Kearns-St. Ann's Orphanage

The Kearns-St. Ann's Orphanage is a Renaissance and Mannerist-style building designed by architect Carl M. Neuhausen and completed in 1890 at 430 East 2100 South. The structure displays classical architectural details with ornamental elements characteristic of those design traditions.

Bishop Lawrence Scanlan founded this institution in 1891 to care for children orphaned by mining accidents in the Salt Lake City region. The building remained an orphanage until 1955, when it transitioned to serving a broader student population.

The building served as a refuge for orphaned children in the Catholic community and carries that heritage in its structure and purpose. Today, students walk the same halls where vulnerable children once found shelter and care.

The building underwent substantial renovations in the early 1990s to preserve its structural integrity and maintain its usability for current purposes. The exterior remains well-preserved while the interior has been updated to meet modern standards for daily use.

Jennie Judge Kearns donated substantial funds in 1898 that allowed the newly completed building to accommodate approximately 92 children at opening. Her generosity shaped the institution and made it a major refuge for orphans during a difficult era in the region.

Location: South Salt Lake

Architects: Carl M. Neuhausen

GPS coordinates: 40.72500,-111.87800

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:03