The 5 statues atop the SLC City and County Building

The statue "Columbia" atop the SLC City and County Building, ca 1894.
Historic photo from USHS.

The five statues atop the SLC City and County Building (451 S State SLC) have an interesting past. The current statues were placed in 1986 and 1989 as part of the massive building restoration effort.

(Fun fact = the City and County building was the first in the nation to be retrofitted with a seismic base isolation system).

The five statues are:

1. “Columbia” is located atop the central clock tower. Columbia was the popular symbol of America before the Statue of Liberty
2. “Liberty” on the north gable
3. “Justice” on the south gable
4. “Commerce” on the east gable
5. “Commerce” on the west gable
   

   
   
   

   The SLC City and County Building in 1905. Note the presence of the statues.
   Historic photo from USHS.

The 5 statues were part of the original building, dedicated in 1894. They were made of pressed zinc and were painted to simulate the sandstone of the building. The original statues were ordered from a catalog at a cost of $325 for Columbia and $300 each for the others.

The catalog may have been the W. H. Mullins Catalogue of Architectural Ornaments and Statuary, which was one of the primary suppliers of zinc statues and located in Salem, Ohio. One of their catalogs can be viewed on archive.org.

The Mullins Company supplied a variety of statues and architectural ornaments to many public buildings at this time. In addition to the five discussed here, depictions of Agriculture, Science, Music, Industry, and Freedom were popular. Some of these original statues on public buildings throughout the US have been restored.

After a large 6.6 earthquake in 1934, Columbia, Liberty, and Justice were damaged and removed (“junked” according to a 1954 Deseret News article) from the City and County Building.

But the two Commerce statues remained until 1954, at which point severe corrosion was found with their iron mountings and they were also removed.

One of the Commerce statues was placed at the SLC Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Memorial Museum storeroom, where it remained until the 1980s (not sure where it is now).

The SLC City and County building was void of its statutes for decades, until the restoration effort of the late 1980s.

The SLC City and County Building in 1972. Note the lack of statues.
Historic photo from USHS.

The first statue to be restored was the centerpiece Columbia in 1986 by artist Richard Young. The first concept of Young was rejected as being “anorexic by 1890s standards.” Young’s second concept plumped up the goddess statue by adding bulk to the shoulders and hips to make it more closely resemble the original catalog model. The new Columbia is made of cast bronze and has a leaden-tin finish.

The Commerce statue on the east gable was also replaced in 1986 and was created by Gordon Lewis Newby and Rudy Chagney. It seems this statue replacement was part of a roofing contract.

The remaining three statues (Commerce on the west, Justice, and Liberty) were able to be replaced because the overall bid to renovate the building came in under budget. That allowed these three statues and some other work, like stone carving restoration, to be completed.

These remaining three statues (Justice, Liberty, and the western Commerce) were created by artist Angelo Caravaglia, whose work I have featured in past posts- the fountain in front of the Bennett Federal Building and the twin bronzes previously attached to the old Mountain Bell Data Center building.

The Justice, Liberty, and Commerce statues are all made of hammered copper sheet (repoussé technique) with a dark patina finish.

As the two Commerce statues were made by different people, they are significantly different in appearance. I have included a possible catalog image for comparison (although the items in the hands are opposite).

Sources:

• Salt Lake Herald Republican 1893-12-08 p5
• Deseret News 1954-06-17 p50
• Daily Spectrum 1986-01-01- p4
• Salt Lake Tribune 1986-08-10 p21
• Daily Spectrum 1986-11-28 p2
• Salt Lake Tribune 1987-02-05 p39
• Salt Lake Tribune 1989-04-23 pg115
• Salt Lake City Corporation Insurance Appraisal by Allen Dodworth Art Appraisal Associates. March 2013.
• City and County Building SHPO file, Utah State Historical Society
• Catalogue of architectural ornaments and statuary, in sheet zinc, brass or copper / manufactured by W.H. Mullins, Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio. 1894 (from archive.org).
• Zinc sculpture in America, 1850-1950 by Carol A Grisson, 2009. (from archive.org).  

Angelo Caravaglia's Federal Building statue is a water fountain

Utah artist Angelo Caravaglia's sculpture is up and running as a fountain (Sept 2024).

Located in front of the mid-century modern Wallace F. Bennet Federal Building at 125 S. State St, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Enjoy this 40-second video showing different angles of the fountain.

Here is the link to the history of this fountain.

New homes for Angelo Caravaglia's twin bronzes

This Angelo Caravaglia sculpture was previously located on the south side of the southwest corner of the old Ma Bell building at 205 E 200 South SLC. It is now on public display by its new owner at 460 S 400 East SLC.

One of the Angelo Caravaglia bronze sculptures from the old Mountain Bell Building has been relocated to 460 S 400 East SLC, in front of the Rencher-Anjewierden law office while the other is in the front yard of a private residence in SLC. 

Salt Lakers may recall that twin (fraternal, not identical) sculptures once adorned the brutalist Ma Bell data center building at 205 E 200 South SLC. The sculptures were created in 1971 and cast in bronze in Pietrasanta, Italy.

The sculpture that was on the south side of the southwest corner of the old Ma Bell building is now back on public display by its new owner at 460 S 400 E. Interestingly, it is now possible to view the back of the sculpture, and I have included a photo of that as well.

Sculptures in front of the Rencher-Anjewierden law office at 460 S 400 East SLC. August 2024.

Back of the Angelo Caravaglia sculpture.

 
Of note, a demolition permit has been filed with SLC to demolish the old Mountain Bell building. Back in 2022 the plan was to potentially reuse the building for a new development, but those plans have changed as there is a new owner of the building.

The sculpture that once adorned the west side of the southwest corner of the old Ma Bell building is now on display at a private home in Salt Lake City.  

This Angelo Caravaglia sculpture was previously located on the west side of the southwest corner of the old Ma Bell building at 205 E 200 South SLC. It is now on display in the front yard of a private residence in SLC.

The artist, Angelo Caravaglia, was a professor at the University of Utah. You will also likely know of his sculpture in front of the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building at 125 S State SLC. Also visit this website for more info: www.angelocaravaglia.com

Angelo Caravaglia's Fountain Sculpture at the Wallace F Bennett Building

Another locally famous sculpture by Angelo Caravaglia is a cast stone fountain in front of the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building at 125 S State Salt Lake City, which debuted in 1966.

Caravaglia was prolific with his art, especially in the 1960s. In 1963 following a return from Italy his title at the University of Utah was changed to “three-dimensional designer” to better reflect his work. Notably, in 1964 he carved the wood doors of St. Margaret’s Chapel at Rowland Hall and in 1965 he was selected to create a bronze fountain for the old Salt Lake City Library (now the Leonardo).

The sculpture for the Federal Building was commissioned in 1965 under the Art in Architecture program and was a collaboration between architects Lloyd Snedeker and Wesley Budd and artist Angelo Caravaggio.

Snedeker recalled that “we didn’t want the usual pioneer woman but a contemporary statue. This reflects to some degree the shapes of the window mullions, the cast stone dividers and other architectural elements [of the Federal Building]."

Budd further explained that “when the sun shines on the sculpture the shadows offer many changing moods and the tone will seem to change color. We made several studies of a suitable sculpture and we are pleased with it.” And “the sculpture doesn’t represent anything in particular. We hope it will be pleasing to passers-by and serve as a conversation piece. “ 

The sculpture is a functional fountain and stands within a pool of water. Each of the 14 unique columns is piped separately for water. The spraying water runs in grooves etched into the design. The color of the material was specially selected to glisten in the lights at dark.

The reactions to the sculpture by Salt Lakers were mixed. Most were confused and asked what it was. Some praised it and found it to be appropriate for a growing city.

And some Salt Lakers disliked it, a lot. One man called it “lousy” and another said he would rather go back to the past if this sculpture represented modern art. And there was this classic response: It looks like heck.”

Caravaglia was not disturbed by any of the comments about the sculpture. His only direct response was that “The material it is made from will last a long, long time.”

Of note, this fountain has been featured in some local cult classic films including Revenge of the Ninja (1983) and Ruben and Ed (1991)

Clip from "Revenge of the Ninja" film from 1983

 

Clip from "Ruben and Ed" film from 1991

 
Sources

• Deseret News Tue Oct 11 1966
• The Salt Lake Tribune Wed Oct 12 1966
• The Evening Sun Thu Oct 13 1966
• Deseret News Wed Oct 19 1966
• The Salt Lake Tribune Sun May 25 1986
• http://www.angelocaravaglia.com/
• In Memoriam Angelo Caravaglia: 1925-2008. www.artistsofutah.org

Angelo Caravaglia's Twin Bronze Sculptures on the Ma Bell Building

These twin bronze sculptures (fraternal, not identical) on the corner of 200 S and 200 East SLC at the old Mountain Bell building were created by noted Salt Lake City artist Angelo Caravaglia.

Bronze sculptures by Angelo Caravaglia, Mountain Bell building, 205 E 200 South Salt Lake City, 2022.

Mountain Bell (Ma Bell) Building 205 E 200 South SLC, 2022

Detail of the southwest corner of the Mountain Bell (Ma Bell) Building 205 E 200 South SLC, 2022. Note the unfortunate placement of a bus stop shelter and bike station in front of the sculptures.

 Caravaglia was born in 1925 to Italian immigrant parents in Erie, PA where at 9 years old he began carving soap with his pocketknife. He served in the US Army during WWII and when honorably discharged soon returned to his studies and to art.

When he was 31 years old, in 1956, the UofU recruited him to break up the stuffy Art Department where Caravaglia and fellow artist V. Douglas Snow brought some mid-century modernism to the U’s conservative sculpture department.

For years Caravaglia exhibited locally and throughout the art world, but it wasn’t until 1966 that regular Salt Lakers took notice of his art, and they didn’t much like what they saw. He was commissioned by the GSA of the federal government to create an art piece for the new Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building (125 S State).

Angelo Caravaglia, from Deseret News June 14 1966.

Angelo Caravaglia's sculpture in front of the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building (125 S State) 

Although some Salt Lakers enjoyed Caravaglia sculpture at the Federal Building, most complained with one saying it looked like “a forest of monkey wrenches.” More on this piece later.

This poor reaction to Caravaglia’s work for the federal building in 1966 may be why there was little fanfare for the unveiling of Caravaglia’s sculptures at the Mountain Bell building in 1971. Only a single newspaper article noted it, and that was written by fellow University of Utah Art Professor, George S. Dibble.

Dibble described the bronzes as warm and intimate, a convincing theme of communication. Dibble continued: Figurative elements evolving from a strong central organism move out succinctly in vertical thrusts and in graceful lateral outsweeps. Modulated light falls gently on precise edges, dividing cleanly chiseled surfaces that return crisply to the wall. Central units are engaged in contrasts of palpable depth and flowing elements of conformation and change set up notions of continuing energy.

The sculpture was prepared in Styrofoam (a new material at the time) and plaster; it was cast in the bronze foundries at Pietrasanta, Italy.

Bronze sculpture on the east side of the Mountain States building.

 

Bronze sculpture on the south side of the Mountain States building

 
Caravaglia has several pieces in public and private collections along the Wasatch Front. You have likely seen his work and just not known who created it. More info at www.angelocaravaglia.com

Angelo Caravaglia's official portrait, from the artist's website.

At present, the new owner of the old Mountain Bell building is considering their options regarding the sculpture. Current plans are to reuse the building into a new housing project.

Sources

• In Memoriam Angelo Caravaglia: 1925-2008. www.artistsofutah.org
• The Morning Call Oct 12 1966
• The Salt Lake Tribune Nov 28 1971
• The Salt Lake Tribune May 25 1986
• www.angelocaravaglia.com

Brutalist Ma Bell Building

This Brutalist building at 205 E 200 South SLC was built 1969-1971 to house Mountain Bell’s growing administrative and data processing needs.

Mountain Bell data processing center, 205 E  200 South SLC. 2022.

The original configuration of the building, 1971. From Des News 1971-02-10

Mountain Bell was part of the “Ma Bell” companies originally founded by Alexander Graham Bell and then, much later, AT&T. Up until the 1983 monopoly breakup, Mountain Bell oversaw telecommunication in UT, CO, AZ, ID, MT, NM, and WY.

This building was constructed to house computer equipment used for billing, disbursements, record keeping, toll rating, accounting, and payroll. During the 1970s and 1980s, Mountain Bell was the 2nd largest employer in the state, Kennecott being the largest.

The building was designed by the architectural team Folsom and Hunt and later remodeled in the 1980s by Martin Brixen and James Christopher. 

The $7M (~$51M today) structure was originally 4 stories tall but had steel pilings to allow upward expansion to 15 stories. It was expanded in 1979 by elongating the 4th floor and adding 2 additional floors above. Notably, these additions have windows.

In 1980, Mountain Bell expanded again, building the 17-story blue-windowed office tower across the street at 250 E 200 South (250 Tower) and linked the two buildings' HVAC systems to allow the new office building to reclaim waste heat from the data processing building.

Mountain Bell fancied itself a progressive company, releasing its affirmative action plan in 1973 which essentially stated that anyone could work in any job.

Vice President Mack Lawrence later reflected that when he joined, it was a conservative company with clean-shaven faces and mandatory coat and tie. But by the 1980s the counterculture of the 1960s-1970s had gained more acceptance and beards on men and pants on women were acceptable! The company even boasted about a few male telephone operators and women installers, a field job previously closed to anyone who shouldn’t wear pants.

The last occupant of the building was CenturyLink. Thus far, the current owner plans to incorporate the existing building into a new residential building.

Overview, southwest corner, Mountain Bell building. 2022.

Overview west elevation, Mountain Bell building. 2022.

NYT advertisement of a 1971 IBM computer system

Detail of Bell logo on main doors of the Mountain Bell building, 2022.

Next post will be on the two Angelo Caravaglia sculptures.

Sources:

• Salt Lake Tribune 1968-04-18
• Salt Lake Tribune 1970-02-22
• Deseret News 1970-11-23
• Salt Lake Times 1973-06-15
• Salt Lake Tribune 1978-11-15
• Salt Lake Tribune 1980-11-21
• Salt Lake Tribune 1982-02-21
• Salt Lake Tribune 1989-03-24
• SAH-archipedia.org
• Snowbird.com/blog