Thomas & Elizabeth Whitaker House

The original one-and-one-half-story stone portion of this house was built c1862-66 by Charles Duncan, a skilled Scottish stonemason known for building rock structures throughout Centerville and Farmington, and Thomas Whitaker, who did the carpentry work.  Thomas was born in England in 1816.  He and Elizabeth Mills, born in England in 1839, were married in 1858 by Mormon leader Brigham Young.  In 1869 Thomas married Hannah Waddups, in keeping with the Mormon polygamous practices of the time.  She lived here for three years before Thomas built her a house two blocks east.  They had eight children.

Thomas was a carpenter, cabinetmaker, engraver, carver, tenor singer, violin player, and nurseryman.  He also spoke several languages.  Thomas and Elizabeth are believed to have been one of the first families in Utah to raise silkworms.  Elizabeth spun the silk and made scarfs, neckties, vests, and socks.  She also had talents in gardening, cooking, rug making, straw hat making, nursing, and midwifery.  She had twelve children.  Thomas died at age 70 in 1886 and Elizabeth at age 98 in 1937.  The home was purchased in 1994 by the city and now serves as the Centerville Museum and Cultural Center.

Located in Centerville, Utah.

The Baird/Rampton Blacksmith Shop

The original rock building, at approximately 150 North Main Street, was built in 1873 by James Baird.  It was 20 by 25 feet with an 8-foot lean-to on the east.  The building housed coal, scrap iron, and leather bellows.  It was here that B.H. Roberts learned the black smithing trade from Mr. Baird.

Henry J. Rampton of Bountiful purchased the blacksmith shop and house in 1881.  He built a frama addition which was used as a woodworking and wheel shop.  The main building was used for horse shoeing and forge work.  At Rampton’s death in 1927, the tools were sold and removed from the lot, and the building was razed a short time later.

Located in Centerville, Utah.