Summit County War Veterans Building

After World War I, a wave of patriotism created a desire to honor the men and women who served in the military. Cities and towns across the country erected statues, plaques and historic markers. Some, including Park City and Summit County, even constructed public buildings.

The Summit County War Veterans Memorial Building at 427 Main Street was constructed on the site of the old Blyth-Fargo Store, destroyed by fire in 1927. Following a tour of the nearly-completed building in 1939, a reporter for The Park Record wrote, “It is truly a wonderful structure and when finished will prove a most delightful and commodious civic and social center for not only Park City but for the county in general.”

The WPA (Work Projects Administration) project began in 1938 and was completed in 1940. The structure had 50 rooms, a large basement, a rifle range, a gymnasium, a Boy Scout room, showers and lockers, an auditorium and an American Legion room. At various times, the Memorial Building served as a meeting hall for many different organizations. More recently, it housed the Park City Police Department, KPCW and the Municipal Recreation Department. In 1977, Summit County officials realized they were funding the maintenance and operation of the Memorial Building mainly for the use of Park City residents and organizations, so they turned it over to Park City. By 1984, the City determined that the Memorial Building was inadequate for the recreational needs of Park City and acquired the Park Meadows Racquet Club instead.

With no more use for the Memorial Building, the City sold it to Bob Savin, who renovated it into an entertainment center called Z-Place. Later, Kenny Griswold, owner of then-Wolf Mountain Resort, purchased the building and completed an extensive renovation. Today, the building houses O’Shucks Bar & Grill, Harry O’s Nightclub, Onassis Restaurant, Jackie O’s Bar and The Room Nightclub.

An historic plaque, containing the names of all Summit County men and women who served the country, was removed from the Memorial Building and moved to the Summit County Court House in Coalville, where it remains today.