The recreation center covers three acres, seating 800 within its amphitheater and attached interior rooms. The amphitheater itself is set against the hillside next to the hospital. "It is constructed almost entirely of stone, as are the attached rooms and two-story towers at the southeast and northwest corners. The towers and the “battlements” of various sections of railing give the structure a castle-like appearance. Attached to the tower at the southeast corner is a large interior room with a fireplace, and above, on its flat roof, is another fireplace and an open-air area for social gatherings. Stone ramps at both the north and south sides provide access to the amphitheater from the grass play area at the base of the facility (Historic Preservation Research Office p. 2).”
The man responsible for drawing up the plans and supervising the work on site is Lavar S. Morris. Despite plans to eventually build additional recreational facilities on site, such as tennis courts, a handball court, and picturesque gardens, the recreation center remains the only recreational facility near the hospital.[2]
During the time of the great depression, the State of Utah was hit hard economically; harder than most of the states. The state had an unemployment rate of 36 percent in 1933, which was the fourth highest in the country. The unemployment rate averaged 25 percent over eight years, between 1932 and 1940. Due to this crisis, and the fact that Utah was worse off than other states, Utah received more federal assistance than many other states. Per capita federal spending in Utah in the 1930s was 9th highest among the 48 states.
Many public buildings were built with the funds now provided by the national government. This recreation center is historically significant because it represents and helps document the impact of New Deal programs enforced by the federal government during this time of crisis. The structure was built in 1936–37.[3]
^Roper, Roger (1986). "Utah State Historical Society, Historic Preservation Research Office, Structure/Site Information Form: Recreation Center for the Utah State Hospital". nps.gov. National Park Service. and accompanying two photos
^"Rec. Center for the Utah State Hospital". heritage.utah.gov. Utah Department of Heritage & Arts. Retrieved 22 Jun 2018.
Historic Preservation Research Office. Structure/Site Information Form.
Historic Provo. 2002 Provo City Landmarks Commission.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Recreation Center for the Utah State Hospital.
NRHP listings in Provo Utah
March 16, 2024
recreation, center, utah, state, hospital, recreation, center, utah, state, hospital, historic, amphitheater, eastern, provo, utah, united, states, that, listed, national, register, historic, places, national, register, historic, places, june, 2018show, utahsh. The Recreation Center For the Utah State Hospital is a historic amphitheater in eastern Provo Utah United States that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Recreation Center for the Utah State HospitalU S National Register of Historic PlacesRecreation Center for the Utah State Hospital June 2018Show map of UtahShow map of the United StatesLocation1300 East Center StreetProvo UtahUnited StatesCoordinates40 14 1 N 111 37 50 W 40 23361 N 111 63056 W 40 23361 111 63056Area1 6 acres 0 65 ha within 309 55 acre property of the Utah State Hospital Built1936 7Built byWorks Progress AdministrationMPSPublic Works Buildings TRNRHP reference No 86000746 1 Added to NRHPApril 9 1986 Contents 1 Description 2 Historical significance 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksDescription edit nbsp The amphitheater s castle tower June 2018The facility is located at 1300 East Center Street on the grounds of the Utah State Hospital a mental hospital operated by the Utah Department of Human Services It is believed to be one of the first and largest amphitheaters built in the state The recreation center covers three acres seating 800 within its amphitheater and attached interior rooms The amphitheater itself is set against the hillside next to the hospital It is constructed almost entirely of stone as are the attached rooms and two story towers at the southeast and northwest corners The towers and the battlements of various sections of railing give the structure a castle like appearance Attached to the tower at the southeast corner is a large interior room with a fireplace and above on its flat roof is another fireplace and an open air area for social gatherings Stone ramps at both the north and south sides provide access to the amphitheater from the grass play area at the base of the facility Historic Preservation Research Office p 2 The man responsible for drawing up the plans and supervising the work on site is Lavar S Morris Despite plans to eventually build additional recreational facilities on site such as tennis courts a handball court and picturesque gardens the recreation center remains the only recreational facility near the hospital 2 For nearly three decades 1971 1997 the facility was the site of the annual Haunted Castle during the Halloween season It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places April 9 1986 1 Historical significance editDuring the time of the great depression the State of Utah was hit hard economically harder than most of the states The state had an unemployment rate of 36 percent in 1933 which was the fourth highest in the country The unemployment rate averaged 25 percent over eight years between 1932 and 1940 Due to this crisis and the fact that Utah was worse off than other states Utah received more federal assistance than many other states Per capita federal spending in Utah in the 1930s was 9th highest among the 48 states Many public buildings were built with the funds now provided by the national government This recreation center is historically significant because it represents and helps document the impact of New Deal programs enforced by the federal government during this time of crisis The structure was built in 1936 37 3 See also edit nbsp National Register of Historic Places portal 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 listedReferences edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 Roper Roger 1986 Utah State Historical Society Historic Preservation Research Office Structure Site Information Form Recreation Center for the Utah State Hospital nps gov National Park Service and accompanying two photos Rec Center for the Utah State Hospital heritage utah gov Utah Department of Heritage amp Arts Retrieved 22 Jun 2018 Historic Preservation Research Office Structure Site Information Form Historic Provo 2002 Provo City Landmarks Commission External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Recreation Center for the Utah State Hospital NRHP listings in Provo Utah Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Recreation Center for the Utah State Hospital amp oldid 1059801450, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
