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Davis Journal

April architectural adventures

Mar 30, 2023 10:18AM ● By Alisha Copfer

Davis County museums are holding an event during April to highlight architectural buildings in the area. Courtesy image

Come play with Davis County Museums during April Architectural Adventures. Everyone is invited to participate in a county-wide scavenger hunt during April. Visit local museums to learn more about the homes and buildings in each area designed by well-known local architect William Allen. Each participant will receive a lanyard and button at the first museum. Collect an additional button at each museum visit. 

Some of the historical Allen buildings are still standing, and trips to each building will allow participants to scavenge for itty bitty architectural details featured on a clue handout. A link to an online tour of more buildings will be provided. Ask at each museum for more information on activities and exhibits specific to each locale. The Fielding Garr Ranch will participate in a unique activity representative of Antelope Island. 

The Architectural Event is the first collaboration between the recently organized Davis County Museums organization, and more activities are planned for the future. Representatives have been working together since January. The impetus for collaborative activities was the suggestion of the former director of the Heritage Museum of Layton, who had created an exhibit featuring William Allen blueprints.


Kaysville architect remembered

By Bill Sanders


 Kaysville architect, William Allen, was truly a remarkable man. He was the designer and builder of 100 documented buildings in Utah, Idaho and Arizona–six of which are listed on the National Historic Register.

Allen was born in London, England. As a youth, he learned the skills of bricklaying and stone masonry. When he came to Utah Territory in 1862, he used the skills he had learned in England to make a living. However, after working in these trades for several years, he decided that he could make a better living as an architect. Consequently, he enrolled in an architectural course at the International Correspondence School in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The course had 12 lessons in drafting, design, the structural strength of materials, heating, ventilation, mason work, carpentry, etc.

After completing nine of the 12 required lessons with “high honors,” Allen decided he knew enough to start designing and building homes and commercial buildings. One of the earliest Kaysville homes designed by Allen was the John R. Barnes home, and after building this home, he decided he would not bother to complete the last three correspondence lessons. However, throughout his long career, Allen did study extensively, completing several other courses to keep up with new building materials and techniques.

Allen’s local buildings are impressive: John R. Barnes home, 1880*; Kaysville Presbyterian Church, 1887*; Kaysville Academy, 1888; Kaysville City Hall, 1889; Farmers Union Store, 1890*; Henry H. Blood home, 1896*; John G .M. Barnes home, 1896*; E. P. Ellison home, 1896*; John H. Layton home, 1897*; John W. Gailey home, 1897; Syracuse LDS Meetinghouse, 1897; Hyrum Stewart home, 1898*; Thomas J. Smith home, 1899*; Davis County Courthouse, 1899; George W. Layton home, 1899*; Hooper Opera House, 1901; West Layton LDS meetinghouse, 1901; First National Bank of Layton, 1905*; Kaysville Barnes Block, 1910*; Kaysville Opera House, 1911; Kaysville LDS Tabernacle, 1912*; Davis High School, 1914; and the Kaysville Elementary School, 1905-1918 (*these buildings are still standing).

In 1899, the Davis County Clipper reported, “Our architect, William Allen, recently won some more laurels on account of his scientific knowledge of architectural engineering. He answered correctly every question given in a building inspector's examination, in which one practical builder said there was no man in any state who could answer all of them correctly. Yet Allen found no difficulty at all in answering them. He contributed an article on this examination to the Building Trade's Magazine, which is published in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Allen also recently sent plans and specifications for a bridge across Bear River to the commissioners of Box Elder County, which plans were adopted.”

In 1904, Allen was asked to submit some of his plans and designs to be displayed in the International Correspondence School’s exhibit at the World’s Fair in St. Louis.

Toward the end of his life, Allen lost his hearing, so he was called “irascible, feisty and conceited” by some who worked with him. He was also described as a “self-made perfectionist; he couldn’t abide shoddy work.” Allen was sometimes critical of other architects’ work. 

Allen died October 14, 1928, in Ogden. His obituary noted that he “understood architecture thoroughly, understanding the strength of materials–wood, iron and concrete, and that many of his buildings will last for many generations.”