Recreation Center for the Utah State Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Recreation Center for the Utah State Hospital
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Recreation Center for the Utah State Hospital, June 2018
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1300 East Center Street Provo, Utah United States |
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| Area | 1.6 acres (0.65 ha) (within 309.55 acre property of the Utah State Hospital) |
| Built | 1936–7 |
| Built by | Works Progress Administration |
| MPS | Public Works Buildings TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000746 |
| Added to NRHP | April 9, 1986 |
The Recreation Center For the Utah State Hospital is a special outdoor theater, called an amphitheater. It is located in eastern Provo, Utah, United States. This historic place is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important site worth protecting.
Contents
What is the Recreation Center Like?
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This recreation center is found at 1300 East Center Street. It sits on the land of the Utah State Hospital. This hospital helps people with mental health needs. Many believe this amphitheater was one of the first and largest built in Utah.
The recreation center covers about three acres of land. Its amphitheater can seat 800 people. There are also indoor rooms attached to it. The amphitheater is built right into the hillside next to the hospital.
A Castle-Like Design
The building is made almost entirely of stone. The attached rooms and two-story towers are also stone. These towers are found at the southeast and northwest corners. The towers and the "battlements" (like the tops of castle walls) make the building look like a castle.
One large indoor room with a fireplace is connected to the southeast tower. Above this room, on its flat roof, is another fireplace. This open-air area is perfect for social gatherings. Stone ramps on both the north and south sides lead to the amphitheater. These ramps connect it to a grassy play area below.
Who Built It?
Lavar S. Morris was in charge of designing the plans. He also supervised the building work on site. There were plans to build more fun areas later. These included tennis courts, a handball court, and pretty gardens. However, the recreation center remains the only main recreational spot near the hospital.
For many years, from 1971 to 1997, this place was famous. It hosted the annual Haunted Castle during Halloween. The center was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 9, 1986.
Why is This Place Important?
The time of the Great Depression hit Utah very hard. This was a period in the 1930s when many people lost their jobs. Utah had a very high unemployment rate in 1933, about 36 percent. This was the fourth highest in the entire country. On average, 25 percent of people were unemployed between 1932 and 1940.
Because Utah was struggling more than other states, it received a lot of help. The national government sent more money to Utah than to many other states. In the 1930s, Utah was ninth highest in federal spending per person.
Helping During Hard Times
Many public buildings were built using this money from the government. The Recreation Center for the Utah State Hospital is historically important for this reason. It shows how new government programs helped during this tough time. These programs were part of the "New Deal." The center was built between 1936 and 1937. It stands as a reminder of how federal help made a difference.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Utah County, Utah
- Utah State Training School Amphitheater and Wall in American Fork, also WPA-built and NRHP-listed
