1259 East 200 South in Salt Lake City, Utah
from rachels_slc_history:
This 1912 foursquare-style house at 1259 E 200 South was recently spared the wrecking ball (at least for now) as the SLC Historic Landmarks Commission determined that it is within a local historic district and it retains its historic integrity, specifically relating to architecture.
In their application for demolition, the owners stated that “This property has no known direct association with significant events or persons,” which, to me, seems like they didn’t try very hard to look.
This was the home of Mrs. Alma Bess Chandler Rooklidge (and her husband John W Rooklidge, until their divorce in 1925). Bess and John moved into the house around the time of the birth of her son Chandler in 1912.
I first wrote about Bess, as she preferred to be called, as integral to the establishment and management of the Central Warehouse – a building located at 520 W 200 South and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (and part of a partial adaptive-reuse project with CINQ Apts). I will post a link in my bio.
Bess was a graduate of Wellesley College and involved in other business endeavors including a Marmon Motor Car sales company and, with her father, the First National Bank of Bingham (acquired by First Security Corp).
Beyond business, she was actively engaged in social welfare charities of SLC.
Bess was involved with the Free Kindergarten Association of SLC, a private, women-run organization that operated tuition-free kindergarten classes for children from working-class and immigrant families before public kindergarten was available.
She served as President of Neighborhood House, a provider of childcare and social services of SLC’s west side (still around today). Bess was Secretary of the organization when Neighborhood House established the “Pure Milk Depot” aimed at reducing infant mortality by providing access to pasteurized milk.
As a society lady, her home was central to hosting committee meetings, luncheons, and charity events supporting these endeavors.