Richard K. A. Kletting Park

If one architect shaped how Utah looks, it was Richard Kletting. Born in Germany in 1858 and trained there and in Paris — where he worked on the Bon Marché and Sacré-Cœur — he came to Salt Lake City in 1883 and became the territory's most sought-after designer. His hand is everywhere in the state's landmark buildings; his masterworks are the Utah State Capitol and the great Moorish bathing palace of Saltair on the Great Salt Lake. This park carries the name of the immigrant draftsman who gave Utah some of its grandest architecture.

What the plaque says

Richard Kletting, an immigrant born July 1, 1858 in Wurttemburg, Germany. Kletting was trained in engineering and architectural technology in Germany and France, where he worked on notable buildings, such as the Bon Marche and Sacred Coeur at Montmartre. Ketting came to the USA in 1883 and worked his way west settling in Salt Lake City. He began began his career as an architect working for and collaborating ideas with John Burton, who allowed him to draw the plans for the University of Deseret, now the University of Utah. Later he opened his own business as an independent architect in the old Deseret Bank Building. Kletting became prolific as an architect with endeavors that encompassed an extremely wide range including major commidions on residential, religious, commercial governmental, instutional public and resort structures. Some of those buildings are: the old Salt Palace, the world famous Salt Air Beach Pavilion, State Mental Hospital in Provo, Deseret News, McIntyre as well as schools in the immediate Salt Lake vicinity. Kletting's last and most significant architectural creation is also Utah's most cherished architectural possession, the Utah State Capitol. He was much noted for his extensive civic as well as professional work. In 1939, he was given the title of "Dean of Utah Architects." In 1964, Kletting Peak in the Uintah Mountains was named after him for his work in forestation and water conservation. In addition to his contibutions as an architect, Kletting's contribution to the neighborhood in the vicinity of the B St. Park that merit special attention. After arriving in Salt Lake, he designed and built a home for himself at 280 A St. He also designed the majority of the houses that now surround the park as well as the one that once occupied the lot where the park now sits. Kletting's interests were also in the technical training of the young people. Soon after arriving in Salt Lake City, he opened and for five years conducted, the first school in the city that gave instruction in geometry, algebra, languages and science. "Many modeled their work after his," and he has surely left Salt Lake City a rich architectural heritage.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Salt Lake City — 0.5 mi
  Utah's capital and largest city — where the Wasatch Range meets the Great Salt Lake.
• Temple Square — 0.6 mi
  The spiritual and architectural heart of Salt Lake City
• Ensign Peak — 1.2 mi
  A short hike to the spot where Brigham Young surveyed the valley
• Liberty Park — 2.0 mi
  Salt Lake Citys beloved 80-acre urban park since 1882

More markers nearby

• Brigham Young's Garden Wall — steps away
• Twentieth Ward School — steps away
• The Crismon Mill — 0.2 mi
• Anderson Tower (2) Markers — 0.2 mi