Artist Ralphael Plescia's Christian School at 1324 S State SLC is nearing demolition

Artist Ralphael Plescia's Christian School at 1324 S State SLC is nearing demolition.

You may have seen the news report that many of his sculptures were removed recently and will be rehomed to the Utah Arts Alliance's Art Castle (the old 15th Ward LDS Church building they purchased and saved from demolition in 2021).

I toured the interior of the Christian School in 2023. Here are some of those images.

The space is divided into 3 levels, which I interpreted roughly as akin to heaven (top), the terrestrial world (main floor), and the underworld (basement, sub-basement dug-out).

My understanding is that the building will be demolished and new apartments will be constructed.

The ownership of the building is a complicated relationship. Ralphael Plescia did not own the building, rather his father owned the building, and in his father's will he arranged for Ralphael to have occupant rights until Ralphael's death. After Ralphael's death in 2022, the ownership of the building went to Shriners Children's Hospital, per his father's will.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported on Aug 4 2023 that developer Colmena Group (via a LLC named 1324 South State, LLC). purchased the property from Shriners, although Ralphael's daughter had attempted to gain ownership.

Many of Plescia's sculptures cannot be removed from the building because they are a part of the building.

Development of the SLC Glendale neighborhood as seen through aerial photography

While researching the history of the old Safeway building at 1179 Navajo St in the Glendale neighborhood of Salt Lake City, I found this serries of aerial photography showing the development of the neighborhood. 

Demolition of the Glendale Neighborhood Tejada's Market Building, the old Safeway mid-century modern building

Tejada's Market building, August 2024.
1179 Navajo Street, Salt Lake City, Utah

The old Tejada’s Market building at 1179 Navajo Street in the Glendale neighborhood has a demolition permit filed with Salt Lake City and will likely soon be demolished. Townhomes are planned to be constructed in its place.

This building opened in February 1967 as a Safeway. It advertised a large parking lot to accommodate 138 cars and modern construction of “tilt-up stone walls, laminated roof beams, and expansive glass front.”

The building was designed by William J. Monroe & Associates of Salt Lake City and the construction contractor was Horne-Zwick Construction Co.

It was a Safeway through the mid-1980s, was briefly a Famer Jack market about 1987, and became a Food World in the 1990s. Most recently, the building has been home to Supermercardo de las Americas and the Tejada’s Market.

Source: Salt Lake Tribune 1967-02-12 p51

Tejada's Market building, originally a Safeway. August 2024.

Even the original light posts are still present, August 2024.

Tejada's Market building, originally a Safeway. August 2024.

Grand opening of the Glendale Safeway.
From the Salt Lake Tribune 1967-02-12 p51

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

Faces in the Crowd - Salt Lake City Pioneer Day 1897

This 1897 photograph captures a glimpse of the cross-section of people living in Salt Lake City at the turn of the last century.

This photo (source) is of a float for the Pioneer Semi-Centennial (Pioneer Day) on July 24, 1897. The float itself is rather interesting as it is a replacement for a Chinese dragon from Rock Springs, Wyoming, that was originally planned. The Chinese dragon made an appearance the year prior, 1896. Read more about that here and here. 

Salt Lake City's Pioneer Centennial celebration on July 24, 1897.
Colored by author. Original from USHS.

The Chinese dragon never made it from Rock Springs, Wyoming, (the parade organizers didn't pay) so this float was made as a replacement. It was titled "the serpent of the Great Salt Lake" and was described as "It's gaudy trappings will be covered with drapery which will glisten with salt crystallizations.”

But more than just the story of the float, I like that it shows all types of people. The images below are detailed clips of people in the crowd.

Two Black women. They are dressed up with puffy sleeves and wearing nice hats.

A fellow with an interesting beard, maybe Chinese (it's hard to tell).

 Buffalo Soldier (Black Soldier) stationed at Fort Douglas.
His situational awareness training is evident as he is is looking directly at the camera 

Two Chinese individuals. They could be from the SLC Chinatown at Plum Alley or they could be from Wyoming- Rock Springs and Evanston both having a high number of Chinese residents.

A loving dad and daughter. A White family who are out to see the parade. Dad is wearing a bowler hat, a more expensive style than the utilitarian style hat of the man in the foreground.

Shoshone-Bannock individuals, probably part of the parade. Likely from Idaho.

Well-dressed White kids. Away from parental supervision. Perhaps friends, perhaps relatives.

An older White lady with a fancy hat. She does not appear to be very pleased.
It is likely hot and the sun is bright.

Inside the historic chapel at Holy Cross Hospital

Inside the Holy Cross Hospital Chapel, June 26 2024.

I recently toured the interior of the old Holy Cross Hospital Chapel, although now the hospital is known as CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital Salt Lake and is located at 1050 E S Temple SLC.

The chapel was built in 1904 and was severely damaged in the 2020 earthquake.

Thankfully the hospital has plans to repair (not demolish) the chapel and I was told that fundraising will start later this year or early next year. You can see some of the damage in these photos.

Interestingly, the windows in the chapel are not stained glass, rather they are painted. I have included a close-up image of the St. Patrick painted glass window (Image 2).

The interior painting of the chapel was done by Italian artisan, Achille Pertelli, and was completed in 1909.

The chapel was probably designed by Carl M. Nehausen, who also designed the Cathedral of the Madeleine and St Ann’s Orphanage (now a school).

Image 9 are historic photos. The top is the exterior from 1909. The lower one is the interior from 1904 at the dedication, note the lack of the Pertelli paintings. Images from USHS.

Painted window (not stained glass) depicting Saint Patrick.
Inside the Holy Cross Hospital Chapel, June 26 2024.

Inside the Holy Cross Hospital Chapel, June 26 2024.

Inside the Holy Cross Hospital Chapel, June 26 2024.

Inside the Holy Cross Hospital Chapel, June 26 2024. Note cracking damage from the 2020 earthquake.

Inside the Holy Cross Hospital Chapel, June 26 2024.

Inside the Holy Cross Hospital Chapel, June 26 2024.

Inside the Holy Cross Hospital Chapel, June 26 2024.

historic photos of the chapel. The top is the exterior from 1909. The lower one is the interior from 1904 at the dedication, note the lack of the Pertelli paintings. Images from USHS.

Fun photos found in the archive - 1970s

These are fun photos, ca. 1970. This little girl clearly wanted to be part of the archival record, hahaha!

These two houses were at 463 and 467 S. 300 East, respectively. Where the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building is now, east of the Salt Lake City Main (downtown) Library.

These two buildings were likely demolished soon after (a few years?) these photos were taken.

Photos from Utah SHPO building records, here and here.

House at 463 S 300 East, ca 1970s; now demolished.
Image from SHPO historic building files.

Detail of the girl in the above photo.

House at 463 S 300 East, ca 1970s; now demolished.
Image from SHPO historic building files.

Detail of the girl in the above photo.