John P. Cahoon House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John P. Cahoon House
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John P. Cahoon House in Murray, Utah
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4872 South Poplar St., Murray, Utah |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1900 |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003186 |
| Added to NRHP | March 3rd, 1983 |
The John P. Cahoon House is a historic home located in Murray, Utah, United States. This house is special because it shows a beautiful example of Victorian architecture in Murray. It was also the home of John P. Cahoon for over 20 years. He was a very important person in the brick-making business in Utah and the western United States.
This large, two-and-a-half-story brick house was built around 1900. People in 1902 even called it "the finest home in the county" outside of Salt Lake City. The house still looks almost the same today as it did when it was first built. While its Victorian style is not as fancy as some homes in Salt Lake City, it was considered a very grand house for its community. Most other homes in Murray at that time were smaller and simpler.
In the 1980s, Bill and Susan Wright bought and restored the home. Today, it is known as the Murray Mansion. It is used as a place for events, especially weddings, and has a small chapel next door. The house is also part of the Murray Downtown Historic District.
Who Was John P. Cahoon?
John P. Cahoon was a key person who started what many believe was the first commercial brick factory in Utah and the western United States. This happened in 1878. Bricks were very important for building in Utah because there wasn't much wood available. By the early 1900s, many companies were making bricks.
Under John P. Cahoon's leadership, his company became one of the most successful. It was officially named Salt Lake Pressed Brick Company in 1891. Cahoon made many important contributions to the brick industry. For example, he was part of the War Service Committee on Brick in Washington, D.C., in 1918. He also helped organize and served as a vice president of the Brick Manufacturers Association of America.
His company also started the first trade school program in Utah. This program taught students how to lay bricks. The company was later renamed Interstate Brick Company in 1939. Today, it is the largest company of its kind in the Intermountain West region.
