Deer Valley in Park City in Summit County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Mortuary

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 20, 2025

1. The Mortuary Marker

Inscription. This two-story frame structure was built just after the 1898 fire which burned most of the buildings on Main Street. Among the first occupants was the Salvation Army, which moved in in 1900. By 1902 it was the funeral parlor of Bill Fennemore, whose sign was a miniature casket.

When the Daly West Mine explosion of 1902 claimed the lives of 32 men, morticians from Salt Lake City were called to help with the emergency. Jacob Franklin Richardson, one of those who answered the call for aid, purchased the business from Fennemore, and later built a one-story addition to the south of this building. George Archer bought out Richardson in 1921, and from Archer it passed to Joseph Olpin.

This was the only local mortuary until the late 1960s, when the Olpins relocated to a newer building. This structure then served as an interior design showcase, a real estate office, and a sportswear store. The addition, which for many years housed a children's ski shop, was demolished in 1983. This is a typical example of the vernacular commercial style of Park City buildings in he early 1900s. It features a bracketed wood cornice on the

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upper facade, and two entryways flanking large display windows. The building has had only minor alterations since it was constructed.

Erected 1984 by Park City Centennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 40° 38.736′ N, 111° 29.81′ W. Marker is in Park City, Utah, in Summit County. It is in Deer Valley. It is on Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 586 Main Street, Park City UT 84060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Uinta Mountains,

in the Wasatch Front,

and in Greater Provo.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in 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: Rodney W. Schreurs Centennial Park

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 20, 2025

2. The Mortuary Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Claimjumper Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Pacific Depot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Masonic Hall (about 300 feet away); Washington School (about 300 feet away); City Hall Park City (about 400 feet away); City Hall (about 400 feet away); "Ten O'Clock Whistle" and Old Public Library (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Park City.

The Mortuary Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 20, 2025

3. The Mortuary Building

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.