William H. Ray House

The William H. Ray House is a two-story residential building at 415 South University Avenue that combines Romanesque Revival features with classical details. The structure displays elaborate stonework and tall windows typical of homes built for wealthy families during this period.

The house was built in 1898 and belonged to William H. Ray, a founder of the State Bank of Provo and leader of the Ray Investment Company. The building dates from a period when the city was growing rapidly and wealthy businesspeople constructed homes as markers of their economic success.

The house reflects how successful Provo businesspeople chose to live in the early 1900s, with its detailed exterior and spacious rooms showing their status. The building demonstrates the architectural choices of families building wealth during this period.

The building sits on a main street in downtown Provo and is easy to view from outside, though surrounded by other structures. Visitors interested in late 1800s architecture can observe the facade details from the street.

The house was built by a non-Mormon businessman, making it a rare example from Provo's early years when religious diversity shaped the developing city. This characteristic reveals the varied backgrounds of people who contributed to the town's growth beyond one religious community.