| Heber S. and Mary Jane Crane Family |
Heber Stewart Crane (1867-1947) and Mary Jane Miller Crane (1872-1958) were both raised in large families in Herriman, Utah. They married in 1891 and lived in a small home in Herriman. In 1899, Heber purchased property on the southeast corner of Redwood Road and 12600 South from William Bates. Heber moved his wife and four children into the old Bates home. Due to his hard work, Heber enjoyed success as a sheep farmer. With this success, he was able to purchase and additional forty acres of adjoining land. In 1916 Heber contracted with his brother-in-law, Carl Madsen to build a new house south of the Bates home. By that time, there were ten children in the family. This larger, two story home had six bedrooms and two bathrooms. It was Mary Jane's dream home and everything she wanted it to be. The contract specified the details for the beautiful woodwork and furnishings of the home. Outside was a large barn, corrals, a granary, an ice house and a water tower. A well kept farm and orchard lay beyond the out-buildings. While Mary kept the house managed the farm, Heber engaged in many pursuits. In addition to the sheep farming, he had ranches in Nevada and Idaho. He was co-owner of a movie theater and auto dealership in Riverton. He served as director of the Jordan Valley Bank, Riverton Pipeline Company, Utah Poultry Association, Riverton Canning Company, Riverton Livestock Company and Page Hansen Store. Heber passed away in 1947. After Mary Jane passed away in 1958, the house was purchased by Lorin and Lucille Miller. They had a large family who loved the house. The Miller boys were rambunctious at times things were very lively, to say the least! Later the house passed through several owners. In 1983 it was purchased by David and Theresa Bovee and turned into the Evergreen Restaurant. Diners enjoyed delicious meals in the beautiful dining rooms. The restaurant was named after the giant spruce tree in the front lawn. To many it was known as the Riverton Christmas tree, as the city decorated it with lights every year and it was a focal point for the holidays on Redwood Road in the heart of the city. The restaurant changed hands and it later became the Golden Tree Cafe. Finally it was converted into office space. The developer of Peterson's Marketplace redevelopment was going to demolish this historic building to make way for new businesses. However, with a vision for the future and sheer determination, Riverton Mayor Sandra Lloyd fought and saved the Crane Home. Working with the developers, the Riverton City Council, the Riverton Youth Council, Butterfield Ford and other businesses and local residents, they raised enough money to move the house. On a cold December morning in 1996, the power lines of redwood road were raised by the power company and the Wells Company moved the Crane house down Redwood Road to "the cemetery road" 13200 South. Newman Construction had poured a new basement and foundation to receive the house. With help from Riverton City and donations from local businesses and residents, the house was restored and improved. It took four years to complete. Karen Bashore spent tireless hours restoring the home to its previous grandeur. The home became The Riverton Art Museum, with gallery space upstairs and historical furnishings on the main floor. Some of the treasures in the museum include the organ from the famous old domed church destroyed many decades ago, a hand carved set of miniature furniture by Heber Crane's youngest son, Milton, two watercolors painted in 1929 of Mary Jane's roses. Then, in 2006 the museum was closed for major renovations. Under the direction of the Chairman of the Board, Derrick Brooks and the Board of Trustees and the guidance of Interior Designer, Darrin S. Brooks, the walls were treated with historic William Morris wallpapers from London, time-appropriate window treatments were added along with new light fixtures and upgraded painting. The gallery received significant improvements with a modern gallery hardware system, gallery lighting and a warm paint to continue the color palate from the main floor. (The backgrounds of this website contain several of the William Morris patterns used in the redecoration project.) The museum re-opened and has hosted many wonderful shows, exhibits and events. Today, The Riverton Museum at the Crane House is again the crown jewel of Riverton. |
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