Utah on the National Register:County Snapshots

Prepared ByState Historic Preservation Office

Utah Division of State History300 S. Rio Grande St.

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

February 2016

ContributorsUtah Division of State History

Brad Westwood, State Historic Preservation OfficerChris Merritt, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer (Archaeology)

Roger Roper, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer (Buildings)Chris Hansen, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer (Buildings)

Cory Jensen, National Register CoordinatorDeb Miller, Assistant Records Manager (Archaeology)

Amy Barry, Project ManagerChristina Epperson, GIS Analyst

Utah State ParksDon Merritt, Curator, Fremont Indian State Park

Luella Merritt, Volunteer, Fremont Indian State Park

OthersDoug Page, Independent Researcher

Prepared ByState Historic Preservation Office

Utah Division of State History300 S. Rio Grande St.

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

February 2016

ContributorsUtah Division of State History

Brad Westwood, State Historic Preservation OfficerChris Merritt, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer (Archaeology)

Roger Roper, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer (Buildings)Chris Hansen, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer (Buildings)

Cory Jensen, National Register CoordinatorDeb Miller, Assistant Records Manager (Archaeology)

Amy Barry, Project ManagerChristina Epperson, GIS Analyst

Utah State ParksDon Merritt, Curator, Fremont Indian State Park

Luella Merritt, Volunteer, Fremont Indian State Park

OthersDoug Page, Independent Researcher

This document has been financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service,

U. S. Department of the Interior, under provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. While approved by the National Park Service in meeting the requirements of the Act, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the Department of the Interior.

Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and

the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the U. S. Department of Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability or age of its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any such program, activity, or facility or in the information presented, or if you desire more information, please write to:

Office of Equal Opportunity U. S. Department of the Interior

1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240

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The National Register of Historic Places only exists because of its association with the federal National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA),

and it is turning 50 years old in 2016. We are pleased to celebrate the National Historic Preservation Act's 50th birthday in 2016. The NHPA is a cornerstone of American historic preservation. It was created in the belief that too many important historic places were being lost to post-World War II development and construction and that the federal government could (and should) play an important role in protecting places that embody the United States' cultural heritage. Over the past 50 years, the NHPA has been amended numerous times to better serve historic preservation work. This book is a small selection of Utah’s contribution to this effort.

America’s relationship with its downtowns and neighborhoods, its countryside, and with the physical reminders of its past changed fundamentally when President Lyndon Johnson signed the NHPA on October 15, 1966. The country officially recognized the value of historic preservation and chose to preserve and protect the irreplaceable resources of history evident in cities, towns, and rural areas across the land. These words, enshrined in the Preamble to the NHPA, still inspire:

The Congress finds and declares that: (a) the spirit and direction of the Nation are founded upon and reflected in its historic heritage; (b) the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation would be preserved as a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense of orientation to the American people...

Beaver County CourthousePhoto Credit: National Register Historic Properties File

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MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE NATIONAL REGISTER

Contrary to some rumors, there are no restrictions associated with a

National Register listing. Owners do not have to open their buildings to the public, nor do they need anyone’s approval for anything they do to their buildings. This is primarily an honorific designation intended to recognize important buildings, structures, and sites and to encourage their preservation. National Register listing does not affect the property taxes or how the buildings may be used.

Any interested person can research and nominate any property to the National Register. However, the legal owner has the right to object to, and prevent, the listing of their private property. To be considered for the National Register:• A building must be at least 50 years old.• Retain its architectural integrity. Would the original own-

er still recognize the building?• Be “significant.” This significance can be national, state-

wide, or even local, but it must fall within at least one of the following categories:

A. Association with important events, B. Association with significant persons, C. Architectural significance, or D. Archaeological significance.

Nominating a property is an involved process that requires research and writing skills and architectural and historical knowledge. Because of the time involved and the scrutiny of the reviewers, we typically recommend that interested building owners hire a consultant to do the work for them. Please contact our NR staff (801-245-7242) for guidance on preparing nominations.

NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATIONS

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Photo Hovenweep National Monument

BUILDINGS & STRUCTURES ON NATIONAL REGISTER 8

Beaver 111Box Elder 36Cache 71Carbon 16Daggett 2Davis 50Duchesne 2Emery 15Garfield 18Grand 10Iron 13Juab 10Kane 12Millard 17Morgan 6Piute 2Rich 2Salt Lake 307San Juan 13Sanpete 70Sevier 20Summit 105Tooele 18Uintah 12Utah 154Wasatch 34Washington 64Wayne 11Weber 58

HISTORIC DISTRICTS ON NATIONAL REGISTER 9

Beaver 1Box Elder 3Cache 3Carbon 2 Daggett 2Davis 4 Duchesne 1Emery 0Garfield 1Grand 1Iron 1Juab 1Kane 0Millard 1Morgan 0Piute 0Rich 0Salt Lake 27San Juan 3Sanpete 5Sevier 0Summit 2Tooele 0Uintah 1Utah 11Wasatch 1Washington 6Wayne 1Weber 6

Archie Creek Railroad Tie Cutter Cabin, Uintah MountainsPhoto Credit: Amy Barry

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BENEFITS OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER

Recognition: Owners may receive an official certificate of designation and purchase an official plaque that can be placed on the building. Contact Chris Hansen (clhansen@utah.gov) at State History for information about purchasing a plaque.

Rehabilitation Tax Credits: There is a state income tax credit for residential buildings, and a federal income tax credit for “income-producing” buildings, saving owners 20% of the costrehabilitating listed buildings. Contact Nelson Knight (nwknight@utah.gov) for more information.

Grants: The very limited grants that might be available are usually channeled through local historic preservation commissions.

Loans: The Utah Heritage Foundation (UHF), a statewide non-profit organization, administers loan programs for historic buildings. See the UHF website for details or call 801-533-0858.

Building Code Leniency: Officially designated historic buildings may not have to comply with all building code requirements.

Local Zoning Variance: Most communities have provisions that allow designated historic buildings to be used for purposes other than what the zone requires (e.g. a bed-and-breakfast in a historic home in a residential neighborhood).

Property Values: A National Register listing can be a catalyst for increasing property values.

Local preservation ordinances, where present, may have some implication for buildings listed on local registers, but the local register process is entirely separate from the National Register process.

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For more information on the county, see State History’s website: http://ilovehistory.utah.gov/place/counties/beaver.html

Other National Register Places of Interest: • Minersville City Hall, 600 W. Main St.• Beaver Relief Society Meetinghouse, 25 N. 1st E. • Upper Beaver Hydroelectric Power Plant, UT

153, 10 miles east of Beaver• U.S. Post Office, Beaver, 20 S. Main St.

12 BEAVER COUNTYBeaver County, organized 1856. As of the 2010 census,

the population was 6,629. Its county seat and largest city is Beaver. The county was named for the abundance of beavers in the area. There are 109 individual buildings, 2 structures, 2 archaeological sites, and 1 historic district within Beaver County listed on the National Register, ranking 5th in the state for listings.

Photo Credit: National Register Historic Properties File

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Beaver County Courthouse

Construction of the Beaver County Courthouse began in 1876 and was completed in 1882, at a cost of $10,960. Fire partially destroyed the structure in 1889, but it was soon rebuilt with many improvements. The courthouse is a good public building example of the Victorian style. The building is now home to the Beaver Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum, operated in the summer months by the DUP.

For more information on the county, see State History’s website: http://ilovehistory.utah.gov/place/counties/box_elder.html

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Box Elder County, organized 1856. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 49,975. Its county seat and largest city is Brigham City. The county was named for the box elder

trees with which the county abounds. The County boasts 3 historic architectural districts and two archaeological districts, 34 individual buildings, 2 structures, and 2 sites on the National Register of Historic Places.

Other National Register Places of Interest: • Box Elder County Courthouse, 1 N. Main St., Brigham City• Plymouth School, 135 S. Main St., Plymouth• Methodist Episcopal Church, Colorado and S. 600, Corinne• Carnegie Library, 86 W. Factory St., Garland

BOX ELDER COUNTY

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Willard Historic District

Listed in the National Register in 1974, the Willard Historic District was Utah’s first designated NR district and is one of the largest groupings of pioneer-era homes in the state. Built between 1861 and 1881, the residential architecture of the 1 ½ and 2-story stone homes reflect Greek Revival and Gothic styles. Shadrach Jones, a Welsh stone mason, was the primary builder of the homes in the district.

Photo Credit: National Register Historic Properties File

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Old Main at Utah State University

Architect C.L. Thompson drew up plans for Old Main on the campus of the Agricultural College of Utah (now Utah State University) in 1889, and it was constructed by Sommer, Peterson and Company of Logan in 1890. This architecturally significant building, which sits at the top of Old Main Hill, is done in the Victorian Eclectic and Victorian Romanesque Revival style and is the oldest continually used building at an institution of higher education in Utah.

For more information on the county, see State History’s website: http://ilovehistory.utah.gov/place/counties/cache.html

Photo Credit: National Register Historic Properties File

17CACHE COUNTYCache County, organized 1857. As of the 2010

Census the population was 112,656. Its county seat and largest city is Logan, which is also home to Utah State University. The county’s name stems from the area’s rich legacy of fur trappers during the early 19th century, when Rocky Mountain Fur Company trappers stashed (or cached) furs in the valley. There are 69 buildings, 2 structures, 2 archaeological sites, and 3 historic building districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Other National Register Places of Interest: • Interurban Railroad Depot, 196 W. Main St.,

Richmond• Whittier School, 280 N. 400 E., Logan• Tony Grove Ranger Station, US 89, 23 miles east of

Logan• Wellsville Tabernacle, 75 S 100 E, Wellsville

Photo Credit: National Register Historic Properties File

18 CARBON COUNTYCarbon County, organized 1894. With a population of over 21,300,

Carbon County receives its name from the abundant coal deposits found in the region during the late 19th century that was the centerpiece of the local economy for decades. Price is both the county seat and the largest city in Carbon County. There are16 buildings, 310 archaeological sites, 2 historic building districts and 1 archaeological district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Other National Register Places of Interest: • Helper Commercial District• Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church, 200 N. Carbon Ave, Price• Clerico Commercial Building, 4985 N. Spring Glen Rd., Spring Glen• Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Assumption, 61 S. 2nd E., Price

For more information on the county, see State History’s website: http://ilovehistory.utah.gov/place/counties/carbon.html

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Nine Mile Canyon MPS

Nine Mile Canyon contains more than 800 known archaeological sites and has thousands yet undocumented. Rock art sites are the most common with many different styles common to the Great Basin, Great Plains and Colorado Plateau. Most rock art was created by the Fremont culture, who lived and farmed in the area from A.D. 600 to 1300. Other sites in the canyon include villages, granaries, and historic-era homesteads and inscriptions. A coalition of federal, state, and local agencies, with the support of the public, created a large multiple property listing for the Canyon’s archaeological resources to honor what some call the longest art gallery in the world.

Daggett County, organized 1919. The last of Utah’s 29 counties to be established, Daggett County is made up of really only two communities, Manila (the county seat) and Dutch John. As of the 2010 census, the

population was 1,059, making it the least populous county in Utah. The county was named for Ellsworth Daggett, the first surveyor-general of Utah. There are 1 building, 1 structure, 1 archaeological site and 2 historic building districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Other National Register Places of Interest: • Ute Mountain Fire Tower, southwest of Manila• John Jarvie Historic Ranch District, southwest of Brown’s Park

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For more information on the county, see State History’s website:http://ilovehistory.utah.gov/place/counties/daggett.html

Swett Ranch

The Swett Ranch is representative of the pioneer homestead carved out of the western wilderness around the turn-of-the-century. The significance of the ranch is that evidence of its earliest stages of development, dating from 1909, still exist alongside more recent ones. Oscar Swett built five homes for his expanding family and the homestead eventually totaled 227 acres, with a canal, fences, agricultural outbuildings and other historic resources. Oscar and his wife raised 9 children and operated the ranch with limited resources.

Photo Credit: National Register Historic Properties File

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