Sandy City Historic District

This hand-drawn map was produced by Albert Hardcastle, Sr., in about 1880.

Mrs. Pearson's restaurant on the right and "Swede Saloon" on the left.

Photo taken after 1913.

Pioneers came into the Sandy area in the 1860's. It was a farming community with few people and widely spaced homes. When mining began in the nearby canyons and the railroad arrived in 1877, Sandy changed from a quiet agricultural village to a booming mining town. This blog wishes to take you back to this time where the Italians, Greeks, and other groups arrived by the hundreds, and when the Mormon settlers were soon outnumbered by those of other faiths.

The ideal location of Sandy also quickly attracted the businesses associated with mining such as smelters and sampling mills for testing the ores brought down from the mines. These businesses provided hundreds of lucrative, but dangerous and sometimes unsteady jobs for young, strong men. But unlike other boom towns such as Alta some of the men who became involved in mining also had other sources of income such as farming, or business endeavors.

The sudden influx of business resulting from the placement of the railroad also brought on the massive growth of the downtown area. In no time at all Sandy was a one-mile square town containing many thriving businesses including 17 saloons, several hotels, and even a ZCMI Co-op.

In 1893 Sandy's population was over 1000 and Sandy incorporated and passed its first ordinances. The first Mayor was Arthur J. Cushing and laws were enforced to create a more civil town. Failure of of the mines in the early 1900's forced many people to leave and Sandy once again became a quiet agricultural community.

By 1900 there were only 4 saloons in town, all of which were owned by Mormons. By 1910 the total population was 1,716, and 54 percent of the population was under the age of 18. Home construction also grew on the East side of the tracks and spread out creating several more blocks. Building construction improved, and slowed down, which indicated the willingness of people to stay in the community. Sandy became well known for its farming crops such as beets, alfalfa, and peaches.

This short film takes you back to Sandy in the 1880's.  I hope you enjoy this film and the other two films posted on this site.

Railroad Junction - 1871

Utah Central Railroad Depot

Approx. 8760 South Railroad Street

Looking Northwest: The train Depot is the dark building on the right.

As the mines, mills,and smelters flourished during the early 1870's Sandy became the essential “Railroad Junction” for all the mining town railroads. According to the “Midvale Sentinel,” in 1871, the Southern Railway Company, later known ad the Utah Central Railroad, built their station house in Sandy because the town's altitude “being the highest point from which the branch road could be built to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon”. The railway company built a freight and passenger depot and and eating establishment. In addition, it phased out the Pony Express and brought more business to the city.

By 1872, Steam engines were hauling ore out of the little Cottonwood Canyon to Sandy. They also carried granite rock for the LDS Temple, the State capitol building, the Masonic Lodge, the U.S. Post Office and several other Salt Lake City buildings. Prior to the railroad, teams of oxen were relied upon to laboriously haul the heavy tonnage. Sometimes it took several days to make the trip.

Although Standard gauge tracks(4' 8-1/2” between rails) were used between Sandy and Salt Lake City, the Wasatch and Jordan Valley railroad was a narrow gauge(3' between rails) track that joined with the Bingham and Camp Floyd railway to carry ore to the sampling mills and smelters in Sandy. It has been said the narrow gauge tracks were the best size to handle the mine cars and the steepness of the mountain. Where the different types of of tracks and railroads met, cars would have to be unloaded and then reloaded to a different train before they could be on there way again. Between 1888 and 1890, all railroads in the United States agreed to conform to the standard gauge track. Although the rail tracks connecting Historic Sandy to Little Cottonwood Canyon have long since been abandoned, removed, in many areas the right-of-way still exists and can be seen in several locations.

ZCMI Co-op Store - 1890

Fire Department 1939-1984

Sandy Museum 1987-present

The ZCMI co-operative system serviced more than 150 communities in the intermountain area with retail commodities and services beginning in 1868. The Sandy Co-op building was constructed in 1890 with the mercantile store on the bottom floor which was the farmers, miners, and even the Indians main hub for trading and bought goods in the area. There also was a social hall on the top floor where dances and other social events were held weekly as the main social gatherings in the area.

Later when Sandy Co-op closed down, the bottom level was used by a variety of occupants including Jenkins Funeral Parlor from 1908 until 1912. During this time period a huge advertisement for "Bull Durham" was painted on the outside south wall.

In 1912, Mingo Lodge No. 6 Knights of Pythias purchased the building to be used as a lodge hall and rental for other social functions. It was referred to as the "K.P. Lodge" during this time period. And in 1939 Sandy City purchased the building as an interim fire station until a new facility was built in 1984 at another location.

The building lay empty until October 10, 1987 when it was once again opened to the public as the Historic Sandy Museum. The museum has stayed in the building to this day and contains an assortment of historical objects which have all been donated by citizens in the community.

The building is made of non-reinforced masonry construction of low fire brick on a quartzite-granite foundation. Located across the street was a Utah Southern Railroad Station. And fortunately it survived the vibration of a great many trains during Sandy's coming of age.

8720 South (Historic Main Street)

Hardcastle Gem Saloon during Sandy's colorful hard-rock

and hard-drinking days. 

During the days when Sandy was a rough western mining town, it's been said 17 or so saloons were strung out along Main Street and frequented by residents, travelers, and miners. In those days, ice boxes were few, and rarely found in the kitchen. Instead ice was cut in the nearby pond, stored in a shed in the back of the building, and covered with sawdust. When insulated like this ice would last for nearly a year. 

Main Street parade after 1913

By1900 Sandy had become a more respectable town with only 4 saloons, and much more variety in businesses. And on the 4^th of July 1907 street cars began to run through Main Street from Salt Lake City.

123 East: Built in 1914, this brick building originally housed the the Anderson Meat Market which later moved across the street and left the building to become Sandy's Post Office. In 1924 it was paired with a new bay construction on the west side.

115 East: This building with the typical former saloon corner entrance originally was the “Swede Saloon” and then in 1916 became the Damifino Saloon. But in 1930 it became the Anderson's Meat Market which previously had been where the post office was.

179 East: Jensen & Kuhre Lumber & Hardware Company was a busy enterprise from the early 1900's to 1935. This was one of many businesses developed by the prominent Sandy residents James Jensen and William D. Kuhre. Today it has been expanded greatly from the original storefront while the coal sheds and main grocery store across the street have long since been demolished.

212 East: Sandy City Bank opened its doors in 1907 during a thriving economy. Even though mining jobs were dying down the farmers were earning a great living raising sugar beets. The banks exterior pilasters and arches have been restored but only a hint remains of its ornate ballustraded parapet that once rose high above the face of its exterior walls.

      

Holman Block 1871-1910

142 East Main Street

During the Mining Era and the early 1900's block construction was very popular. Block construction was where all of the buildings in a block were built side by side so that the total construction took up the entire block. The Holman block is one example of this type of construction.

The West side of the building,the Hewlett & Hughes Barber Shop of Sandy was begun in the 1880's when Joseph H. Hewlett and his father, Thomas, arrived from Brigham City. Joseph operated the barber shop until his death in 1909 when his son, William, assumed the business. Meanwhile, Arthur Hughes was working as a barber in the partnership of Smith & Hughes. In 1919 Hewlett and Hughes formed a partnership which continued for many years.

The Victorian building constructed in 1905 was used as a barber shop with the rear rooms devoted to storage. The brick frieze above the storefront contains a recessed panel for advertising.

In many ways the Hewlett & Hughes Barber Shop appears to be older than the attached building to the east, the Alva Hansen Drugstore. However, this is probably not the case. Interior construction reveals that it was built later. The concrete addition in the rear housed a jail.

The East side of the building was built in 1971. it was a drug store, and later on had a soda fountain. It also had a courthouse attached to it.

Earnest and Sadie Cushing Home - 1894

60 East 8530 South

Earnest Cushing standing at his store front that was 

attached to the South end of the Marriott House on Sandy's Main street. 

This home is typical of many homes built in Utah around the turn of the century. Completed in 1894, the home is a one story crosswing type Victorian style house. The front porch was added or changed in the 1930's, perhaps at the same time as the 1933 rear addition. Another addition was completed 1960, this time with wood frame construction.

Ernest was raised by his mother, Ellen Cushing and stepfather Arthur Cushing in the home which is the next stop on this walking tour. He married Sarah Ann Cooper(Sadie) in 1894. According to family histories, Ernest had saved enough money to have the house built, purchase a horse and buggy, and allow Sadie to pick out furniture, all before they were married.

Ernest worked as a clerk and laborer for the USS and ASSR&M companies in Sandy. Ernest learned the mercantile business from his father-in-law, William Cooper, and later opened a small store which was attached to the south end of the Marriott House. His modest store offered a limited variety of goods such as grain, flour, feed for livestock, and groceries.

Ernest was active in the community, he served on the Sandy City Council and played the horn in the Sandy City Band. The family raised vegetable gardens and had horses to draw their cutters and surreys. Sadie was a fine horsewoman and rode side-saddle. The couple lived in the house until Ernest's death in 1933. Sadie then moved to Salt Lake City and left the home to her daughter, Maxine Cushing Anderson.

Arthur J. Cushing Home - 1880

530 South 115 East

Ellen Maria Major Cushing

Arthur John Cushing

Built in 1880 and owned by Arthur J. and Ellen Cushing, the home still reflects Mr. Cushing's fine eye for detail and tidiness. It is said Mr. Cushing was “very fussy about his home and especially his yard.” It was not unusual for him to pay his grandsons 15 cents to clean the entire yard, making certain not one leaf was out of place.

In those years, an oval fireplace made of black onyx highlighted the parlor while two solid walnut rocking chairs, colored glass vases, and a black mohair couch graced the living room.

Arthur J Cushing was a very prominent man in the mining circles in Utah for many years. He became connected with the Emma Mining Company at Alta. In the early 70's, he went to the Pioneer Sampling Mill and became the manager for many years. Mr. Cushing was also in charge of the mineral exhibits from Utah at the World Fair at Chicago. He gave many mineral collections to the schools around the valley. He was a member of the convention when Utah became a State; and he was also the first mayor of Sandy.

Ellen Maria Cushing was previously married to William Major and had one son, Ernest. She divorced her first husband shortly after their marriage and married Arthur Cushing on Dec. 24, 1870. Theirs was a happy marriage, and they were blessed with three children; Arthur G., May , and Albert. Mrs Cushing was an expert piece-quilt maker and well known for her meat pies, beef suet pudding and plum pudding. The Cushing's were very frugal in nature and gave service to the church and community in many ways.

Pioneer Sampling Mill - 1874

Approx. 8580-8586 South 150 East (Center Street)

Looking West

Looking East

This mill was the largest and longest sampling mill operating in Sandy. Extracted ore from the mines was run through a series of rollers and crushers and assayed for metal content before being taken by rail to ports on the West Coast. Once loaded into the barges, this ore was shipped to Northeast Europe. Because the ore was of such high grade it was very profitable, earning more then $100 per ton. Some of the ore also was taken to the Mingo Smelter and was processed there. The profit from the smelter for the ore being in Sandy was much more lucrative then sending it to Europe.

The mill was constructed from wood with sheet metal sides. Electric lighting and heat by coal was provided in the mill. In 1887, the mill was destroyed by fire and rebuilt within a month. Every year, the Pioneer Sampling Mill was cleaned out and decorated for one of the social highlights of the year: The Annual Masked ball.

During the day, Richard Macintosh ran the plant until Arthur Cushing arrived to take over on the night shift. James Smith was engineer and William D Kuhre was the bookkeeper. Sharing a fate similar to the other Sandy sampling mills, the mill was closed in 1907. In 1914, it was finally torn down and the lumber sold.

Kuhre Mansion - 1887

William Kuhre

Exterior: Now known as the 1887 Hansen House

Bed & Breakfast

8586 South 150 East (Center Street)

Current Interior: It has been completely remodeled to represent the turn

of the century living.

One of the earliest brick houses in Sandy, the Kuhre home represents the largest and only example of the four-square style construction in Sandy. There was extensive remodeling in 1910 which gives it and early 20^th century feel. The full width porch was not original,but was added on during the remodeling. Later the house was also stuccoed on the exterior and the roof was replaced.

William Dobbie Kuhre became an orphan at the age of 21/2 years of age when his parents were attacked and killed by a band of Indians right outside the town of Ephriam, Utah. William was the only family member who survived the attack, and was adopted by the Dobbie family who were kind and loving to him. Shortly after they adopted William they moved to Salt Lake City.

In 1881, at age 18 William began working at the Pioneer Sampling Company as a bookkeeper, and soon became an influential leader in business, religious, civic, and educational activities in Sandy. He was very industrious, honest and trustworthy in all that he did. Throughout the years he served in many community and religious capacities such as Mayor, school board member, LDS Bishop at age 36, and Patriarch. For years he was the bookkeeper for the Pioneer Ore Sampling Company. As a businessman he was a partner in Jensen and Kuhre Lumber and Hardware Co, and was regularly active in real estate.

He married Alice a. Drown of West Jordan in 1886. They were the parents of nine children. Alice was retiring in nature, but a wonderful mother and housekeeper. She loved to sew and work in her garden with the flowers. Much of the success of her good husband was to her credit in encouraging him and helping him in his civic and church assignments during the years.

After Alice died in 1933, William married Christine Jensen Wilson and lived to the ripe old age of 96.

Bateman Agriculture and Development Company- 1911

This lot previously contained the Anderson Sampling Mill and the Salt Lake Creamery Co. But in 1911Bateman A&D Co, was built on the site to provide hay for out-of-state ranches and then it included grain, feed, and coal for local residents.

A single story commercial building, it is made of stretcher bond bricks. A brick frame and storage area are attached on the south side of the building. Living quarters are housed in both the storage area and in the main building. Before the Mid 1930's, a kitchen and utility porch were added.

The store was one of several properties owned by William Bateman, one of Sandy's most respected and prosperous citizens. He operated the store which is located on the east bank of the canal near the railroad station and adjacent to the coal yard. In 1917 he turned the enterprise over to his son, George, who handled the store entirely from his wheelchair until his death in 1938.

Severely paralyzed from an accident in which a coal wagon overturned and pinned him down, George Bateman nevertheless exuded hopeful enthusiasm. He was involved in many civic positions, and in charge of specific tree-spraying management for the County as well as managing a successful business.

After Goerge's death his wife, Melreha, maintained the business until 1941. Until it closed its doors, the Bateman A&D Co. was a lively place for gathering, socializing, and transacting business.