Salt Lake City Garden Park Ward

Historical photo courtesy of the Utah State Historical Library.  Current photo courtesy of ldsarchitecture.wordpress.com

After several years of posts from Utah County, I am taking the blog up north, to Salt Lake City.  I wanted to start with one of my favorite places in Salt Lake, the Garden Park Ward Building.

After moving to Salt Lake, I had an incredible experience as I was riding my bike around one day.  I came across a church building and I felt like I had found a secret garden.  The building, the Garden Park Ward, was hidden in the middle of a neighborhood, but had the most incredible grounds I had ever come across for a church building.  Here are some pictures from 1939 and what it looks like today:

Historic photo courtesy of the Utah State Historical Library

Historic photo courtesy of the Utah State Historical Library 

Historic photo courtesy of the Utah State Historical Library 

The chapel is located at 1150 E Yale Ave in Salt Lake City.  Outside of the chapel is a plaque that reads:

"The historic Garden Park Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is situated where the Red Butte Creek flows into the Salt Lake Valley.  Brigham Young in 1857 conveyed his deeded property to his younger brother, Lorenzo Dow Young.  In 1880 it was acquired by Lorenzo's daughter, Josephine Young Carter, who transferred 21 acres, including this site, to Le Grand Young.  Le Grand was Brigham Young's nephew and general legal counsel to the LDS church.  Le Grand and Lorenzo planted trees, many of which remain on this site.  In 1918 it was sold to John C. Howard who enlarged the home and added the walls and smaller buildings.  The estate was bought in 1928 for the Garden Park Ward Chapel, which was dedicated April 2, 1939 by President Heber J. Grant.

"The chapel stands on a foundation constructed for the Howard mansion.  The oak grove, the giant trees, the stream and pond, walks, walls, and gardens provide a place of worship with historical ties to pioneer days.

"President Gordon B. Hinckley 15th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints rededicated the Garden Park Ward building and grounds on January 20, 2008.  This was President Hinckley's last public appearance prior to his passing on January 27, 2008."

The final picture of the three that I posted above is what is called the Scout House or is sometimes known as the Carriage House.  I do not know if this was the original house on the property that was later enlarged by John Howard or if it was constructed at the same time as the chapel.  The picture above is from 1941, which leads me to wonder at what time it was enlarged, since it currently includes an additional wing that was not included in the original rendering.

One interesting part of the building can be seen in the picture above of the chapel.  Unlike most LDS chapels, rather than having pews, the chapel has seats.  They remained after the 2008 renovation and are still in place.

The best part of the chapel are the gardens in the back.  It is an extremely popular place to take wedding photos and it is common to find a bride or two roaming around.  I love to go and sit by the pond or lay under one of the huge trees.  The chapel is available for wedding receptions, but only for those individuals that live within the stake boundaries.  Anyone can take photos, as long as it is on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday.  For more information, please visit gardenparkward.org.

Below are several photos of the building and the grounds.

LOST IN HISTORY: The Red Butte Creek, which flows through Garden Park Ward, has been scene to a recent environmental controversy.  What environmental issue recently occurred (within the last 5 years) happened on Red Butte Creek?  If you get tired of searching, you can read a good article about it here.

Provo Center Street

I have enjoyed my time in covering historical buildings in Provo and much of Utah County.  While looking through photos of downtown Provo, I came across some photos of several historic buildings downtown that I wanted to share.

The picture below is from the corner of Freedom Blvd and Center.  A plaque on the corner building reads: "In October 1875, President Brigham Young executed a deed of trust to establish an academy.  First classes were held in January 1878.  Warren N. Dusenberry, principal. Karl G. Maeser became principal April 1878 to 1892.  First school held on this site in Provo's first brick structure.  Destroyed by fire in 1884.  Classes continued in temporary quarters, then ZCMI warehouse until education building was dedicated 1892.  During those years, A. O. Smoot, president of trustees, arranged financing.  Benjamin Cluff, Jr., [romo[a; 1892-1903.  Academy changed to Brigham Young University 1903."

Historical photo courtesy of the  Provo City Library

A view of Center Street, looking east, from 100 West

Historical photo courtesy of the  Provo City Library

A view of Center Street from 100 West, looking West.  A plaque on the corner building reads: "R. Spencer Hines, a pharmacist who made his money in the Tintic mines, constructed this building in 1885 as a drug store and saloon (The Palace) and rebuilt it to its present shape in 1890.  Hines was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), the first fraternal order formed in Provo, an organization which utilized the second floor of this building during 1890-93.  In 1893 the second floor was rebuilt to create a rooming house.  The drug store continued in operation and eventually became known as Hedquist Drug Store, Ivan's Drug, Stone Drug, Sanitary Cafe, Cozy Cafe and Provo Pharmacy.  Restaurants, such as the Vienna Care, have operated in the former saloon area."

A plaque on the second building from the corner, the Southworth Block, reads: "Built in 1900 by Henry L. Southworth, this building was known historically as the Southworth Block and originally housed four businesses with a public hall of the second floor.  Some of the businesses that operated in this building include the Palace Meat Market, Pal Butcher Shop, the Boston Store, theHub Clothing Co., the Cystal Restaurant, Leven's Men's Store, Heindsleman's, Daynes Optical, and the Hyde House which rented out rooms on the second floor.  This building was restored in 1990."

Historical photo courtesy of the  Provo City Library

Buildings located around 350 W Center Street.

Historical photo courtesy of the  Provo City Library

A building located around 50 W Center Street.

Historical photo courtesy of the  Provo City Library

The following two photos are of the Utah County Clothing House, which was located on the northwest corner of 200 West (Freedom Blvd.) and Center Street, where the Utah County Convention Center is currently located.  The first photo is from 1900 and the second from a latter date.

Photo courtesy of the  Provo City Library

Photo courtesy of the  Provo City Library

A view of Center Street from around 200 West (Freedom Blvd), looking east:

Photo courtesy of the  Provo City Library

Historic buildings located on the west side on University Ave between Center and 100 North:

The Union Block, located around 50 W Center, and other buildings located next to the Union Block:

The building located at Center and 300 West which has recently been remodeled and turned into the Madison:

The building located at Center Street and Freedom, where Bingham Cyclery is located:

The building located at the corner of 200 West and Center, where Smoke Break is located:

LOST IN HISTORY: Provo is currently constructing a splash pad at Pioneer Park, on the west side of downtown.  The splash pad will reference different people that have been instrumental in the history and foundation of Provo.  I found at least four groups of individuals that will be referenced in the cement work around the splash pad.  What are the four groups?

Knight Block

Historical photo courtesy of the Provo City Library

The most recognizable historical business building in Provo is probably the Knight Block, located on the Northeast corner of Center and University Ave.  The building was built by Jesse Knight, who at the time was the wealthiest business man in Provo.  He made his fortune from mining claims in the Eureka area.  He was instrumental in the construction of several business and houses throughout Provo and has been highlighted in a number of previous posts.

Before the Knight Block was constructed, the Northeast corner of Center and University was where the Provo Cooperative Institution, or the Co-op, was located. The picture above is second Co-op building and the original Co-op building can be found in the picture below.  The Co-op was demolished when the Knight Block was constructed.

Historical photo courtesy of Brigham Young University, Lee Library, L. Tom Perry Special Collections 

According to the Provo City website, the Knight Block was "constructed in 1900 on the site of the Provo East Co-op Mine owner and entrepreneur Jesse Knight built it as the headquarters for his commercial enterprises.  Richard C. Watkins, a Provo and Ogden architect, designed the Knight Block.  Knight hoped the new building would be the most imposing business structure in Provo.  With the tabernacle, court house, and the Provo Commercial and Saving Bank sharing the corner of University and Center, the Knight Block became a community landmark.  The building was divided into public and private places.  The public place on the street level featured large plate glass windows that show cased the Schwab Clothing Store.  The upper, private part of the building was visually different from the lower level."

Historical photo courtesy of Brigham Young University, Lee Library, L. Tom Perry Special Collections 

Historical photo courtesy of Brigham Young University, Lee Library, L. Tom Perry Special Collections 

According to a Deseret News article featured in the post about the Gates-Snow Building, the Knight Block was purchased by the Provo Town Square Associates.  Its restoration was completed in 1984.  While that restoration was only completed 40 years ago, another possible restoration is in the works, if the University Tower is constructed.  The University Tower is a proposed 10 story building which will be located between the Knight Block and Wells Fargo Tower that is located at 100 North and University Ave.  The agreement, which was initially signed in 2007 but has staled due to the economy, would also restore the facade of the Gates-Snow Building and add 2 additional four story buildings to Center Street, one between the Knight Block and the Gates-Snow and the other just to the west of Los Hermanos, the old Ottavio's.  All three buildings will be interconnected.

The Knight Block was designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.  Below are some additional photos of the building throughout the years.

Photo courtesy of Brigham Young University, Lee Library, L. Tom Perry Special Collections 

Photo courtesy of the Utah State Historical Society 

LOST IN HISTORY:  Jesse Knight was famous for his mining claims in Eureka.  Unfortunately, Eureka is a shell of its former self and Main Street is filled with abandoned store fronts.  Besides the gas station and mining museum, there is one attraction to Main Street, a cabin of a famous Mormon pioneer.  Whose cabin is located on Main Street in Eureka?