Foot Hills in Provo in Utah County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Fire Destroys Brigham Young Academy Building

One in a Series of Events from Provo's History

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 9, 2023

1. Fire Destroys Brigham Young Academy Building Marker

Inscription. William and Warren Dusenberry operated the Timpanogos Branch of the University of Deseret in Lewis Hall, a two-story brick building on the northeast corner of the intersection of 300 West Center. From 1870 to 1875, the school succeeded educationally, but it failed financially.

Brigham Young, who owned Lewis Hall, transferred the deed to the building to a board of trustees in 1875 and instructed them to create a new school named Brigham Young Academy. The board complied and elected Warren Dusenberry as the new school’s principal.

Karl G. Maeser replaced Dusenberry the next year, and the teachers of the academy incorporated religion into their courses. Enrollment grew and workmen expanded the building in 1882 and 1883.

Then on the night of January 27, 1884, tragedy envoloped Lewis Hall. Two men walking past the building about 11:00 p.m. noticed a glow of flames inside. They broke into the building and dragged the school’s pump organ out of harm’s way. Other men sounded the alarm by ringing the meetinghouse bell or by running through the streets yelling, “Fire! It’s the B.Y. Academy!”

A large crowd gathered around

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the academy and carried out some of its contents. Since Provo had no fire department, members of the throng formed a bucket brigade from the millrace a block to the east. The efforts of the brigade were futile, and the fore consumed the uninsured building.

Local officials announced a public meeting to be held the next day in Provo’s partially finished tabernacle. President Smoot announced that the new term would start the next day as scheduled. Students met in the basement of the Provo Meetinghouse and in various business buildings. Te school’s board of trustees chose a new site for the academy and build a large school building on what is now Academy Square. It has served many years as Provo’s library.

Erected by Rotary International and Provo Parks & Recreation. (Marker Number 28.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 27, 1884.

Location. 40° 14.109′ N, 111° 38.644′ W. Marker is in Provo, Utah, in Utah County. It

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 9, 2023

2. Fire Destroys Brigham Young Academy Building Marker

Marker is located at Memorial Park.

is in Foot Hills. It can be reached from 800 East south of East 150 North. Marker is located at Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 123 900 E, Provo UT 84606, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Wasatch Front.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and on the Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early Residents of Provo lacked Land Titles (within shouting distance of this marker); A Wheelbarrow Parade in 1888 Helped Bring Political Parties to Provo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Utah Territorial Insane Asylum Came to Provo in 1885 (about 400 feet away); A Tragedy at the Site of the Provo Lime Kiln (about 400 feet away); Dr. Barney Clark (about 500 feet away); Provo’s First Jail Was Built in 1871 (about 500 feet away); Superintendent's Residence - Utah State Hospital

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Harmon Park (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Provo.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.