David Keith Mansion

Park City silver built this house. David Keith, who with his partner Thomas Kearns turned the Silver King mine into one of the great fortunes of the West — over ten million dollars in a fifteen-year span — raised this Neoclassical mansion of Sanpete limestone on South Temple between 1898 and 1900, its grandest space an octagonal room rising two stories to a domed stained-glass ceiling. Designed by the architect Frederick Hale, it stands among the mansions the mining kings built along this street. Keith's money reached beyond the house: he helped bankroll the Salt Lake Tribune.

What the plaque says

This building was designed by Frederick Albert Hale, a prominent Utah architect, and constructed of Sanpete limestone between 1898 and 1900. Characteristic of the Neoclassical style, it incorporates colossal colonnades, a pedimented portico, and symmetrical facade. Architectural features on the interior include an octagonal-shaped room that extends two stories high and is capped by a domed, stained-glass window. Built for David Keith and his family, this home reflects a style of living made possible through the success of the Park City mining industry. Keith, in cooperation with Thomas Kearns and others, helped to build the Silver King Coalition Mines Company which extracted more than ten million dollars in minerals between 1892 and 1907. Keith's influence extended to other areas, including his help in financing and publishing the "Salt Lake Tribune," building this substantial home on what was then called Brigham Street, developing businesses, and making charitable contributions. Keith, along with his wife and son, lived here until 1916. The property was then sold to Ezra Thompson, mayor of Salt Lake, who lived here with his family until 1939. Between 1939 and 1968 the house was occupied by H. Ross and Norinne Thompson Brown. The building has been owned by Leucadia National Corp from 1978 until present, directed by philanthropist Ian M. Cumming. It has been preserved by Mr. Cumming since that time. Marker placed in 2018

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Salt Lake City — 0.8 mi
  Utah's capital and largest city — where the Wasatch Range meets the Great Salt Lake.
• Temple Square — 0.8 mi
  The spiritual and architectural heart of Salt Lake City
• Ensign Peak — 1.5 mi
  A short hike to the spot where Brigham Young surveyed the valley
• Liberty Park — 1.7 mi
  Salt Lake Citys beloved 80-acre urban park since 1882

More markers nearby

• Thomas Kearns Mansion and Carriage House — steps away
• Gentsch-Thompson House — steps away
• 20 th Ward Meetinghouse — steps away
• Simon Bamberger House — 0.2 mi