EXPLORE LAGOON: PIONEER VILLAGE TOUR: Gov. Dern Livery Stable / Telephone Museum

 

GOVERNOR DERN LIVERY STABLE

"Built around 1885, this stable was actively used until the Dern Mansion was razed in the 1950s. The stable stood behind the home built by Major Conklin at 715 East South Temple, in Salt Lake City. The estate was purchased by former Utah Governor George Henry Dern. Governor Dern later became Secretary of War under Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933.

      The stable featured a unique system for feeding horses. Bailed hay was stored upstairs in a loft area then dropped through chutes to the floor below. As one bale was eaten, another would drop into its place. This assured the horses a constant and plentiful feed supply. Used as both a livery stable and carriage house, the building later became servant quarters."

 

Originally, guests could walk through the second level which is accessed by an indoor staircase and this door in back.

 

TELEPHONE MUSEUM

The livery stable now features the Telephone Museum (formerly named Telephone Pioneers Of Utah). Many different styles of telephones and switchboards are on display inside.

      This building is the subject of one of the many Pioneer Village ghost stories guests have passed on to each other. Some have said they were in the building after dark when the phones began ringing. Others say they have seen ghosts watching out the upstairs windows.

 

 

NEXT STOP: Bone Yard

 

 

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Updated 13 Aug 2007