If there are ghosts living inside the Salisbury Mansion, it’s certain that they are most stylish bunch. If I listen closely, I can hear them arriving on their horse-drawn carriages back in 1898, the year it was built. I can hear the hooves hit the pavement as they arrive to one of the most prestigious homes in Salt Lake at the time. And the oil lights are lit. And the party begins.
I’m taking a tour with one of the Funeral Directors. You see, the mansion was converted into a Mortuary in 1934. The director of 52 years is leading me through the rooms, taking me on a private tour. The building is vacant. Just me, my photographer, and the director. He wasn’t supposed to be there on the day we showed up to take photos. He just happened to be stopping by. Is it serendipitous luck? Or was he an apparition?
He loves this building. That much is clear. If he is a ghost, he’s happy, and thoughtful. But he’s not a ghost. He’s a man who has poured his heart and soul into this historic mansion. He’s sat with families as they mourned the loss of loved ones. There’s nothing spooky in the corridors. It’s more spiritual. It’s filled with love and the celebration of life in it’s most precious moments. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s beautiful. It’s gone through so many changes during the past century. From a manor, to a wedding reception center, and even a boarding house. He told me a story of a man who finished his degree while living there, got married there, and buried his wife there. Everything comes full circle.
The architecture of this structure is, well, immense. It weighs down on you. You can feel its weight. Every intricacy is too much to comprehend. Every pillar and fixture has been painstakingly crafted with precision and attention. All of the original columns, cornices, pediments, roof trims and door casings were sculptured in metal. Cut crystal glass windows are hand-carved.
But there’s something here more precious. I want to say it’s the memories. But I can’t put my finger on it. It’s metaphysical.
Want to investigate other incredible properties in Salt Lake? Jordan Smith specializes in high-end, commercial and the most incredibly stylish real estate Utah has to offer. Contact him by phone (385)259-8007 or email: jordan@wincre.com
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