Devereaux House (Salt Lake City, Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Devereaux House
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Front of the Devereaux House
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | 334 W. South Temple St., Salt Lake City, Utah |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1857 |
| Architect | Paul, William |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000847 |
| Added to NRHP | March 11, 1971 |
The Devereaux House is a famous old mansion in Salt Lake City, Utah. It's also called the Staines-Jennings Mansion. This grand house was built in 1857 for William Staines. A talented architect named William Paul designed it. Later, William Jennings, who was the mayor of Salt Lake City, made the house even bigger. He also used William Paul as the architect. The Devereaux House was a very popular place for parties and important meetings. Many famous people visited it. Even Brigham Young's son, Joseph Angell Young, owned the house for a little while.
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What Does the Devereaux House Look Like?
The Devereaux House has a classic Victorian style. It also shows some French design ideas. The house is made of brick, covered with a smooth cement plaster. The third floor has a special type of roof called a mansard roof. A wide porch wraps around the south and east sides of the house.
A Park-like Setting in the City
This big house and its large yard have been kept safe in the middle of the city. There isn't a fence around the yard. This makes the yard look like a beautiful park. William Jennings worked hard to make the grounds even bigger and more beautiful. Today, the house is surrounded by much larger, newer buildings. These include the Vivint Smart Home Arena, the Triad Center, and the Salt Lake City Union Pacific Depot. The nearby The Gateway area also has many new developments.
Inside the Mansion
When you go inside, you'll find a large hall with a grand staircase. To the left is a drawing room, which is like a fancy living room. To the right is a library, full of books. Behind the drawing room, there's a big banquet room for dinners. The dining room is behind the library.
Upstairs, on the second floor, there are many bedrooms. The attic, which is the top floor, used to have rooms for servants. It also had a billiard room, where people played pool. The house was known for its beautiful woodwork and fancy decorations.
History of the Devereaux House
The Devereaux House was the first really big house, or "mansion," built in the Salt Lake Valley. It quickly became a very important social spot. People gathered there for events and meetings.
Important Meetings and Owners
One very important meeting happened here. Brigham Young and Governor Alfred Cumming met at the house. They talked to solve the Utah War, a conflict in Utah's early history.
In 1865, Brigham Young's oldest son, Joseph Angell Young, bought the house for $20,000. He owned it for a short time. In 1867, he sold it for $30,000 to William Jennings. Jennings was a local businessman. He was thought to be Salt Lake Valley's first millionaire. Jennings added more rooms to the house. He named it "Devereaux" after a family property in England.
Famous Visitors to the Mansion
William Jennings lived in the house with his wives, Jane and Pricilla. They had many children. The Devereaux House welcomed many important guests. In the 1860s, Secretary of War William Seward and General Philip H. Sheridan visited. In the 1870s, General William Tecumseh Sherman also came to the house. These visits showed that federal officials were okay with the way things were in Utah at the time.
After Jennings passed away in 1886, the house had several different owners. It was even used as a place to help people. Later, it became offices for a company that sold mining equipment.
Restoration and Modern Use
The State of Utah bought the property in the 1970s. In 1978, they decided to use public money to fix it up. But in 1979, a terrible fire almost destroyed the house. Luckily, it was saved! It was fully restored in the early 1980s. After that, it was used as a place for parties and events. It also had a restaurant called Chart House.
In 2005, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought the Devereaux House. They now keep it as a historic site. Sometimes, they use it for special events and receptions.
The Devereaux House was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This means it's a very important historical building.
