Provo Library - Provo Utah
Academy Square Library
Provo City Library
550 N University Ave
Provo, UT 84601
(801) 852-6650
Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
97,500 Square Feet
3.64 Acres
Remodel competed Sept 8,2001
322 Underground Parking Stalls
550 N University Ave
Provo, UT 84601
(801) 852-6650
Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
97,500 Square Feet
3.64 Acres
Remodel competed Sept 8,2001
322 Underground Parking Stalls
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Reconstruction
After Brigham Young High School was closed in 1968, the buildings on Academy Square stood vacant for over 20 years. In February 1997 a $16 million library bond passed with 58% of the vote. The bond preserved the historic Brigham Young Academy building at 550 North University Avenue, owned by Provo City, from demolition. The Brigham Young Academy Foundation raised an additional $5.8 million in donations by June 30, 1997 for the renovation.
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Brigham Young Academy, Provo Utah
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Academy History
The Brigham Young Academy building opened its doors in 1892. The architect was Don Carlos Young (son of Brigham Young) who based the plans on the designs made by Karl G. Maeser, the Principal of the Academy. One of the largest school buildings in the Rocky Mountain region at the time, the Academy could accommodate 1,000 students. The Brigham Young Academy later became Brigham Young University. The building was constructed of brick and trimmed in Kayune stone. 168' deep, 188' wide, and 50' high. Over the entrance was the inscription "B. Y. Academy 1891" in gray sandstone. There were two floors, an attic and a basement. From the beginning the building had electric lights powered with electricity from A. O. Smoot's sawmill two blocks to the west; however, there were no inside toilets for the first 10 years. The building was heated in part from forced air over steam radiators and in part by coal stoves. |
First Brigham Young Academy Building after 1884 fire.
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Fire Destroys First Brigham Young Academy Building
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 W Center. From 1870 to 1875, the school succeeded educationally but it failed financially. Brigham Young, who owned Lewis Hall, transferred the dead to the building to the 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 enveloped Lewis Hall. Two men walking past the building about 11:00 PM noticed a glow of flames inside. They broke into the building and dragged the school's pump organ ouit 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 the academy and carried out some of its contents. Since Provo had no fire department, members of the crowd formed a bucket brigade from the millrace, a block to the east. The efforts of the brigade were futile and the fire consumed the uninsured building.
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