William James and Edna Cordner House
440 S State Street – Orem

William James and Edna Cordner House

The William and Edna Cordner residence is a fairly common example of a one-and-one-half story, brick, central-block-with-projecting-bays type house with Victorian Eclectic detailing. The house was constructed ca.1898 by William Cordner whose family was one of the first to settle on the Provo Bench. William was heavily involved in the fruit growing industry, the mainstay of the Provo Bench, while he lived here. At that time, State Street was lined with the farms and orchards of a prospering agrarian community. The house has many of the characteristics found in Victorian Eclectic architecture, including an asymmetrical facade, open floor plan, and the use of various architectural styles and details. The Cordner house symbolizes the prosperity of fruit growers, farmers, and associated businesses during the agricultural expansion era of the Provo Bench and its growth into a city.

William James and Edna Cordner House

Adfter Edna’s death in 1942, the house was sold. It remained a home for other residents of the area for about six more years but has been used for various commercial uses since then. The interior now houses a home decor and gift shop “Planted Earth.”

William James and Edna Cordner House

There have been numerous reports over the tears of the “sighting” of a gentle, kindly ghost on the upper level of the home. When the Cordner family descendants were told of this phenomenon, they responded that it must be Edna returning to her home. She had never wanted to leave because she loved her home so much.

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