials and annuals.

President Taylor says that while all of the planting may not be done this year it is the intention to prepare the grounds at as early date as possible. (Deseret News 22 Jun 1921)

Tower removed with pedestal base remaining (Utah State Historical Society Classified Photo Collection)

02 Dec 1938 – Provo Gives Noted Artist Fiery Ovation
By this time, Sergei Rachmaninoff, aristocrat of pianists knows that the progressive city of Provo holds an audience second to none in its enthusiasm for his music. By 6:30 p.m. a long queue stood before the door of the Tabernacle. At 7:30, the line, four-deep, extended one block to Main Street. By 8, the Tabernacle held at least one-sixth of the town’s total population.

Into an atmosphere, electric with youthful enthusiasm, Rachmaninoff moved slowly, deliberately as if walking was an effort. If he was moved by the reception, he manner as always, showed no trace of a kindred feeling. His whole appearance belied that of his profession. Rachmaninoff looks more like a monk, worn by rigid asceticism and a contempt for the vanities of this world, than a world favorite.

His playing was as dispassionate. In the Rameau ‘Variations’ and the Bach ‘Toccata, E Minor’ exhibitionism had no part. Music, pure music, delicate in its gradations, seemed the artist’ only concern…Untiring salvos of applause finally brought the artist out for a single encore, his own ‘Prelude in C Sharp Minor.’ (Deseret News 02 Dec 1938)

The 1938 graduating class and their families and friends crowded the Provo Tabernacle. (Courtesy, L.Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602.)

28 Nov 1949
Preparations have been completed for the presentation of two benefit concert programs scheduled for Monday and Tuesday evenings in the Provo Tabernacle, the four participating stake presidencies reported Monday. The concerts are being sponsored jointly by the four Provo area stakes, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as a fund raising campaign to assist in the remodeling program of the 75-year-old tabernacle, church and community landmark. Tickets are good for either of the two concerts, and families have been urged to attend in groups. There are approximately 5000 LDS families in the four stakes that participate in use of the tabernacle. (Deseret News 28 Nov 1949)

By the 1960's, attempts were made to have the building demolished. Thanks to the effort of the late Provo architect Fred L. Markham, chairman from 1965 to 1967 of a council of the stake presidents who used the building, these efforts failed. (Places of Worship, page 123)

Post card with reconfigured roof (postmarked 22 Aug 1953)

09 Sep 1975 – Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
From the application: The interior assembly hall is a spectacular space. The original pews, horseshoe gallery, decorative woodworking and beautiful organ loft with exposed pipes remain as a tribute to the craftsmanship of our pioneer ancestors. Below the chapel are four rooms for the accomodation of the Stake Presidency, High Council and auxiliary Stake boards. On the top floor is a circular prayer room with dressing rooms attached. There is also a baptismal font with dressing rooms in the basement. The treatment of the interior is tastefully lavish and inspiring. There is an especially impressive mood in the morning when the sunlight floods into the huge chapel through the many stained glass windows.

The interior is finished with painted, stained and varnished sugar pine wood. The stand was designed by Thomas Allman. When first finished the benches were made with straight backs and the seats were covered with red velvet – later these were replaced by curved back, spring-filled leather upholstered benches. A green plush curtain separated the choir from the top pulpit and speakers. When the green curtain was removed, the space was filled with a strip of fir lumber, beautifully designed, carved and engraved by Thomas M. Allman, which has been admired by many church leaders, diplomats, and thousands of Saints and friends. The balcony extends around the entire assembly hall and the building is well lighted, heated and ventilated. (National Register of Historic Places Application)

Interior Rostrum (Utah State Historical Society Classified Photo Collection) “The woodwork of the rostrum was a truly remarkable piece of craftsmanship, mixing a variety of Victorian and Greek Revival elements in an elaborate composition of curved, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines. Although somewhat lacking in unity between interior and exterior, the tabernacle demonstrated both the originality of Folsom’s compositional skills and the breadth of his eclecticism.” (Paul L. Anderson, Places of Worship, page 123)

16 Nov 1988
Helge Skjeveland’s candelabra and tux may not be as flamboyant as Liberace’s, but his computerized laser beam concert was an unusual sight in the Provo Tabernacle. (Deseret News 16 Nov 1988)

25 Dec 1996
Catholics celebrate Mass in Provo Tabernacle
The only familiar fixture in the Provo Tabernacle on Christmas Eve might have been the fussing children, clutching bags of cereal meant to keep them quiet. The crucifix, candles, communion wine, incense and statue of the Virgin Mary definitely were new. “Well, the roof didn’t fall in,” said St Francis of Assisi parishioner Steve Williams after the 5:30 p.m. service. Tuesday night was the first time the building in downtown Provo was used for a non-Mormon religious service. (Deseret News 25 Dec 1996)

Provo Tabernacle-5027 by tburning

17 Dec 2010 – Provo Tabernacle Fire
Firefighters continued to try and put out flames Friday afternoon after a fire broke out at the Provo Tabernacle early Friday morning on December 17, 2010 on University Avenue in Provo. The fire at the Provo Tabernacle is contained but not controlled, according to firefighters. Officials believe the historic building caught fire sometime around 2:30 a.m. (Daily Herald)

Crews were expected to mop up hot spots overnight from Friday's four-alarm fire that gutted the historic Provo Tabernacle. "All of the roof has collapsed into the structure, and now it's just a process of putting out the burning debris and getting it safe for us to go and take a look at it," said Provo Fire Marshal Lynn Schofield. Fire crews remained at the scene through Friday/Saturday night as flames and embers could still be seen inside the building. (Deseret News 18 Dec 2010)

Provo Tabernacle Ruins 7 by arbyreed

utah ice and storage

2010-12-23T22:17:00.000-08:00

I had no idea this building was up for demolition until reading today that it was demolished three days ago. The Utah Heritage Foundation had good coverage of the demolition. I'm so glad I was able to take some pictures of the building back in July. As I sat at the TRAX station waiting to head back home on that hot July afternoon, I was struck by the amazing potentials of the building, both its prime location and the beauty that restoring it would bring to the SLC Transit hub block. I thought of Portland's Pearl District, where industrial buildings and warehouses have been preserved and now are the center of the most vibrant part of the city.

But, sadly, no such vision exists in Salt Lake City.

Before Photo

After Photo (Utah Heritage Foundation Photo of Demolition)

So many buildings of significance here in SLC are being demolished and replaced with something infinitely worse than was there before. The dumbing-down of Salt Lake. Willful and deliberate destruction. Remember how much effort it took just to save the Deseret Bank Building downtown? The intent, desire and goals of the developer, architect, and client of City Creek was to tear it down and put up a new non-descript building with no character in its place. Thankfully the people rose up in protest to preserve and restore the building.

I'm sure the plans for this prominent, yet run-down corner of the city are to put up yet another new non-descript character-less building. How many more Gateway mall buildings do we really need in our city? How many City Creek buildings can we handle? If this is part of some kind of New Urbanist Redevelopment thinking in Utah, I want nothing to do with it. Not when there is so much historic beauty waiting to be cleaned-up, restored, and preserved.

Taken from the TRAX station looking towards Utah Ice and Storage building with Rio Grande depot in distance

saint olaf catholic church

2010-10-01T19:25:00.000-07:00

Orchard Drive & 1800 South
Bountiful, Utah
Architect - Brotherton & Gillies
Dedicated - July 29, 1980

"For nearly 100 years after the area was first settled by the Mormon pioneers, there were no Catholic churches between Salt Lake City and Ogden. The few Catholics in South Davis County attended Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. St. Olaf Parish was established May 26, 1943, as a Paulist Mission to include the entire Davis County. The name of St. Olaf, Viking king and patron saint of Norway, was chosen by Bishop Duane G. Hunt in recognition of the Scandinavian residents of Utah.

By the beginning of 1978, the parish had 400 families. Father Thomas L. McNamara held a general parish meeting where it was decided it was time to build a permanent church. Ground breaking for the new church and parish hall took place July 8, 1979. The basic structure was completed by professional builders in April 1980. Parish volunteers finished the interior, including sheet rocking, painting, plumbing, and electrification.

The new church was dedicated July 29, 1980, the 950th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Olaf. By 1983, the parish had 500 families. The parish hall, the McNamara Center, was completed in time for its first big event, the annual Ladies Luncheon on Oct. 15." (Saint Olaf Catholic Church website)

Church Building Under Way
"Bountiful - Construction of a parish center at St. Olaf's Catholic Church and School northeast corner of 18th South and Orchard Drive, is expected to be completed by spring of 1980. The Rev. Thomas L. McNamara, pastor of St. Olaf's Catholic Church, said ground was broken for the $700,000 building in July but construction did not begin until the end of August.

He said the two-story brick building will contain a basketball court, parish social center, kitchen and other rooms on one side and a church on the other. Church services are now being held in a large room in the school.

Father McNamara said the contractor for the building is William Francis Construction Co. and the architect is Brotherton & Gillies, both Salt Lake City firms. The pastor said his church is in the midst of a fund drive to raise the $700,000 needed to construct the building." (Deseret News 27 Nov 1979)

eagle emporium

2010-08-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Eagle Emporium building at 102 South Main Street has quite a complicated little history. And with that history comes a plethora of contradictory information to go along with it. So in an attempt to sort through it all, I have listed as good a summary as I could muster on this building, with supporting data presented below in chronological order.

Previously on the site:
1857 Butcher shop built for $1000 by William Jennings (History of Salt Lake City, pg 78)
1861 The Octagon House (tanning business) by William Jennings

Summary History of Building:
1864 Two-story Eagle Emporium built (William Jennings owner, William Paul architect); Store opened on Thursday 04 Aug 1864
1868 Name changed to ZCMI after Jennings buys into co-op with Brigham Young
1873 Clock erected according to Utah Heritage Foundation (1878 according to Utah State Hist Society)
1876 ZCMI moves to new location, name changed back to Eagle Emporium
1885 Two-story addition constructed, creating a four-story building
1890 Building function changed to house a bank, becoming the Utah National Bank with some accompanying construction work done on building
1912 Renamed to Utah State National Bank with Joseph F Smith as president - absorbing State Bank of Utah, Utah Comm. & Savings, and Utah National Bank
1916 Extensive renovation of interior and exterior of building
1949 Renamed to Utah First National Bank
1956 Renamed to First National Bank of Salt Lake City with building still named Utah First National Bank Building
1958 Renamed to Zions First National Bank with building still named Utah First National Bank Building
1962 Building name changed to Zions First National Bank
1982 Extensive remodel of interior and exterior, including the removal of the top two floors

Built in 1864, the Eagle Emporium Building is the oldest existing commercial building in downtown Salt Lake City. William Jennings, Utah’s first millionaire, constructed the building to house his mercantile business. It is the city’s only remaining commercial structure built prior to the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The Eagle Emporium Building is also notable as the first home of ZCMI. At the request of Brigham Young, Jennings exchanged his emporium’s inventory for stock in the new ZCMI in 1868. He also leased this building to the cooperative. The building’s long banking history began in 1890 when Utah National Bank occupied the building. The bank covered the building’s original red sandstone facade with a veneer of terra-cotta in 1916. The ornate clock in front of this building is one of the few remaining pieces of 19th-century street furniture in Salt Lake City’s downtown. The clock was erected on this site in 1873 and was first powered by a water wheel. (Utah Heritage Foundation walking tour)

In the year 1864, on the 7th of February, Elias Morris and his men commenced work on the Eagle Emporium; in June he commenced Wm. S. Godbe’s Exchange Buildings, and in July Ransohoff’s store, south of Jennings’. It was at this date that Main Street began to assume fully the imposing appearance of a merchant street. (History of Salt Lake City, pg 153)

Drawing taken from a 26 May 1875 Deseret News advertisement

Praiseworthy Enterprize
We had the pleasure of visiting the newly erected, substantially built and well finished store of brother William Jennings, on the day of opening – Thursday last, and were much pleased with the design, good workmanship and ornamentation of the structure. The plate glass windows and doors, the winding staircase, the pretty looking cedar topped counters with their brilliant French polish, the large mirror at the west end, with the gilded timepiece immediately above it, and between the two cut plate glass doors, one of which opens into the office and the other into the weighing or receiving room, the side mirrors which encase fancy goods and ladies’ notions in narrow perpendicular cupboards, together with the office, show room up stairs, and the capacious cellar amply supplied with the comforts and luxuries of life, are unmistakable indications of the energy, enterprize and taste of the proprietor. – The Eagle in front, in our opinion, is much too small for the space allotted to him. Brother Jennings is an old citizen; he has grown with the growth of our own people, and has done much towards improving our city, and we cordially wish success to the Eagle Emporium. (10 Aug 1864 Des News)

Mr. Jennings was a lover of home magnificence. To his examples Salt Lake City owes greatly its fine solid appearance of to-day. With his Eagle Emporium he commenced the colossal improvements on Main Street, in which he was followed by William S. Godbe and the Walker Brothers…In 1864 he built the Eagle Emporium, a large and substantial stone building, in which he done a business amounting to $2,000,000 per annum, - thus making himself the leading merchant of the western country. (History of Salt Lake City, pg 78-79)

Autobiographical sketch of Bishop Elias Morris after his death confirms: I returned to Salt Lake City and commenced contracting in the year 1864; put up the Eagle Emporium for Mr. Jennings and the drug store for Mr. Godbe. (26 Mar 1898 The Deseret Weekly)

01 Mar 1869 - Zions Wholesale Co-operative Commercial Institution commenced business in the Eagle Emporium. (In 05 Jan 1870 Des News)

On March 1, 1869, the first wholesale store was opened in Jennings’ Eagle Emporium, on the corner of First South and Main Streets. Brigham Young, himself, gave the first order, for $1000 worth of goods. (10 Oct 1948 Des News)

The celebration yesterday of the completion of the Pacific Railroad came off in this city, yesterday. The principal business places, stores and manufactories were closed, and work suspended for the rest of the day. In the evening the business portions of the city were beautifully illuminated; the City hall, Theatre, Eagle Emporium, Exchange Buildings and Wells Fargo & Co’s office being the most brilliant. (11 May 1869 Des News)

Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution (ZCMI) from Utah State Historical Society - undated, but taken between 1869 and 1876

Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution (ZCMI) from Utah State Historical Society - undated, but taken between 1869 and 1876

Co-op, Eagle Emporium
The new building being erected by Mr. Jennings at the west side of the Eagle Emporium has now progressed sufficiently to remove the roof timbers. This building when complete will make the corner building look quite insignificant; the only remedy left is, to not only raise said building to a corresponding height, but also to remodel the whole structure both on its north and east sides. The adjoining building is very substantial in its timbering, being erected under the personal supervision of Messrs. Kendall and Romney, subcontractors under Folsom and Romney. (3 Sep 1872 Salt Lake Tribune)

Contemplated Changes
A number of changes in the arrangement of the several departments of Z.C.M.I. so far as location is concerned, are contemplated by Superintendent Clawson, as soon as the fine structure immediately adjoining the old Eagle Emporium building is finished. We understand the retail dry goods branch will be conducted, as heretofore, in the eastern part of the buildings, while the wholesale department of that branch will occupy the upper part. The front and central portion of the structure now in course of completion will be partitioned off as an office, and a magnificent office it will be. The partitions, most of the upper portion of which will be of glass, are being constructed by Mr. William Paul, architect and builder. The office will be lighted from the front by means of several very large plate glass windows. Between the old Emporium building and the office will be erected the grand staircase which will lead to the upper part of the building. The shoe department will also be in the same division and immediately west of the office, while the premises of the clothing department will be extended back and in addition to the present location will occupy the rear portion of the new building. The Grocery department will be transferred from the Old Constitution Buildings to the western division of the new Emporium Buildings, and we understand the Old Constitution premises will be used for the conducting of the machinery, wagon and agricultural implement business.

Doubtless the changes will be beneficial to the interests of Z.C.M.I., the business of which keeps continually increasing, demanding, as a matter of course, an extension of premises, and the concentrating of nearly all the departments in one range of buildings will greatly add to the facility with which business can be transacted. (13 Nov 1872 – Des News)

A Decision in the Co-op Property Case
We presume all our readers are familiar with the fact that what is known as Mr. Jennings’ property, on which the Eagle Emporium (now Co-op buildings) stand, has for some months past been contested in the Probate Court by the heirs of Mr. Cain, who first settled the land in question. The disputed property takes in more than what the Co-operative buildings stand on, running as it does ten rods south on Main street and the same distance west on First South street. On Main street it takes in the Eagle Emporium, Co-op drug store, Mr. Callahan’s hardware store and the People’s Emporium clothing store, while on First South street it takes in the Eagle Emporium and the majority of the new wholesale buildings recently built by Mr. Jennings and occupied by Z.C.M.I. (14 Apr 1873 Salt Lake Tribune)

Zion's First National Bank from Utah State Historical Society - undated. The name of the bank was not Zion's until much later. This photo would have been taken prior to 1885 since only two stories are shown. And since the taller building to the west is completed, the photo would have been taken after 03 Sep 1872. So I would date the photo from 1873-1884 and title it Eagle Emporium.

About the meanest trick that has been perpetrated in Zion for many a day, was the stealing of that “Holiness to the Lord” sign in front of the Eagle Emporium. It was taken between two days, and the Lord will undoubtedly frown upon the perpetrator of this great crime, and make his life short and full of trouble. (29 May 1875 SL Trib)

The Eagle Emporium
This is one of the largest mercantile establishments in Salt Lake City or the entire Rocky Mountain region. We lately inspected the contents of its various departments, and as we passed from one of them to another, we were reminded of some of the large wholesale houses we have seen in eastern cities. In staple and fancy dry goods, including silks, laces, ribbons, &c. this house transacts a very extensive business, and its stock comprises a complete assortment of these goods. In its appropriate department is an immense stock of clothing, gents furnishings, boots and shoes, &c. The grocery department of the institution carries an immense stock which includes all lines of staple, fancy and family groceries. The hardware department includes a very large assortment of stoves, ranges, &c., well adapted to the wants and necessities of this country. The proprietors of this mammoth house, Messrs. Wm. Jennings and Sons, have succeeded in keeping an immense trade, and have made their house very popular among all classes of buyers. We commend our readers to their establishment as one in which can be found a vast collection of all lines of general merchandise at low prices. (10 Sep 1880 Logan Leader)

The Eagle Emporium
Our readers will notice in this issue, a new advertisement from Messrs. Jennings & Sons, proprietors of that mammoth mercantile establishment, the Eagle Emporium, Salt Lake City. Country merchants would do well to send to them for Christmas fruits, fancy dry goods, not obtainable elsewhere in Utah, and in short for any kind of general merchandise. This also is the place for holiday visitors to Salt Lake to make purchases. The Eagle Emporium comprises one of the largest, most varied and complete stocks of general merchandise to be found in the entire Rocky Mountain region. (17 Dec 1880 Logan Leader)

31 Dec 1880 New Year's Eagle Emporium advertisement taken from the Logan Leader

Improvements
The work of building up the Emporium corner has been commenced by the contractor, Mr. Elias Morris. It is the intention to make the corner building one story higher, which will raise it above the top of the buildings now on the west side. That recently occupied by T.W. Jennings, and Swaner Brothers’ store, will be replaced by new structures, and will both have handsome ornamental fronts. According to the plan, these improvements will, when completed, give to the corner an imposing appearance. The first and second stories of the Emporium building will be used by T.W. Jennings, in his business, and the third floor will be a large hall, for meetings, etc. The store next west is to be occupied by Jennings & Sons’ bank. (11 Mar 1885 Des News)

Utah State National Bank ca. 1885 from Utah State Historical Society. Either the name or date on this are wrong, since the bank wasn't called the Utah State National Bank until 1912. If 1885 is the correct date, the two upper stories would have just been added.

24 Feb 1890 and 01 Mar 1890 Des News
Taylor, Romney & Armstrong were granted permission to pile building material in front of the Eagle Emporium, under the usual restrictions.

By 01 Sep 1890 in the Salt Lake Tribune, the building on the corner of Main and First South is listed as the Utah National Bank building

Sues the Bank on a Lease
Priscilla Paul Jennings has brought suit against the Utah National Bank to recover $600 alleged to be due as rent for the Eagle Emporium building. The suit is based upon a lease made on January 16, 1890, to Joseph M. Stoutt and Joseph F. Kaldenbaugh and assigned by them to the bank. The lease runs for a period of twelve years from May 1, 1890. It provides for the payment of $750 per month for the first five years, and for such sum per month during the second five years as the property should be worth for such period. (23 Jun 1895 SL Trib)

Priscilla Paul Jennings was the daughter of the Eagle Emporium architect, William Paul, and plural wife to Emporium building owner William Jennings. Jennings, who had been Salt Lake City mayor until 1885, had passed away in 1886.

In the suit of Priscilla Paul Jennings vs. the Utah National Bank, for rent for the Eagle Emporium block, the defendant filed an answer yesterday, in which it is claimed that a change in the stairway of the building in 1891 reduced the rental value of the third and fourth stories $125 per month. The defendant also contends that Thomas W. Jennings, the arbitrator appointed by Mrs. Jennings, under the provision of the lease of the building for the fixing of the rent for the remainder of the term, was prejudiced, being the stepson of the plaintiff, and therefore not qualified to act. (07 Jul 1895 SL Trib)

Utah National Bank 16 December 1905 from Utah State Historical Society

Utah National Bank 14 November 1910 from Utah State Historical Society

Utah State National Bank 28 June 1912 from Utah State Historical Society.

Utah State National Bank Bookkeeping Department 29 Dec 1914 from Utah State Historical Society

Utah State National Bank Bookkeeping Department 13 Jan 1915 from Utah State Historical Society

23 Aug 1916 Des News
Now doing business in our temporary location, 17 and 19 East First South Street.

Railroads Place Limit on Shipments of Freight
One of the largest concerns of the city now in the midst of building operations, is the Utah State National Bank. The iron and steel have arrived, but the terra cotta which comes from Denver is in process of shipment. Should the strike be prolonged, the operations at the bank would necessarily be delayed. (30 Aug 1916 Des News)

In a Deseret News bank ad on 06 Sep 1916, the Officers of Utah State National Bank are listed as Joseph F Smith President, Heber J Grant Vice President, Rodney T Badger Vice President. According to the large portraits lining the south wall in 2010 in the Zions Bank building, six presidents of the LDS Church have been President of this bank through its history.

New Home of Bank Nearing Completion
The terra cotta exterior walls of the Utah State National bank’s new home, at First South and Main street, have been completed, making a handsome and pretentious appearance, like polished stone. The vaults are all in position, the plastering is about complete, and the interior marble work and furnishing are being pushed. Vice President Rodney Badger said this noon that he expected the bank would locate in its new, permanent home May 1. Mr. Badger remarked that when the interior of the old structure was being torn out, the bank was widely criticised for not tearing down the whole thing, and beginning anew. But the salvage of the walls and skeleton structure of the old Jennings block saved the bank some $40,000 and the building to all appearances is entirely new. (28 Feb 1917 Des News)

Utah State National Bank 11 Nov 1947 from Utah State Historical Society

Zion's First National Bank from Utah State Historical Society - undated, but most likely taken between 1958-1962 since the building name remains Utah First National Bank, but the sign out front and the business inside is named Zions First National Bank.

Street Clocks To Be Removed
The concern of the City Commission with private use of city property brought about a decision Monday to remove two of the city’s ancient street clocks. Mayor Earl J. Glade said the commission voted to order the clocks removed because they are now obstructions and don’t run any more. He said the owners have moved away and are trying to sell the clocks to present tenants of the buildings behind them. The clocks are located on the west side of Main Street between South Temple and First South Streets and on the north side of Third South Street between Main and State Streets. The commission said another clock, in front of the Utah First National Bank on the southwest corner of Main and First South Streets, will be allowed to remain so long as it is properly maintained and keeps good time. (13 Dec 1950 Des News)

“I’ll meet you at the clock on the corner,” has been part of Salt Lake City conversation for nearly 100 years. The clock in reference is the pioneer clock on the southwest corner of First South and Main Street. The clock was brought to Utah about 1870 in an ox-drawn wagon. The cast iron clock, made by Robert Wood & Co of Philadelphia, is 18 feet tall. The clock was placed directly on the corner by Mayor William Jennings early in the 1870s.

The ‘old clock’ played a part in romance. Some young men wanted to play a joke on Arthur Pryor, a famous musician in Sousa’s Band, who had taken a fancy to charming Maude Russell. The young fellows sent a note to Arthur, “Meet me at the clock,” and signed it Maude. All aglow with eagerness, Arthur showed up and waited two hours while the jokers watched and snickered. Miss Russell found out about the prank and amid the explanations that followed a romance began and Mr. Pryor and Miss Russell were married.

The early clock works were driven by a water wheel, according to Joseph Bowd, retired employee of Zions bank. “A tunnel was dug under the building and a stream of water diverted from city creek canyon to drive the water wheel which in turn ran the clock works,” he said. Later the water power was replaced with a spring drive. “I can remember winding the springs, four large ones that ran the clock for five days,” Mr. Bowd said. “When the spring drive was abandoned for wet cell batteries it was my job to see that the clock didn’t run down as the batteries got old,” Mr. Bowd continued.

“About every six months I would call Charles Spahr at Western Union and he would come over and change the solution in the wet cells. He would come in at eight in the evening and work until after midnight. I had to stay right there because the cells were kept in the basement of the bank, down where the vault was,” Mr. Bowd explained.

By 1912 a master clock was installed in the bank and the ‘old clock’ was connected to the master works. “It may have been at this time that the original works were replaced by International Business Machine gears. For many years IBM serviced the works,” Mr. Bowd said.

The clock was moved a few feet from the corner spot about 1900when the new power poles were placed down Main Street. The clock cannot be moved again or it will be gone forever. City ordinances now prohibit the building of any structure on the sidewalk. In March 1969, the works of the clock were removed and modernized and repaired. The clock then received a new coat of antiqued green and gold paint.

The corner, popular as a gathering place for shoppers, theatergoers from the Salt Lake Theatre only a block away, and conference crowds, still remains a busy place. After 100 years the four-sided clock is a treasure of pioneer heritage. It has graced the corner of Jennings Emporium where ZCMI had its beginning, and which later became the Zions bank corner. (19 July 1969, Pioneer Clock Still Ticks, Church News)

Historic clock 2010

OK expected on historic bank project
Salt Lake planning officials expect final approval Thursday on a plan to remove the top half of the historic Zions First National Bank, 102 S Main. The bank wants to cut off the top portion of the building because of structural problems with the roof but preserve the bottom half, which at one time was the Eagle Emporium and later ZCMI’s first location.

The city’s Historic Landmarks Committee Monday approved the idea, with committee members agreeing it is better to save the historic lower part than risk losing the entire building. Although it is visually a four-story structure, the building actually has only two floors. The bottom portion was built in 1863 in the style known as Romanesque. In the 1880’s the top half was added, and in 1916, the façade on the bottom was remodeled in the neoclassical style.

One committee member, Dr Henry Whiteside, abstained from voting because he believed the work would not restore the building to its original Romanesque style, but only cut a historic structure in half. The committee makes recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission which usually accepts the recommendations without further debate. Bank officials said a new highrise structure is planned for the area south of the bank. (16 Dec 1981 Des News)

10 Apr 1982 Des News
In the next block south, many changes are under way including the remodeling of the Zions First National Bank office at First South and Main...

View of current two-story building from Main Street looking west 2010

View of current two-story building from First South looking east 2010

Zions First National Bank reverts to its turn-of-the-century sparkle
Construction barriers have been removed around Zions First National Bank, 102 S. Main, as work progresses to restore the building to its turn-of-the-century condition. Robert Barnes, in charge of physical facilities for Zions, said the terra cotta work on the remaining two sides is being done by Gladding-McBean of California, the same firm that did the Hotel Utah.

Interior work is scheduled to be finished about Sept. 1. It includes restoring old brass teller cages and some work on additional customer services in the building’s basement, where safety deposit boxes are located. Some of the old brass had been painted, Barnes said. Metals Manufacturing of Salt Lake City is doing the metal work. At one time the historic building was the Eagle Emporium. Later it was the first location of ZCMI.

The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved cutting off the top two stories of the four-story building because of structural problems with the roof, agreeing that it was better to save the historic lower part than risk losing the entire building. Although it was visually a four-story structure, the building actually had only two floors. The bottom portion was built in 1863 in the style known as Romanesque. In the 1880’s, the top half was added, and in 1916, the facade on the bottom was remodeled in the neoclassical style.

Barnes said the building is being restored to a turn-of-the-century condition – when the terra cotta work was done – and not its original state when it was the Eagle Emporium. Barnes said the bank is still open for business, although some business is being done through the adjacent trailer bank in the parking lot.

ZCMI occupied the building until 1876 when it moved to its present location. The building housed a business college in the 1880’s. Since 1890, it has housed the Utah National Bank which, by 1957, through a series of mergers and name changes became Zions First National Bank. It was designed by English-born William Paul, who was also architect of the Devereaux House. (29 Jun 1982 Des News)

Interior of bank 2010; three of the six portraits shown lining the south wall portray the LDS Church presidents who also served as presidents of this bank through its history

Upstairs balcony level overlooking the main double-height space of the bank 2010

New ‘old’ look for historic S.L. landmark by George Ferguson
A nostalgic re-birth will take place Monday at the southwest corner of First South and Main Streets when Zion First National Bank re-opens its office. The nostalgia will center around the “grand old clock” which is back on that corner – where it was erected in 1870. Made in Philadelphia by Robert Wood & Co., tradition has it that the old clock was brought to the Salt Lake Valley by ox team and wagon.

The 18-foot ornate timepiece was first powered by a waterwheel. A tunnel (rediscovered in 1975 by Main Street beautification workers) was dug under the corner where Zions Bank now stands, and a stream of water was diverted from City Creek Canyon. The water drove the wheel which powered the clock.

Later the waterwheel was replaced with four large springs which were rewound about every five days. Eventually the springs were replaced with wet cell batteries. But if the old clock could talk, it would tell of past residents using it to meet streetcar timetables. No doubt it would tell, too, of it being used to set pocket watches in an earlier generation.

Zions Bank will celebrate its new look – or, rather, its new, old look – Monday through Friday, with open houses from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Light buffets will be served. After months of renovation work, the historic landmark has been restored inside and out to resemble its original 1874 appearance. At that time, it was known as the Eagle Emporium, a clothing and dry goods store built by entrepreneur William Jennings.

In 1868, the Emporium was leased to Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution (ZCMI). In 1870, the grand old clock was erected on a Victorian bronze and iron pedestal. Since that time, the corner has been dubbed the “Old Clock Corner.” In 1876, the building became the home of its first bank – Deseret National. Later its name was changed to Utah National Bank.

After the building was redesigned to its present appearance in 1912 by Don Carlos Young, the bank name was changed to Utah State National Bank. The upper two stories, added that year by Young, housed the YMCA and a business college. The big merger occurred in 1957 when Utah Savings and Trust Co., joined First National Bank of Salt Lake City and became Zions First National Bank.

For several years the building was headquarters for Zions First National Bank and now is a major branch of the bank. Jennings opened a butcher shop in the middle of First South near the Main Street intersection in 1857. In 1861, he and John Wilde erected the first structure on the southwest corner. It was named the Octagon House and it contained a tanning business. By 1864, Jennings had remodeled his original structure with the two-story Eagle Emporium. Outline of the Jennings store still is distinguishable. (29 Oct 1982 Des News)

Looking east towards bank entry on Main Street 2010

Interior light fixture and ceiling detail 2010

National historic register lists Zions bank clock by Paula Smilanich
The clock in front of Zions First National Bank at First South has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Dr. Kent Powell, preservation research coordinator for the Utah State Historical Society, said the clock was included in the Salt Lake City Downtown Multiple Resource nomination.

Located on the southwest corner of First South and Main streets, the Victorian-style clock is one of the few remaining 19th Century street fixtures in the downtown area of Salt Lake City. The clock is believed to be about 100 years old, although no record exists of when it was first erected.

Tradition holds that the clock was brought to Salt Lake City in a wagon pulled by oxen and erected on its present site sometime in the 1870’s. The clock is not present in 1868 photographs of the First South corner but appears in an 1880 photo. The 20-foot clock has always been owned by Zions First National Bank, but its architect and builder are unknown.

According to Joseph Bowd, longtime Zions Bank employee who retired in 1958, the clock’s original works were driven by a water wheel powered by a diversion tunnel from City Creek. Later, the water wheel was replaced with a spring drive. Eventually, the spring drive was abandoned for a series of wet cell batteries that were maintained by Charles Spahr of Western Union. The batteries were kept in the basement of the bank near the vault.

Before 1912, a master clock system was installed in the bank and the old clock was connected to it. It was probably at this time that the cell batteries were replaced with International Business Machine gears. Now the internal workings of the clock are solid and little service is required. The clock was placed on the national register of historic places because the federal government recognized its significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture. (15 Jun 1983 Des News)

Exterior column of building 2010

Bird's-eye aerial of Zions First National Bank 2010 from Bing Maps. The building is now an island on the corner of the block, with all of the previously existing surrounding buildings removed.

new facebook page for photos

2010-07-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

I have been taking quite a few pictures around town lately and only a very few make it into posts here, especially since I typically like to do research on a building before posting on it. without knowing anything about it. So I have started a new Facebook page where I will be posting the pictures as I take them. I have quite a bit of backlog, but when I catch up, they will be posted in a folder with the date of when they were taken. Hopefully this will not be an overload of pictures to those on the Facebook page. But I have added a link to this page on the sidebar. Or you can click here to go to the page. Anyone is welcome to add photos to the page as well, if you are so inclined.

the difference between owners and architects

2010-07-26T18:09:00.000-07:00

Owner

Architect

William Jennings was the client behind such Salt Lake buildings as the Eagle Emporium and the Devereaux House. The architect on both projects was William Paul, father-in-law to Jennings. I think the difference in their graves illustrates quite well the difference between owners and architects...money.

Both graves are in sight of each other in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Seeing as how the two William's were family and worked on multiple projects together, it is likely that Paul also designed the Jennings family grave as well. Paul's daughter, Priscilla, was the second and plural wife to Jennings and was buried with her wealthy husband. It is said that Jennings was the first millionaire in Utah, making his fortune with the Eagle Emporium mercantile store. He later became fully invested into the ZCMI co-op at the convincing of Brigham Young, and used his store as the location of the first ZCMI store. Later in his life, Jennings would become mayor of Salt Lake City.

On the 80th birthday of William Paul, a grand celebration was given at his home and the evening was covered in the Deseret News the next day:

"The features of the evening's enjoyment, after the excellent supper, was the warm, genial, and sociable family conversation, running back to many experiences in both the old and new worlds. These were of deep interest to the junior branches, and the congratulations and short speeches from Father Paul and his sons in rotation, then from his Hon. Mayor Wm. Jennings; also H.W. Naisbitt and P. Brookes, sons-in-law, then from J. Jacques and D. James, were indicative of high esteem and appreciation of the good example Father Paul has always set for industry, temperance, kindness, usefulness as a citizen, and fidelity as a Latter-day Saint. Fervent hopes were expressed that even this long life might be further lengthened until, like a shock of corn fully ripe, he shall be gathered with those who have gone before into the garner of the Lord." (Deseret Evening News, 3 May 1883)

He died five-and-a-half years later.

As for William Jennings, as one of the most prominent citizens of the Utah Territory, his death saw flags flying at half mast in the city.

"He worked his way up from the smallest of business beginnings until he was a banker, a railroad magnate, a chief co-operative manager, a leader in numerous enterprises of magnitude, a manufacturer and a millionaire. His shrewdness and foresight, his originality of thought and independence of character, were manifest in all his affairs and were used for public benefit when he officiated as a legislator, as Mayor of this city and as a leading citizen interested in all that tended to promote the general welfare. A kind husband and father, a large-hearted and hospitable entertainer, a friend to the poor, a genial, approachable and companionable man, he will be greatly missed in the community, and he will be mentioned with kindly feelings and general esteem." (Deseret News, 20 Jan 1886)

So maybe there is really no difference between owners and architects after all...

ibm building two

2010-07-21T22:17:00.000-07:00

The second, or 'New IBM' building to be built in Salt Lake City began construction in 1981 and is located at 420 E South Temple. The building is one of only several buildings designed in the Brutalist style to be built in Salt Lake. The word brutalism is coined from the French Béton brut which means raw concrete. Many people are quite critical of brutalist buildings, and as a result, many of these buildings have already been torn down. More recently, however, there has been somewhat of a resurgence and greater appreciation for Brutalist design.

The architect for this building was John N Clawson. Drawings were stamped in July of 1981 for the owner, the Boyer Company. Shortly after construction, in 1983, the Boyer Company commissioned an art installation for the center courtyard entitled 'Lorraine' by Neil Hadlock which still remains. A Deseret News ad for leasing office space on 6 Nov 1982 states, "New offices, fully furnished, plus receptionist conference room and covered parking." Another on 12 Feb 1983 identifies the building as the "New IBM Building". Towards the end of 1989, IBM located an Intermountain Regional office here.

The influence of this building can best be seen in the Wesley Posvar Hall at the University of Pittsburgh. Originally named, Forbes Quadrangle, Posvar Hall was completed three years prior to the IBM building in 1978. The exposed concrete structure and what appear to be post-tensioned concrete waffles on the underside of the floors shows striking similarity between the two buildings. Similarly, the stepping in of floors as you move towards ground level and the use of linear openings of darkened glass also link the two buildings together. This stepping in provides a sun shade for each floor below and would provide energy cost savings by not having direct sunlight glaring on the office windows.

Two images of Posvar Hall at the University of Pittsburgh, which heavily influenced the IBM building. Interestingly, both Posvar Hall and IBM Building share a beautiful yellow sculpted art installation. (Photo source)

One of the current tenants in the building is MHTN Architects who moved into the building in 1998 from the Newhouse building. Several years ago, a tenant remodel of their office space received a LEED Gold certification for a Commercial Interiors project.

plum alley photos

2010-07-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

These photos were taken during a lunchtime excursion through Plum Alley in March of 2010.

Back side of Zim's Crafts on Plum Alley

Underneath Regent Street Parking Terrace on Plum Alley

Underneath Regent Street Parking Terrace on Plum Alley

wetland discovery point

2010-07-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

"Today less than 1% of Utah's total land is wetlands. Seventy-five percent of these remaining wetlands, approximately 400,000 acres, are part of the Greater Great Salt Lake Ecosystem. This wetland ecosystem is known internationally for its importance to migrating shorebirds and waterfowl, not to mention aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and other avian species on the move during seasonal migrations. The Greater Great Salt Lake Ecosystem encompasses the area from Cache Valley, down the Bear River, along the shore of the Great Salt Lake, up the Jordan River, around Utah Lake and up the Provo River to Jordanelle Reservoir. It includes freshwater wetlands, salt water wetlands, open water, mudflats, and everything in between to support an incredible diversity of flora and fauna.

In 1995, the Mitigation Commission funded a Needs Assessment and Conceptual Plan for Interpretive Recreation and Education for the Greater Great Salt Lake Wetlands Ecosystem to help raise public awareness of this resource. The report identified a gap between the level of importance the public placed on wetlands and wetlands awareness, and opportunities available to satisfy those needs. To facilitate an interpretive recreation and education master plan that identifies how to reduce that gap for the Greater Great Salt Lake Ecosystem wetlands, the Commission helped fund and participated in developing a wetlands education plan.

The Commission's partnership with the Utah Botanical Center includes Commission funded construction in 2005, 2006 and 2008 of portions of the Center's proposed wetlands education facilities. Moreover, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided the opportunity to complete installation of solar panels, a trail and boardwalks, and native vegetation at the Center's Wetlands Discovery Point. The Wetlands Discovery Point is a state-of-the-art classroom located adjacent to constructed wetlands. It received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certification, the highest ranking awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council."
(http://www.mitigationcommission.gov/wetlands/wetlands_weep.html)

From ajc architects website:

"Built on the edge of a series of small ponds, elevated over the floodplain, the Wetland Discovery Point will facilitate interaction between the natural environment and primarily K-12 students. The Utah Botanical Center is committed to being an example of sustainable design to the State of Utah and its surrounding communities.

The facility is LEED Platinum Certified. Key sustainable features include geothermal heating and cooling, passive solar trombe wall, photovaltaics, solar hot water, trestlewood harvested from the Great Salt Lake, water collection rainwater harvesting caterer, operable windows designed for natural convection, waterless/low flow fixtures, highly reflective roof, large eaves for shading and sun control, and the boardwalk."

Project Recognition
2009 Intermountain Contractor, Best Sustainable Project, Merit Award
2009 AIA Utah Sustainable Design, Merit Award
2010 USGBC LEED Platinum

"This newly constructed 3,200 square-foot building, Wetland Discovery Point, is the third LEED Platinum certified structure in the state of Utah, making it one of the greenest buildings around. WDP is part of the Utah Botanical Center of Utah State University and provides an indoor / outdoor learning experience for over 4,000 school children each year.

* Butterfly roof for rainwater collection;
* Rainwater collection used for toilets/landscaping;
* Drought tolerant, native landscaping;
* Radiant floor heating and cooling;
* 30% more openings for natural ventilation;
* 10-ft high trombe wall to collect passive solar heat;
* Low-water use fixtures and plumbing;
* On-site solar panels for green power;
* Rooftop solar water heating for showers, sinks, radiant floor;
* 95% of the construction waste was recycled;
* Use of FSC-certified woods and low VOC products; and
* High recycled content materials used throughout.

Eventually, combining the passive solar design features, together with the solar thermal and solar panels, the Wetland Discovery Center intends to be net zero energy. It's a stunning, modern example of cutting-edge sustainable design."
(http://www.jetsongreen.com/2009/07/wetland-discovery-point-takes-leed-platinum.html)

"The building’s wing-like roof is visible from I-15 in Kaysville adjacent to the UBC ponds. It is the site of educational courses and field trips for adults and the thousands of school children who visit the center each year to learn about the importance of conservation and wetland ecosystems. “It isn’t often a client is willing to commit to the extra cost associated with achieving a LEED Platinum level of certification,” said Derek Wilson, ajc’s project architect. “It was a combined effort from a determined and committed owner to every engineer and subcontractor working on the project.” Although it is a public space, Wetland Discovery Point showcases green design details that can be used in homes as well. The roof functions as both a rainwater collector and a tool to provide shade or allow winter sunlight into the building to warm it and provide abundant natural light. Harvested precipitation is stored in a cistern and used to irrigate part of the landscape and to flush low flow toilets. Much of the power used in the building will be solar generated, and solar-heated water flows through the building’s heating system. Extensive use of windows connects visitors with the landscape and improves ventilation."
(http://utahbotanicalcenter.org/htm/innovation/demonstration/wdp/)

"Earning Platinum certification is an exciting step in our mission to demonstrate ways of living more sustainably,” said UBC Director David Anderson. “We constantly explore opportunities to teach people of all ages about the importance of good stewardship and this building reflects that goal. We are very appreciative of the support we received from the university, the design team, the contractor and our donors."
(http://utahbotanicalcenter.org/htm/innovation/demonstration/wdp/)

USU Wetland Discovery Point Building Highlights from Gary Neuenswander on Vimeo.

--All photos taken by blog post author in April 2010.

salt lake 5th ward chapel

2010-07-07T15:30:00.000-07:00

As we approach the 100-year anniversary from the laying of the cornerstone of the Salt Lake 5th Ward Meetinghouse this September 2nd, a fantastically diverse list emerges from its unique history: LDS chapel, flood shelter, photo studio, architect and real estate offices, home residence and rentals, escort services, goth/industrial night clubs, Tibetan Buddhist temple and school of movement. Tracking the history of this building provides insight into how buildings are able to evolve and transform over time if given the opportunity. I will preface the history of the building with a brief background on the Fifth Ward and the events leading up to the building of the Chapel. The bulk of the article will then show the timeline of the building throughout its history.

Fifth Ward is separated from the Sixth Ward on the north by 6th South Street, from the Fourth Ward on the east by 2nd West Street, bounded on the south by the limits of the city - Roper Street - on the west by the river Jordan. (Note that the West streets were renumbered in 1973 and are 100 more today than they previously were; i.e. 2nd West is now 3rd West, etc.) It comprises the south-west part of Salt Lake City, and had 340 inhabitants in 1880. Nearly the whole population are Latter-day Saints. The only public building in the Ward is the meetinghouse, a neat one story adobe structure, 50x30 feet, which is also used for school and other purposes. It is situated on the corner of 3rd West and 7th South Streets. (The Historical Record, Volume VI, Dec 1887, Nos. 9-12, ed. Andrew Jenson, p 311-312, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1889.)

1900 5th Ward Map - redrawn by author of post (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 1.)

History of the SLC Fifth Ward compiled by Andrew Jenson
The Fifth Ward was organized on 22 Feb 1849. In 1855 a small adobe meeting and school-house was built in the Fifth ward. After its erection, it was used for all public gatherings.

In July 1860 Elder Winter resigned his position as Bishop of the Fifth Ward, after which the Saints constituting the membership of the ward were attached to the neighboring ward on the north, the Sixth Ward, and remained thus for about seventeen years.

In 1869 the building fell down.

At a meeting held June 12, 1877 in the 6th Ward meetinghouse, at which Pres. Brigham Young and Daniel H. Wells, Apostles John Taylor and George Q. Cannon, the Stake Presidency and other authorities were present, the Fifth Ward was reorganized.

When the ward was reorganized in 1877, there was no meetinghouse for the saints to gather in; consequently the public meetings and other gatherings were held in Morris and Evans' Brick yard located on the block lying immediately south of the present meeting-house; but as soon as the ward was organized, steps were taken to build a meeting-house which was done the same year. It was so far completed that the house was opened Sunday Nov. 18, 1877.
(LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 1.)

29 Apr 1910 - The Old Fifth Ward Meetinghouse now used as the Amusement Hall, will soon be a thing of the past. The corner on which it stands has recently changed hands and the structure in the near future will be torn down. Before this takes place the bishopric desire to hold a Ward Reunion and have decided upon Friday evening, April twenty-ninth. They request your attendance and that of your family over sixteen years of age. Program, Dancing, Banquet. Eight o'clock sharp. -From reproduction of the invitations sent to the members of the Fifth Ward when this second Chapel was to be torn down. (Fifth Ward, A Century of Spiritual Guidance, 1853-1953. Salt Lake City, 1953. See also Salt Lake Herald, 28 Apr 1910, Final Reunion in the Old Fifth Ward Hall)

The place where the Fifth Ward meetinghouse was located on Third West street near the railway track became unsatisfactory on account of the disturbances caused by the passing of trains, hence, on Sept. 2, 1910, the cornerstone for a new chapel was laid on the west side of Second West street between Seventh and Eighth South streets. Work was pushed forward on this building, and in 1911 it was finished, so that it could be opened for worship. This is a modern brick building well lighted by electricity and commodious. The auditorium in the main story has a seating capacity of about 300, and there are 8 class rooms in the basement for the convenience of Sunday School work. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 1.)

New Fifth Ward Chapel
The Fifth ward L.D.S. chapel, which is situated on Second West between Seventh and Eighth South streets, is now in the course of construction. When it is completed it will cost about $15,000. It is being built of red brick with white stone facings, and will be beautifully decorated and furnished. The foundation is already in and the brick work will probably begin next week.

Cannon and Fetzer are the architects and it is considered one of the best plans for a ward chapel that have been accepted so far. In the basement there will be a large amusement hall for social affairs and ward entertainments. It will contain a stage, and a kitchen is also attached for banquet purposes. The Relief society's room will also be in the basement. In the rear of the basement the boiler rooms will be located.

The main floor will be occupied by the chapel. The Sunday school rooms will be located on the second and third floors, at the rear of the chapel. (Deseret Evening News, 16 Jul 1910)

Photo courtesy of LDS Church archives. (Citation needed)

Fifth Ward Chapel Corner Stone Laid
The corner stone of the Fifth ward meetinghouse, now being erected on Second West between Seventh and Eighth South streets, was laid Sunday afternoon with appropriate ceremony. The Saints of the ward adjourned from fast meeting to the site of the new chapel, and after selections by the ward choir, under the leadership of Thomas Brimley, prayer was offered by Elder Charles H. Hyde. Counselor Jesse R. Pettit then read a sketch of the ward from the time of its first settlement in the early fifties until the present day, showing the development of that section and the officers of the ward and ward organizations during a period of sixty years.

The new chapel is being built at a cost of approximately $20,000 and when completed will be one of the finest in the city. It is sufficiently commodious to provide ample room for all the ward organizations and will be ready for occupancy about Nov. 15. The building committee is composed the bishopric and Elder George E. Burbidge of the high council, and much credit is due them for the energy displayed in pushing the the erection of the new building. (Deseret Evening News, 03 Oct 1910)

Sunday School Picture - taken about 1917. (Fifth Ward, A Century of Spiritual Guidance, 1853-1953. Salt Lake City, 1953)

April 29, 1933, a social reunion was held in the Ward Chapel, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the organization of the Fifth Ward. The occasion was the completion of a thorough renovation of the Ward Chapel and Amusement Hall. All former members of the Ward were invited to attend and many former Bishops, counselors and active members took part on the program. A museum was conducted and all old relics in the Ward were on display. There were approximately 400 persons in attendance. Dancing was enjoyed in the evening in the Amusement Hall. (Stake reports of June 30, 1933) (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

During the past few months the Meeting House grounds have been improved with lawn, trees and graveled walks. (Stake reports of Sept. 30, 1933) (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Wednesday Evening May 6, 1936 Minutes of Special Priesthood Meeting held in the Fifth Ward Chapel at 8 p.m. Opening song "How Firm a Foundation." Bishop Jesse M. Drury brought before the Priesthood the condition of the Chapel. The estimated cost of renovation being $1500.00 to bring the Building in A-1 condition. Submitted a plan of rebuilding the front of Chapel which would include several class rooms and entrance under cover. Showed the various plans and rooms that would be constructed. The new plan of construction would automatically reinforce the structure of the Chapel. Discussion by Bretheren as to advantages and disadvantages. Former Bishop Carl A. Carlquist moved that the Bishopric be in charge of the Building plans, seconded by Elder Frank H. Ford. Priesthood assembled voted unanimous. Estimated cost of construction $7500.00. Bishop Jesse M. Drury also announced the Church make work plan. Closing song "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow." (LDS Church History Library. General Minutes Fifth Ward (1849-1964), LR 2850 11 Reel #3, v. 9 p. 361-362)

March 4, 1937, a special meeting was called by the Bishopric to organize committees for the tearing down of the front of the Ward Chapel prior to remodeling. The work of remodeling the Chapel was begun, March 11, 1937. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Thursday Evening March 4, 1937 Minutes of Special Meeting called in regard to renovating the Fifth Ward Chapel. Meeting held in Northwest class room at 7:30 p.m. Brought before those assembled the plans as obeyed by the General Authorities of renovating the Meeting House. A general discussion of the plans as per blue prints was taken up. The following committees were formed. Finance Committee...Labor Committee...Construction Committee. (LDS Church History Library. General Minutes Fifth Ward (1849-1964), LR 2850 11 Reel #3, v. 10 p. 44)

In 1937, the entire front of the Chapel was town down and four classrooms, a Bishop's office, and new boiler and heating plant installed at a cost of $22,500. In the picture Bishop Drury is giving a report. (Fifth Ward, A Century of Spiritual Guidance, 1853-1953. Salt Lake City, 1953)

Sunday evening May 16, 1937 Minutes of Laying of Corner Stone held at 5:25 p.m. Bishop Jesse M. Drury Sr. presiding and conducted exercises. Stake President Harold B. Lee in attendance. Opening song "Come, Come Ye Saints" Elder Donald Wardle conducted singing. Invocation Bishop Carl A. Carlquist. Stake President Harold B. Lee inspected building and papers going in the Corner Stone...Elder William R. Kone spoke as to the re-construction of Chapel. 2nd Counselor Albert Leo Vom Feld spoke as to loyal support of those who had contributed their labor so freely. Stake President Harold B. Lee spoke of building good and beautiful buildings for Sacrament Meetings, also of history of old members and their building buildings in which to meet and hold their meetings. Asked the Lord's blessings on the Saints of the Fifth Ward. (LDS Church History Library. General Minutes Fifth Ward (1849-1964), LR 2850 11 Reel #3, v. 10 p. 59)

Elder Harold B. Lee of the Council of the Twelve, is addressing those assembled. At that time he was the Stake President. (Fifth Ward, A Century of Spiritual Guidance, 1853-1953. Salt Lake City, 1953)

Sunday Evening Nov. 21, 1937 6:30 p.m. Dedicatorial Services Sacrament Meeting. (Bishopric also being released.) Bishop Jesse M. Drury spoke of his affections for the people of the Fifth Ward. Gave a detail of building in its construction. Told of his appreciation in being the Bishop. Pres. Harold B. Lee spoke of his approval in the selection of the new Bishopric. Apostle John A. Widstoe spoke of his appreciation in being a Latter Day Saint. The beauty of the building in its completeness. A House like the Fifth Ward is a monument to God. Apostle John A. Widstoe dedicated the Building to the Lord for His work and his servants teach therein. Bishop Jesse M. Drury asked the Lord's blessings on all who worked on Chapel and their liberal contributions. Closing song - choir - "Lord this House We Dedicate." (LDS Church History Library. General Minutes Fifth Ward (1849-1964), LR 2850 11 Reel #3, v. 10 p. 98)

"Bishop Drury served from April 1930 to July 1937 - through the heart of the Depression - and found more than half the membership of his ward unemployed in the spring of 1932. After prayerful consideration, he directed the initiation of a 14-acre welfare garden project at 300 West and 1300 South. The project put to work many unemployed in the ward and provided a bounteous crop to help feed needy families." (LDS Church News, Spirit prompted leaders to meet needs, 26 May 1990)

"I would like to suggest that every one of us could learn from the example of Jesse Drury," said President Thomas S. Monson. "He was a pioneer. He organized the first welfare farm next to the Fifth Ward chapel. He was a pioneer in showing what could be done through a mighty will and determined effort." ('A center where visitors learn of welfare', The Deseret News, 15 Dec 1990)

Fifth Ward Conference program Sunday Dec. 8, 1940 6:30 p.m.
The first chapel was an adobe building on 7th So. and 3rd West which fell down before the ward was reorganized. A temporary building was used until a new building was constructed, at which all participated, the men at building and the women bringing them food. In 1910 a better building being desirable, a lot was purchased and the present chapel erected. In 1937 this desire for betterment again manifested itself and the chapel was greatly improved. Handicapped by location and low income, the people of this Ward have been uniting in their efforts for a place of worship of which they could feel proud and where they could enjoy a spiritual association in the service of their God. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Oct 10, 1943, the Sacrament meeting was for the dedication of the newly installed pipe organ. Elder Harold B. Lee of the Council of Twelve Apostles was present and pronounced the dedicatorial prayer on the organ. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

This picture was taken a number of years ago. It is an Aaronic Priesthood group with their leaders. (Fifth Ward, A Century of Spiritual Guidance, 1853-1953. Salt Lake City, 1953)

Sept. 18, 1948. The ward chapel floor was carpeted. This added much to the appearance of the chapel. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Original Ward to Celebrate Anniversary
The Fifth Ward, one of the original 19 wards created in Salt Lake City a century ago, will note its hundredth anniversary in special ceremonies Sunday, March 20. A special program on March 20 will pay honor to the seven who have presided over the ward as bishops during the 100-year period. (Deseret News, 16 Mar 1949)

Apr. 14-30 1952. The ward was seriously afflicted by flood waters which resulted from rains which fell during this period. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.) According to the front page of the Deseret News on May 2, 1952, this flooding swamped 600 acres and left 2200 homeless in Salt Lake City.

1952 Flood. Second West - note meetinghouse on left. (Fifth Ward, A Century of Spiritual Guidance, 1853-1953. Salt Lake City, 1953)

1952 Flood. Fourth West - Gunn home on left completely destroyed. Fischer home on the right. (Fifth Ward, A Century of Spiritual Guidance, 1853-1953. Salt Lake City, 1953)

Church Welfare Provides Aid For Homeless Flood Victims: More Housing Needed As Homes Are Vacated
An appeal for help in housing evacuated flood victims was voiced Thursday as additional families were rescued from flood waters. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welfare workers helped 45 families out of flooded homes in the Temple View Stake Wednesday night. Carried out by rubber boats or in some cases by piggy-back were 20 families in the Fifth Ward, 12 in Arbor Ward, 10 in Thirtieth Ward, and three in Jefferson Ward. Eight of the Fifth Ward families were temporarily placed in the ward recreation hall. Three of them later were placed in homes. (Deseret News, Thursday, May 1, 1952)

Cheerful Despite Adversity - Ellie and Larry Gunn, children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gunn, 990 South Fourth West St., pose cheerfully on some of the furniture piled in the basement of the Fifth Ward chapel, 740 South Second West St. The Gunns were forced from their home when the water got four feet deep. (Deseret News, Thursday, May 1, 1952)

Dinner for Everybody - Gathered around the stove in the kitchen of the Fifth Ward chapel are members of five flood-stricken families forced from their homes by rising waters. Standing counter-clockwise around the stove are Martha DeVries, Mrs. Mickey Fingerle, Mrs. Thomas Gunn and her son, Billy, Mrs. Cornelius DeLight and her two children, and Mrs. William D. Edwards. The women are stirring a pot in which "We are going to make stew for all five families for supper." (Deseret News, Thursday, May 1, 1952)

Five Evacuated Families Live in Meetinghouse
Cheerful despite being forced from their homes by rising flood waters, five Salt Lake families are living together in the Fifth Ward meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 740 South Second West St.

The families were evacuated to the meetinghouse when the water in their homes forced them to seek shelter elsewhere.

Mrs. Thomas Gunn of 990 South Fourth West St., her husband and three children moved into the chapel Wednesday. "The water is four feet deep at our house," Mrs. Gunn said...smiling and cheerful, despite her loss.

Mrs. Cornelius DeLigt, Dutch convert to the Church, comforted her small baby, Thelma, and her little boy, Correy. Martha DeVries, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Auke DeVries, said the water was "up to here," as she held her hand just above her waist. She said her parents and her sister had been forced from the home when the water "just got too deep." The DeVries also are Dutch converts.

Mrs. William D. Edwards of 1035 Brooklyn Ave. said, "We had to leave when the water came over the sandbags. They were piled five high. We had started the spring cleaning, too," she said. "We had finished two rooms...but I guess we'll have to start all over again."

Beds have been put up throughout the building. Furniture saved from the flood was piled high in the basement amusement hall. Food for all the members of the five families is prepared in the church kitchen. (The Deseret News, 01 May 1952)

May 24, 1952. The ward held its welfare banquet in the stake recreational hall at the 6-7th Ward chapel on this date to raise funds to pay the annual welfare assessment. The banquet was not held in the ward because families that were affected by the flood were still living in the classrooms and their furniture was stored in the amusement hall. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Sacrament Meeting held Sunday, March 29, 1953 (Fifth Ward, A Century of Spiritual Guidance, 1853-1953. Salt Lake City, 1953)

Sep. 18, 1955. Pres. Thomas S. Monson, of the stake presidency was the speaker at the sacrament meeting. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

1957 - Mexican branch also meeting here. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

May 23 & 24, 1958. The driveway, next to the ward building, was leveled and reasphalted. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

June 6, 1958. With the leveling of the driveway it was necessary to place a wrought iron hand rail along the sidewalk. This will protect persons from stepping off the high sidewalk into the low driveway and force them to use the steps instead of cutting across the driveway. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Jan.17, 1960. Six earphones were installed on the seats on the south side of the Chapel for the use of the hard of hearing members. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Sep. 16, 1961. The middle beam on the south side of the Chapel dropped about 6 inches three weeks ago. Work was done today to repair it. Sister Marion Conrad served lunch to those who did the repairs. The past week the back stairs and one hall were carpeted along with the High Priest's room. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Oct. 25, 1964. Liahona Branch name changed to 5th Ward in Temple View Stake. Concluding Priesthood Meeting and Sunday School were held. - Bringing to a close the activities of the original 5th Ward, transferring from the dominant Ephraim leadership and membership of the Ward of Pioneer days, to the descendants of Joseph in the physical organization of the (Lamanite) Liahona Branch. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Oct. 28, 1964. In the Jefferson Ward at a special meeting Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Council of the Twelve affected the transfer. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Feb. 13, 1966. Installation of Glass Doors from the former 14th Ward. Also Benches from the 6-7th Ward has transformed the Ward into a "new look." (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Apr. 16, 1966. The laying of the carpet in the chapel and the classrooms was completed. The carpet from the former 14th and 6-7th Ward's were used. Except the carpeting on the stand and the Choir which was replaced with new. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

Dec. 18, 1966. The Ward was visited by Elder Spencer W. Kimball, who had no conference assignment, and desired to come and visit the Ward. He spoke and explained the growth of the Indian Program especially the Placement Program, and the Indian Seminaries. (LDS Church History Library. LR 2850 2 Fifth Ward Manuscript History and Historical Reports 1849-1964 Filming 2.)

City Directory listings for 740 South 300 West
1972 - Fifth Ward Meetinghouse (LDS) - 740 S 200 W
1973 - Fifth Ward Meetinghouse (LDS) - 740 S 300 W
1974 - Fifth Ward Meetinghouse (LDS)
1975 - Vacant
1976 - Vacant
1977 - Vacant
1978 - Brantley Photography
1979 - Brantley Photography, Tios Corp (archt)
1981 - Brantley Photography, Tios Corp (archt)
1982 - Brantley Photography
1983 - Vacant
1985 - Vacant
1987 - Bodylight Center, Black Rip Photography, Cowen Nona Designs, Shar Real Estate & Invest, Graphics Services, Evertsen & Assoc, SLC Meditation Group
1989-90 - Black Rip Photography, Shar Real Estate & Invest, Great Salt Lake Nannies Inc
1993 - Black Rip Photography, Shar Real Estate & Invest, Club Starzz
1996 - Absolute Beauties, Ace Escort, Atrium, Black Rip Photography, Ginger's, Shar Real Estate & Invest
1997 - Absolute Beauties, Ace Escort, Atrium, Black Rip Photography, Shar Real Estate & Invest
1998 - Shar Realty, homeowner and several renters
1999 - Club Fusion, Atrium, Ginger's Escorts, Black Rip Photography, Shar Realty, homeowner and several renters
2000 - Club Fusion, Ginger's Escorts
2001 - Club Fusion, Club Vesuvius
2004 - Sanctuary
2005 - Red Lotus School, Urgyen Samten Ling

Photo by T. Hanchett, Sept. 1978. Negative at Ut. St. Hist. Society. View of front and south side looking from southeast to northwest. (National Register of Historic Places Nomination form)

On 8 Dec 1978 the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The owner of the property listed was K. Shirzad and M.A. Shaum with the building listed in 'good' condition. The nomination form was prepared by John S. H. Smith from the Utah State Historical Society. This most likely played a role in helping to preserve the Chapel, especially since the building had been vacant for the three years prior. Below is the text from the Nomination form.

The church is designed in the Tudor Gothic style, with Tudor window bays distinguished with corbeled arches, and the gable facades are decorated with bands of white brick alternating with bands of red. There are concrete-capped buttresses at the corners of the building, as well as between the window bays, and the deeply recessed windows feature thick mullions and splayed casings. Overall, the church is a two-story T-shaped plan with shallow, pitched gable roofs. A front addition, completed in 1937 in the same Tudor style, somewhat obscured the dramatic symbolism of the large Tudor Gothic window above the main entrance. Although retained, its visual impact was diminished. The chapel interior could hold 300 people.

In the settlement and development of the Great Basin area, the peculiar efficiency of the Mormon Church organization (likened by Samuel Clemens to the Prussian Army) was responsible for the creation of stable carraunities both in outlying settlement areas and in Salt Lake City itself. The basic ecclesiastical unit that made directed economic activity and effective social institutions possible was the "Ward."

With an appointed Bishop at its head, the Ward functioned as an extended family offering encouragement and assistance to its members as they struggled to establish families, businesses and farms, in the arid wilderness. The significance of the Fifth Ward is that it symbolizes this vital institution.

The Fifth Ward in Salt Lake City is one of the oldest of these ecclesiastical units in the Mormon Church. Formed in 1853 on the south-west section of the growing metropolis, the community centered on farming. The Ward met first in a succession of small adobe meeting houses, but as the city grew, the area became more residential and the people engaged in a greater variety of occupations. At the height of the Ward's strength, in 1910, it was decided to construct a new chapel. The red brick Tudor Gothic structure chosen was considered a handsome addition to the neighborhood. But even as the ward continued to grow during the World War I and between-wars period, the demography of the area was undergoing change toward light industrial development. The addition made in 1937 was intended to improve the quality of the church program by expanding the physical facilities, but the changing character of the neighborhood resulted in a steady decline in family membership.

During its existence the ward served a variety of groups, reflecting the current nature of inmigration into Salt Lake city. In the twentieth century the ward membership had a strong European immigrant flavor, that was gradually being combined with Hispanic-American. In the few years prior to the decision to sell the structures, the Fifth Ward became the Lamanite Ward to serve the needs of Salt Lake City's urban Indian population.

Today, in the hands of private developers, the dignity of the Tudor Gothic styling is a decided asset to the ambiance of what would otherwise be an area blighted with small business houses and industrial yards. (National Register of Historic Places Nomination form)

Photo by T. Hanchett, Sept. 1978. Negative at Ut. St. Hist. Society. View of front and north side looking from northeast to southwest. (National Register of Historic Places Nomination form)

Tios Corporation architects were listed as tenants from 1979-1982. During their time in the building, they developed a modular solar building concept and applied for and received a patent as detailed below.

Inventors: Salim, Massoud A; Hamacher, Thomas L
Assignee: Tios Corporation
Issue Date: Apr 20, 1982
Application Filed: Mar 31, 1980

United States Patent 4,325,205

Abstract Text: Solar building construction utilizing a rectangular shaped module, typically square, from which a corner has been cut-off or removed. The opening left in the module by the cut-off corner is paneled and closed in with glass. The module is oriented so that the glass panel, which may include sliding or hinged glass doors, faces in a direction that is exposed to the sun for a maximum number of hours during the colder winter months when the sun is relatively low in the sky. The sun's rays are allowed to deeply penetrate into the interior of the module through the use of open space and carefully positioned interior walls. At least some of these walls are typically perpendicular to the plane created by the glass panel. Both interior and exterior walls, and other fixtures within the modules, are realized using items having a favorable thermal mass. The solar modules thus created may be used individually, as in the case of a single solar building or they may be stacked both horizontally and vertically, thereby creating an economical and efficient solar building complex suitable for apartment houses, townhouses, condominiums, and the like. (PatentBuddy details)

According to the City Directories above, Ginger's Escorts was one of several escort services that were housed in the building during this time. In 1996, the mayor and members of the City Council tried to initiate a ban on these types of businesses. Based on Ginger's continuing to operate in this building during 1999/2000, it appears that the city was unsuccessful with the ban.

Will S.L. Shut Down Escorts?
"Colleen 'Ginger' Hussey, owner of Ginger's Escorts in Salt Lake City said obviously the ban would hurt (she said she makes more than $150,000 a year). But she says a ban also would hurt the community. Escorts give dangerous men a way to release their sexual energy without raping or molesting, Hussey said. She also admitted that some escorts work as prostitutes but that she fires employees who offer sex for cash. Still, she doubts a ban will work." (Salt Lake Tribune 5 Aug 1996 - page D1)

June 2, 2000 - The new club, Vesuvius, re-opened on June 2nd and seems to feature trance and techno. (http://www.gothics.org/ascension/)

http://www.matthuntington.com/galleries/Fetish030925/pages/DSC07151.htm

http://www.matthuntington.com/galleries/Sanctuary030906/pages/DSC06473.htm

In August 2001, Area 51's owner began leasing the building at 740 S. 300 W. and called it Club Sanctuary. The downstairs goth/industrial nights moved from Area 51 to that building during its tenure. The property was foreclosed from the club's landlord and the bank sold the building in 2004...It had also been other clubs: Pompadour, Fusion, Club @, Confusion...Goth/industrial nights were moved back to downstairs at Area 51. (Posted by delilah on 10/27/2008 in reply to "How about some history?" on the SLC Sanctuary message board)

Club Sanctuary flyer for Saturday 13 Apr 2002

Atmosphere of Club @
Upstairs:
Club @ is housed in a converted LDS church. The high loft ceiling and large gothic-arched windows on either side lend a spiritual atmosphere, while the club lights and dance floor leave no question that you're in a sinful establishment. At the bar, Linda serves up a variety of soda, Sobe, and energy drinks and snacks. A row of seats lines the north and south side, on either side of the dance floor, and a lounge juts off from the main floor to the southeast, providing a good place to talk and enjoy your drinks.

Downstairs:
The basement of Club @ features a large dance floor with 2 dancing platforms, a few smaller platforms for sitting, a lounge on the northeast corner, and another lounge at the west end of the building. A free pool table is available in the west-side lounge, as well. (http://slcsanctuary.com/club@/info.php)

Exterior of Club @

Interior of Club @ - Phantom photos by Ryan

Interior of Club @

Tibetan Buddhist Temple (Urgyen Samten Ling Gonpa)
In 2004, with the need of a larger space, the sangha (congregation) moved the Gonpa to this beautiful historic building which was built in 1910 as the LDS Fifth Ward Meetinghouse. In recent years the building had been used as various types of nightclubs and needed much work, but with generous efforts from countless individuals within the Salt Lake community and beyond, the space was restored. (http://www.urgyensamtenling.org/schedules/PrayersJuly.pdf)

A spiritual refuge: Tibetan Buddhist temple will be haven for worshippers
In a silent answer to ongoing Chinese government efforts to eradicate Tibetan Buddhism, a pair of local practitioners have fashioned a new temple for their faith in downtown Salt Lake City.

And though it is a world away from the shrines and monasteries of Tibet that are now threatened with extinction as places of worship, the new temple — called Urgyen Samten Ling Gonpa — will also preserve the workmanship of a Tibetan craftsman, whose singular mission since coming to Utah has been creating a large alcove for Buddha and the faith's sacred texts.

A master wood carver, Kalsang Diwatsang has spent the past three months crafting a large altar entirely from memory, using specialized tools he has fashioned himself. Power tools aren't part of his universe, and he likely "wouldn't know what to do with them," resident teacher Lama Thupten Dorje Gyaltsen says.

The enterprise adds another new bit of diversity to a state often known more for its religious uniformity. Considering that Utah's 19th century settlers fled religious persecution, some may also find it fitting that the temple also provides a new haven for a persecuted faith whose leader, the Dalai Lama, lives and works in exile, his followers persecuted and jailed in the land of their birth if they dare practice their beliefs. Its new location — in an old LDS meetinghouse — underscores the connection.

Sitting on a busy downtown thoroughfare partially obscured by trees, the old red brick church likely wouldn't be noticed if you weren't looking for it. Built in 1910, the structure first housed the sacred, then the profane, and now it's back as a spiritual refuge for those who will worship there.

Inside what was once the main chapel, one wall now serves as the centerpiece of the shrine room, complete with a golden statue of Buddha and an elevated throne for his holiness, the Dalai Lama, whose photo will rest there unless he comes to visit in person. Colorful pillows and rugs cover much of the hardwood floor, redeemed from its last incarnation as the dance floor for a Gothic nightclub that was housed there.

Years earlier, when Lama Thupten and his partner, Jean Gardner, first toured the building, even the old textured glass windows had been painted black and what carpeting there was had been "drenched with beer," Gardner remembers. In another of its former lives, the building was home to an escort service.

Attempts to buy the place using conventional financing foundered, they said, when bank representatives would visit. "They'd just shake their heads" after walking inside.

"They couldn't see the vision we had" amid the garbage, the grime and the grim reputation.

But volunteers relied on that vision and began cleaning inside the building in May. They pulled up carpet, replaced bathroom fixtures, scraped windows and hauled trash. As light came through the formerly darkened windows, walls were reconfigured and painted, new carpeting was installed and a golden archway was created above where the shrine now rises.

"We wanted to establish an authentic place for the development and practice of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition," Lama Thupten said, adding the temple will host Sunday "pujas," or ceremonial meetings, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where traditional group practice will be offered to any who care to participate.

The gatherings seek to "awaken our natural qualities of wisdom and compassion," according to the temple's literature. A Sunday School class for children that teaches Buddhist precepts will also be offered, along with introductory and intermediate courses in Buddhism and a variety of general meditation classes. The temple also houses two retreat rooms for those seeking a place for prolonged spiritual meditation of at least three days or more. One adherent has already spent time in contemplation there, though the temple is still being completed, they said.

Gardner said she and Lama Thupten, who married 13 years ago after studying their faith in Nepal, first established the temple 10 years ago in a 600-square foot space near Pioneer Park, along with the Red Lotus School of Movement. He teaches Wing Chun Kung-Fu, Tai chi Chu'an and Qi Gong, and she teaches toddler creative arts. The school will move into a basement studio inside the new temple, and other small non-profit tenants will also inhabit the building.

The two say their congregation of about 30 people has helped get them into the building with donations, and they've also done fund raising, though they don't own the 9,000-square-foot structure. Negotiations for financing with private investors are ongoing, Gardner said, adding they are working to raise money for the purchase. They hope their grand opening celebration next week, featuring a visiting lama, will help.

While they don't yet know how the purchase will proceed, they've come further with their dream than they believed possible a decade ago, so they say they're not discouraged. "Our feeling is that it's a juncture where spiritual pursuits and material gain clash," Lama Thupten said. "So, we intend to establish a place of spiritual development only. We're not looking to build a profit-making place."

To date, their quest has inspired volunteers, who have donated what they estimate is $12,000 worth of materials and labor. Even contractors hired to work inside have put forth superior effort, they say. "We have had quality people continue to work beyond what you ask them to do. We don't have any money, so on a hope and a prayer it's coming together." Programs at the center are run entirely by volunteers as well.

The Tibetan Buddhist temple is the only such facility for 800 miles in any direction, Lama Thupten said, and complements the other Buddhist congregations, including Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Zen, found in the valley.

"We are supposed to be in Salt Lake City," he said, noting he and Gardner had contemplated settling in Seattle or Boulder, Colo., once they had completed their studies with a Tibetan Buddhist master, but he encouraged them to come to Utah.

"We're here to add to the diversity of the community from a mind, body and spirit approach." (Deseret News, 16 Oct 2004)

Urgyen Samten Ling provides many aspects of Buddhist practice. These include: ceremonies (pujas), group meditation, retreats and instruction in individual practice.

Ultimately, there is no truth other than direct experience. We seek to invoke and directly realize the enlightened qualities inherent in all sentient beings.

It is through study, contemplation, and meditation that we discover and embody the ever-present compassion, joy, and innate wisdom of the awakened mind.

When the body is at ease, the breath slows down and becomes peaceful. When the breath is at ease, the mind becomes peaceful and spacious. This is where you begin, look within and rest. The key is knowing how to rest.

It is our goal to develop a center that will accommodate the needs of all. Whether it's lay practitioners, monastics, Ngakpas, or the community at large, Urgyen Samten Ling is here to serve the needs of all sentient beings without prejudice or hesitation. (http://www.urgyensamtenling.org/about.html)

Red Lotus School of Movement

"Buddha nature is a precious gift that each of us already possess. So then, how do we find something we've never lost? Through practice we arrive at uncovering the innate qualities that are already within our body, speech and mind. The qualities of loving kindness and compassion which are the spontaneous expression of the Buddhas, naturally come forth when we know how to simply let go and rest in the natural state of mind."

—Lama Thupten Dorje Gyaltsen

emigration canyon residence

2010-03-30T17:27:00.000-07:00

Last October while exploring Emigration Canyon, I randomly came upon this home and was blown away by its stark simplicity and beauty. I took some pictures and attempted unsuccessfully to discover online who had designed it. Several months later, the home, which had just recently been completed, won a 2009 Merit Award from the AIA Utah. The architect is Sparano + Mooney Architecture located here in Salt Lake City.

From the description portion of the website,

"Located in Emigration Canyon just above Salt Lake City, Utah this single family residence of 2,500SF was designed for a couple with young children. The home was designed to capture expansive canyon views while offering a series of gathering and entertainment spaces for the family, both indoors and out. The great room opens to the canyon with a 30 foot operable wall to transform the space into an outdoor room. The warm colors of cor-ten steel cladding combine with a board-formed wood textured concrete and glass for a contextual, low-maintenance and modern material palette. The house has submitted for LEED certification with green design features throughout. The cladding is recycled steel shingles which will turn a deep rust color matching the fall canyon colors foliage. Natural light is brought into the house with solatube skylights and heat is provided through an energy-efficient in-floor radiant heating system. The design required minimum excavation of the site and allowed for the retention of much of the native oaks on site. The house was designed by Sparano + Mooney Architecture for long-term flexibility with a lower floor multi-use space to house guests, a home office, a playroom or an art studio. Native, draught-tolerant landscaping elements compliment the architecture and further tie the home to its canyon setting."

Here is a link to a very cool time-lapse of construction photos from the Sparano + Mooney website: Time-Lapse Construction Video

Section through home from Sparano + Mooney website

Photo of kitchen from Sparano + Mooney website

prudential federal savings and loan

2009-12-07T20:40:00.000-08:00

"Therefore it is not a question of whether we are to build or not build, for build we must, it is our character. It is a question of how, not whether to build. Apart from all other considerations, we are told the most social of all nature’s creations and we indulge this proclivity through the urbanization of our surroundings. When done poorly and without consideration of nature’s part in our innovations, our own future is decreased. When done brilliantly we glorify nature’s part in innovations and the settlement we create becomes art and thus a rich gift to our own posterity." (William Pereira / edited by James Steele ; with a contribution by Ray Watson, including photographs by Julius Shulman and Wayne Thom, page 39)

(William Pereira / edited by James Steele ; with a contribution by Ray Watson, including photographs by Julius Shulman and Wayne Thom, page 214)

The Prudential Federal Savings and Loan building, now the Metro building in downtown Salt Lake City is a wonderful example of modernism on Main Street. Architect William L. Pereira, who designed four buildings total in the state of Utah, had a love of science fiction and futuristic designs. Arguably his most famous building is the iconic Transamerica pyramid adorning the skyline of San Francisco, designed ten years after this Salt Lake design. With his national reputation growing, ten months after designing this building, Pereira would end up on the cover of Time Magazine.

The original architectural drawings, dated 19 Nov 1962, show a garden level reflecting pool plan. The design, as seen in the photo above, had a sunken garden along the front façade adjacent to the sidewalk along Main Street. An art installation containing one hundred life-size bronze seagulls, by West coast artist Tom van Sant, soared out of the garden and up the front of the building. There is a fantastic interior atrium at the center of the building with skylights providing natural light down through each floor of the entire building.

Main lobby (William Pereira / edited by James Steele ; with a contribution by Ray Watson, including photographs by Julius Shulman and Wayne Thom, page 213)

Interior atrium (William Pereira / edited by James Steele ; with a contribution by Ray Watson, including photographs by Julius Shulman and Wayne Thom, page 215)

As you will see in articles below, the entire building was structurally “hung” from two large girders bearing on the large columns located at the front of the building. Because of structural concerns with the front panels, steel cross bracing was later added to the front facade, and the sunken garden was filled in. Fortunately a portion of the seagull installation was retained, although losing the original intent, still exists from above the entry up to the roof.

After serving as a bank for most of its life, the building was purchased by Salt Lake Community College, intended to become a downtown campus for them. When this did not materialize, the building was sold to Property Reserve Inc, the real estate arm of the LDS Church. Originally, the address of the building was 117 S Main. Today the building has an address of 115 S Main according to the exterior sign. However, according to the County Assessors web site, the building is listed as 119 S Main. Currently, the interior has been remodeled according to drawings dated 19 Feb 2008 for the ICS department of the LDS Church. They are currently occupying the upper levels of the building while the street level space remains vacant.

Architect, William Pereira on the cover of Time Magazine

The most famous design of William Pereira was the Transamerica pyramid in San Francisco

Architect William L. Pereira & Associates Planning & Architecture
5657 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA

Four buildings designed by Pereira in Utah:
1959 Prudential Savings and Loan, Salt Lake City
1961 Prudential Savings and Loan #2, Salt Lake City
1963 Gene Donovan residence, Salt Lake City
1965 Harris Fine Arts Center, Brigham Young University
(From Wikipedia entry)

Published history of building

Prudential Buys Downtown S.L. Office Building
"Prudential Federal Savings Loan Assn., 125 S. Main, has purchased the adjoining Gladstone Bldg., which runs from 117 to 121 S. Main from the Portland Cement Co. of Utah for approximately $225,000. Thomas T. Taylor, president and manager of Prudential Federal, said the new acquisition has a 51 1/2 -foot frontage and a depth of 165 feet. The building presently houses Hubbard-Denn Jewelers, 117 S. Main, Bill Shipler Photo, the Utah Shoe Shine Parlor and Loftus Novelty and Magic Shop. Mr. Taylor said his company has no immediate plans for the new property, and doesn’t intend to change the present occupancy policy. Purchase was for future expansion of the present facility if such a need should arise. The old building was built in the 1880s." (Prudential Buys Downtown S.L. Office Building, Deseret News, 22 Jul 1959)

Prudential Home To Brighten Downtown S.L.
"A $3 million office building, five stories high, will be one of the garden spots of downtown Salt Lake City when Prudential Federal Savings and Loan Assn. completes its new home.

Demolition is presently under way at the site just north of present Prudential offices at 125 S. Main St. President-manager Thomas T. Taylor said Saturday erection of the structure will begin just as soon as the old buildings can be razed.
Two special features of the new building will be the sunken garden 70 by 21 feet on Main Street and the five-story atrium central opening around which the upper floors of the building will be constructed in a 'U' shape. Four of the upper floors will be suspended from steel trusses to eliminate columns on the first floor. A roof garden will enhance the top of the structure.

Completion in 1963
Mr. Taylor said construction is expected to be completed by October or November of next year. The new edifice will have two basements and will provide Prudential with 80,000 square feet of usable floor space as compared with 12,000 in the present structure.

Features designed to improve organization services will include a safety deposit vault and an IBM 1401 computer system. This will effect a change-over from the present punch-card system of accounting, Mr. Taylor explained.

Fullmer Brothers Construction Co. will erect the building which was designed by William L. Pereira of Pereira and Associates of Los Angeles. This is the same firm that designed the Brigham Young University Fine Arts Center.

Facilities Needed
Need for expansion of Prudential office facilities has become apparent over the years as the company has grown. The first office was opened in November of 1938 with $1.5 million in assets.

By 1955 this amount had grown to $50 million and in June of 1961 it had doubled to $100 million. Present assets are listed at over $125 million, Mr. Taylor said Saturday.

The company maintains a branch office at 33rd South and State St. Gene Donovan, vice president, will have charge of construction, Mr. Taylor announced." (Prudential Home To Brighten Downtown S.L., Deseret News, 16 Jun 1962)

Typical floor plan of building, showing interior atrium, drawing by Jonathan Kland based on original drawing file

Traffic Stops, 2 Beams Rise for Structure
"Two colossal colonnades stopped traffic on Main Street in downtown Salt Lake City Friday morning. The colonnades were lifted into place by two 60-ton cranes working at the Prudential Federal Savings new office building.

Main Street was blocked most of the morning between 1st South and 2nd South to permit the heavy equipment to maneuver the two posts into place.

Prefabricated by Allen Steel Co. of Salt Lake, each post is made up of two 25-ton beams stacked end on end. The posts are set in the front of the building.

Fuller Bros. Construction Co., erecting the unusual steel structure, said two 80-ton beams are still to be set. They will run the length of the building across the roof." (Traffic Stops, 2 Beams Rise for Structure, Deseret News, 22 Feb 1963)

Huge Girder Moved to Savings Bank Site
"The first of two huge girders for the new Prudential Federal Savings and Loan Building in Downtown Salt Lake City was moved to the construction site Sunday morning. The moving operation – about 15 blocks from the Allen Steel Co. – took nearly five hours. The great girder, 125 feet long and weighing 81 tons, was hauled by truck and dolly, with an occasional hoist from a crane, from Allen Steel Co., 1340 S. 1st West, to 119 S. Main St. Streets were blocked and traffic halted during the moving operation. The beam will be hoisted to the top of the four-story building. It will extend from the front to the back of the building and four of the five floors will be suspended from the girder, construction officials explained." (Huge Girder Moved to Savings Bank Site, Deseret News, 16 Mar 1963)

Utah State Historical Society construction image - dated 30 June 1963

Springtime in the Basement
"More than 2,000 plants bearing more than 10,000 blossoms were planted in the garden level basement of the new Prudential Federal Savings Building on Main St. Monday morning. The flowers joined four handsome birch clumps imported from Chicago and planted in the unique building basement last week. The firm is now open for business." (Springtime in the Basement, Deseret News, 01 Jun 1964)

Prudential Files Suit: 'Building Negligence'
"A $1 million legal suit has been filed by Prudential Federal Savings and Loan Association against the architect, prime contractor and steel fabricator of its new building at 115 S. Main St.

The suit contends that as a result of negligence, PFS was required to replace defective welds and do other remedial and corrective work on the steel framework totaling $907,424.31.

A six-month delay in the occupancy of the building has also cost the firm an additional $86,450, the suit claims.

According to the complaint filed in Third District Court, the building is 'extraordinary and unique' because of two horizontal steel beams (each weighing 83 tons) atop four vertical columns which give the major support to the underlying floors.

However, the suit alleges, after the two massive steel girders were placed in position, “It was discovered that there were serious defects in the design, fabrication, and/or welding of the same.”

It added that there were also 'serious defects in the actual erection of the steel framework, including the columns.'

Named as defendants in the action are Frank H. Fullmer, David H. Fullmer and Willard Fullmer Jr., doing business as Fullmer Brothers; William L. Pereira, doing business as William L. Pereira & Associates; William L. Pereira & Associates, and Allen Steel Co.

Fullmer was the prime contractor, Pereira the architect and Allen the subcontractor of Fullmer for the fabrication and erection of all steel on the structure.

Pereira 'negligiently designed and caused to be designed' the structural steel work so as proximately to cause it to be defective, it is alleged, Fullmer and Allen “negligently welded, fabricated, erected and bolted together and caused to be welded, fabricated, erected and bolted together” the structural steel work so as proximately to cause it to be defective, the suit adds.

It adds further that it was not until after the girders and columns were erected and bolted that 'it was discovered that said girders and columns were defective, unsafe, dangerous and unusable.'

On September 27, Fullmer assigned to Prudential in writing all of its claims and causes of action against Allen.

Prudential is also asking attorneys’ fees and other relief the court may see fit to grant." (Prudential Files Suit: 'Building Negligence', Deseret News, 26 Jun 1964)

"Our new main office building is a building that we are proud of, but more importantly, I believe it is a building in which the people of our community can take pride, for it is theirs – a part of their future heritage, a part of their daily lives. Creating it is our way of saying again how proud we are to be a part of this community." - Thos. T. Taylor, Chairman of the Board
(Deseret News Salt Lake Telegram pamphlet 29 June 1964, ‘A New Utah Landmark – for You’, page 8)

"We sincerely believe that our new main office building is a new Utah landmark. It will serve our business purposes for years into the future, and serve them well – but more importantly, it will become a part of the heritage of Salt Lake City. Excellence in design, superb craftsmanship, functional simplicity – all are part of our local heritage. We believe that this building matches our community spirit and we, therefore, dedicate it to the service and enjoyment of our community." - Gene Donovan, President
(Deseret News Salt Lake Telegram pamphlet 29 June 1964, ‘A New Utah Landmark – for You’, page 8)

(The Gulls of Salt Lake City, 1964, bronze, 120', Prudential Federal Savings and Loan Association, Salt Lake City, Utah by Tom Van Sant)

"Reception areas on the various levels above the lobby seem to lure relaxation. The comfort of soft chairs and sofas gives you a chance to notice at leisure such details as the luminous ceilings, diffused to eliminate shadows; the eminently successful marriage of bold colors to gentler tones. And a four-foot-high bronze anodized aluminum railings, with tempered obscured glass panels, around the atrium gives you a sense of security as you see the building unfold from above.

And notice, too, the specially commissioned murals and sculpture on several floors. For instance, the unique mural on the 5th floor. In three dimensions, it looks for all the world like a rutted desert floor sucked dry by a thirsty sun, fascinating when contrasted by the rich walnut panelling around it.

At the garden level and facing directly onto the colorful sunken garden is a lounge and cafeteria for employees – with extra special facilities that complement the quality of Prudential Federal’s carefully selected employees. The far wall is composed of thousands of one-by-two-inch pieces of marble carefully assembled in Italy for just this purpose. The murals are originals by Igor Dekanski. The furnishings are bright, comfortable, and … ‘You folks go ahead, I’ll be up in a few minutes.’" (Deseret News Salt Lake Telegram pamphlet 29 June 1964, ‘A New Utah Landmark – for You’, page 6)

"If you can remember back a few seasons, perhaps a touch of nostalgia may well up as you enter the antiseptically clean, precise Machine Accounting Department on the 4th Floor. Quill pens, tall stools and eye shades are nowhere to be found. Instead, banks of high-speed electronic computers whir and hum … And they spit out fantastically accurate up-to-the-minute accountings of over 78,000 savings, mortgage and home modernization loans…all before you can even ink up you quill pen." (Deseret News Salt Lake Telegram pamphlet 29 June 1964, ‘A New Utah Landmark – for You’, page 7)

"Entering the Prudential Federal Savings building for the first time is like a dinner of many courses set before a starving man. He begins by trying to eat all of everything, but soon realizes he must forgo some things to preserve his appetite and his taste buds for what is to follow. Hundreds of small illuminated lucite plugs twinkle like a galaxy from the celestial ceiling. The graciously flowing sculptured walnut panelling is enriched by the beige Italian marble facing on the curving teller counter and the blues of the soft-pile carpeting. And the whole panorama seems subtly complemented by the off-whites of the furnishings and the lush greens of foliage in circular marble planters (which convert to fountains).

Look directly up to the dizzying height of the back-lighted skylight, and your eye encompasses a dazzling spectacle of geometric patterns as each floor rises up to meet the next.

There’s a friendly warmth to all this. You feel right at home. And you have a right to…because it’s your building, your landmark." (Deseret News Salt Lake Telegram pamphlet 29 June 1964, ‘A New Utah Landmark – for You’, page 5)

"It’s impossible to enter without pausing to look down onto dazzling floral displays in a unique sunken garden which runs almost the width of the building. The displays will be completely changed periodically to fit the moods of the seasons – for example, during July and August the garden will be bathed in a colorful show of lush tropical plantings.

Out of this garden soar one hundred sculptured bronze seagulls the full 120-foot height of the building. One almost gets the feeling they’re actually alive and are rising purposefully skyward.

As you enter the main lobby, look upward the five stories to the intricate skylight. (All floors above the main level are U-shaped surrounding a central atrium, or open space). You may be startled to notice that there are no obstructing columns on the main floor. The upper floors seem to be hanging from the ceiling, rather than supported from below – and this is precisely the case. The building’s huge steel framework, topped off by two mighty 81-ton steel girders across the roof, makes it possible to suspend the upper floors from above.

Turning around and facing the front entrance, you see those same majestic seagulls, swooping and wheeling skyward, but now you’re seeing them from inside the building through towering glass windows rising the full height of the building.

Turning back toward the interior, you’ll see a vast expanse of solid walnut panelling carefully sculptured to exacting artistic architectural specifications.

The serpentine teller counter is faced with Italian-cut beige travertine marble. And the lobby area and customer lounge is covered with deep blue, soft-pile carpeting, accented by furnishings in delicate whites. It makes you feel as if soft music should be playing – then suddenly comes the realization there is soft music playing. You hadn’t noticed because it blended with the décor.

Above the lobby, each floor, as a special decorative touch, is color-keyed differently from every other floor. For example the second floor containing the loan servicing departments, carries out a green motif; the third floor (home improvement loans), yellow; the fourth floor (accounting functions), red; and the fifth floor (executive offices), blue.

Two other levels of the building which should not be overlooked are the roof garden atop the building and the garden level, below the main floor facing directly on to the sunken garden. On this latter level are the employees’ cafeteria and lounge, the personnel department and service areas.

Whatever your background…in whatever directions your tastes may run…this new Prudential Building will be interesting – even fascinating – to you, your family and your friends…Another great landmark for you and all other proud Utahns to use, to enjoy, and to claim as your own." (Deseret News Salt Lake Telegram pamphlet 29 June 1964, ‘A New Utah Landmark – for You’, page 2)

New Prudential Firm Opens Doors to Public
"The $3 million Prudential Federal Savings and Loan Building at 155 S. Main St. was opened to the public Monday. Hundreds of curious Salt Lake City residents used the opportunity to take a look inside the imposing structure. Floral displays in a unique sunken garden at the front of the building have stopped pedestrian traffic for days. A flock of 100 sculptured bronze seagulls soars from the garden, 120 feet up the building’s face. A staff of 24 girls was acting as guides for the public Monday on specially provided tours of the building. Several businessmen have already been given preview tours of the facility. The building is suspended from two giant steel girders. This frees inside for a five-story atrium (central opening) around which the upper floors are constructed in a 'U' shape. A special section of today’s Deseret News describes the exterior and interior features of the building." (New Prudential Firm Opens Doors to Public, Deseret News, 29 Jun 1964)

Utah Election Service Gearing for Primary
"The Utah Election Service will again swing into gear after the polls close next Tuesday to provide Utahns with complete coverage of the primary election...Center of the operation will be a sophisticated electronic computer at the Prudential Federal Savings and Loan Association, 115 S. Main. This IBM 1401 will digest the results and click out up-to-minute results almost before you can blink an eye." (Utah Election Service Gearing for Primary, Deseret News, 04 Aug 1964)

Ouch
"In front of that downtown architectural marvel known as the Prudential Federal Savings & Loan Building, a flock of sculpted metal seagulls soars heavenward. You never noticed it, but on one of three metal staffs that support the gulls is one lonesome cricket. You can see him from Prudential President Gene Donovan’s fifth-floor office. If you are an art clod like me, you may not have known that a large panel on one of the building’s inside walls is actually a piece of way-out sculpture by a renowned artist. Not every viewer understands it. One visitor pointed to it and asked of a secretary: ‘When’s somebody gonna get around to covering up that bare patch of insulation?’" (Steve Hale’s…People, Deseret News, 17 Apr 1965)

Front of building from Main Street, photo taken 2009

Street-level entry of building showing added cross-bracing and area where sunken garden was, photo taken 2009

On 18 Jun 1989, Prudential changed its name to Olympus Bank (Deseret News). In 1992, Olympus Bank was still running ads at their 115 S. Main Street location (Deseret News). By 25 May 1999, the building was vacant and bought by real estate developer Eugene Horbach and his firm, E&H Properties of Bellevue, Washington. Horbach paid $1.6 million for the building. Major renovation was to be underway within 60 days to allow for construction to be completed and the building open for business by the following spring. This renovation was to include the upper levels remodeled as leasable office space and Morton’s of Chicago to put a restaurant in the building. (Morton's and Old Navy Coming to Downtown, Deseret News, 25 May 1999)

"Salt Lake Community College (a nonmajor component unit) has a ten-year operating lease commitment, expiring September 30, 2011, for use of the Metro Center building in downtown Salt Lake City with future lease payments totaling $5.23 million. In August 2003, Salt Lake City condemned the facility due to safety concerns with the structure of the building. As of September 2003, the College began withholding monthly lease payments and is pursuing a legal resolution regarding its future financial commitments for the building." (State of Utah Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Fiscal year ended June 30, 2003)

"Sen. Hickman asked about the status of the Metro Center property. Pres. Morgan said a plan has been presented to the Regents for SLCC to purchase the building at a break-even position. Vice Pres. Don Porter indicated that an additional $1.3 million over the $4.3 million to purchase the building will be needed to make the building usable. Sen. Hickman objected to the purchase of the Metro Center building. Further discussion was heard from Rep. Lawrence, Pres. Morgan, and Commissioner Kendell." (MINUTES OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE, THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2004)

SLCC to Buy Metro Center
"SLCC originally leased space in the Metro building (formerly the Prudential Savings Building) and opened the Metro Center campus more than a year ago. The College was forced to vacate the building in the fall of 2003 when Salt Lake City declared it unsafe.

The major safety concern with the property centered on exterior artificial stone panels which had become loose or detached from the steel skeleton of the building.

These posed a hazard in that they might fall several stories onto the roofs of adjacent buildings or onto the street and sidewalk. The building has now been repaired and it is once again safe for use by students, faculty and staff.

Buying the Metro Center building will lay the groundwork for this campus to become a productive part of SLCC and will allow the school to quickly resume service to students in the downtown area.

Plans are now being developed specifically aimed at making Metro a self-sustaining educational facility.

The Downtown Alliance, the City, the Salt Lake Chamber, and many of our downtown neighbors have expressed their support for this move and their appreciation of the great work we do in the community." (SLCC to Buy Metro Center, SLCC Globe, Jan 28, 2004)

Steel cross bracing added to the front facade to structurally support panels, photo taken 2009

"If the city is thought of as a work of art, it can achieve a design for living and an exciting accommodation to the inevitability of change with grace: its highways and byways form the network of social exchange, its open spaces become the matrix of nature’s effectiveness. Its recognition of humanity in all of its value considerations become the matrix of success. Its capacity to respond as a place or the sum of many places to our appetites and eternal search for community, provides the only justification for urbanization itself. The unhindered ability of the city to serve our spirit rather than accommodate our physical requirements only make it worthy of protection, affection and pride. But to be loved by the city and secure the most from it, one must first love the city, respect its traditions, abstain from the degrading effects of partisanship for its own sake and resolve malignancy in any form." (William Pereira / edited by James Steele ; with a contribution by Ray Watson, including photographs by Julius Shulman and Wayne Thom, page 39)

*All unlabeled photos taken by Jonathan Kland in 2009.

gustavson residence

2009-12-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

"In designing this crisply rhythmic house for his own family - a traditionally daunting chore - architect Gustavson states: 'Designing a residence for my family was an exciting challenge. I wanted a residence that had privacy and yet an openness to the view and the interior landscaping of the site. The property, coupled with the landscaping and location on a private road, was large enough to insure the privacy we wanted. To gain the view and intimacy with the surrounds and the seasons, we decided to design principally a glass house. A steel frame was used to gain the freedom of plan desired and to permit the large glass areas.... The bedroom organization was to reverse this openness and divide the space into three bedrooms and a study library.'

His success in suiting his own program is very evident in the unforced elegance of the house, in the extremely workable plan, and in the not exorbitant cost of $40,000 for 2200 sq ft of roof, and a separate carport, also of steel frame.

Of the house, Gustavson now says: 'The plan has worked very well. My wife and children have not had any suggestions on how to do it better, and I consider this a real accomplishment.'"
(Architectural Record, Architectural Houses of 1960, Mid-May 1960, v. 127, page 136)

Nine years after this home was built, "Salt Lake architect Dean L. Gustavson was elected president of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards during the annual convention at Chicago." (reported in Deseret News June 28, 1969, page A11)

NCARB President 1970 Dean L. Gustavson, FAIA, Utah

"The plan centers on the use of a compact kitchen-utility-bathroom-closet core. The element is treated as a piece of furniture, with walnut panel surfaces. The space of four areas flows around the core: entrance, living area, kitchen-dining area, and family multi-use room. There is space, yet some separation.

Materials used in the structure are generally exposed throughout: the white-painted steel frame; the face brick laid in a flemish bond; the oak window fenestration, stained black and varnished. Interior woodwork is lacquered walnut. Other wall areas are ceramic tile in bathrooms and plasterboard on some bedroom walls. The ceiling is suspended plaster. Draperies are a light beige-gold color; floor coverings are white vinyl and gold colored carpeting.

The utility systems are largely incorporated in the floor slab. Heating is by two reverse-flow forced-air furnaces feeding to a perimeter under-floor duct system. It was designed for a quick air change and heat delivery. Electrical and phone service is by underground conduit."
(Architectural Record, Architectural Houses of 1960, Mid-May 1960, v. 127, page 139)

(All photos are by William Beal. Scanned from Architectural Record, Architectural Houses of 1960, Mid-May 1960, v. 127, page 136-139)

I have not yet been able to locate this home in the Salt Lake valley. If anyone has information on its location, I would greatly appreciate it.

harlan residence

2009-11-30T19:11:00.000-08:00

Composite drawing showing site plan, floor plan, exterior elevations, and building section (GA Houses, March 1994, n. 41, p. 122)

Designed in 1993 for client Willard Harlan, this Salt Lake City residence was designed by architect Taeg Nishimoto, with Leonard Camposano and Wendi Shafran as assistants. The home was subsequently published in the prestigious GA Houses magazine the following year.

In an email response to my query for information on the project, the architect, Taeg Nishimoto stated, "The project was a completely hypothetical one and it was never built. The client, a friend of mine, wanted to have something he could dream of at the time, so the context (site) was also an imagined one. We worked on his description of what the place might be. He passed away since then." Taeg is currently a Professor and Associate Dean at The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Drawing of hallway perspective (GA Houses, March 1994, n. 41, p. 123)

“The site is situated at the edge of a gently sloping plain with some trees, which, due to the occasional strong winds of the region, are shaped quite picturesquely. The house was conceived as a protective shelter constructed from a concrete slab which completely opens to the landscape on one side and provides a more intense, independent spatial experience on the other side. It also utilizes the roof as a continuous surface between the two levels of the earth of these two sides to be walked on as well as giving a strong presence to the house in the open landscape. The spatial articulation involves a rather complex geometry which is intended to create the spatial autonomy of the interior of the house against the surrounding natural components such as the sky and the configuration of the ground surface, as well as to enhance the abstract quality of the concrete surface which envelopes it. The geometric arrangement is conceived in order to create the perception of continuity throughout the space-defining surfaces, both visibly and invisibly. The continuously undulating surfaces of the concrete and the other interacting components made of various materials, such as wood paneling and metal sheets, are intended to create the abstract and yet highly textural continuity of the space. It is most evident in the circulation space through the house along the closed side with different sources of natural light where the client's drawings would be displayed." (GA Houses, March 1994, n. 41, p. 121)

Model of house and site (GA Houses, March 1994, n. 41, p. 121)

slc library competition

2009-11-19T19:30:00.000-08:00

Finalist
Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects with Prescott Muir Architects
New York, NY/Salt Lake City

"Salt Lake City would receive a 'terrific library' from the design of any of the four firms selected as finalists for the project, a city library board member said last week.

Alexius M. Gallegos, chairman of the library board's buildings and grounds committee, said he and other members of an advisory committee had a very difficult job trimming a list of 22 applications of interested firms to six semifinalists and two alternates. And it was even more difficult Wednesday to reduce that list to four finalists, Gallegos said Thursday during a meeting of the board at the main library.

Plans for selection of an architect and construction of a new library are under way after voters authorized an $84 million general obligation bond last November. Approval of the bond issue, which means an increase in property taxes and an additional tax hike because of projected increased operating expenses, also means other work on the block east of the City-County Building.

Kenneth Luker, library board chairman and a member of the advisory committee, said it was very difficult to remove firms from the list because 'they all had terrific ideas and potential' for designing a fine library.

Gallegos joked that the committee has been offered no bribes, a reference to Salt Lake's current Olympics scandal. He said his group based its decision solely on the architectural firms' qualifications, presentations and their ability to work with the board and the community." (Four architect firms are finalists for library, Deseret News, Jan 25, 1999)

Finalist
William P. Bruder Architect Ltd. with Thomas Petersen Hammond Architects (now called Architectural Nexus)
Phoenix, Arizona/Salt Lake City

"‘These four design teams represent some of the finest architectural talent in the country,’ said library director Nancy Tessman.

She said an exceptional field of 22 nationally and internationally renowned architectural firms responded to the library’s request for qualifications, which was released in December. In early January the field was narrowed to six and finally to the top four.

A series of workshops involving the architects, the library staff, the library board, the Friends of the Salt Lake City Library and an advisory committee that selected the finalists will be Feb. 23-24 and March 15-16.

The workshops will provide an opportunity for participants to interact with the architectural design teams as they present and discuss design concepts and directions they would take regarding the new library.

In mid-April the four architectural teams will make their final presentations at a public meeting. This won’t include a specific schematic model of the proposed new library. Rather, the meeting will be centered on a presentation of the design concepts that represent the work and philosophy of the firm and reflect the discussions of the previous six weeks.

The library board plans to announce the selection of a design team by April 30." (Finalists for library redesign to offer plans, Deseret News, Feb 2, 1999)

Finalist
Moore Ruble Yudell with Gruen Associates and Eaton Mahoney Associates
Santa Monica, California/Los Angeles/Salt Lake City

"I mentioned the New York Public Library competition when I gave a public lecture in connection with a recent architectural competition for the new Salt Lake City Public Library. The library board had conducted a national search for an architect, visited new libraries across the country, and solicited proposals from prominent architects. They had narrowed their list to four firms: Charles Gwathmey and Robert Siegel are respected New York architects with a long record of university buildings and museums, including a new library of science, industry, and business for the New York Public Library system. Moshe Safdie had built major civic buildings in Israel, Canada, and the United States, and recently completed the public library in Vancouver, British Columbia. Moore Ruble Yudell is a Los Angeles firm founded by the late Charles Moore, with whom John Ruble and Buzz Yudell built several university libraries and a public library in Berlin. Will Bruder, the least well known of the four, is a southwesterner and the architect of the new, well-regarded Phoenix Public Library.

I told my audience that I thought that the Salt Lake City library board would have a more difficult choice than their nineteenth-century New York counterparts. It was not a question of function. The Salt Lake City librarians had prepared an equally exhaustive program of requirements, so whichever architect was chosen commodity probably would be well served. As for firmness, I was reasonably sure that any of these experienced firms would build soundly. It was the consideration of delight that would make the selection harder. Gwathmey and Siegel design crisply detailed, understated buildings in a latter-day version of the International Style. Safdie, too, is a modernist, but he follows in the footsteps of Pei, and his buildings are frankly monumental - the Vancouver library had been likened to the Roman Coliseum. Moore Ruble Yudell's work is different. Informal and animated, their eclectic Postmodern designs are likely to include ornament and architectural motifs drawn from their surroundings. Bruder, on the other hand, designs chic buildings that incorporate exposed structural elements, rough industrial materials, and sleek details. Building on the same site, fulfilling the same functional requirements, and using the same up-to-date construction technology, the four firms would produce libraries that would look different.

The library board awarded the commission to Moshe Safdie, and a year later the plans for the new building were unveiled. The new library will feature an unusual triangular-shaped main building and a curving wall-like structure that encloses a public square." (Witold Rybczynski, 'The Look of Architecture,' New York, Oxford University Press, 2001, pages 76-79)

Finalist
Moshe Safdie and Associates with Valentiner Crane Brunjes Onyon Architects
Somerville, Massachusetts/Salt Lake City

Images from (Salt Lake City Library Competition)

antelope island visitors center

2009-11-19T12:16:00.000-08:00

Antelope Island is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake, and probably the most beautiful. Its magnificent scenery provides a mix of grassland and desert. The Visitors Center is located at Ladyfinger Point on the island’s north end and acts as an educational and resource center for the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. Completed in 1995 by EDA Architects, the Visitors Center is a good example of the quality work this local firm in downtown SLC is capable of.

View of the Salt Lake and surrounding mountains

Buffalo of Antelope Island

In mid-1993, the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation considered developing the island with multiple visitors centers, lodges, restaurants, a small strip mall, historical markers, and hiking trails. The goal was to seek a balance of meeting visitor needs with protection of the island environment. Fortunately the commercial development portion never saw the light of day. "The power of Antelope Island is in its stark beauty," said author Terry Tempest Williams, whose book Refuge brought international attention to the Great Salt Lake. "The notion of a strip mall residing on the flanks of this wild place strikes me as the worst possible intrusion. If a museum or educational center or a restaurant or even a strip mall are in the minds of our state park managers, let them stake their claim somewhere in Davis County. The question I have for the state is, 'When will we learn to restrain ourselves?' We need silence more than we need entertainment."

Natural wildflowers of Antelope Island

Google Maps aerial image

"Mitch Larsson, longtime park manager at the island, said limited commercial development of the park would entice visitors to stay longer. That means more money for local economies.

Mr. Larsson told a group of teachers taking a class on the island last weekend that a small strip mall and restaurant were being considered. On Monday, he said he envisions a 'Mount Rushmore-type visitor center.' This likely would include an information center, lookout observation deck, restaurant and gift shop.

The state also would consider building a motel or lodge near the new marina, Terry Green, chief planner for the parks agency said. Any commercial development would be based on public demand and the Division of Parks and Recreation's own environmental studies."

(From 'Buffalo, Strip Mall to Roam Antelope Island?', Salt Lake Tribune, Apr 20, 1993)

Back side of visitors center

'Antelope Island Park to Get Visitor Center'
Salt Lake Tribune, Feb 18, 1995

"A sleek, stylish, low-profile visitor center along Ladyfinger Ridge on the northern knob of Antelope Island State Park will emphasize the importance and power of the natural landscape while acquainting visitors with the ambience of the Great Salt Lake and the island.

Contracts for the $1.6 million structure will be let this spring with completion set for Memorial Day of 1996, said Courtland Nelson, director of the Utah State Division of Parks and Recreation.

Antelope Island State Park and its 28,022 acres is connected to the mainland by a 7 ½ -mile modern two-lane causeway road and is seven miles west of Interstate 15 Exit 335 near Layton in Davis County.

Designed by Peggy McDonough of EDA Inc. Architects, formerly Edwards and Daniels, the Visitor Center will encompass 5,200 square feet. There also will be parking for 50 cars and pull-through spaces and a bus turnaround. The one-story cast-in-place concrete structure will include aggregate from the site to give the appearance of being integral with the surroundings.

The roof framing for the central portion of the center will be exposed timbers salvaged and recycled (sawed and planed) from the 12-mile railroad trestle which spanned the northern arm of the Great Salt Lake as part of the Southern Pacific Railroad Lucin Cutoff.

Burke Cartwright of EDA Inc. Architects said the recycled timbering is the best-quality redwood and fir and lends enormously to the heft and feel of the Visitor Center as a part of the natural landscape.

Heavy timber framing tied into concrete structure

The center takes on the role of being one of transition and introduction to the lake and the island, rather than a point of destination. ‘After all, the island is the destination, not the building,’ McDonough explained.

To complete the feeling of being a part of the landscape on Ladyfinger Ridge, a sod roof planted with native grasses will delineate a portion of the extended building, while the remainder of the roof will be in keeping with the irregular jagged nature of the rock outcroppings surrounding the ridge.

The building’s form is linear in nature, respecting the topography. It is low to minimize the effect of prevailing storm winds from the northwest, and the silhouette is in accord with the terrain.

'It wouldn't do to have an obtrusive profile jutting up atop the ridge,' Cartwright said.

'This design is perfect for the subtle grade of its desert surroundings,' he added. 'It couldn't be put anywhere else.'

The entryway will offer exterior access to men's and women's restrooms; the interior exhibit area includes one large room and a central long room running the entire length of the facility.

A bookstore and gift shop will include an information desk at a central location to the store and the exhibit area.

A multiuse room will allow audio-visual presentations and lectures and an area for conference use with a view to the north. The center will be handicapped-accessible.

Some vending machines will be available, but there will be no food concession areas as such. There are picnic areas within close proximity of the center, and concessionaires on the beach nearby."

Interior showing the main linear axis of building

'Antelope visitors center designed to fit its setting'
Deseret News, Feb 8, 1995

"Architect Burke Cartwright said the center is being designed to fit the topography of its ridgeline site so it ‘looks like it has emerged from the site, belongs on the site, rather than being imposed on the site.’

Visitors will approach the center slightly uphill from parking lot, Cartwright explained, then enter and walk through a reception area and bookstore leading to the exhibits. Outside, hard surface paths will lead to observation points and outdoor exhibits.

The restrooms and outdoor exhibit areas will be accessible even when the center is closed, Cartwright said.

The exhibit areas will have carefully framed views of the island, Great Salt Lake, and back toward the mainland, he said.

An example of a framed view the building provides, looking back at the causeway used to travel to the island.

Exterior framed view looking north

Native rock from the island will be used in some of the center construction, Cartwright said, but the walls will be built of poured concrete textured and tinted to blend in with the surroundings.

The native stone on the island can be used for some decorative work but is generally too porous for use as a primary construction material, he said.

Some site work has been done already and Cartwright said a three-dimensional model of the center could be prepared within a couple of weeks, and construction will start in the spring. He projects the center will be open by Memorial Day weekend of 1996."

There is an amphitheater around the back side of the building

Amphitheater

This image of the Visitors Center is currently part of the home page of EDA Architects

If you look closely, you can see the visitors center off in the distance in the upper left of this image. This gives a feel for how the building acts as an integral part of the landscape, rather than as an object in a field.

sad day...

2009-07-31T23:48:00.000-07:00

(Image Source)

In case you haven't heard, Salt Lake lost a treasure today. 1547 Yale Avenue in the Yalecrest Historic District was torn down by the owner, Tom Hulbert. The home is right in the heart of the Historic District, a district that was the feature of the 2009 Utah Heritage Foundation Home Tour.

The home was purchased by the present owners in 2007, at the very same time the Yalecrest district received the designation from the National Register of Historic Places. From the owners website, they felt it was a "beautiful home" and desired to expand on the 2700 square foot home "by adding an addition to the rear of the home." If you click over to the owners website, you cannot read the text unless you highlight it for some reason. He goes through the decision-making process and attempts to defend his actions.

Apparently there were structural problems that needed to be addressed in this 1924 home. According to the engineers on the project, the cost to restabilize the home for another 80 years would have only been $150,000. The owner is not willing to pay that, but is willing to pay upwards of $1 million to build a new 7,200 square foot home? $100/square foot for a 7,200 square foot home will cost $720,000. And I doubt he will get the new home for that cheap.

The owners website documents what they want to do and why, but it all feels hollow and forced. He is thorough, but ultimately made a poor choice. What he and the community of Salt Lake lost is irreplaceable, no matter what home is built there now. In a historic district and neighborhood, there is almost always the option of restoration or new foundation work, which would be cheaper than starting over. And comparing the original home to the new design, well, there really is no comparison.

(Image source)

My number one question is: Why didn't he think to have an 85-year-old home checked out before purchasing to see if there were structural deficiencies and to confirm that he would be able to easily add onto it as was his original plan? THE HISTORIC HOMES AND UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE ARE THE ATTRACTION OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD that he moved into. So he moves in and two years later has destroyed the very thing he purchased that helps make this neighborhood beautiful and unique! I truly do not understand.

To their credit, they actually tried to sell the home earlier this year. On the 28th of April 2009, the home was put on the market for $945,000. On the 11th of June 2009, the home price was reduced to $899,500. After 62 days, less than a month ago, it was taken off the market. According to the Salt Lake Tribune article, there was an $875,000 cash offer that they declined and opted to destroy the home instead and start over.

I love the remarks included in the real estate report when the home was on the market, “Curb appeal is unbeatable! Home has been prepared for total remodel.”

(Image source - Salt Lake Tribune)

Prior to receiving a demolition permit, a building permit was approved for the new home. While the new design at least has some sensitivity to the site, it is still a 7,200 square foot home. That’s quite an addition. So you mean to tell me that they would have been happy with their existing 2,700 square foot home purchase and a small addition in the back, even if there were no foundation problems? That’s a far cry from this new 7,200 square foot home. It sounds like this is what they wanted from the beginning. In todays slow high-end market, an $875,000 offer for the existing home was a good one. They could have taken it and built their 7,200 square foot home in almost ANY OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD IN UTAH and no one would have cared one bit. But instead they chose to destroy a treasure of the city in one of the few Historic Districts Salt Lake City has. What a travesty. What a loss. What a sad day.

City Wide Historic Preservation Master Plan
City Weekly article

View salt lake architecture in a larger map

upper main street buildings 1910-1911

2009-07-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

Christmas News cover
Drawing by Ellis -----

This beautiful illustration shows the Templeton Building, Bishops Building, Deseret News Building, Vermont Building, Deseret Gymnasium, Salt Lake Temple, Hotel Utah, and the Pioneer Monument. Of the eight structures shown, only the Hotel Utah, Pioneer Monument, and Salt Lake Temple are still standing. I was unfortunately not able to find any information about the artist of this piece. (Image from Deseret Evening News 18 Dec 1909)

mount tabor lutheran church

2009-07-08T02:35:00.000-07:00

The Mount Tabor Lutheran church simultaneously provides its sanctuary users with an intimate feel from the small footprint size, to a grand feel from the height of the volume above the altar. This height continually draws your gaze upward and allows abundant natural light to flow in from above. Amazingly, 240 people can fit in the six rows of seating, drawing everyone close to the ceremony. The classrooms are above the seating in the sanctuary and visually link to the main worship space through a series of slots beneath the circular glass tower. These slots open up to a circular corridor that serves all the classrooms. The six exposed angular wood columns visually and structurally link all three levels together.

Building Timeline
1959 - Decision to relocate the congregation from South Temple
1960 - Purchase of one acre site at 7th East and 2nd South
6 Jan 1963 - Groundbreaking
2 Jun 1963 - Cornerstone laid
Jul 1963 - Completed
8 Mar 1964 - Dedicated
1996 - Expansion of entrance areas, office space, handicap accessibility, and classrooms

The church was designed by retired architect Charles D. Peterson, a member of the congregation, who spent much of his career in Salt Lake, with an office in the Walker Building on Main Street. I had an enjoyable meeting with Charles at his Cottonwood home, where he was gracious enough to give me a blueprint copy of the plans and a section of the building. The first concept, as seen in the image and newspaper article below, was a hexagon. Later, the plan changed to a circle, which is what was eventually built. Another member of the congregation, Sig Zander, built the altar and pews.

From what I have been told, Mount Tabor has a strong music program and supports a number of ministries in the downtown area, including the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, the Utah Food Bank, and Crossroads Urban Center.

Tabor Bears Plans for New Church
Salt Lake Tribune 14 Oct 1961

"A 'new look' in churches will grace the downtown area when the proposed $120,000 Tabor Lutheran Church is constructed on the northeast corner of 2nd South and 7th East.

Architect's sketches of the structure which has been in the planning stages for some time, were revealed Friday by the Rev. Arthur W. Sorensen, pastor.

An unusual, hexagon-shaped building, the new Tabor church will feature central seating in a semicircle around the altar, Pastor Sorensen said.

The seating plan will accommodate as many as 240 persons in only six rows, he added. The centrally located altar will be the focal point of the main floor of the two-story structure. A basement is also in the plans and will be used for a Fellowship Hall and Sunday School.

Eight classrooms will be built on the second floor, which will be a mezzanine-type arrangement overlooking the sanctuary. A large cross will hang suspended on wire from the ceiling of the church over the altar.

Other rooms in the church will include a kitchen, nursery, pastor's study and a parish worker's office.

The exterior will feature a multicolored glass tower and the lower part of the building will be a brick facing.

Designed by Charles D. Peterson, Architect, the structure will be only the first phase of the Tabor church's construction plans.

The church has been designed with the intent of expanding on the north end when the growth of the congregation warrants such a move.

Pastor Sorensen said he is planning ground-breaking ceremonies for early spring.

The present Tabor Lutheran Church is located at 61 E. St."

Preliminary hexagon design - image taken from Salt Lake Tribune 14 Oct 1961.

Main floor plan. Existing buildings have since been demolished and an additional wing has been added to the north side of the circular plan. From blueprint drawing of architect Charles Peterson.

Basement plan and 2nd floor plan. From blueprint drawing of architect Charles Peterson.

Section through building. From blueprint drawing of architect Charles Peterson.

Mt. Tabor's Specialty: 'Religion in the Round'
Salt Lake Tribune 26 Mar 1977

"One of Salt Lake City's more unique churches, at least from an architectural viewpoint, is Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church. 175-7th East, constructed in the round.

It's probably the only round church in Utah, said Mt. Tabor's pastor, the Rev. Elwyn D. Josephson.

The small church, which is almost as tall as the diameter of its sanctuary, is constructed as a circle. The foyer inside the north doors of the church is part fo the circle, and at each end of the foyer are entrances to the sanctuary.

The sanctuary is designed in the round, with wood pews nearly surrounding the free-standing altar, one of the focal points in the sanctuary and, said Pastor Josephson, one of the items traditionally emphasized in the Lutheran Church.

He said Mt. Tabor, built 15 years ago, is not particularly unusual in architectural design. He pointed out there has been a departure from the traditional rectangular design within the Lutheran Church during the past 20 years.

During this period, he said, more and more churches being built varied from the traditional church designs.

'The purpose of these variations, such as round or even some triangular structures, has been to focus more attention on the altar,' Pastor Josephson said. 'And many of these altars are free-standing, centrally located ones.'

Building a round church is not unprecedented, either, he said. Some Lutheran churches in Denmark were built in the round and Roman basilicas in the 2nd and 3rd centuries were in the round.

'The focus in Lutheran churches is always twofold,' the clergyman said. 'The first emphasis is on the sacraments, the baptismal font and the altar, where Holy Communion is celebrated. The second focus is on the pulpit, because that is where the Word is preached.'

Mt. Tabor's tall dome, surrounded mostly by glass windows, was also built for a purpose, Pastor Josephson said.

'Height tends to elevate the worshipers' thoughts and hearts to God. It tends to add majesty and instill the feeling of majesty and awe in the worshipers,' he said.

There are also certain advantages to the round church itself, the pastor said.

'By being surrounded, a great sense of warmth, intimacy and fellowship in worship is provided,' explained Pastor Josephson.

Mt. Tabor hosts has about 150 members, the pastor said. Eight or nine years ago, it had more than 400 members, but he said the church has suffered from the same problems that plague many downtown churches.

'Families will transfer out of the area and when new people move in, they move to the suburbs rather than to the city because the houses are in the suburbs,' Pastor Josephson said."

Large multi-purpose space in basement with walk-out to sunken exterior patio. Notice the angled structural columns carrying through to the sanctuary above and supporting the circular roof. Exposing the wood structure in this manner provides an ever-present connection to the sanctuary above.

Sunken patio off of 2nd south with link to basement doors.

Additional entry and classroom wing expansion from 1996.

Upstairs in circular corridor surrounding the double-height sanctuary. Linear window slots and exposed angled wood columns provide connection to the sanctuary. Corridor provides access to classroom spaces.

Circular sanctuary seating with structural wood column supporting classrooms and glass tower above.

dreier home

2009-07-08T00:43:00.000-07:00

This fantastic home off Mueller Park Road in Bountiful was designed by the late Eduard Dreier over 30 years ago, sometime in the 1970's. The home addresses the site and the region it is built in. The home uses thermal massing by placing the large fireplace in the center of building. From this, the home is able to remain cool in the summer and warm in the winter. There is generous glazing on the south facade with large overhangs to block the high summer sunlight but allow in the low winter light. The original owner who commissioned the design still lives there. Unfortunately, they never agreed to have the home published. I wasn't able to get inside, but the owner was kind enough to let me walk around the property.

Large overhangs protecting home from south-facing summer light. Photo taken from bridge walkway over a stream leading to the entry.

South facade of home.

As you can see, the home is part of the landscape, does not feel intrusive, and seems to belong to the land - as a natural extension. It fits in to the surrounding context in which it is placed; it is not forced or arrogant. The home is interested in seeing and understanding, not in being seen or understood. Compare this to the McMansions being built up the hill. These homes want to be seen and stand out. They are cookie-cutter houses you can find anywhere in America. The Dreier home is a home designed specifically for the Utah climate by a local architect with minimal impact on the surrounding community. In contrast, McMansions are designed by builders and graze down or force a community where they shouldn't be one; in this case on the top of a hill.

McMansions being built up the hill from home.

Landscaped steps leading from stream up to home.

Front of home.

joseph f smith building

2009-06-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

Constructed with the theme of “light and truth,” the modern glass facade of the building’s main entrance contrasts with a cloistered inner courtyard featuring a fountain. The glass-enclosed gallery, a beautiful, light-drenched space, is designed to house a series of exhibits that will expand on the educational experiences offered in the building. (BYU Today, Fall 2005)

Joseph F Smith Building
Brigham Young University Campus-Provo, UT
Architect: FFKR
Size: 280,000 SF, 5 story
Construction Began: 3 Jun 2002
Dedication: 20 Sep 2005

Entry to courtyard

Inner courtyard perimeter

Paid for through private donations, the building will feature 27 classrooms, 401 faculty and administrative offices, a large auditorium, a theater, and a three-level, 265-stall underground parking lot. The new building will contain more than double the square footage of its predecessor on a smaller footprint.

The building is intended to function as a work of art that sends a visual message, says Van C. Gessel, dean of the College of Humanities. "The architectural concept emphasizes light as the source of any kind of knowledge and learning. Education at BYU is very much about the light that comes from the Spirit."

To bring natural light into as many offices and public areas as possible, the architectural firm of FFKR designed the building around a central landscaped courtyard. A massive two-story glass gallery will grace the main entrance on the east, and generous use of glass throughout will permit light to enter much of the facility, including some of the basement. (BYU Today, Summer 2002)

Inner courtyard landscaping and benches

Sun screen shading device on west facade in courtyard

Close-up of sun screen shading device

I was pleasantly surprised by this building and my overall critique is a positive one. All buildings send a visual message, whether intended or not, so what type of message you are sending becomes the goal to think about and explore. I was glad to see the theme of ‘light and truth’ as a design guide for this project.

Unfortunately the theme appears to largely have been a missed opportunity with this building. As an unattached bystander, very little about the building says to me light or truth more than other buildings. I would have liked to see the theme pushed further. There is an inconsistent handling of light control. When speaking about light, the treatment of the south facade should be completely different from that of the north facade, and this building treats them the same.

Also, it’s not just about flooding the building with as much natural light as possible as was mentioned above. What do you do with that light? How do you harness, channel, and distribute that light to the occupants? What do the ‘light features’ teach the occupants of the building about knowledge and education? How could the building itself become an actual symbol of light and truth? Exploring this in built form could inform a spiritual yearning for harnessing, channeling, and utilizing a spiritual light in education.

Gallery spiral stair

Gallery spiral stair

What was done beautifully is applying the program of housing the College of Family, Home, and Social sciences into the design. The LDS Church views the family as sacred and is very protective of the institution of marriage and the family. This building supports that belief. The mostly non-descript exterior of the building acts as a protective wrapper providing an inner courtyard where the real beauty of the building lies. Here, the best design and materials have been used. Here, the beautiful landscaping creates a relaxed, welcome, and soothing environment. The building surrounding on all sides creates a sense of safety and intimacy. This protected enclave for study, discussion, or relaxing is symbolic of the role the College hopes to play relating to the family.

The wrapping and enclosing concept is further reinforced in the beautiful and striking circular gallery stair prominently located as one of the main features of the building. Similar to the courtyard, this feature of the building really draws you in with a desire to experience the space. This links nicely with the College also, where teachings about the family will draw you in and be provided with a protective enclosure, allowing interdisciplinary teachings about the family to come together into one place.

The final example of wrapping and protective enclosure is at a smaller, more intimate scale of a series of six gathering spaces in front of the building, using landscaped circular seating in concrete and vegetation.

Gallery spiral stair

Gallery spiral stair

Gallery spiral stair

Where I get lost in the metaphor at the gallery stair is being drawn from the lower level to the light above, when most of the classrooms and teaching occur at the lower level, not up where the light is. The light is taking you away from where you are learning.

Finally, there are some beautiful details that were fortunately not removed for budgetary considerations, such as the exterior curtain wall extensions and the wood cubicles over some of the interior doors.

One of six gathering spaces in front of the building that reinforces the courtyard and spiral stair concept of wrapping and protective enclosure.

*All images taken by author on 13 Jun 2009

View salt lake architecture in a larger map

prairie style in utah

2009-06-16T00:26:00.000-07:00

Malcolm A Keyser House 381 East 11th Avenue, Salt Lake City

Did you know that Utah has one of the highest concentrations of Prairie Style buildings outside of the Midwest? Early Utah architects embraced the new designs and executed buildings all over the state. The website, Prairie School Traveler, has compiled an impressive 84 buildings in Utah built in this style. Out of the 39 states and 6 countries listed, Utah places 6th in quantity of prairie-style buildings behind Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and California. Salt Lake City alone has 47 buildings listed, placing it 7th in the country behind Chicago, Oak Park, Minneapolis/St Paul, San Jose, Milwaukee, and Jacksonville. Not that these numbers really matter, but they help illustrate that there are a great number of these beautiful buildings all within a short drive for us to experience and enjoy.

Has there ever been a Prairie-Style Parade of Buildings for SLC? If not, we definitely should do one.

Caithness Apartments (now Caithness Condominiums) 86 B Street, Salt Lake City

Gustave L Becker House 2408 Van Buren Avenue, Ogden
See here for a 1918 photo of house

I am in process of locating each of these 84 buildings and identifying them on the sidebar map. For easy identification, they are shown with green markers.

# on National Register of Historic Places - 6
# Demolished - 9

Known Prairie-style Architects with buildings in Utah:
-Shreve & Madsen
-Pope & Burton
-Ware & Treganza
-Fred W. Hodgson
-Leslie Hodgson
-Eber Piers
-Miles Miller
-Taylor Woolley
-Cannon & Fetzer
-Scott & Welch
-Monson & Price
-Olaf Nielsen?
-J.C. Craig
-Avery Timms

*Photographs above from The Prairie School Traveler, courtesy of Butch Kmet.

architects in slc 1867-1880

2009-06-15T22:57:00.000-07:00

Over the 13 year period from 1867-1880, there ranged from one to seven people in the city who called themselves architects.

1867 Salt Lake City Directory
(No specific employment listings. From looking up names from the 1869 architects, the following was found.)

Cram, Charles S., Architect, office at old City Hall, residence 7th Ward, southwest corner of 1st West and 5th South

Angell, T.O., Carpenter, 14th Ward, rear north side 1st South between East Temple and 1st East
Evans, Samuel L., Stone cutter, residence 6th Ward, west side of 4th West between 4th and 5th South

1869 Salt Lake City Business Directory
Architects.

Albion, James, 15th Ward 1 South between 4 and 5 West
Angell, T.O. 1st Ward
Cram, Charles S. 7th Ward 5 South corner 1 West
Evans, S. S. 4 West between 4 and 5 South
Folsom, W.H. South Temple corner 1 West
Paul, William, Garden, corner Locust
Walling, Warren, “Sugar House Ward,” County road

1874 Salt Lake City Business Directory
Architects.

Angel, Trueman O., office Temple block
Harrison, E.L.T., Bellview terrace
Manheim, H., 78 East Temple east side
Taylor, Obed, Matthiessen’s block, East Temple

Architects and Builders.

Folsom, W.H., corner 1 West and South Temple
Paul, Wm., Sr., corner of Garden and Locust
Paul, Wm., Jr., South Temple between 2 and 3 West

1879-80 Salt Lake City Business Directory
Architects.

Angel T O, southwest corner 1 East and 6 South
Folsom, W H, southwest corner 1 West and South Temple
Harrison, E L T, Belleview Terrace, 19 ward
Monheim, Henry, east side East Temple between 1 and 2 South
Paul, Wm, corner Garden and Locust
Taylor, Obed, over Deseret Bank

(First Architect advertisement in SLC)

mt olivet cemetery

2009-06-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

Cemeteries are beautiful places that offer a great deal of design on a small scale. These sacred spaces also provide an important connection both to the earth and to our past. Mount Olivet Cemetery, adjacent to a large thoroughfare in Salt Lake City, provides a space that is quiet and peaceful, allowing meditation in the middle of a bustling city. Here people are careful how they drive, talk, walk and act.

By far the most exciting and beautiful part of the cemetery are a series of individual family mausoleums; a neighborhood of small well-designed buildings nestled amongst rolling hills with abundant wildlife all around. Both times I visited the site, dozens of deer were present.

Young family mausoleum. Photo taken by author 07 Jun 2009.

These buildings with unknown designers deal with site placement, material selection, style, threshold, entry, security, and window and door openings, including stain glass windows. Many are approaching one hundred years old. In a way they act as precious jewel-box designs from a past era. Each of these family mausoleums were up to the family to design and build as they saw fit.

L to R: Lewis and Bamberger family mausoleums. Photo taken by author 07 Jun 2009.

Skylight in Lewis Family mausoleum. Visible only because glass on front door was broken, allowing a view inside. Photo taken by author 07 Jun 2009.

List of several family mausoleums with guessed dates of construction based on earliest burials within:
Victor Clement d. Apr 1903
Removed and placed in Mrs. Clement's vault on 16 Jul 1906
Constructed approx. 1906

James David Wood d. 17 Jan 1909
Removed and placed in Mrs. J D Wood Vault 02 Mar 1911
Constructed approx. 1911

Agnes Dow Ireland d. 27 Sep 1930
Constructed prior to 1930

Joseph Young d. 20 Mar 1925
Removed and placed in Young vault 14 Jan 1932
Constructed approx. 1932

Ernest Bamberger (married to Eleanor Dooly dau. of John E Dooly) d. 1958
son John Ernest Bamberger bur. 29 May 1944 (entombment)
Bertha Bamberger bur. 14 May 1939
Walter C Lewis bur. 10 Aug 1943 in J E Bamberger vault
Constructed prior to 1939

Ireland family mausoleum built into hillside. Photo taken by author 07 Jun 2009.

Snyder family mausoleum. Photo taken by author 07 Jun 2009.

L to R: Harkness, Ireland, and Bamberger family mausoleums. Photo taken by author 07 Jun 2009.

L to R: Young, Felkner, and Wood family mausoleums. Photo taken by author 07 Jun 2009.

Established by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1874, Mount Olivet was established as a public burial place for all people at a reasonable cost. The entry gate on 500 South was designed by Walter Ware; the English Tudor office residence by Ware and Treganza; the red building to the south by Kletting, the architect of the Utah Capitol. More than 35,000 former citizens rest in the 50 developed acres of the cemetery. The Red Rock area is exclusively for cremains, though cremains can be interred in any plot. Eighty-eight varieties of trees shade paved roads that serve as strolling paths for nearby residents and for family and friends who come to reminisce. (Deseret News 16 Jun 1997)

Cemetery office designed by Ware & Treganza. Photo taken by author 09 Jun 2009.

Red Building designed by Kletting. Photo taken by author 09 Jun 2009.

A colorful past lies buried at Mount Olivet
S.L. Graveyard: Some of the state’s richest and most powerful people are interred at the cemetery.
Mount Olivet Cemetery was founded in 1874, at a time when the territory’s Mormons and non-Mormons clashed daily over questions of commerce, politics, polygamy and statehood. It’s not that non-Mormons couldn’t be buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. They could. But they wanted a place of their own.

So Episcopal Bishop Daniel S. Tuttle, with the help of the commander of Camp (now Fort) Douglas, petitioned Congress for 20 acres of the Army’s land. Mount Olivet was Salt Lake City’s second public burial ground and the only public non-profit cemetery in the United States ever to be created by an act of Congress. Bishop Tuttle named it after an academy he attended as a boy in the East.

The deed to Mount Olivet Cemetery came with some water rights to Red Butte and Emigration creeks, irrigation rights the trustees retain to this day. Those water rights were a source of pride in early times. The trustees of Mount Olivet reveled in the lush beauty of their park, especially because, located high on a hill, the Salt Lake Cemetery burned brown every summer.

Mount Olivet gained more land over the years. Now it has 88 acres. Half are developed; 31,000 people are interred here.

Some of the state’s richest and most powerful people are buried in Mount Olivet. Coleman likes to point out the graves of mining magnates Thomas Kearns and David Keith, the entrepreneur Walker brothers, bankers Russell Lord Tracy and James Collins, Gov. George H. Dern (who was also secretary of war under Franklin Roosevelt) and a number of Salt Lake mayors.

Utah’s Silver Queen, Susanna Bransford Emery, is buried somewhere in Mount Olivet. Coleman says that at the time of her burial there were so many rumors “about the silver dress she was buried in and silver dollars in her coffin” that the exact location of her grave was kept secret. (Deseret News 5 Jun 1991)

Greenhouse at Mt Olivet Cemetery. Photograph dated 1 Oct 1913. From Utah State Historical Society website.

Remains of Greenhouse. Photo taken by author 09 Jun 2009.

Mount Olivet is a public, non-profit cemetery established by an Act of Congress that was signed by President U.S. Grant. The Salt Lake Mount Olivet was designed by three architects and known for its red sandstone and wrought iron-gates, office and barn. (Deseret News 25 May 1994)

Notice the handsome office-residence just within the decorative iron gates at the main entrance. This building replaced an earlier wooden shack that served as the sexton's headquarters. A Mrs. Hall of the congregational Church donated funding for the Tudor design by Ware and Treganza, constructed in 1911. Recently the shielding overgrown pines were removed from the front yard, and the exterior of the building restored to its original color scheme and beauty. Beside it is the spacious dark red brick carriage house, added in 1913. Under its gabled roof the hay vas stored for the horses below, and multiple vehicles of the day. Today, all the horses, 380 of them, are under the hood of the tractor that serves so many functions.

The adjacent greenhouse no longer serves its original purpose. When there was a permanent staff of ten or more, it was possible to maintain extensive flower beds with their own stock from the greenhouse. Now with a reduced staff, down to six, with extras in the busy seasons, the present group is hard pressed to keep up with the chores of the much extended area presently in use.

Some crypts are still in active use (Bamberger and Snyder) but since they take extra funds for maintenance, they are not as popular as they once were. Each structure can house one to thirteen caskets on the shelves within. (Floralie K. Millsaps, August 1988, A TOUR OF MOUNT OLIVET: The Cemetery Comes to Life)

Entry gate designed by Ware & Treganza. Photo taken by author 09 Jun 2009.

Entry gate designed by Ware & Treganza. Photo taken by author 09 Jun 2009.

forest dale chapel

2009-06-02T11:08:00.000-07:00

Forest Dale’s Fine New Assembly Hall
One of the historic places in the Salt Lake Valley was Brigham Young’s “Forest Farm.” Situated close to the foothills, which lie at the base of some of the highest of the mountains of the Wasatch range, the spot was chosen as an ideal location for a farm by President Young, and the good judgment displayed by him in making his selection was on a par with that which made him famous in his other operations in pioneer life.

President Young proceeded to improve the natural advantages of the spot by planting a variety of the choicest fruit and shade trees that could be obtained. To the north of his farm lay the property of the late President John Taylor. On the south his fields were bounded by the homestead of Parley P. Pratt, while to the northwest and along the boulevard by which Forest Dale is reached was the home of President Wilford Woodruff. A portion of each of the farms still belongs to descendants of these worthy Pioneers. Near the center of the farm and approached by a broad avenue of lofty walnut and black locust trees planted on either side in double rows was built a spacious farm house.

Plat map of Church Farm pieced together, colored, and labeled by Jonathan Kland (Plat records 1852-1888, FHL US/CAN Film 1654538)

Of late years the busy man of large cities both in our own country and in foreign lands has found that a suburban home has advantages that more than repay in restfulness to body and mind the time spent in traveling to and from his work in the city. Even in Salt Lake City with its broad and straight streets this feeling prevailed and numbers of young men began to build their homes in the districts close to Salt Lake City. Great momentum was given to this movement by the construction of the electric car line to Forest Dale in 1890. The building of this line was quickly followed by others until now Salt Lake City, particularly to the south and southeast, is surrounded by communities the bread-winners in which spend their days in the capital of our State and their leisure and nights in the cooler and quieter surroundings of their cozy homes. Forest Dale was not organized as a ward until 1896 but in less than five years its population has increased more than 100 per cent.

Forest Dale Chapel designed by Peter Mortensen (Deseret Evening News 13 Apr 1901)

At first the old Farm House which had been tendered as a place for Sunday school and religious worship was large enough to accommodate all in the ward, but recently the Sunday school alone has more than filled the building. Under the energetic management of the bishopric of the ward, headed by Bishop James Jensen, the people unanimously decided to acquire a building lot and to erect a house large enough for all their ward purposes. A lot directly north from the Farm House (on the opposite side of the street) having a south frontage of 165 feet and a depth of 175 feet, with streets also on the east and west sides, was selected and the funds for its purchase subscribed and paid last year. Now the amount necessary to build the fine structure shown with this sketch has been subscribed, practically every person in the ward (including a number who do not belong to the Church) contributing the fund. The exterior of the building speaks for itself and an examination of the interior reveals the fact that in arrangement, convenience and uniqueness the building is unsurpassed. The interests of all, of the speaker, of the choir and of the congregation have been given careful thought with the result that the main assembly hall with a seating capacity of 670, including seats for a choir of 48, and for the subsequent construction of a gallery with a capacity for 250 more, is most admirable.

The building is two stories high, the basement being designed for use as an amusement hall and with class rooms for Sunday school purposes. Each of the other ward organizations is also provided for, including a library room, prayer room and room for the Relief Society. The plans and specifications for the building were furnished by a resident of the ward, Architect Peter Mortensen, and a number of skilled artisans who also reside in the ward in sure at least part of every kind of work, both in erecting and decorating the structure, being done by members of the ward. The dimensions of the building are 50x112 feet, and the height from basement floor to top of center finial is 113 feet. The material used in the walls are red sandstone and red shale brick. The building is to be heated by steam, the boiler room being located in the rear of the building. The windows will be of “maze glass” with opalescent trimmings, and the lighting will be electric. (Deseret News 13 Apr 1901)

Forest Dale Chapel sketch by Richard W Jackson (Fig. 6.12. Richard W Jackson, Places of Worship, page 146)

The architect for the building was selected by competition, a frequent procedure at that time. His name was Peter Mortensen, and he was also a member of the ward. A rendering of a perspective view of his design for the new building was published in the Deseret News, 13 April 1901, and showed a three-spired classical building.

The three spires were all the same size, but the center one was on a higher base which made it appear higher, not unlike the spires on the Salt Lake Temple. Construction commenced, and the building was soon out of the ground. The rock foundation was well done and stood about six feet above grade.

Peter Mortensen (Deseret Evening News 13 Aug 1903)

Mortensen was, like most of the architects of that time, a contractor as well as architect and had a number of commissions in addition to this ward building. He was also indebted to the Pacific Lumber Company for materials used on previous buildings in the amount of $3,800. James R. Hay, secretary and treasurer of the lumber company, also lived in the same ward and was constantly after Mortensen to pay his bill. On 16 December 1901 the two men rode home from town on the streetcar, and during the ride Mortensen invited Hay to come over to his house later that evening, indicating that he had the money at home and would give it to him. Hay made the visit and disappeared. The next day, when Hay could not be located, Mr. James Sharp, father-in-law to Hay, accosted Mortensen at his home and accused him of having killed Hay. Mortensen asked for proof. Sharp responded and said, "The proof to you will be that within twentyfour hours of the time we are speaking, and within a mile of the place where you put your foot, his dead body will be dug up in one of these fields."

The next morning a neighbor noticed a mound of fresh dirt in a neighboring field. Being aware of the local problem, he enlisted others, including Mortensen, to help investigate. The group borrowed a shovel from Mortensen, and exhumed the body of Hay from the field. After due process of law, Mortensen was convicted and executed for the murder, having neither admitted nor denied that he was guilty. The statement made by Sharp was admitted as evidence and, because there was no denial from Mortensen either as the body was exhumed or later, it was accepted (Pacific Reporter, 26, Utah, 312). (Richard W Jackson, Places of Worship, page 146-147)

Scene of Hay's Murder (Deseret News - 18 Dec 1901) Note that Walnut Street is now Lake Street

(From Forest Dale Historic District National Register nomination)

When Charles B. and Barnard J. Stewart were retained as defense counsel by Peter Mortensen, charged with the December 1901 homicide of Pacific Lumber Company employee James R. Hay, they could not know it would become the most celebrated murder trial since the days of John D. Lee and the Mountain Meadow massacre...It was an ordeal complicated by written death threats in July 1902 to the Stewarts if they continued to defend Mortensen: "Your house and home will be blown to atoms in case you make a motion for a new trial." Undaunted, the brothers pursued the case to its resolution. (Hal Schindler, Stewart & Stewart: A Century Of Law, Salt Lake Tribune)

Some Headlines of the Trial
17 Dec 1901 - James R. Hay and $3,800 are Missing – Secretary of the Pacific Lumber Company Drops Completely Out of Sight After Securing Sack of Gold Coin. (Deseret News)
18 Dec 1901 – Jas. R. Hay Murdered and Robbed – Peter Mortensen Placed Under Arrest for the Crime. (Deseret News)
20 Dec 1901 – Developments in Murder Case (Deseret News)
24 Dec 1901 - Confession Now Hourly Expected – Sheriff and Chief of Police Certain that Mortensen is Guilty and that He will Soon Admit it – Now in Solitary Confinement (Deseret News)
26 Dec 1901 – No Confession From Mortensen – Officers Conclude He Cannot Be “Broken Down” and Will Try No More – Arraignment This Afternoon (Deseret News)
28 Dec 1901 – Draining Pond For Missing Gun – Force of Men Set to Work Today by the County Surveyor Under the Direction of Sheriff Naylor. (Deseret News)
30 Dec 1901 – Gun Not Bought By Mortensen – Second Hand Dealer Positively Identifies Him as Not Being the Purchaser (Deseret News)
31 Dec 1901 – Gun-In-Pond Theory Exploded – Draining of Bog Completed, but No Revolver Found – Weapon Recovered by Police Belongs to Mill Creek Youth. (Deseret News)
22 Jan 1902 - Heard Shot at Time of Tragedy (Deseret News)
23 Jan 1902 - Last Witnesses for the State (Deseret News)
12 Jun 1902 - Theory of Defense (Deseret News)
13 Aug 1903 - Life for Life the Penalty. [Good summary of entire trial.] (Deseret Evening News)
20 Nov 1903 - Peter Mortensen Shot to Death for Murder of “Jimmy” Hay (Deseret News)
21 Nov 1903 - Was Buried in Prison Cemetery. Remains of Peter Mortensen Were Placed Beneath the Ground Without Any Ceremony. Those in Charge of the Ogden Graveyard Declined to Accept the Body for Burial (Deseret News)
21 Nov 1903 - Nine Executions in Utah History (Salt Lake Herald)
21 Nov 1903 - How Mortensen Killed J.R. Hay (Salt Lake Herald)
21 Nov 1903 - UTAH MURDERER IS SHOT.; Slayer of James R. Hay at Salt Lake Pays Death Penalty. (New York Times)

James R Hay (Deseret Evening News 18 Dec 1901)

This untimely event upset the progress of the erection of the meetinghouse. Half of the members of the ward "knew" Mortensen was not guilty and the other half "knew" he was. Those for Mortensen wanted the building to go ahead as he had planned. Those against would not contribute another penny toward its erection using his design. The impasse was cleared up by holding another competition to provide a new meetinghouse design to be used on the existing foundation. A design submitted by architect S. T. Whitaker was accepted, and a drawing showing the new design was printed in the Deseret News, 26 April 1902.

The two designs were quite different. The new one had a circular dome over the center of an essentially square chapel. The dome was open to the chapel inside and a row of clerestory windows was placed immediately under the dome. Its singular appearance, because it is one-of-a-kind, has made it a landmark in that part of the city, and the construction of an elevated section of Interstate 15 only a short distance south of it has brought it to the attention of everybody who passes that way. The three exposed elevations are decorated with columned entrances.

New design of Forest Dale Chapel by Samuel T Whitaker (Deseret News 26 Apr 1902)

The interior was Classical in feeling with columns on either side of the rostrum to the north. The grand interior columns were removed in an extensive remodeling and addition on the rear of the building which was done in 1929. Cannon and Fetzer were the architects for the remodeling and the addition, which provided a connecting hallway and additional classrooms between the chapel and the 1913 amusement hall to the north. Some time in the early 1970s the dome was closed over with a ceiling, but the circular trim was retained. The dome was once more opened with a refurbishing of the interior in 1986.

As a boy who spent the first ten years of his life attending church in this building, I remember well the columned rostrum, the fun of lying on one of the front pews during boring parts of the services and watching the passing clouds, and the occasional bird that entered through a broken pane in the clerestory dome. The dome was painted a very soft blue color on the inside. (Richard W Jackson, Places of Worship, page 146-147)

Forest Dale’s New Meeting House
“The above is the beautiful Forest Dale house of worship as it will appear when completed. The design is by Mr. S. T. Whitaker and was adopted out of a number of competitive drawings submitted by the leading architects of the city. The idea is somewhat new for church edifices, but being of the classical order the structure will ever be pleasing to look upon. The site is a magnificent one, commanding a view of the whole valley and surrounded by large boxelders which were planted by President Young near his famous old farm house. The cost will be near the $15,000 mark. The foundation, which is of red cut sandstone, was completed last season and it is the intention of the good people of Forest Dale ward to so far complete the main structure the coming summer as to have the benefit of the fine basement, which will be used for general ward purposes.” (Deseret News 26 Apr 1902)

New Houses of Worship Erected by the Latter-Day Saints
Forest Dale Meetinghouse
Located on the corner of Seventh East street and Ashton avenue, beyond the city limits is the Forest Dale meetinghouse, which was formally opened with special services on Sunday, Dec. 6, 1903. The house, which is built of white brick with white stone trimmings, has a main assembly hall and a basement for amusements, each with a capacity of about 600. Its cost is $20,000. (Deseret News 19 Dec 1903)

New Forest Dale Chapel sketch by Richard W Jackson (Fig. 6.13. Richard W Jackson, Places of Worship, page 147)

Dedicate Their New Meetinghouse
Saints of Forest Dale Now Have Up-to-date Chapel in Which to Worship
Very Impressive Exercises
President Smith Offered the Dedicatory Prayer and Then Delivered an Interesting Discourse
A new meetinghouse in Salt Lake valley was yesterday evening dedicated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is as handsome a ward chapel as exists in this section, and dedicated on the eve of Pioneer day, it held over five times as many worshipers as were numbered in the little band of pioneers who entered the valley through Emigration canyon 58 years ago. Many of those present were descendants of that little band, and among the speakers were those who could tell the story of the half century of growth in Utah, which only those who have lived through it can know.

The meetinghouse is situated at the Cannon corner in Forest Dale, and was completed Friday last, after four years of building. It is in gray brick and stone, with cement approaches, and splendid lawns, already well established. The main auditorium will seat about 550, while the choir seats accommodate about 50 more. This number is about the same as the census shows population for Forest Dale, and last night the house was packed to its capacity, the aisles being filled with chairs and many standing at the rear. Besides the main auditorium the building contains a large basement calculated to afford a home for all ward amusements, and a beautifully furnished vestry on the second floor. The main auditorium is practically built in the simple style that prevails at present. The seats are placed on an inclined floor, with sufficient slope for those seated in the rear to see the stand comfortably. The walls are of cement to a height of six feet, and artistically finished roughened plaster above. A large dome rising from the center of the ceiling affords ample light and ventilation. The only decorations are pictures of prominent members of the ward and the Church which hang on the side and rear walls, the pictures of the First Presidency filling in the wall behind the choir seats.

The Bishops Welcome
Bishop James Jensen presided, and welcomed the people in to their new church. He congratulated them upon the fact that every dollar of the expense had been paid, and that a surplus was on hand with the building committee. He told of incidents in raising the money that indicated the loyalty and faith of the people of the ward and had high praise for those who had given towards the erection of the structure.

The speakers, who were introduced by Bishop Jensen, were President Jos. F. Smith, President John R. Winder, Elders Rudger Clawson and Geo. A. Smith of the council of Apostles, Supt. of Building Theodore Toblason, Treasurer M. C. Morris, Geo. M. Cannon, chairman of the finance committee, B. W. Ashton, Stake President Frank Y. Taylor, and his counselor, Edwin Bennion.

Dedicatory Prayer
The dedicatory prayer was offered by President Jos. F. Smith. The opening prayer was offered by Patriarch Jos. E. Taylor, and benediction was pronounced by Bishop Iverson of the Second ward.

The musical numbers, which were freely interspersed in the program, consisted of an opening anthem, “Rouse Ye Mortals,” by the choir, under the leadership of J. T. Dunbar, a quartet, “Utah, We Love Thee,” by Geo. M. Cannon, Jr., J. T. Dunbar, J. J. Summerhays and Karl Beuhner…

Many of the speakers spoke in praise of the work of the choir which was excellent, and one quoted a special tribute paid to it by Prof. Evan Stephens of the Tabernacle choir. Prof. Stephens was present as a guest of the choir by invitation.
B. W. Summerhays, who had taken an active part in building the house, but who was unavoidably absent in Canada, sent his best wishes in a sentiment which was read by Geo. M. Cannon.

The speeches of the evening dwelt mostly on the history of the struggle for a meetinghouse in Forest Dale from the days they met in a brush covered bowry, to the present, and especially of the plans and finances of the present structure.

President Smith Talks
President Smith recalled the days of his youth spent in the vicinity of the new church, when Forest Dale was known as the Church farm, and when President Young kept the Church cattle there. He told of the growth of Utah since those days, and how it had been participated in both by “Mormon” and Gentile, both classes adding greatly to the state’s upbuilding. The speaking and other features of the program lasted until after 9 o’clock, but the cool evening breeze from the mountains which does not come north to the city, prevented any discomfort, despite the fact that the building was packed. (Deseret News 24 Jul 1905)

Token of Appreciation
Forest Dale Folk Present Elegant Loving Cup to Architect Whitaker
At the Commercial club Saturday afternoon the Forest Dale building committee gave a luncheon in honor of Architect S. T. Whitaker, who made the plans for the ward’s recently erected church edifice. A feature of the luncheon was the presentation to Mr. Whitaker, in behalf of the people of the Dale, of an elegant loving cup as a token of their appreciation of his services. On one side of the cup is an etching of the building itself, very cleverly done, while on the other is the inscription, “Token of appreciation presented to Architect Whitaker by the people of Forest Dale, Aug. 10, 1905.” Mr. Whitaker was taken completely by surprise, but in a few well chosen words thanked the people of the ward for the beautiful gift. The members of the committee present were Bishop James Jenson, M. C. Morris, George M. Cannon and Senator S. L. Love. (Deseret News 21 Aug 1905)

These homes and chapel were recently accepted into the National Register of Historic Places as part of the newly created "Forest Dale Historic District"

Mortensen/Stewart House at 2228 South Lake Street
(From Forest Dale Historic District National Register nomination)

James R. Hay House at 2245 South Lake Street
(From Forest Dale Historic District National Register nomination)

Forest Dale Chapel
(From Forest Dale Historic District National Register nomination)

Additional Details:
-The most notable and socially important building constructed in the district during this period was the Forest Dale LDS Ward and meetinghouse at 739 East Ashton Avenue.
-Mortensen designed the Forest Dale Ward chapel as an ornate, three-spired Victorian Gothic edifice, but was purportedly persuaded by fellow construction foreman Theodore Tobiason to alter the design to have a single, centrally located steeple on the principal façade.
-In 1913, a large ell containing classrooms and offices was added to the north elevation of the building. (From Forest Dale Historic District National Register nomination)

For More on Trial
-'Celebrated Criminal Cases of America' by Thomas Samuel Duke, page 327-332.
-From 'Utah's Lawless Fringe: Stories of True Crime,' The Sensational Murder of James R. Hay and Trial of Peter Mortensen, by Craig L. Foster. See also Utah Historical Quarterly Volume 65, Number 1 (Winter 1997).

View salt lake architecture in a larger map

salt lake 18th ward chapel

2009-05-29T11:11:00.001-07:00

(Photo by post author 29 May 2009)

Salt Lake 18th Ward Chapel, now White Memorial Chapel
Original address: 107 North 'A' Street, now 128 East 300 North

12 Jun 1880 - Ground broken for building
2 Aug 1881 - Death of architect Obed Taylor
27 Jul 1882 - First religious services
5 Jan 1902 - First services after remodel addition
1973 - Building dismantled
1979 - Building reconstructed on Capitol Hill

The Eighteenth Ward used Brigham Young's schoolhouse to meet in until the chapel was built (Richard W Jackson, Places of Worship, page 97) Once built, this chapel was initially inside of the walled property of Brigham Young's estate as shown in this image. Some remnants of the wall can still be seen in a parking lot on 1st Avenue, east of State Street, adjacent to and part of the Brigham Young Historic Park. This drawing shows a perspective of both the Church and wall.

The Eighteenth Ward in Salt Lake City represents one of the large meetinghouses of this period.
This is a large Gothic Revival-style meetinghouse that was designed by architect Obed Taylor. Construction was started in 1880 and completed in 1882. Due to crowded and inadequate conditions, even with additions to the chapel made in 1901, the building was scheduled for demolition in the early 1970s. It was carefully disassembled and moved, without the 1901 addition, stone by stone, and reconstructed on a new site opposite the state capitol building in Salt Lake City, Utah, where it functions as a nondenominational chapel for public use. I have selected this building not only because it is a fine example but because it is still standing, albeit on a different site. Many like it were built along the Mormon Corridor and on into Idaho. Of the few that are still standing, some have had their high towers removed and frequently have been so remodeled and covered with additions as to be hardly recognizable. (Richard W Jackson, Places of Worship, page 106-107)

The Salt Lake Eighteenth Ward Meetinghouse (1881) is an early Gothic Revival, central-tower design. The structure, which originally stood at Second Avenue and A Street, was relocated in 1973 to a site just south of the state capitol. Obed Taylor, the architect, used attenuated proportions, wall buttresses, pointed arches, and engaged tower to create a Gothic design. The use of crenelations on the front gable, but not on the rear, suggests a certain naiveté for the time in which it was built. (C. Mark Hamilton, Nineteenth-century Mormon architecture and city planning, page 87) Note that the crenelation appears to have been removed during the 1902 renovation/addition.

The Meetinghouse, 1870-1890
Gothic elements began to appear in meetinghouse designs during this period. The traditional meetinghouse began to assume a more specialized role, taking on the appearance of conventional or contemporary Protestant chapels in Gothic style. The axial plan was extended, the pitch of the roof increased, pointed arch, tracery windows, wall buttresses, and towers were added. These new meetinghouses were more stylistically sophisticated than their earlier vernacular equivalents.

The appearance of the new stylistic elements is attributable to a number of things. The infusion of well-trained builder-architects did much to change the picture of Mormon architecture. Obed Taylor, for example, was instrumental in introducing Gothic Revival / Victorian Gothic forms to Utah; his design for the Assembly Hall on Temple Square was a pivotal monument. (C. Mark Hamilton, Nineteenth-century Mormon architecture and city planning, page 85)

(Elevation by Richard W Jackson, Places of Worship, page 106)

Death of Obed Taylor, Esq., Architect
We regret to announce to our readers the death of Brother Obed Taylor, the talented architect of this city. He died at his residence in this city at one o'clock p.m., to-day. He was undoubtedly one of the most able men in his line of business that ever drew plans for a building in this city. He was a native of Canada, but joined the Church in San Francisco, where he was baptized by the late Apostle Parley P. Pratt in early days. He was a quiet, unassuming man, kind and generous in soul, and active in the accomplishment of good. Few were acquainted with him, owing to his natural reticence, but by those who were, he was as much beloved for the nobility of his character, as he was admired for his eminent ability. Among the monuments of his architectural genius, is the beautiful design of the Salt Lake Assembly Hall. Of his private deeds of benevolence and charity, the world will never know the half. His death is a great loss to the community which, in common with his host of friends, we unite in deeply deploring. The funeral will be held at the late residence of the deceased, 18th Ward, to-morrow (Sunday) at 4 p.m. Friends of the family are invited to attend. (Deseret News 2 Aug 1881)

The Late Mr. Obed Taylor - Funeral Services
As an architect he long since demonstrated his superior ability, end in this respect, in his death, the community at large suffer a severe loss. The Salt Lake Assembly Hall is a sample of his skill in that line, and although Obed has been summoned from our midst, that structure alone will always keep his name in the fond remembrance of this people. He has designed and completed many beautiful buildings in this city, and some are now in course of erection, the drawings of which have only recently left his office. Amongst these may be mentioned the New Deseret University and the New Opera House, both of which buildings, now in course of erection, will still further testify to the ability of the deceased, and as public buildings will be ornaments to the city, which, as he said in the outstart, he had come to help build up. (Deseret News 2 Aug 1881)

The Eighteenth Ward Chapel
A Handsome and Creditable Structure Nearly Completed
With the exception of a few trifling details, the interior of the Eighteenth Ward Latter-day Saints’ Chapel is finished, and the first religious services will be held in it to-morrow evening, beginning at half-past six. President Joseph F. Smith will preach the discourse on the occasion.

The body of the building is brick, and the foundation granite, and is semi-gothic in style, after a design by the late Obed Taylor. It has sixteen abutments and the height of the tower, from the ground to the summit of the spire is 76 feet. The site is “beautiful for situation,” rendering it an attractive point for the eye to rest upon from any part of the city.

The body of the interior is 50 x 80 feet, and 18 feet 6 inches high to the square, with the ceiling rising till it reaches the middle, where it is 23 feet 6 inches from the floor. The ceiling is thrown into squares by beams, which are neatly grained in imitation oak, while the interiors of the squares are elegantly paneled in delicate, subdued water-color tints, the walls being plain, and of a tint which has an appropriate blending with those of the ceiling.

In the east end of the building the gallery is situated, in the rear part of which is a recess formed by the interior of the tower, at the opening of which is an elliptic arch, nicely grained in imitation of sienna marble, as are also the two pillars supporting the gallery.

The stand is large, occupying the whole width of the hall, and is ornamented with a handsome breastwork, with banister extensions on each side. The top is tastefully upholstered with deep crimson plush, and the floor of the platform appropriately carpeted; Besides seats of the usual style, half a dozen large chairs occupy the space. The north end of the stand is arranged for occupation by the organ and choir, of which Brother H.G. Whitney is the capable conductor.

The chapel is lighted by twelve large windows. The whole of the woodwork, including the wainscoting, which protects the lower part of the walls, is grained in imitation of oak, of a deep rich tint. The seats, which are set off with ornamental arms at the ends, are in plain paint for the present, but it is the intention to have them grained at some future time, and the aisle running up the center of the hall, is covered with matting.

Besides the main body of the interior there is a vestibule, 8 x 7 ft. being the interior square of the tower.

There are a number of conveniences about the building that would take too much space to name. The surroundings are not completed, such as fencing and other details.

The brickwork was done by W. Tuddenham, the foundation by John Worthen, the woodwork by Acting Bishop R. Patrick; the plastering, by James Coult; the painting, by W.C. Morris, and the calcimining, by R. Simpson. All of the work has been well and faithfully done, and the construction as a whole has been under the direct superintendency of Brother Patrick from its beginning, to whose untiring exertions its existence is more due than to anybody else’s.

The Saints of the Ward have contributed liberally, toward the erection of the building, and now they have a house not surpassed in beauty or solidity by any in Utah of similar size. Besides the general contributions, the Sisters of the Relief Society were at the expense of the upholstery adornment of the stand.

When completed, the entire structure will cost in the neighborhood of $6,500.
Ground was broken for the building on the 12th of June, 1880. The building committee appointed were: Robert Patrick, W.B. Barton, Thos. Latimer (deceased), Feramorz Young (deceased), E.R. Snow Smith, Thomas W. Jennings, N. Twiss Young. (Deseret News 26 Jul 1882)

Handsome New Chapel (1902 renovation)
Eighteenth Ward Hold New Year’s Meetings in Enlarged Building
The improvements to the Eighteenth ward chapel, which have been going forward for the past seven months, have now been completed, and meetings will be resumed in the chapel tomorrow; the first session will be the regular fast meeting at 2 o’clock, and in the evening the conjoint session of the two Improvement associations will occur.

The enlarged chapel, which is now one of the largest ward meeting houses in the city, has been improved at a cost between $8,000 and $9,000, and its seating capacity has been increased to 650. The building is now in the form of a cross, an ante-room, and the lavatories being built on the north side. It contains 70 electric lights, and is heated by steam. The entire work of remodeling the building and raising the funds was placed in the hands of a special committee of twelve with the ward bishopric at its head. The active work of construction and the supervision has been in the hands of the chairman of the building committee, Robert Patrick, Sr., his assistants being John T. Caine and John Nicholson. The architect employed was David C. Dart.

The building was lighted up on Friday evening and all who beheld it were profuse in their expressions of praise over its handsome appearance. (Deseret News 4 Jan 1902)

Demolition and Removal Schedule:
The site shall be completely cleared of all buildings, walls, fences, trees, pavements etc. all as noted on the drawings and as specified. However the owner intends to continue use of the Existing chapel, Whitney hall and existing house #6, therefore the construction of this project shall be in two phases as follows: construct the new ward and stake building and at the completion of this part of the project the existing Chapel, Whitney hall and house #6 and adjoining other items shall be demolished and the parking area etc. shall be constructed. (Site Plan Sheet A-1 ‘As-Built’ Drawing dated 17 Sep 1973 William F Thomas, Architect)

(Existing site drawing by post author. Information obtained from Site Plan Sheet A-1 'As-Built' Drawing dated 17 Sep 1973 William F Thomas, Architect, PFD As-Built Catalog)

The Site plan above shows locations of six existing homes, two existing garages, the 18th Ward Chapel and Whitney Hall. Also shown are walls, fences, sidewalks, and trees. The original rectangular chapel size is indicated with hatching. Later expansion and connection to the Whitney Hall account for the larger size. Below is a current image of the site. All of these structures were demolished to make room for new meetinghouse. Fortunately the original Chapel was preserved and moved to a new location.

(Aerial image of site from Google Maps 2009)

Eighteenth and North Eighteenth Ward Building (1972)
Built in 1972, this stake-sized building is also similar to a Freeman (FR 68-010) standard plan in room arrangement except it is larger. It is also provided with a lower level at the rear of the building due to the slope of the land. Parking is on the south side of the building and also across the street. William F. Thomas was the architect. Its location is on the north half of the block where the pioneer-built Eighteenth Ward building and the adjacent Whitney Hall were built. This old meetinghouse is the one that was demolished carefully and rebuilt as nearly as possible in its original form across from the Utah state capitol building. (Richard W Jackson, Places of Worship, page 350-351)

Work to begin soon on chapel restoration (1979)
Photo – Old 18th Ward building served early leaders.
Caption – Beautiful and stately 18th Ward chapel will rise again at location across the street from Utah State Capitol.
Reconstruction of one of Salt Lake City’s earliest ward buildings – the historic 18th Ward chapel – will begin in a few weeks, according to Steven T. Baird, architect. “We’re wrestling with a few problems such as bids being higher than we expected,” he said. “Then we’ll get started.”

The building, which would be 98 years old this year, once served the families of early Church leaders including President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, his counselor, and Presiding Bishop Newel K. Whitney. All three men had died, however, before the chapel was constructed – President Young, only four years earlier.

Brother Baird said the chapel’s new location will be on state-owned property at East Capitol Street and Third North. The original site was at Second Avenue and A Street. The structure was dismantled six years ago to make room for the new Salt Lake Ensign Stake Center and combined 18th and North 18th Ward chapel. A singles ward also meets in the building.

The architect said the reconstructed chapel will appear smaller than some people think it should be since they will remember it with attached cultural hall and classrooms. Its original size was only 34 by 64 feet and included a balcony. The rostrum was in the opposite end.

Ovid Taylor, pioneer architect, designed the original chapel, but it is not known who supervised its construction. The same architect also designed the old Coalville Tabernacle and the Assembly Hall on Temple Square.

Brother Baird directed dismantling operations in 1963. [actually 1973] He and his crew code-numbered each handmade brick and every other part for easy reconstruction later. He does not anticipate any problems restoring the structure to its original state and expects it will take about seven months to do the job.

“The building will have one feature not found in the original – a lower level. The new space will be divided between a multi-purpose room where meetings can be held – and a library on important Utah pioneers. Restrooms will also be located on this floor, the architect said.

(You can see the entry to the new lower level beneath the back door as described above. Photo by post author 29 May 2009)

The tower and pews from the old building were saved along with other items and they will be put into their proper places as the reconstructed building goes up. Not available is the original organ. However, another one from the same time period has been acquired.

The 1975 Utah Legislature authorized placement of the chapel at the new site. When the project is completed, the building will be donated to the state for non-sectarian uses.

Brother Baird, who specializes in restoration work, said cost of the project will be about $300,000 of which $240,000 has already been donated by M. Kenneth White and his wife, Ada Marie. They are members of the Grandview 1st Ward, Salt Lake Wilford Stake.

“The Whites have no connection with the old 18th Ward, they just felt this was a good project,” the architect said. The Community Memorial Chapel Foundation is raising the remainder.

The architect said his firm has handled a number of other restoration projects including the Promised Valley Playhouse, the Capitol Theater and the ZCMI façade, all in Salt Lake City. The firm has also restored homes in Nauvoo, Ill.

He said he has a special feeling for the pioneer buildings still in existence around Utah. “I know it’s impossible to save everything, but we must save some of them to preserve our heritage.” (Deseret News 12 May 1979)

Utah State Historical Society Images
Image of Chapel - picture taken after the addition. Note that there are no crenelations at the front roof gable. These must have been removed during the 1902 renovation. They were later added after reconstruction on Capitol Hill.
Image of Chapel adjacent to Whitney Hall
Interior of chapel showing balcony and stairwell
Image of stairwell leading to the balcony

Street view of current site

View Larger Map

newhouse’s new business district

2009-05-28T08:12:00.000-07:00

Samuel Newhouse (1853-1930) was born on 14 October 1853 in New York City. In 1896 he moved to Utah and became one of the wealthiest of Utah's mining magnates. At his peak, he occupied four residences: a home at 175 East South Temple in Salt Lake City which he renovated as a colonial style mansion in about 1905; an estate on Long Island; a chateau outside Paris, France; and a mansion in London, England.

(Samuel Newhouse - 17 Apr 1909 - Salt Lake Herald)

“Newhouse liked living in Salt Lake City, although his wife preferred living outside of Utah. In 1907 he launched a significant building program design, in Salt Lake City. Its purpose was to shift the city's center from the Temple Square area to Exchange Place between 300 and 400 South streets and between Main and State streets, about four blocks south. In 1907 construction began on the Boston and the Newhouse buildings, the city's first skyscrapers. Just east of the two buildings, Newhouse donated land for construction of the Salt Lake Stock Exchange and Commercial Club buildings. Exchange Place was to be a little ‘Wall Street’ with a grand hotel, the Newhouse Hotel, and would be constructed between 1909 and 1915 across Main Street on the southwest corner of Main and 400 South. Newhouse was also involved in the development of the exclusive residential area of Federal Heights in the northeast section of Salt Lake City.” (Biography at University of Utah Marriott Library Special Collections)

“Newhouse turned his attention toward the development of urban real estate, and erected the Newhouse Hotel, Boston Buildings, and some 30 other important business structures in Salt Lake City. He also conceived and built the famous Flatiron Building in New York City.” (Leonard J Arrington and Gary B Hansen, The Richest Hole on Earth; A History of the Bingham Copper Mine, p. 28) The Flatiron building was built on a triangle-shaped site and has become an icon in NYC. It was the world’s first steel frame skyscraper, and the Boston and Newhouse buildings built in 1909 would be Salt Lake’s first skyscrapers.

“Silver paid for the buildings that comprise the Exchange Place Historic District at the south end of Main Street near Fourth South, all of which were built around 1910 by non-Mormon mining men, in particular Samuel Newhouse, in an effort to construct a gentile commercial district at the south end of the central business district to counterbalance the concentration of Mormon establishments at the north end of the city.” (Silver in the Beehive State by John S. McCormick, Beehive History 16)

To develop and design this new business district, Newhouse hired famous Chicago/New York architect Henry Ives Cobb.

(Henry Ives Cobb - 11 Dec 1906 – Salt Lake Herald)

“Mr. Cobb was supervising architect of the recently completed federal building in Chicago. The Chicago Athletic association building, the fisheries at the World’s fair, the Chicago opera house, Newberry library, the St. Charles Roman Catholic buildings, the Cook county (Ill.) Abstract building and the Ownings building, all of Chicago, are among his designs in the central west. In New York Mr. Cobb has recently completed the famous All-day and All-night bank opposite Sherry’s and Delmonico’s, and a magnificent office building above Forty-second street.

Mr. Cobb was born in Brookline, Mass. He is a graduate of the literary and scientific courses at Harvard, and received his preliminary education in architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in Europe. Later he studied in the office of an eminent Boston architect. In 1881 he designed the Union club house in Chicago, and moved from Boston to that city. He served as one of the national board of architects of the World’s Columbian exposition, and later was made supervising architect of the University of Chicago. For the past few years Mr. Cobb has resided in New York.” (11 Dec 1906 – Salt Lake Herald)

Interestingly, Cobb already had a unique family past linking him to Salt Lake City. Henry Ives Cobb's grandmother, Augusta Adams Cobb, controversially abandoned her husband, Henry Cobb, and seven of her nine children in 1843, and married Brigham Young as a plural wife. (Wikipedia entry 27 May 2009) Augusta Adams was baptized into the LDS church near Boston by Samuel H. Smith on June 29, 1832. She left in Sep 1843 for Nauvoo with Brigham Young and two of her children, leaving her husband and other children. On this trip, her youngest son, Brigham, died while her seven year old daughter, Charlotte Ives Cobb survived the trip. Three weeks later Augusta was married to Brigham Young in Nauvoo. In 1847 the divorce proceedings took place which made headlines as a polygamous/polyandrous divorce trial. Her previous husband, Henry Cobb, won custody of the children.

(Augusta Adams Cobb Young)

Another son of Augusta, James T Cobb, came to Salt Lake out of concern for his mother and sister. He ended up joining the LDS Church and remaining in Utah. Even after his eventual disaffection with the LDS Church he remained in Salt Lake City. The daughter, Charlotte, was married to John A Kirby, one of the wealthiest men of Salt Lake when she died on 24 Jan 1908. She was author of the first petition for woman's suffrage in Utah and took a leading part in winning for the women of Utah the right to vote.

So Henry Ives Cobb had his uncle James, his aunt Charlotte, and at least three of his first cousins living here in Salt Lake when he came to meet with his client, Samuel Newhouse, beginning in 1906. Additionally, his grandmother was buried here with Brigham Young. However, Henry's father, Albert, who was 13 years old when his mother left him for Nauvoo, apparently never forgave her for what she did. This would likely have influenced the feelings of his son, who would later design a significant portion of Salt Lake City. I have not been able to find if Henry and these family members were on speaking terms or had any interactions with each other during his many visits to Salt Lake, although it appears unlikely.

Architect Is Here
Henry Ives Cobb, Mr. Newhouse’s New York architect, arrived from the east last night. He was met at the depot by Mr. Newhouse and escorted to the Knutsford hotel, where he will remain during his stay in this city. Mr. Cobb is acquainting himself with the local situation today, but is doing no talking until he gets his bearings. (10 Dec 1906 - Deseret News)

Samuel Newhouse and Architect Cobb Hard at Work on Preliminary Plans.
‘It is almost too early to tell just what we are going to do,’ [Newhouse] declared. ‘We have gone over things pretty thoroughly today, getting dimensions of the property selected as sites for the proposed buildings.’

Asked if more than five new buildings would be constructed in the immediate future, Mr. Newhouse said: ‘I don’t know. We have to look pretty well into the future, and that may mean several more buildings that I at first anticipated. Mr. Cobb will remain here for some time.’

The architect himself had little to say. ‘We are just getting started,’ was his only comment on yesterday’s work. He is a quiet, unassuming man, his clean cut features and quick movements giving one the impression of ability for a tremendous amount of work in a short time. Mr. Newhouse and the architect lunched together at the former’s residence yesterday noon. Mr. Cobb is stopping at the Knutsford. (11 Dec 1906 – Salt Lake Herald)

Salt Lake is awaiting with interest the announcement of Henry Ives Cobb’s plans for the five or more office and club buildings to be erected on the half block adjacent corners at Main and Fourth South streets purchased by Samuel Newhouse. That they will be among the finest structures of their kind in the west is certain from the work Mr. Cobb has done in New York and other large American cities. He is one of the most prominent architectural engineers in this country, and it is expected his present trip to Salt Lake at Mr. Newhouse’s request will be productive of several splendid structures. (11 Dec 1906 – Salt Lake Herald)

Hotel Decided Upon.
Architect Henry Ives Cobb left last night for New York. On taking the train, Mr. Cobb said the only thing settled definitely is the 10-story hotel for the old Walker corner; and he has a mass of data from which to plan the two proposed streets through the south half of the block bounded by Main and State, Third and Fourth South streets, also the proposed office buildings, and very likely a Commercial club building. (14 Dec 1906 - Deseret News)

Plans For Eleven Big Sky Scrapers
Architect Henry Ives Cobb Brings Blueprints From New York City.
Fine Hotel For Lower Main.
Mr. Newhouse Spends Two Days Going Over the Propositions With the Eastern Expert.

After consultation all day yesterday and this morning, with Mr. Newhouse, Architect Henry Ives Cobb of New York will return east this evening, to send out an engineer to supervise the preliminary work of construction of the Newhouse and Boston blocks. The latter will be erected at the northeast corner of Main street and Exchange place, with the other building at the southeast corner, each building eleven stories high. The Newhouse will contain a bank and office rooms, and the other will be arranged for mercantile establishments and office suites.

Mr. Cobb brought with him general plans for the following proposed structures:

-Eleven-story hotel on former Walker corner, 181x165 feet.
-Eleven-story bank and office building on southeast corner of Main street and Exchange place, 80x150 feet.
-Eleven-story office building on northeast corner of Main street and Exchange place, 80x150 feet.
-Mining exchange building, probably eight stories high, 80x80 feet, on Exchange place, facing entrance to Cactus street.
-Six-story store and office building, 140x80, on Exchange place between Boston block and Mining Exchange building.
-Store and office building, eleven stories high, 80x150, northwest corner Exchange place and State street.
-Six-story store and office building, 140x80, on Exchange place between Mining Exchange building and structure at corner of State street and Exchange place.
-Eleven-story store and office building on southwest corner of Exchange place and State street – 100x100 feet.
-Six-story store and office building, 200x200 feet, at southeast corner of Exchange place and Cactus street.
-Six-story store and office building, 150x200 feet, at southwest corner of Exchange place and Cactus street.
-Power house and plant in the court of the latter structure, which will furnish light, heat and power for all ten buildings and any others Mr. Newhouse may put up later.

Cactus street is the north and south street to run through the center of the block from Fourth South street to Exchange place.

Mr. Cobb thinks the Hotel scheme will be started in three months.

It is proposed to have the lobby two stories high, furnished in bronze and marble, with restaurant, café, palm room, billiard, reading and writing rooms on the ground floor opening into the lobby. The second floor is to contain a balcony. Above is to be 50 bedrooms and 38 bathrooms on each floor, or 500 bedrooms and 380 bathrooms in all. The hotel will be ready in two years. (21 Feb 1907 - Deseret News)

New Business District now Developing
With the announcement that within a few weeks work on the handsome new Commercial club building will be begun in the Newhouse district, comes the assurance that the decision of the members of the Commercial club in deciding on this site for their building makes the future of this section of the city as a business district certain. This does not mean that upper Main street will suffer materially because of the establishing of a new business district. The probabilities are that the growth of the town will be sufficient to warrant an enlarged district.

Situated as it is, the property recently acquired and improved by Samuel Newhouse offers a strategic business value. It is located in a block that is midway between the federal and the city and county buildings, in a location that offers a regular avenue of trade and a natural business importance.

In all, there are fifteen buildings which Mr. Newhouse plans to erect on his property in the new business district as rapidly as the growth of the city warrants.
Cactus street and Exchange Place, the streets of the new district, will be sixty-six feet wide, paved and lighted. This done, Mr. Newhouse will present them to the city. Exchange Place runs through the block from Main to State streets, and is flanked on either side by valuable Newhouse property. Cactus street runs from Fourth South street to Exchange Place.

It is the intention of Mr. Newhouse to put in a street similar to Exchange Place and Cactus street, directly south of the hotel. This street will be known as Walker street. Property owners to the west plan to cut through a street directly west of the hotel. This will make the new hotel in a block by itself. (12 Apr 1908 – Salt Lake Herald)

New Business District

(12 Apr 1908 - Salt Lake Herald)

(Aerial image of Business District - Google Maps 2009)

The Hotel was built, but later demolished. Now the entire hotel block is surface parking. The two eleven-story office buildings were built and are still standing. They are the Boston and Newhouse buildings. The Mining Exchange building was built and is still standing. The power house and plant was built and is still standing. The Commercial Club was built and is still standing, although Cobb lost out to a local firm on the design that was built. The Exchange buildings were never built. As best as I can tell, none of the stores, extension building, or theater were ever built.

Many of these buildings will receive future posts.

“Over-extension ultimately proved to be Newhouse's financial downfall. Money from his mines failed to finance his elaborate projects, and there was addition strain caused by World War I (WWI). It became very difficult to obtain loans from eastern U.S. and European sources. Samuel and Ida separated in 1914. The South Temple mansion was sold. From 1915-1919, Samuel resided at the Newhouse Hotel. He then sold his interest in the hotel and left for France, where he lived with his sister her chateau, outside Paris, which he had given to her. He died there, at the age of seventy-six, on 22 September 1930.” (Biography at University of Utah Marriott Library Special Collections)