One D.U.P. Marker told of some history. Other historic markers, memorials and cool old buildings and some public art too.
Cleveland was first settled in 1884 by Samuel Nelson Alger and Henry Sr. These two men took up homesteading and soon after twenty five-families joined them. Firm roots began to take hold, and gradually with hard work and persistence, Cleveland began to grow. These families were typically pioneers. Cleveland was named after Grover Cleveland who was President of the United States in the 1880s.
The “old timers” claim that farms within the boundaries of Cleveland require less water than other farms in Emery County and had the most productive ground. Many of the founding fathers came to Cleveland because of good reports of plentiful grass and good homesteading. The reason that Cleveland was not settled sooner was the lack of a sufficient water source and supply.
In 1890, a log school with plank benches was built but was outgrown by 1893 when a frame building was built. Later a two-story section was added. The adobe brick school was built in 1912. Harry B. Mortensen and C. Leslie Bennett were instrumental in getting sports, music, and speech programs stated for school students. A new school was built in 1976 and remodeled in 1989.
Cleveland’s people loved social activities, and they had quite a few socials and parties. Departure of missionaries and servicemen were an exceptionally good reason for a get-together. In April 1910, Ernest E. Davis built a large Opera House. Many dances and weddings were held there also. In April 1923, a silent movie picture machine was installed with a player piano for music. In 1928, a talking movie projector was installed. A roller skating rink was added in 1937. These buildings do not exist there today.
Elmo is a small, dispersed agricultural community east of U-10 and eight miles north of Huntington. Elmo was settled in 1908 by people from Cleveland, although it was filed upon as early as 1904. The origin of the name is uncertain, but folklore suggests a reference to a popular novel of the day, St. Elmo.
The Fraternal Organizations of Spring Glen and Helper established this central cemetery in early 1930. Low or no-cost burial places became necessary when members of the lodges, as well as others, died here while their families remained in the Old Country. Most lost their lives in coal mine accidents or due to occupational disease and could not afford to be sent overseas to be buried with their families. Also, many were bachelors with no one to see to their burials at all. Members of the Fraternal Lodges saw to the needs of these lodge members and many others by making this exceptional overlook into a beautiful resting place in their honor. This land was acquired for this sole purpose from the Ku Klux Klan. Carbon County Clan No. 4, and was named the Austrian Lodge Cemetery, by which it is still known today.
The Ami and Amanda Oakley House at 219 E 400 N in Springville, Utah was built in 1895. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1998.
It is built of fired brick, and, according to its NRHP nomination “is an excellent example of the high quality craftsmanship and design available in Springville near the turn of the [20th] century.”
The T. R. Kelly House, constructed in 1903-4, is significant as one of only six houses in Springville, as identified in an extensive survey of Springville in 1981, which maintain their original integrity and document the period of growth and prosperity of the town as it changed from an agrarian economy to a thriving commercial center at the turn of the century. The wealth and prosperity that came to the-community through the success throughout the intermountain west of several local construction companies is documented in the large homes built at ( the turn of the century in Springville, of which the Kelly House is one of the more impressive and best preserved examples. Additionally, it is the best example among Springville houses which reflects a popular trend at the turn of the century, of the combination of the massing of the late Victorian period, with a plan and decorative features reflecting Classical Revival influences.
Springville was established in 1850 as a fanning community by a group of Mormons chosen by Brigham Young. A scarcity of water in the early years, however, forced many of the settlers to seek other, non-agricultural occupations. Freighting to the mines in Nevada became an important source of income for many of the men in the town, and it provided them with experience in managing teams and materials, which proved to be useful skills in their future contracting enterprises.
The first, Sprinville-based construction operation of note was undertaken in the late 1870s by Milan Packard, a local businessman, who proposed to build a narrow gauge railway from Springville to the rich coal deposits at Schofield, about sixty miles southeast of Springville. Although cash was in short supply to pay the work crews, Packard was able to obtain their services by offering them credit at his mercantile store. The men on the crews were mostly Springville men, and the skills which they had obtained through their freighting experiences helped to make the project a success. This initial contract launched several of these local men into the railroad construction business, which was a booming industry throughout the territory and the west up through the turn of the century. Though possessing a population of only a few thousand people, Springville surpassed both Salt Lake City and Ogden as a center for the contract construction industry, 1 apparently due to the early establishment and success of construction firms in the town. As railroad construction waned, most of these firms became involved in the construction of highways and irrigation canals. Many of them have continued in operation up to the present, and the town is still regarded as a center of construction activity.
The T. R. Kelly House, built in 1903-4, is a large two story brick house. It reflects a major change in Springville’s architectural development. Prior to the late 1800s traditional house types were built and repeated, with individual variations, throughout the town. Victorian influences were evidenced primarily in decorative detailing attached to traditional forms. By 1900, however, the influence of outside sources, such as pattern books and mail order house catalogs, was beginning to be felt. The Kelly House, although unique in Springville and Utah, has a scale, design elements, and decorative elements which link it to numerous other houses in Utah that were built about the same time. The widespread appearance of common types and elements has been attributed to a common, readily available source, the pattern book. The Kelly House, because on the one hand it reflects the popular trend of the time, the use of books for house designs, and on the other hand, because it is a unique type among the types that were built and repeated, reflects the owner’s desire to be up to date according to the method of design, but also expresses his concurrent wish to have a house that would stand apart from others and express his own individuality.
Formally the Kelly House reflects the influence of the late Victorian period, and the direction that Utah architecture was to take in the first decades of the twentieth century. The irregular massing, combining a hip and pyramid roof with a major gable roof projection on the east side, a minor gable roof projection on the west side, identical corner turrets with bell cast conical roofs, and a substantial two story open porch on the facade, immediately indicate that the Kelly House is a product of Victorian taste. The combination of tan brick for the bulk of the house, with red brick for accent as lintels and in the decorative panels of the porch and the chimney, and the crowning of the tower roofs with pinnacles, provide variety of texture and color, reinforcing that initial impression. The plan for the house, however, is not as irregular as is characteristic of Victorian designs. It is a box which is broken at the front corners by turrets, and by a projecting bay under the east gable projection. The original house included a one story rectangular wing attached to the rear to which a modern addition was attached in 1981. The layout of the interior spaces too is more regular than one would expect to find in a Victorian house. The room divisions, although not symmetrical, do essentially divide the house into quarters (see plan). There are also decorative elements which bespeak of other influences which could explain the dichotomy that one finds in the Kelly House. The classical pediment which projects from the hip roof on the facade, the Tuscan columns that frame the entrance porch, and the wide entablature with dentils on the frieze that wraps around the upper edge of the house and the front porch, in addition to the tightening up of the plan, document the popularity of Classical Revival elements that permeated the realm of domestic architecture in the first decade of the twentieth century.
The Kelly House was renovated in 1981, but it closely resembles its original appearance. The front door is set off center under the deep front porch, and is flanked by a stained glass rectangular window panel. The original door and sidelight were replaced in the 1930s, and in the 1981 remodeling were again replaced by a door with a long oval glass pane framed by pilasters. The oval glass door is in keeping with the Victorian flavor of the house, and the pilasters complement the classical decorative elements. The openings onto the second story porch originally included a door centered between two double hung sash windows. They were replaced in 1981 by French doors, but because the arrangement of openings is the same, with the doors centered between side window panels, the change does not dramatically affect the original integrity of the building. The balustrade of that porch was replaced with an exact replica of the original. A door on the west side of the building was expanded, and French doors added, but other than that change, and the ones previously mentioned, the openings of the main block of the house are original. There are three long, narrow, double hung sash windows set into each turret. The same type of window was used in the east bay, except for the central panel which is a large single pane window and transom.
A long, one story addition was attached to the rear of the house in 1981 to enlarge the space of the original block. Brick was matched as well as roofing material so that the new wing is not intrusive. The glass green house attached to the east side of the original one story rear wing, is the only part of the structure that is visible from the road. It, however, is of a small scale, and is partially masked by a brick fence of tan brick with red brick decorative panels that match the brickwork of the house. The garage located at the northwest corner of the house was built in the 1930s, and was also remodeled in 1981. Every effort was made to visually link the garage to the house. Fan-type windows in the garage doors complement the classical decorative scheme. The brick and paint have been carefully matched with that of the original building.
Major alterations to the interior of the house were made in the 1930s. The original living room doors were replaced by arched doorways, pot belly stoves were removed and replaced by fireplaces, lighting fixtures were changed. More changes were made in 1981 including the addition of new lighting fixtures, the removal of a wall on the second story to enlarge the master bedroom to include a dressing room and bathroom, and the raising of the master bedroom ceiling. These changes, however, are not reflected on the exterior of the building, and have been made so that much of the original character of the interior of the house has been preserved.
The success of the construction industry in Springville brought unprecedented economic growth to the community and supported the development of local retail businesses. This new-found wealth was reflected in the emergence of fine, large homes, such as the Kelly house, that were built at the turn of the century. The Kelly House is one of the most impressive houses of the period, and is the best preserved extant example of the type built at that time.
Thomas Rollo Kelly was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Patter Kelly, pioneers who settled in Springville, Utah in 1853. Joseph Kelly and his family lived on a ranch in the Hobble Creek Canyon area overlooking the town of Springville. After World War II the Kelly Ranch was sold to Springville City and converted into Kelly’s Grove, a popular recreation area and the Hobble Creek Golf Course. The Kelly family is listed as among the prominent families of the Springville area.
Thomas (T. R.) Kelly became a school teacher, businessman, and pharmacist in Springville. In 1903-04 he was listed as owner and manager of the Springville Drug Company, located on Depot Street (Second South). During that same 1903-04 period Kelly built his residence, also located on Depot Street, where he and his wife Ella and family resided until 1914. Depot Street served as a main thoroughfare leading to the interurban train station.
Located in such a conspicuous setting, the T. R. Kelly house, with its dual turrets, proved a “show place” in the Springville community. The Kelly residence represents a period in local history when Mormons were beginning to join the mainstream of American life. Although architecturally unique, its design was more than likely drawn from a popular pattern book of the time. It, in addition to several other Springville buildings of the same period, therefore documents not only the influx of nationally popular influences to Springville, but also attests to the receptivity and desire of the residents of the community to accept forms and building methods that had become acceptable and desirable nationwide.
Upon the death of Ella Kelly in 1914, Thomas moved from Springville. The house then passed to about seven different owners, before being purchased in 1980 by Janis and Brent Haymond.
Another post I found here: Thomas Kelly settled in the Hobble Creek area of Springville in 1853. His family was a notable one in the area of Springville. Kelly later became a school teacher and operated a few of the business in downtown Springville. Kelly met and married Ella and in 1903 began to build his home on Depot Street (200 South). Depot Street was the main street from downtown to the train station. The house is built in the Victorian Style (for more information about his specific design, click here) and is especially notable since it is different than many of the houses that were being built at the time. Kelly used a book for house design to incorporate a unique design to his new house. In 1914, Ella died and Kelly moved from Springville.
After Kelly’s departure from Springville, the house passed through several owners. In the 1930’s it went through a little remodeling, which included the construction of a car garage. In 1980 it was once again purchased and underwent a large renovation in 1981. This included the complete back addition to the house. In December of 1983 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Mont and Harriet Johnson House at 153 E 400 N in Springville, Utah is a Late Victorian style house built in 1901. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. The listing included three contributing buildings.
It was built for Mont Johnson, a successful farmer who was prominent in Springville, who in fact was serving as mayor during 1900 to 1902, while the house was built. He later served as treasurer of Utah County. This house was grander than most previous buildings in the city, and was made of fired brick.
The Hafen Home, built c. 1900, was designed by Alberto O. Treganza in the Swiss Chalet style, as a studio and residence for the artist John Hafen (1856-1910). Born in Switzerland, Hafen emigrated to Utah in 1862 with his parents. He struggled for financial success as an artist and became particularly well know for his landscape paintings. He was sent by the Mormon Church to Paris to study art so he could paint murals in the LDS temples. He was instrumental in founding the Springville Museum of Art in 1903.
The John Hafen House, at 1002 S. Main St. in Springville, Utah.
The John Hafen house, built in about 1900, is significant as being the home of John Hafen; a prominent Mormon pioneer artist. John Hafen played an important role in producing works of art for the Mormon Church and also works which brought him recognition throughout the state of Utah, and various additional areas of the country. Hafen is known for his beautiful landscape paintings. When settlers first came into the Salt Lake and Utah Valleys, they were faced with both an environmental desert, and a cultural desert. John Hafen was one artist who helped turn a vast and barren area into a place of beauty and culture. His talents and contributions brought him recognition in many parts of country.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (#82004182) in 1982.
John Hafen was born in Canton, Thurgan, Switzerland on March 22, 1856. His father, a landscape gardener, was Johann Hafen. His mother was Anna Elizabeth Ruesi, the daughter of an artist. The Hafen family came to the United States when John was six years old and they settled in Utah in 1862.
Although John Hafen had a great love for art, and he showed his interest very early in life, his career as a painter got off to a slow start. Once married, and with a family, he found it difficult to make a living through his art. He therefore tried many different ways of supporting himself and his family, among which was making historic photograph enlargements. His life was dominated by struggle and hardship, and he never did make a significant profit from his work
Nevertheless, his work became well known, and though not financially, in every other way he was a successful painter. For many years his work was commissioned by the Mormon Church. In 1890 he ws sent on a mission by the church for the purpose of studying art in Europe. In return for this, he painted some murals for the temples of the church.
Upon Hafen’s return from Europe, he was awarded a $300.00 prize from Utah Art Institute for his work. He received the prize again, several years later. He received much recognition in his home state.
Still, the artist’s work did not stay within the realm of the Mormon Church, or even in the state of Utah. Finding it hard to work only in Utah, Hafen worked in Monterey, California as well. 5 His works were exhibited in Paris, the Chicago Art Institute, Philadelphia, Saint Louis, and Indiana. In 1908 he won a prize at the Illinois State Fair for the best landscape. He was credited for starting an artists colony in Brown County Indiana, and was also instrumental in helping to found the Springville Art Gallery.
Although John Hafen’s work as an artist was a struggle for him, financial difficulty did not inhibit his love of art. On the mission of art he wrote: The influence of art is so powerful in shaping our lives for a high appreciation of the creations of our God that we cannot afford to neglect an acquaintance with it. We should be as eager for its companionship as we are eager for chairs to sit upon or for food to sustain our lives, for it has as important a mission in shaping our character and in conducing to our happiness as anything that we term necessities. Life is incomplete without it. A religious life is not an ideal religious life without art.
John Hafen was both artistic and religious, and his statement reflects his faith and determination with which he approached his life and work. His hard work began to bear fruit towards the end of his life, as he started to receive more money for his painting. Tragically, Hafen died during the peak of his career, in 1910. He was fifty-four years old.
