Alma Van Wagenen House

This home was completed in 1917, around the time of our entry into World War I. The architect and builder was Joseph Nelson. It was one of the few fine homes built in this depression era. Mr. Nelson is also known as the architect and builder of the City and County building, now known as the Historic Utah County Courthouse. Mr. Nelson traveled to Europe for information on European architecture. He built this home for Alma Van Wagenen and Birdie Gray Van Wagenen.

Alma Van Wagenen, the owner of the home, came to Provo in 1898 from Wasatch County and Salt Lake City where he was working for the Studebaker Carriage and Automobile Company. He had the first automobile agency south of Salt Lake City in Utah. Among other automobile makers he was the first Buick dealer in this area. All over the country several car manufacturers followed Henry Ford and several hundred made cars which were available through Mr. Van Wagenen. These included Overland, Oakland, Kissel, Page, Maxwell, Hudson, and Essex.

This is a very unique home with details such as key locks on every door and there are doors into every room. The room used as a study or library has five doors opening into the room. The home had Provo’s first family room which was large enough for dancing. This room is now an art studio with illuminated calligraphy which has been the hobby of the present owner, Frank Van Wagenen. This home has a laundry chute from the upper floors to the laundry room in the basement. There are several cedar drawers and even a cedar closet. The home features a beautiful dining room, oak and mahogany woodwork, and oak floors. The woodwork was prefabricated back east and installed by a covert English cabinet maker, William Mortimer.

This was the home of two former Mayors of Provo first was Alma Van Wagenen in 1928 Harold Van Wagenen in 1957.

415 East Center Street in Provo, Utah.