The Spring City Inn, built in 1884, was converted into a hotel from 1907-1928. The oolite limestone has been plastered over with stucco for most of its life. Its recent restoration involved stripping the stucco and refurbishing the interior with majestic antiques from the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
By Emily Sanderson — Sept. 2, 2009
SPRING CITY –In the early 1900s, actors from Salt Lake City would take the scenic ride of the Marysvale Branch of the Rio Grande Western Railroad through Thistle to the Spring City depot.
They were met by members of the Orson and Lorena Allred family from Spring City, who would board them at their hotel at 59 N. Main Street while the actors performed at one of three local theaters, including the theater next door at the Victory Hall Confectionery.
The historic Allred Hotel, built out of oolite limestone in 1884, has a rich history which Mark and Vicki Allen, who purchased the building in 2006, seek to preserve.
The Allens fell in love with the structure when they drove past it for the first time.
“We took a photo of it and put it on our fridge,” Mark says of the time they were deciding whether they could purchase the property.
The hotel went up for sale when LaVon Allred, a daughter to Orson and Lorena, passed away in 1984.
The seven-bedroom home changed hands a number of times, usually by large families, but then it fell into disrepair when it was left empty from 2000-2006.
The home took considerable effort to restore, as the Allens could see sunlight through the ceiling when they were standing in the kitchen on the first floor. Water damage in the northwest corner of the second floor was also extensive, but with walls two feet thick, the home was meant to live a little longer.
All of the furniture and other possessions of the Orson Allred family had been scavenged by estate managers, but the Allens were committed to furnishing the home with period light fixtures, appliances and other amenities to make a bed and breakfast that is a relaxing, historic experience for their patrons.
Locals pitched in with the restoration. “It was a wonderful experience,” Mark said. “Local people would show up and just ask what they could do to help.”
The home now is filled with antiques, many of which were built and originally purchased in Utah. Some of the antiques were purchased in Sanpete County. Wood was expensive in Utah’s pioneer era, so the insides of drawers were often made out of crates that are still stamped with railroad logos.
“We are always looking for more, especially local antiques,” Vicki said.
An extra tall hutch in the dining room was typical for Scandinavians, who are tall people. And Scandinavians are responsible for settling much of Sanpete County. But other pieces show character that was surprising, such as the Allens’ kitchen stove that has swastikas stamped inside the gas valves.
A 1917 Edison disc phonograph, complete with the records it originally came with, is showcased in the front room, and so is a 1940s working radio. Hurricane lamps — the kind that stay lit even during a hurricane — fill the rooms with light.
The Allens have chosen to maintain the finish of the home’s staircase railing to give the home a genuine period aesthetic. But the outside balcony railing, Mark’s present project, had to be replaced entirely. He found a woodcrafter who could duplicate the original railing in shape and size.
Mark has entertained Spring City residents by performing on that balcony for summer festivities with both his rock band Lead Foot, as well as his bluegrass band River Road, and he plans to continue the concerts.
Each room upstairs is furnished with quilts, beautiful antiques and vintage claw-foot bathtubs, but it has modern mattresses and other amenities such as electricity and plumbing.
The home has one of only three original fireplaces in town, and Mark and Vicki love to entertain locals and guests in their cozy front room next to the fire. The fireplaces built by Scandinavians are inside the walls of the home instead of being attached on the outside of existing architecture. This way the fire does a better job of keeping a home warm, Mark said.
For most of the home’s life, the oolite limestone has been covered with stucco and either made to look like traditional brick or painted white, but the Allens have restored the natural oolite.
Mark has found other treasures on the property they purchased: a white mulberry tree, harking back to the era when Brigham Young encouraged silk production, and an orchard with very old plum and apricot trees. And recently Mark discovered that one of the two barns in their backyard is likely the original baptistry in town — relocated from its original location.
The original registry of the Allred Hotel, 1907-1928, includes names of many actors and actresses — some with unique doodles next to their names. The registry is kept at the Daughters of Utah Pioneers museum across the street from the house. It will now accommodate a new generation of patrons, many of whom will have an appreciation for history, the rural life and good music.
The Allens have named their bed and breakfast the Spring City Inn. For more information about concerts there or to make a lodging reservation, call (435) 602-9787, or access their website at http://www.springcityinn.com.
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