Clark–Taylor House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Clark–Taylor House
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Clark–Taylor House
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | 306 North 500 West Provo, Utah |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1854 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001829 |
| Added to NRHP | 1975 |
The Clark–Taylor House is a really old and important building in Provo, Utah, United States. It's so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as a place worth protecting. People also sometimes call it the T. N. Taylor Home. This house was built around 1854, making it one of the oldest pioneer homes in Utah! A famous person named Thomas N. Taylor, who was once the mayor of Provo and a leader in his church and at BYU, lived here. The Clark–Taylor House was officially named a Provo City Historic Landmark in 1996.
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What Makes the Clark–Taylor House Special?
This house is still very strong today. It was built in two main parts. The western part has two stories and a pointed roof. It looks like an "I" shape. The eastern part has one story with a big attic. It sits next to the western part.
A Glimpse into Pioneer Life
The Clark–Taylor House is a rare example of a home from when pioneers first arrived in Provo in 1847. It helps us imagine what life was like back then. The house is still in good condition, showing how well it was built.
The History of the Clark–Taylor House
The first time we hear about the Clark–Taylor House is in a special paper from July 24, 1855. This paper shows that Edward W. Clark gave ownership of the property to his church. The Clark home was built soon after the pioneers settled in Provo. This makes it one of the oldest pioneer buildings in Utah.
Edward Clark: The First Owner
Edward Clark moved to Provo from England in 1852. He was an important person in the community. Clark became a leader in his church (a bishop). He was also a war veteran and helped run a local farming and manufacturing company.
Who Lived Here After Edward Clark?
After Edward Clark, the house went to John H. Carter. John was a blacksmith and a city council member (an alderman). He had also helped Clark as a church leader. In 1863, John Carter added a second story to the house.
Later, in the 1870s, Carter traded the house to Benjamin Bachman for a large piece of land. George H. Church bought the property in 1897. Then, in 1898, he sold it to Thomas N. Taylor.
A Wedding Gift for T. Sterling Taylor
Thomas N. Taylor gave the house to his son, T. Sterling, as a wedding present in 1915. The house has stayed in the Taylor family ever since!
Who Was Thomas N. Taylor?
Thomas N. Taylor was born in Provo, Utah, in 1868. His father, George Taylor Sr., started the first furniture store in Provo in 1866. This business grew and became known as Taylor Brothers furniture.
Thomas Taylor's Education and Family
Thomas went to schools in Provo. He also studied at Brigham Young Academy, which is now Brigham Young University. In 1889, he married Maud Rogers.
A Life in Politics and Community Service
Thomas Taylor was very involved in politics. He was the mayor of Provo from 1900 to 1903. In 1920, he ran for governor of Utah as a Democrat, but he did not win the election.
Thomas was also a dedicated member of his church. He served as a bishop (a local church leader) for 19 years. After that, he became a stake president (a regional church leader) for 20 years. He also served as a patriarch in his church.
Beyond politics and church, Thomas was active in the community. He was on the board of trustees for Brigham Young University and was even the chairman of that group. He also served on the board for the University of Utah. Thomas Taylor also helped to create the Utah Valley Hospital. He passed away in 1950.
