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Show Street Address: 128 South Main Street Architect/Builder: Sij as Lt T> Harrison and. II, W. Nichols Site No: Building Materials: brick and stone (red brick sandstone and wood) Building Type/Style: Description of physical appearance & significant architectural features: (Include additions, alterations, ancillary structures, and landscaping if applicable) The Daft Block is four stories in height and includes a basement. The superstructure is brick and is trimmed with stone. The street frontage is very narrow with respect to the building's height. The front facade is symmetrical and features a dramatic, ornate two-story bay window between the third and fourth floors. An extant copy of the architect's original front elevation rendering shows that the present building is almost totally intact, with the exception of some alterations on the ground floor story. Building materials are red brick, sandstone and wood. The bay window, window and door trim and floors are wood. Sills and lintels are stone, as is the rusticated pediment over the bay window. A series of pinnacles, pila.ster copings and stones carved in flower patterns also add decorative accents to the structure. Brickwork is plain with the exception of some modest panels- above and below the upper story windows. The front facade is divided vertically into three sections by wide pilasters which are brick v/ith stone trim. Original door bays on the ground floor have been altered. Window bays are all square, with the exception of round-arched lower oriel windows. 'All'"'windows are one-over-one double hung sash type. . Rusticated stone reminiscent of Richardsonian Romanesque styling, togetht with smooth faced and flower stones are most decorative masonry elements,' > Statement of Historical Significance: Construction Date: 1889-1890 The picturesque Daft Block was built in 1889-1890 for the widowed Mrs, Sarah A. Daft, described as "a- Utah pioneer of 1856 ... a woman of much business ability . . . one of the wealthiest and best known women of the city." In addition to commemorating the prolific commercial enterprises of an independent pioneer woman, the Daft Block is significant for housing Daynes Jewelry, the pioneer jewelry business of John Daynes, who also established Daynes Music Company and Daynes Optical Company, both pioneer businesses. All three companies are still in business today and aremanaged by direct descendants of John Daynes. Architecturally the Daft Block is representative of the typically decorative designs of Elias L. T. Harrison, early -territorial architect of the Salt Lake Theatre (1861, with William H. Folsom) and the Grand Opera House. One of Utah' s most controversial historical figures, Harrison was cofounder v/ith William S. Godbe of the Ut ah. Magazine (which became the present Sal t Lake, Tribune) , and leader of the Godbeite Movement, an alledged apostate rebellion gainst the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) The Daft Block, one of Salt Lake City's most mpressve 19th Century commercial structures, was built in 1889-1890 as a "business block" for Mrs. Sarah A. Daft, the owner, Mrs Daft came to Utah from England in 1856 with her husband, E. J. Daft. Mr. Daft. died in 1881 but Mrs. Daft, exercising her considerable business acumen, continued to develop the amily's financial interests. She owned, large amounts of stock in the 'Independent Telephone Company an owned, the Realty Building on West Temple treet. Mrs. Daft also developed mining interests and eventually gained wide reputation for having one of the keenest business minds in th .erritory. was one of Sarah Daft' s many enterprises. The four-story . he Daft.Block . ick and stone structure was comleted in 1890 at an estimated cost of |
