Canute Peterson House, 10 North Main Street, Ephraim

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS UTAH,20-EPHRA,1-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

This is a fine example of an early home "built "by a Mormon leader who was often host to Wilford Woodruff in the days of persecution of polygamists. PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical Hisotry: 1. Original and subsequent owners: Canute Peterson Richard Nibley 2. Date of erection: 3. Architect: Believed to be William H. Folsom, Archi- tect of the Manti Temple. k. Original plan and construction of building: Mr. Eldon L. Frost describes events as follows: "The quarter-block across from the Tabernacle was selected for his future residence. A creek crossed the road in front of the present home. He proceeded to get material for such a home and to his surprise and enthusiasm, a group of Elders and churchmen came and offered their services to erect his home.

A small rock and brick home was erected running east- ward. Later it was extended to the proportions which now constitute the home. CANUTE PETERSON HOUSE HABS No. U-6U (Page 2) "At that time many fine artisans were arriving in the community from Europe. Some of the fine stone and "brick layers were Peter C. Breinholt, and A. C. Nielsin, commonly known as "Mor- mon Preacher". Ukermann, of Ukermann's Planing Mill fame was an expert in wood-carving, design- ing and production. I am inclined to believe that some of these fine artisans had something to do with the "building of the home. William W. Folsom, the architect of the Manti Temple, who was a very close friend to grandfather, may also have had a part in the designing and construction.

Records seem to bear out that he spent several years at Ephraim and mostly with the Peterson family. "It has been mentioned that the brick came from Manti, where a brick kiln was in existence at that time and did quite a business throughout the country. The fine red cedar joists must have been taken from the hills above Ephraim. The rock undoubtedly came from the rock quarry sites north-east of Ephraim. Two of his sons later operated two quarries, their names were P. C. Peterson, Sr. , and Jacob Peterson. The original homestead ran from the Bank corner to the Enter- prize building and east to the William G. Barton residence. There was a "half-lot" in the cen- ter of the block which was part of the property. His barn and granary- were well known for their fine construction and arrangement.

" 5. Alterations and additions: The original small rock and brick home was extended to the present proportions. Date unknown. The ori- ginal front porch which has been removed will be replaced. The back porch was enclosed subsequent to the original construction. The rear porch posts are original on new concrete slab. Original wall- papered plaster being replaced with wallpapered gypsum board in some rooms. Original chair rails and ceiling mouldings have been removed. * CANUTE PETERSON HOUSE HABS No. U-6U (Page 3) B.

Historical Events and Persons Associated with the Building Paul Goeldner in the Utah Catalogue of the Historic Amer- ican Buildings Survey relates the following: "Increasingly harsh anti-polygamy lavs were enacted by Congress in the and polygamists "were not only disfranchised but the men were subject to arrest, fines and imprisonment. Places of concealment were necessary and the Canute Peterson House provides an ingenious solution. A trap door in the dining room floor opens to a shallow crawl space. This door is sufficiently obvious or betrayable to have warranted the investigation of the U. S. Marshals, but it was merely a delaying device to permit, the use of the 'real' polygamy pit, a larger space reached through a trap door in the guest room floor.

When this was covered with a rug and a bed it concealed the fugi- tive safely, if not comfortably. It is ironic that Wilford Woodruff, whose patriotism had led him to be baptized, for the signers of the Declaration of Independence, had to be hidden from U. S. Officers when he was a guest of Peterson's at the time of the dedication of the Manti Temple." C. Sources of Information: Frost, Eldon L., letter . . supplement 2, Goeldner, Paul, Utah Catalog Historic American Buildings Survey, Utah Heritage Foundation, Salt Lake City, Utah, Historical data (attached) prepared by John L. G-iusti. Knell, Lee C., letter . . . supplement 1. Prepared by Gary D. Forbush December, PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1.

Architectural interest: This is a fine early Utah house made more interesting by its polygamy pits. 2. Condition of fabric: Excellent - undergoing restora- tion. CANUTE PETERSON HOUSE HABS No. (Page k) B. Description of Exterior: 1. Over-all dimensions: A x te'lO", two-story, rectangular house with attic and partial "basement. 2. Foundations: Limestone. 3. Wall construction, finish, and color: Sun-dried yellow "brick. Adobe interior partitions. h. Structural system, framing: Masonry walls. Heavy timber floor and roof framing. 5- Porches and stoops: The front porch has "been re- moved although it is planned to replace it as in old photos. The rear porch posts are original on new concrete slab. 6. Chimneys: Four brick. The three on the ridgeline have ornamental brick caps.

One at northeast corner is more recent. 7- Openings: a. Doorways and doors: Front entrance and door above: U-panel doors with transoms and side- lights in deep paneled frames. Rear door - glazed panel above, two-panels below, 6 light transom. b. Windows: Double hung: Six-over-six at south and west; nine-over-six at north and east. 8. Roof: a. Shape, covering: Gahle with single slope porch and lean-to at rear. Green, composition shingles on gable. New cedar shingles at rear. b. Cornice, eaves: Cornice all the way around has large dentils , an a.pplique swag and paired brackets with pendants. CANUTE PETERSON HOUSE HABS No. (Page 5) C. Description of Interior: 1. Floor plans: a.

First floor - Entrance and stairhall with parlor on right, dining room on left, kitchen at center rear with pantry at left, guest room at right. New room at northeast replaces old summer kitchen. to. Basement under parlor - False polygamy pit under dining room; polygamy pit under guest room. c. Second floor - Bedrooms over each first floor room. d. Attic - Open space with walls below projecting up through floor. 2. Stairways: Stair in entrance hall has closed stringer carved in a twisted curve at winders. . Treads and risers are exposed and finished on underside. Balus- ters are large and wide-spaced. Basement stairs under stairs to second floor. 3. Flooring: Random width pine "boards. h.

Wall and ceiling finish: Original wallpapered plaster toeing replaced with wallpapered gypsum hoard in some rooms. 5. Doorways and doors: Four panel in simple framed openings. Doors at left and right of entrance have top and bottom panels horizontal. Two long vertical panels between. 6. Decorative features and trim: Simple mouldings at splayed window openings. Original chair rails and ceiling moulding have been removed. T. Notable hardware: Porcelain knobs. 8. Lighting, type of fixtures: New electric. 9. Heating: Large fireplace in dining room has mar- bleized wood mantel. Other rooms were heated with stoves which have been removed. CANUTE PETERSON HOUSE HABS No. U-6H (Page 6) D. Site and Surroundings: 1. Orientation: The house faces Main Street (U. S. Highway 89) at west.

Crowded "by two-story hank building at south. 2. Outbuildings: A granary to the northeast has been partially demolished. 3. Landscaping and walks, enclosures: A picket fence curves in at entrance walk. Four large trees (three locusts and an elm) shade the front. Prepared by Paul Goeldner, AIA Supervisory Architect Utah Project August 27, PART III. PROJECT INFORMATION This record is part of a Utah Survey conducted in the summers of and under joint sponsorship of the Historic American Buildings Survey of the Office of Archeology and Historic Pre- servation of the National Park Service and the Utah Heritage Foundation.

Field work, historic research and record drawings were done under the direction of Project Supervisor Paul Goeldner, AIA (Texas Tech University) assisted by Project Historian John L. Giusti, AIA (University of Utah). Photographs were made by P. Kent Fairbanks of Salt Lake City. Student Assistant Architects on the team were Robert M. Swanson and Charles W. Barrow, (University of Texas) and Kenneth L. Lambert and Keith Sorenson, (University of Utah). Student Assistant Architects were Keith Sorenson, Charles D. Harker and Robert Schriever, (University of Utah), and Donald G. Prycer, (Texas A. & M. University). #