Mar 11, 1971
National Register of Historic Places - "Devereaux" House (Staines-Jennings Mansion)
Statement of Significant: The "Devereaux" House lays claim to fame for two primary reasons. First of all, it was the first "mansion" in Salt Lake Valley, having been built by William Staines in 1857. Secondly, it was the center of early social life In Utah. Mr. Staines provided hospitality to such important dignitaries as General Thomas L. Kane who arrived in Salt Lake City in February 1858, to arbitrate the "Mormon War." Governor Cumming and his lady arrived in April and were received by Brigham Young at this house, where Cumming also assumed his position as governor of the Territory of Utah. In 1865 Mr. Staines sold his home to Brigham Young's oldest son, Joseph A., for $20,000. Young sold the property to William Jennings, a prominent Salt Lake City merchant, for $30,000 two years later. Jennings enlarged the property and changed the name to "Devereaux" in honor of the family estate at Yardley, near Birmingham, England. William Jennings had two wives, Jane and Pricilla, who moved to the Devereaux House in I867. When Pricilla died In I87I, Jane acted as mother not only to her own eleven but also to Pricilla's fourteen; however, it appears only fourteen of the children were living in 1881. Jennings entertained royally in his home, not only the "creme de la creme" of Salt Lake Valley but also distinguished national figures as well. After the Civil War Mr. William Seward, Secretary of State, visited Utah and was a guest at the Devereaux Mansion with Brigham Young. Later General Philip H. Sheridan was sent to Utah to "insure federal authority." His visit to the Jennings estate had a salutary Impact for the Mormons, since Jennings was himself a polygamist. In early October, 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant arrived in Utah and before leaving he and Mrs. Grant spent a few pleasant hours at Devereaux. Later, General William T. Sherman, accompanying President Rutherford B. Hayes, also spent time at the house. It was not uncommon for as many as 300 guests to be entertained at one time in the lovely home. Finally, other international dignitaries were occasional guests of the Jennings. For people of early Salt Lake City, the Devereaux Mansion represented quality and affluence at its best. William Jennings became a very successful merchant, freighting goods to Utah and marketing them through his "Eagle Emporium." After his death January 15, 1886, the home served as a residence for the Jennings family until about 1900, when it was sold to Aaron Keyser and Thomas Weir. Subsequently, it served several roles, including one as a clinic for rehabilitation of alcoholics (the Keely, Institute).
National Register of Historic Places - "Devereaux" House (Staines-Jennings Mansion)
Statement of Significant: The "Devereaux" House lays claim to fame for two primary reasons. First of all, it was the first "mansion" in Salt Lake Valley, having been built by William Staines in 1857. Secondly, it was the center of early social life In Utah. Mr. Staines provided hospitality to such important dignitaries as General Thomas L. Kane who arrived in Salt Lake City in February 1858, to arbitrate the "Mormon War." Governor Cumming and his lady arrived in April and were received by Brigham Young at this house, where Cumming also assumed his position as governor of the Territory of Utah. In 1865 Mr. Staines sold his home to Brigham Young's oldest son, Joseph A., for $20,000. Young sold the property to William Jennings, a prominent Salt Lake City merchant, for $30,000 two years later. Jennings enlarged the property and changed the name to "Devereaux" in honor of the family estate at Yardley, near Birmingham, England. William Jennings had two wives, Jane and Pricilla, who moved to the Devereaux House in I867. When Pricilla died In I87I, Jane acted as mother not only to her own eleven but also to Pricilla's fourteen; however, it appears only fourteen of the children were living in 1881. Jennings entertained royally in his home, not only the "creme de la creme" of Salt Lake Valley but also distinguished national figures as well. After the Civil War Mr. William Seward, Secretary of State, visited Utah and was a guest at the Devereaux Mansion with Brigham Young. Later General Philip H. Sheridan was sent to Utah to "insure federal authority." His visit to the Jennings estate had a salutary Impact for the Mormons, since Jennings was himself a polygamist. In early October, 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant arrived in Utah and before leaving he and Mrs. Grant spent a few pleasant hours at Devereaux. Later, General William T. Sherman, accompanying President Rutherford B. Hayes, also spent time at the house. It was not uncommon for as many as 300 guests to be entertained at one time in the lovely home. Finally, other international dignitaries were occasional guests of the Jennings. For people of early Salt Lake City, the Devereaux Mansion represented quality and affluence at its best. William Jennings became a very successful merchant, freighting goods to Utah and marketing them through his "Eagle Emporium." After his death January 15, 1886, the home served as a residence for the Jennings family until about 1900, when it was sold to Aaron Keyser and Thomas Weir. Subsequently, it served several roles, including one as a clinic for rehabilitation of alcoholics (the Keely, Institute).
Mar 11, 1971
Posted Date
Jun 22, 2023
Historical Record Date
Mar 11, 1971
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
Source Website
Staines-Jennings Mansion, 334 West South Temple St Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, UT
First Utah mansion, hosted 2nd territorial Governor (1857-61) Alfred Cummings, Pres. & Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, William Seward, Generals Philip Sheridan & Wm. Tecumseh Sherman.
Posted Date
Sep 27, 2021
Source Name
Library of Congress
