William H. Ray House facts for kids
The William H. Ray House is a special old house located in Provo, Utah, at 415 South University Avenue. It was built around 1898 and is known for its unique style, mixing Romanesque Revival and classical designs. This house is important because it belonged to William H. Ray, a successful businessman who helped start the State Bank of Provo. The William H. Ray House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, which means it's recognized as a historically important building.
Quick facts for kids |
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William H. Ray House
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William H. Ray House
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | 415 South University Provo, Utah |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1898 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| MPS | Entreprenurial Residences of Turn-of-the-Century Provo TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004178 |
| Added to NRHP | July 23, 1982 |
Contents
Provo's Grand Victorian Homes
Between 1893 and 1908, many beautiful Victorian-style mansions were built in Provo, Utah. These homes are important because they show off amazing architecture. They also belonged to some of the most successful people in the city and state at that time.
Famous Houses in Provo
The William H. Ray House is one of these special homes. Other famous houses from this time include the Charles E. Loose House, the Knight–Allen House, the John R. Twelves House, the Jesse Knight House, the Knight–Mangum House, and the Thomas N. Taylor House.
Architectural Styles
These grand homes were built in many different fancy styles. Some of these styles include Eastlake, Shingle, Craftsman, Italianate, Classical, Moorish, Colonial, and Romanesque Revivals. Most of these houses are made of brick. They feature the most detailed and beautiful designs found anywhere in Provo.
Who Was William H. Ray?
William H. Ray was born on December 30, 1864, in Gentry County, Missouri. He grew up on a farm. He became a teacher and worked in several states before moving to Salt Lake City in 1890.
Ray's Early Career
In Salt Lake City, William H. Ray worked as a car inspector for railroad companies. Even with a small salary, he started investing in real estate. In just five years, he became the main partner in W. H. Ray Company. This company grew to be the biggest real estate business in the area.
Family and Later Life
In 1894, William H. Ray married Lottie L. Chappell. They had six children together. He was a member of the Provo Community Congregational Church. William H. Ray passed away on October 31, 1936, and was buried in Provo.
Protecting History
The William H. Ray House was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This listing was part of a bigger project that recognized several important houses in Provo.
Other Historic Homes
Six houses in Provo were added to the National Register at that time. Besides the William H. Ray House, these included the Knight–Mangum House, the John R. Twelves House, the Jesse Knight House, the Knight–Allen House, and the Thomas N. Taylor House. Another house, the Charles E. Loose House, was also considered important but was not officially listed because its owner did not want it to be.
