Historic Tooele City
The history and heritage of Tooele runs deep. We hope you enjoy this chronicle of our treasured buildings, stories, and people.
Kirk Hotel
The Kirk Hotel was built in 1928 by Philip and Maggie Kirk and had 164 rooms. Before its temporary closure in 1931 due to the Great Depression, the hotel was a popular place to hold ballroom parties and dinners. In 1934, Millie and Garth Jones resumed operations of the hotel and officially purchased the property in 1948. During this time, the hotel was a combination of short-term hotel rooms and longer rentals, and eventually, most were used as apartments. In 1973, the hotel underwent major renovations with an addition on the west wing and interior changes made to make apartments more livable. There are 42 total apartments in the building today. The hotel has also housed several commercial businesses, including a coffee shop, restaurants, and office space throughout the years.
Key Bank / North Ward Chapel
Originally the property was home to the North Ward Chuch. The North Ward was completed in 1914 and used for around 50 years before the property was sold, as the community wanted a larger and more modern space for worship. North Ward Church was demolished, and Beehive State Bank was built on the property and opened on September 1966. The bank merged with Ogden-based Commercial Security Bank in 1969. Later, Commerical Security merged with Key Bank, which still occupies the building today. The round-form building was built with one story, and in the 1980s, a second story was added.
2 N Main
2 North Main was estimated to have been built in 1895, but recently a facade restoration revealed a construction date of 1880.
14 N Main - Tooele Mercantille
14 North Main was built sometime before 1910. During the 1920s and 30s, there were several news articles about burglary attempts at the Tooele Mercantile Co. John Lindberg and his brother-in-law John J. Gillette founded the Tooele Mercantile Co. in 1897. Lindberg had learned shoemaking from his father and opened s small store in 1897 on South Main St. After serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he opened another shop in North Main St. In 1905, he went into business with John. J. Gillette to start the Tooele Mercantile Co. They tore down Lindberg's small shop and built a new one. They used the building next to 14 N. for the ladies' department for some years. In 1925, they tore down that building along with the Tooele Motor Company and built the new Tooele Mercantile Co. building that is still standing today at 36 N. Main. One article from 1935 is about two men that escaped from jail after an attempted robbery of the mercantile store. The Tooele Mercantile Co. owned and operated the building until the early 1930’s when the building was converted into a theater. The 1931 Sanborn map labels the building as a movie theater. The Utah State Historic Preservation Office in 1987 said that Lacey Hardware was in the building at some point. There is a newspaper ad from 1927, but no address on the ad to indicate where the business was located. Since 1956, the building was home to Radio Electric & Hardware Co for many years.
36 N Main - Tooele Merc
36 North Main was built to make a larger Tooele Mercantile Co. that was at 14 N. Main. The Tooele Mercantile Co. was owned by John Lindberg and his brother-in-law John J. Gillette. The building at 36 N. Main was built in 1925 and opened its doors in 1926. The space was owned by John J. Gillette and originally had the Tooele Motor Company and a store with the women’s department of the Tooele Mercantile Co. on the property. In 1930 they expanded the back of the store by about 100 feet and added appliances to the store. For many years the store had various window displays involving community happenings that are referred to in the newspaper. Both Lindberg and Gillette were involved in the community, with Lindberg serving on the city council and Gillette serving two terms as mayor. After some health problems, John J. Gillette moved to California in the late 1930s. After that time, John Lindberg and his family had exclusive control of the business. Lindberg worked very hard to make the Tooele Merc a success and often worked 16-hour days. Lindberg passed away in 1946, and his sons Mark J. and J. Allen Lindberg became co-managers of the store. In 1962, the Tooele Mercantile Co. bought the Strand theater next door to expand the store. The doors of the Tooele Merc closed in 1974 and was one of the longest-running businesses in Tooele. The store was sold to Jack Cox.
66 W Vine
66 West Vine was built in 1926. For most of its history, the building was used as the office of the Tooele County School District offices.
15-27 S Main
15 S. Main, 17 S. Main, and 27 S. Main are sections of buildings south of the Isgreen building and have had different buildings and businesses over the years. The 1910 and 1911 Sanborn maps show wooden structures that are no longer standing today. During those years 15 S. had a restaurant called The California Restaurant. The California Restaurant sold a full chicken dinner for only 25 cents. The current facade of 15 S. was constructed in 1979, but the original brick is likely still intact beneath.
8 W Vine
8 West Vine was built in 1920. In 1910 and 1911, the Sanborn maps show a small wooden structure with stairs indicating the building had two stories. The 1931 map shows the building that was built in 1920 and an addition to the original building. The building was a barber shop for several years. Francis and Butch Porter are shown in these photos.
1 N Main - Crystal Drug
1 North Main was built in 1893 and operated as Crystal Drug for almost 75 years. The Bevan family owned the business for those 75 years. Archibald Bevan completed a pharmacy course at Highland Park College, Iowa, in 1896. He was a member of the state pharmacy board for 19 years. Bevan also served as mayor of Tooele in 1903 and again in 1929. His son Dean Bevan took over in 1952 after his father's death. The name was changed to Bevan Drug and continued operating until 1970 when Bevan accepted a position as a pharmacist in Springville. The store closed, and the pharmacy part of the business merged with Hood Drug in the early 1970s.
5 N Main - Bateman & Tunnel Cafe
The original 5 North Main building was built in 1905. In 1915, an addition was added that wraps behind 1 N. Main. The store was part of Tooele Drug in the early 1900s, and Geo. R. Davis had a dentist's office on the second floor. The Tunnel Cafe, which is painted on the front of the building, is thought to have been in business around the 1920s. The Tunnel Cafe sign remained on the building for many years, even after the cafe was no longer in business. In 1954, Jay Bateman opened Bateman and Tooele Jewelry store. Bateman had been a jeweler for over 15 years at this point. He had a store in Salt Lake, had a store at the Strand Theater, and purchased Goins Jewelry in 1951. The same year they moved into 5 N. Main Bateman, an avid golfer, was struck by lightning while golfing and was still recovering when the store opened. In 1984, Jay Bateman opened Jay’s Jewelry around the corner on Vine street.
7 N Main
7 North Main was built in the early 1900’s sometime between 1906 and 1909. The Tooele County State Bank moved into the building in 1909. Before the building was completed, the bank used the county courthouse to conduct business. During the time at the courthouse, there was a failed robbery of the bank. John B. Gordon had been sleeping at the courthouse and heard noises and discovered the would-be robbers and scared them away. In 1913, the bank donated $100 dollars to the Ohio governor for flood relief from the statewide flooding that occurred in March of that year. Several lawyers had offices above the bank around 1917-1922. The bank announced its closure in January 1931.
11 N Main
11 North Main was built in 1907, with an addition added around 1918. An article published in the Deseret News in 1907 mentions the construction of a new building and it is thought to be 11 North Main. Vowels father originally had a meat shop that was run out of the basement of the family’s home. Vowles operated a meat and grocery store during the early 1900s. The store was originally Vowels and Evans Market. He had partnered with his brother-in-law, William Evans. When their partnership ended, it was known only as Vowels Market. Vowels had his own slaughterhouse to supply his shop. In 1957, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that the slaughterhouse was destroyed by fire. William Vowles passed away in 1918 after a lengthy illness at the age of 49.
7 W Vine - Veteran's Park
The current Veterans Memorial park is the site of the old South Ward Chapel, which was the first church in Tooele. It was the location of the original ticket booth for the Tooele Valley Railroad. The chapel was built in 1869 and was dedicated on April 29, 1870. The building was used for 90 years and was demolished in 1968. The land was used as a city park for many years, and many events like Fourth of July celebrations were held at the park. The present-day Veterans Memorial Park was officially established on May 30, 2005. There are several bronze statues commemorating veterans, including the most recent statue in 2018. The statue honors veterans who have died by suicide.
140 East 200 South - Tooele Valley Hospital
Constructed in 1953, the Tooele Valley Hospital replaced the original hospital that was located at 300 S Main Street.
60 S Main
Most often known as Gordon's Furniture, it has also been called the Penna building.
154 S Main
George Craner built the two story rock house for his family from stones he gathered from local hillsides south of Tooele. It was located at 154 South Main Street, Tooele on property he acquired from Tooele City in 1873. On March 22, 1907, the home was purchased by Dr. Emil Isgreen for $1,200 and presented to his sister Mrs. Ann Isgreen Pocock who lived in the home with her husband, Charles, and their ten children. The home was sold in 1946 to Dr. J. Herbert Millburn and Dr. Joseph L. Mayo. These two doctors opened the first fully equipped clinic in Tooele in May 1947 after completing an addition to the rear of the home. The Tooele County Hospital Special Service District purchased the building in December 1989, and it was used as medical office space for several local physicians.
Kirk Hotel
The Kirk Hotel was built in 1928 by Philip and Maggie Kirk and had 164 rooms. Before its temporary closure in 1931 due to the Great Depression, the hotel was a popular place to hold ballroom parties and dinners. In 1934, Millie and Garth Jones resumed operations of the hotel and officially purchased the property in 1948. During this time, the hotel was a combination of short-term hotel rooms and longer rentals, and eventually, most were used as apartments. In 1973, the hotel underwent major renovations with an addition on the west wing and interior changes made to make apartments more livable. There are 42 total apartments in the building today. The hotel has also housed several commercial businesses, including a coffee shop, restaurants, and office space throughout the years.
The Kirk is one of several downtown properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Key Bank / North Ward Chapel
Originally the property was home to the North Ward Chuch. The North Ward was completed in 1914 and used for around 50 years before the property was sold, as the community wanted a larger and more modern space for worship. North Ward Church was demolished, and Beehive State Bank was built on the property and opened on September 1966. The bank merged with Ogden-based Commercial Security Bank in 1969. Later, Commerical Security merged with Key Bank, which still occupies the building today. The round-form building was built with one story, and in the 1980s, a second story was added.
2 N Main
2 North Main was estimated to have been built in 1895, but recently a facade restoration revealed a construction date of 1880.
It operated as Tooele Drug Co. for many years. In the early 1900s, Elmer J. Elkington worked at the store, was the city recorder, and had his office at the drugstore, and people would go there to pay for things like contractor's bids or dog taxes. During World War I, Elkington helped secure a phonograph to send to boys from Tooele that were stationed at Camp Lewis in Washington. The phonograph cost $80, and the money was raised by residents of Tooele to make the purchase. The phonograph was displayed in the drug store window before being sent to Washington. Hood Walgreen drug opened at this location in 1953. Lawrence and Edith Hood started the drugstore. Before opening Hood Drug, they owned and operated the Tod Pharmacy. Edith Hood was a pharmacist and one of the few women at the time to hold that title. In 1951 she was honored by the Utah Pharmaceutical Association for her “activity and organizational work” in the pharmaceutical world. In 1953, she was named a member of the Auxiliary to Fraternal Relations Committee of the National Association of Retail Druggists. She was the president of the Utah Pharmaceutical Association at the time. The Tooele General store occupied the building in the ’70s. Throughout the years, it has also been a pawn shop, video store, thrift store, dollar store, and more.
Today the building is owned by the Chavez family where they run a grocery/market. Aida Chavez and her family are involved in the restoration and re-use of the building and work with Tooele City to find grants which will help their efforts.
Tooele Drug Ad - 1911
Frank Davis wife dies - 1932
Elkington - gen. Manager and pharmacist - 1910
Attempted break in - 1923
Edith - guest speaker - 1948
Hood at TOD park - 1944
Award for Edith Hood - 1954
Hood Walgreen Drug - 1959
Help wanted - party shop - 1963
Adventureland Video - 1985
Workshop for disabled adults - 1991
TC’s Thrift - 1992
Dollar store - 1996
Tobin’s Nest book store - 1997
The Midnight Garden - 1998
Iberia Imports - 1998
14 N Main - Tooele Mercantille
14 North Main was built sometime before 1910. During the 1920s and 30s, there were several news articles about burglary attempts at the Tooele Mercantile Co. John Lindberg and his brother-in-law John J. Gillette founded the Tooele Mercantile Co. in 1897. Lindberg had learned shoemaking from his father and opened s small store in 1897 on South Main St. After serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he opened another shop in North Main St. In 1905, he went into business with John. J. Gillette to start the Tooele Mercantile Co. They tore down Lindberg's small shop and built a new one. They used the building next to 14 N. for the ladies' department for some years. In 1925, they tore down that building along with the Tooele Motor Company and built the new Tooele Mercantile Co. building that is still standing today at 36 N. Main. One article from 1935 is about two men that escaped from jail after an attempted robbery of the mercantile store. The Tooele Mercantile Co. owned and operated the building until the early 1930’s when the building was converted into a theater. The 1931 Sanborn map labels the building as a movie theater. The Utah State Historic Preservation Office in 1987 said that Lacey Hardware was in the building at some point. There is a newspaper ad from 1927, but no address on the ad to indicate where the business was located. Since 1956, the building was home to Radio Electric & Hardware Co for many years.
Today the building is Premiere Athletics, owned and run by Greg Hervat, who's father owned the building before him.
Attempted break in - 1923
Photo in google drive IGA Store - 1939
Photo in drive - ad - Radio Electric and Hardware Co.
Frank Davis Obit - started Tooele Mercantile company - 1937
36 N Main - Tooele Merc
36 North Main was built to make a larger Tooele Mercantile Co. that was at 14 N. Main. The Tooele Mercantile Co. was owned by John Lindberg and his brother-in-law John J. Gillette. The building at 36 N. Main was built in 1925 and opened its doors in 1926. The space was owned by John J. Gillette and originally had the Tooele Motor Company and a store with the women’s department of the Tooele Mercantile Co. on the property. In 1930 they expanded the back of the store by about 100 feet and added appliances to the store. For many years the store had various window displays involving community happenings that are referred to in the newspaper. Both Lindberg and Gillette were involved in the community, with Lindberg serving on the city council and Gillette serving two terms as mayor. After some health problems, John J. Gillette moved to California in the late 1930s. After that time, John Lindberg and his family had exclusive control of the business. Lindberg worked very hard to make the Tooele Merc a success and often worked 16-hour days. Lindberg passed away in 1946, and his sons Mark J. and J. Allen Lindberg became co-managers of the store. In 1962, the Tooele Mercantile Co. bought the Strand theater next door to expand the store. The doors of the Tooele Merc closed in 1974 and was one of the longest-running businesses in Tooele. The store was sold to Jack Cox.
Merc moving womens dept to new store - 1914
Merc ad - 1924
Lindberg store - 1898
Store opening - 1925
Ad - 1930
Lindberg note - 1913
John Lindberg - established merc? - 1935
Lindberg ill - 1927
Ad - 1935
Merc robbers escaped - 1935
Electrical appliances added - 1937
Merc store used for window displays - 1939
Parade Float - lindberg founded Merc in 1897
Photo in drive
66 W Vine
66 West Vine was built in 1926. For most of its history, the building was used as the office of the Tooele County School District offices.
One of the district's most notable superintendents was Sterling Harris. Harris was the football coach for Tooele High in the 1920s. The football team won the state championship in 1928, 1929, and 1933. The football team's successes helped unite the town and people of all races and ethnic backgrounds during that time. Harris served as the superintendent beginning in 1940 and served for 25 years. Harris served during the time when the school district saw enormous growth as the city and the Tooele Army Depot grew. In 1942 there were about 2,000 students in the district and in 1965 had grown to 6,600 students. Many new schools were constructed during this time. Harris Elementary was built in 1953 and was named after Harris. The school closed in 2018 when Sterling Elementary was built, also named after Harris.
In 2013 the school district offices were moved to a new location, and the Tooele County Housing Authority began to use the space.
Board of Education meeting - 1979
Board of ed mtg - 2001
Harris Elementary - 2018
Info from A History of Tooele County - pgs 197, 198
15-27 S Main
15 S. Main, 17 S. Main, and 27 S. Main are sections of buildings south of the Isgreen building and have had different buildings and businesses over the years. The 1910 and 1911 Sanborn maps show wooden structures that are no longer standing today. During those years 15 S. had a restaurant called The California Restaurant. The California Restaurant sold a full chicken dinner for only 25 cents. The current facade of 15 S. was constructed in 1979, but the original brick is likely still intact beneath.
Built in 1979
Photo in drive - ad - Mac Gegor Studio
Photo in drive - ad - Singer Sewing Machine Co.
17 South Main:
Built 1934
Paulos Furniture - opening - 1948
Car crash into Paulos - 1949
27 South Main - Valley behavioral center and Mtn Land Physical
Built 1947
In Tooele County book - Mantes
Photo - main street photo
Photo - view of mantes
Photo - collapsed roof of mantes from snow , other view
8 W Vine
8 West Vine was built in 1920. In 1910 and 1911, the Sanborn maps show a small wooden structure with stairs indicating the building had two stories. The 1931 map shows the building that was built in 1920 and an addition to the original building. The building was a barber shop for several years. Francis and Butch Porter are shown in these photos.
Porters - south of South LDS chapel - 1931 - moved locations?
1910/1911 - stairs and small wooden structure
1931 Sanborn map - looks like an addition was added to original building
1 N Main - Crystal Drug
1 North Main was built in 1893 and operated as Crystal Drug for almost 75 years. The Bevan family owned the business for those 75 years. Archibald Bevan completed a pharmacy course at Highland Park College, Iowa, in 1896. He was a member of the state pharmacy board for 19 years. Bevan also served as mayor of Tooele in 1903 and again in 1929. His son Dean Bevan took over in 1952 after his father's death. The name was changed to Bevan Drug and continued operating until 1970 when Bevan accepted a position as a pharmacist in Springville. The store closed, and the pharmacy part of the business merged with Hood Drug in the early 1970s.
Photo in google drive of inside
Photo - year?
Cyrstal Drug Ad - 1911
5 N Main - Bateman & Tunnel Cafe
The original 5 North Main building was built in 1905. In 1915, an addition was added that wraps behind 1 N. Main. The store was part of Tooele Drug in the early 1900s, and Geo. R. Davis had a dentist's office on the second floor. The Tunnel Cafe, which is painted on the front of the building, is thought to have been in business around the 1920s. The Tunnel Cafe sign remained on the building for many years, even after the cafe was no longer in business. In 1954, Jay Bateman opened Bateman and Tooele Jewelry store. Bateman had been a jeweler for over 15 years at this point. He had a store in Salt Lake, had a store at the Strand Theater, and purchased Goins Jewelry in 1951. The same year they moved into 5 N. Main Bateman, an avid golfer, was struck by lightning while golfing and was still recovering when the store opened. In 1984, Jay Bateman opened Jay’s Jewelry around the corner on Vine street.
Drug store/ dentist on 2nd floor - early 1900’s
Tunnel Cafe - 20’s?
Bateman Jewelry - 60-80’s
Photo in drive of Bateman sign
Bateman buys Goins Jewelry store at10 E. vine - 1951
Bateman elected Sec. of Jewel House - 1956
Ad photo of store - 1974
Upset about parking - 1982
New store - 1984 - Jay Bateman opened new location - after heart surgery, 1984
7 N Main
7 North Main was built in the early 1900’s sometime between 1906 and 1909. The Tooele County State Bank moved into the building in 1909. Before the building was completed, the bank used the county courthouse to conduct business. During the time at the courthouse, there was a failed robbery of the bank. John B. Gordon had been sleeping at the courthouse and heard noises and discovered the would-be robbers and scared them away. In 1913, the bank donated $100 dollars to the Ohio governor for flood relief from the statewide flooding that occurred in March of that year. Several lawyers had offices above the bank around 1917-1922. The bank announced its closure in January 1931.
The bank sold the property in 1943 to the Russell family, who operated Russell Beauty Salon. It later became Ann's Shop, which sold clothing. Based on an add from 1949 it may have been both the Russell Beauty Salon and Ann's Shop at the time.
In 1975 the building was extensively remodeled, and any original architecture was covered up during the remodel.
11 N Main
11 North Main was built in 1907, with an addition added around 1918. An article published in the Deseret News in 1907 mentions the construction of a new building and it is thought to be 11 North Main. Vowels father originally had a meat shop that was run out of the basement of the family’s home. Vowles operated a meat and grocery store during the early 1900s. The store was originally Vowels and Evans Market. He had partnered with his brother-in-law, William Evans. When their partnership ended, it was known only as Vowels Market. Vowels had his own slaughterhouse to supply his shop. In 1957, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that the slaughterhouse was destroyed by fire. William Vowles passed away in 1918 after a lengthy illness at the age of 49.
Sanborn Map 1911 Sheet 2 - meat
Sanborn Map 1931 sheet 3 - meat and grocery
Slaughterhouse burns - 1915
David Heggie - Bday - worked for Vowles - 1958
7 W Vine - Veteran's Park
The current Veterans Memorial park is the site of the old South Ward Chapel, which was the first church in Tooele. It was the location of the original ticket booth for the Tooele Valley Railroad. The chapel was built in 1869 and was dedicated on April 29, 1870. The building was used for 90 years and was demolished in 1968. The land was used as a city park for many years, and many events like Fourth of July celebrations were held at the park. The present-day Veterans Memorial Park was officially established on May 30, 2005. There are several bronze statues commemorating veterans, including the most recent statue in 2018. The statue honors veterans who have died by suicide.
140 East 200 South - Tooele Valley Hospital
Constructed in 1953, the Tooele Valley Hospital replaced the original hospital that was located at 300 S Main Street.
Due in part to its proximity to the cemetery and the historic uses the property has become known in the Ghost Hunting community. Part of the property is now Asylum 49, a popular haunted house. Tooele Marketplace operates in the other portion, where over 35 small businesses are located.
60 S Main
Most often known as Gordon's Furniture, it has also been called the Penna building.
Gordon Furniture was run by multiple generations from the Gordon Family. John B. Gordon started the business in 1905. They were in several locations, including 5 S. Main and the Isgreen building, before moving to 60 N. Main in 1945. 60 N. main was built in 1927. William Thompson Gordon, Floyd Gordon, and William Floyd Gordon are a few men from the Gordon family involved in the business.
In 1963, William T. Gordon took a trip to Havana, Cuba. He was hosted by the Kelvinator brand, a home appliance company. The store received an award from Kelvinator in 1963 for being one of the nation's oldest Kelvinator dealers. Floyd and William Kent Gordon both served with the local fire department. Sadly, Floyd passed away in 1964 from what is believed to be a heart attack after responding to a fire.
In 1981, Gordon Furniture merged with another local furniture store, Decor Plus, and the store’s name changed to Gordon’s Decor Plus. In 1988, after over 80 years in business, Gordon’s Furniture closed its doors. Doug Gordon, who also had a Radio Shack at 60 N. Main decided to close the store and lease the building to other tenants.
John B. Gordon - 1918
Ad 1921 - in the building across from the courthouse
John B. Gordon dies - he started store - 1926
Founded 1905 - Moved to Isgreen building - 1927
Ad - 5 South Main - 1930
Moved from Isgreen to 60 N. - 1945
Still in Isgreen building - 1930
1988 - Disable training centre - 1988
Store split up , gordons ran for 80 yrs- 1988
154 S Main
George Craner built the two story rock house for his family from stones he gathered from local hillsides south of Tooele. It was located at 154 South Main Street, Tooele on property he acquired from Tooele City in 1873. On March 22, 1907, the home was purchased by Dr. Emil Isgreen for $1,200 and presented to his sister Mrs. Ann Isgreen Pocock who lived in the home with her husband, Charles, and their ten children. The home was sold in 1946 to Dr. J. Herbert Millburn and Dr. Joseph L. Mayo. These two doctors opened the first fully equipped clinic in Tooele in May 1947 after completing an addition to the rear of the home. The Tooele County Hospital Special Service District purchased the building in December 1989, and it was used as medical office space for several local physicians.
The Tooele County Chamber of Commerce purchased the property in November 2009 after the building had been left empty since December 2006. The roof on the old home and the back section of the building were in complete disrepair and damage had been done to several rooms inside the structure. The Chamber building committee worked closely with Ensign Engineering and Cable Murray to renovate the building into usable office space. They took great care to repair and maintain the existing staircase and to keep the original fireplace unharmed as well as saving other unique parts of the building including the original inside wooden doors. They were able to occupy the restored building in October 2011. The building is used as a Welcome Center for visitors, for Chamber activities and community functions. Descendants of George Craner held a reunion in the building on June 2, 2012 and were delighted with the care the Chamber took in restoring the historic home.
For sale - 2003
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