The Devereaux Home in a woodcut print in 1875. In 1858, Utah Territory Gov. Brigham Younger met his successor, Gov. Alfred Cumming, within the mansion. Deseret Information archives
Devereaux Home in January 1990. The house was used for a few years as a reception heart. Gerald Silver, Deseret Information Archives
Heritage Gardens on the Devereaux Home at 340 W. South Temple in Salt Lake Metropolis. Michael Brandy, Deseret Information
The historic Devereaux Home suffered intensive hearth injury in August 1979. Deseret Information Archives
At my first Deseret Information barbecue, we had been whisked away to a courtyard with a mansion standing alongside it. I had seen this mansion earlier than — it’s on the Triad Middle property in Salt Lake Metropolis, the place the Deseret Information places of work are additionally positioned. However it wasn’t till that day that I realized the reality.
A “haunted” mansion stands proper subsequent to the Deseret Information.
The mansion is named the Devereaux Home and it's Salt Lake Metropolis’s earliest mansion. The architect William Paul designed this two-story Victorian home. Full with an enormous property that includes vineyards, stables and decorative gardens, the Devereaux Home shortly became a Utah institution and a marker of Utah society, in line with the Utah Historic Markers web site, which is a undertaking in collaboration with the Utah State Historic Society.
Devereaux Home in January 1990. The house was used for a few years as a reception heart.
Gerald Silver, Deseret Information Archives
Who first owned the Devereaux Home?
The home was first owned by William Staines, who offered it to Brigham Younger’s son, Joseph Angell Younger. Joseph Younger owned the home from 1865 to 1867 earlier than promoting it to William Jennings, who generously expanded the home.
On June 21, 1930, the Deseret Information described Jennings’ expansions: “He (Jennings) added to the unique lot a number of items of actuality in the identical block and outmoded the Staines cottage with this then pretentious mansion, constructing onto the cottage. Whereas retaining and importing the uncommon orchards, flowers and shrubs of just about all kinds, the place quickly grew to become famous for its magnificence and the hospitality as a spot the place distinguished guests had been entertained with a lavish hand.”
Jennings was one thing of a mercantile mogul when he arrived to Salt Lake Metropolis. His companies had been all centralized in Eagle Emporium, which was offered and became the Zion Cooperative Mercantile Establishment.
The speedy progress in Salt Lake Metropolis contributed to Jennings’ standing as Utah’s first millionaire. He amassed his wealth by means of his mercantile companies and his investments in transportation, in line with the Utah Division of State Historical past. He grew to become the mayor of Salt Lake Metropolis from 1882 to 1885.
The home will get its French identify from Jennings’ household property in Yardley, England. After Jennings’ demise in 1886, the home was offered in 1890 and have become an oddity in Salt Lake Metropolis as the rich started to maneuver to the Avenues and Capitol Hill as a substitute.
The house later grew to become an alcohol remedy heart and was later restored and used as a reception heart. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acquired the mansion in 2005 and periodically makes use of it for occasions.
Heritage Gardens on the Devereaux Home at 340 W. South Temple in Salt Lake Metropolis.
Michael Brandy, Deseret Information
Who or what haunts the Devereaux Home?
There are two ghosts stated to dwell on the Devereaux Home.
A younger woman is rumored to hang-out the home. In line with Utah Haunted Homes, individuals have seen somewhat woman who's dressed like she is from the 1850s lurking round the home. Some have claimed to have noticed her within the upstairs window as she sings or hums to herself.
She is reported to be seen in pictures as properly. Some have speculated that she is one in every of Jennings’ daughters. Whereas the jury’s nonetheless out if this ghosts exists or not, individuals declare that she’s extra playful than scary. This little ghost woman is alleged to play tips on the workers who work in the home, however is in any other case a mellow ghost.
Individuals have claimed to see one other spirit within the Devereaux Home — and this one is supposedly not so mellow.
An grownup girl can also be rumored to lurk round the home. Some assume that she could have as soon as been a housekeeper, however she is alleged to be an aggressive ghost, in line with KSL-TV. She can also be stated to guard the mansion from misuse by throwing issues on the bottom.
The historic Devereaux Home suffered intensive hearth injury in August 1979.
Deseret Information Archives
That’s not all of the haunts this home could include. The home can also be rumored to have doorways that shut by themselves and peculiar chilly spots. The Deseret Information reported on these hauntings in 1959.
Whether or not or not you imagine the Devereaux Home is haunted, it’s a stupendous constructing that’s stuffed with historical past. And it’s definitely value strolling by. This spooky home is at the moment used for infrequent receptions and social gatherings — leaving loads of time for the supposed ghosts to lurk round by themselves, however this mansion has even made cameos. “Dumb & Dumber” briefly shot exterior this iconic Utah constructing.