Completed in 1894 this two-story brick house was constructed for David L. Murdoch. A native of Cronbury, Ayr Scotland, David L. Murdoch joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland and came to Utah in 1878. He and his wife, Elizabeth Pinkerton Thyne, settled first in Heber City then moved to Salt Lake City in 1883. David Lennox Murdoch was the Chief Accountant for Z.C.M.I. and managed the 20th Ward Cooperative Store.
The nomination form for the national historic register mentioned the home here: While they account for less than one percent of all residences, the very large, often architect-designed homes in the Eastlake, Queen Anne and Shingle styles, and later the Prairie and Craftsman styles greatly influence the visual character of the Avenues. Some of the state’s best examples of residential architectural styles were built there, including the William Barton house, 231 B Street, (vernacular/Gothic); the Jeremiah Beattie house, 30 J Street, (Eastlake); the David Murdock house, 73 G Street, (Queen Anne); the E.G. Coffin house, 1037 First Avenue, (Queen Anne); the N.H. Beeman house, 1007 First Avenue, (Shingle style); the Vto. Mclntyre house, 257 Seventh Avenue, (Classical Revival); the James Sharp house, 157 D Street, (Craftsman); and the W.E. Ware house, 1184 First Avenue, (Colonial Revival).
Formed in 1856 to accommodate rapid growth in the area, the 20th Ward originally met in a meetinghouse on 2nd Avenue between D and E streets. By 1884 the ward had moved to a new building on the same block, where it met until 1924 when the need for a larger facility and the desire of the school board to use the location for a school playground and auditorium prompted the sale of the property.
When the present site was purchased, Lewis Telle Cannon and ward member John Fetzer, partners in one of Salt Lake’s leading architectural firms, were hired to plan the new building. Designed in the Neoclassical style, it also exhibits Renaissance Mannerist influences, particularly in the double gable, discontinuous cornice, and Palladian style entry. The ground was dedicated and the cornerstone was laid on 18 May 1924 by LDS Apostle James E. Talmage, a ward member. The first use commenced 21 September 1924. The building was dedicated by LDS Church President Heber J. Grant on 17 April 1927. Over the years several compatible additions have been made to the basic L-shaped building. In 1941 the largest addition was completed on the southeast corner, creating a new entry and several classrooms. The stained glass windows were added to the chapel in the mid 1970s.
Preservation Utah‘s “Kletting in the Avenues” Historic Homes Tour said: The design of the Twentieth Ward Meetinghouse reflects a significant shift in how the LDS Church built its meetinghouses. During the 19th century, church buildings were designed and built almost entirely by individual wards with each function (chapel, recreation hall, Relief Society building, bishop’s storehouse, tithing office, et al) occupying its own building. But by the 1920s, when this building was constructed, the design of meetinghouses was becoming increasingly standardized, primarily to consolidate those various functions. Although its general layout may have been standardized, the design of the Twentieth Ward Meetinghouse showcases the high level of design available in the early 20th century to middle class wards with extra funds. The meetinghouse was designed by the firm of Cannon and Fetzer, which designed other notable buildings in Salt Lake, including the Park Building at the University of Utah and West High School.
This two-and-one-half story Victorian Eclectic style house was built by James D. Adams in 1891 for Clarence E. Allen, an attorney. However, Adams lived here until Allen sold the house to Lorenzo Snow, Jr., in 1900. After several short-term owners and a decade of rental use, Hermann Wullstein purchased the house in 1910. A blacksmith and master mechanic for Utah Copper Company, Wullstein lived here with his wife, Mary Neiman Wullstein, until his death in 1934.
Perhaps based on a pattern book design, this “rectangular block” house type was not uncommon during the era of Victorian styles in Utah, from about 1880 to 1910. The bay window supported on a solid arching bracket, the gable-end shingles, the front transoms with decorative border lights, and the classically detailed porch with sunburst patterns reflect the fact that Victorian Eclectic was an amalgam of styles and elements rather than a distinct style. Recently restored, this historic frame house contributes to the architectural character and continuity of the Avenues Historic District.
Interesting history compiled by Rachel Quist: In April 1898 the Rescue Home for “fallen women” rented this house.
Within the next 10 months the Rescue Home had 20 applicants, 5 births, 1 death, 1 marriage, 7 women placed in suitable outside homes, and 2 children were taken to the orphanage.
Neighbors on C Street objected to the Rescue Home and in Sept 1899 they petitioned the SLC Council to have the home removed and stop financial support. Thomas A. Horne, who lived just north at 277 C St, was the primary objector who complained “the women are boisterous, they make noise…and they sing indecent songs. They contaminate the children.”
Not wishing to antagonize the neighbors on C Street, the Rescue Home soon signed a 3-month lease on a larger house at 54 S 1200 East from owner Judge Loofbourow. The neighborhood soon made vigorous objections and Judge Loofbourow cancelled the lease without notifying the Rescue Home first.
In Nov 1899 the Rescue Home found another house in Sugar House area and paid 4 months rent in advance. University of Utah Professor Byron Cummings (Football & Archaeology) led the objection citing the 35 children in the neighborhood. The Rescue Home was given 3 months to vacate.
Frustrated that “respectable communities” disallowed the Rescue Home they looked for a new location in the “slums” of Commercial Street (now Regent St) but they could not find a suitable location, likely due to the high rents that the brothels and other businesses could pay.
After months of looking for a new location, the Rescue Home’s Board of Directors decided that to continue the work would be useless and the entire board resigned in Feb 1900.
A new board was established who vowed to continue the work and even secured additional locations. University of Utah Art Professor Edwin Evans led the protest against the 1458 S 1300 East location in March 1900.
Even after the Rescue Home closed itself to prostitutes and only allowed “reformable” women the neighbors protested so vigorously that the location at 51 S 800 E was also abandoned.
By Jan 1902 the whole organization was turned over to the Salvation Army who operated similar homes throughout the country with much success…. except in SLC.
This Victorian eclectic house was built in 1898 by Lillias Hilton Staines after having inherited the property in 1892 from her grandfather, John Lyon, an early Utah poet. Lillias and her husband, William C. Staines, a mining entrepreneur, maintained this house as rental property. In 1922, their son, Fred Chisholm Staines, vice-president of Whitmore Oxygen Company, inherited the home. He and his wife, Carol, moved into part of the home, maintained the rest as rental property, and lived here until 1936. Dirk and Hesselina Oliekan bought the home in 1942 and, with other family members, occupied the various apartments within the house.
This Victorian house was built c. 1875 by prominent building contractor William J. Tuddenham who later constructed the Hotel Utah. It was built for George W. Reed, one of the first business managers of the Deseret News and one of the earliest owners of the Salt Lake Tribune. Mr. Reed died in 1909 at his home after being hit by an automobile. The property passed to his children and remained in the family until 1982.
This 2 1/2-story brick Victorian Eclectic-style dwelling was constructed in 1902 for Dr. Union Worthington. Dr. Worthington, a Kentucky native, moved to Salt Lake City in 1890 after completing medical school and is one of the first known medical doctors to settle in Salt Lake City. The house retains its historic and architectural integrity and is a contributing resource within the Avenues Historic District.
GRAVE OF BRIGHAM YOUNG PROPHET – PIONEER – STATESMAN
Born June 1, 1801, at Whitingham, Vermont Died August 29, 1877, at Salt Lake City, Utah Brigham Young, second President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints succeeded Joseph Smith, founder of the Church, who was martyred at Carthage, Illinois. He was chosen as leader of the people in 1844 and sustained as President of the Church December 27, 1847. Earlier that year he led the Mormon Pioneers from Winter Quarters (Omaha) to the Salt Lake Valley, arriving here July 24. In 1849 he became Governor of the Provisional State of Deseret and in 1850 Governor of the Territory of Utah. This tablet erected in honor of their beloved leader by the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Associations, which were organized under his direction.
See other historic markers in the series on this page for UPTLA/SUP Markers.
For a list of the presidents of the church and links to their gravesites click here.
Brigham Young’s grave is a significant site in the Avenues Historic District. A green-lawned area, surrounded by an iron fence, the site marks the spot of Young’s burial. Brigham Young (1801-1877) served as L.D. S. Church President from 1847 until his death.
In May, 1974 the Sons of the Utah Pioneers “beautified” the grounds. They commissioned sculptor Edward J. Fraughton to fashion an eight-foot bronze statue which now marks the grave.
The site remains significant both because of Brigham Young’s importance as a Mormon and political leader and pioneer, as well as the general feeling of the grave an integral part of the Avenues. In addition, this is the only “family plot ” cemetery in the Avenues, and this portion of the area was owned by Young, close to his residence on South Temple.
