Hotel Roberts (Provo, Utah)

Hotel Roberts was a historic hotel located in central Provo, Utah, United States, that was formerly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hotel Roberts
Frozen fountain in the central courtyard of Hotel Roberts, January 1917
Location192 South University Avenue (US-189)
Provo, Utah
United States
Built1882
Architectural styleMission Revival Style architecture
NRHP reference No.79002516
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 26, 1979
Removed from NRHPApril 28, 2005

Description

The former hotel, which was built in 1882, was located at 192 South University Avenue (US-189).[1] The Mission-style hotel was a famous landmark and a center of Provo social activity for much of the early 20th century.[1][2] Following its construction, Hotel Roberts was considered "the most luxurious hotel in the Utah Territory."[2] It also served briefly as the Language Training Mission (now called the Missionary Training Center) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Church).[3]

In December 1919 the hotel was purchased by Mark Anderson who would later serve as Mayor of Provo and the namesake of the Provo power plant, "The Mark Anderson Utility Center." The hotel remained in the family for many years and was run by Anderson's son, Mark Anderson Jr, until he retired in 1995 at the age of 76 when the family sold the hotel because the upkeep was too much.

In later years, Hotel Roberts fell into serious disrepair, with profound structural and water damage, and was largely known as a residence for transients.[3] Neglect by the owners and lack of community support to maintain the building led to its demolition in November 2004.[1]

The hotel had been added to the National Register of Historic Places July 26, 1979, but was removed on April 28, 2005.

In December 2010 the nearby Provo Tabernacle (located a block to the north and was built one year after the construction of the Hotel Roberts) was nearly completely destroyed by a fire.[4] That structure was later refurbished into the Church's Provo City Center Temple. The site of the former hotel was sold to the Church and became the southernmost part of the grounds of the temple, with a single-level parking garage built below ground level.[5]

See also

References
  1. Decker, Marin (November 9, 2004). "Provo's Hotel Roberts is razed: Efforts to save the historic landmark are unsuccessful". Deseret News. Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  2. Pugmire, Genelle (March 1, 2011). "RDA to purchase Hotel Roberts property". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Ogden Newspapers. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  3. "Historic Provo hotel to be renovated". The Daily Universe. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University. April 17, 1997. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  4. "Fire guts Provo Tabernacle". ksl.com. Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. December 17, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  5. Pugmire, Genelle (September 28, 2011). "Provo votes to sell Hotel Roberts property to LDS Church". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Ogden Newspapers. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
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