Recreation Center for the Utah State Hospital

The Recreation Center for the Utah State Hospital is a stone amphitheater in Provo with two corner towers situated on a three-acre property. It holds roughly 800 people and features a grass play area, interior rooms with fireplaces, and stone ramps that make it easy to navigate.

The amphitheater was built between 1936 and 1937 during the Great Depression as part of a public works initiative. The project created jobs at a time when unemployment was very high in Utah.

The recreation center introduced a new approach to patient care by making entertainment and social activities central to treatment. Visitors can still see the common rooms with fireplaces that were designed to bring people together.

The property is easy to walk around thanks to stone ramps and offers both open and covered areas for different weather. It is best explored during the day to fully appreciate the architectural details and the surrounding space.

From 1971 to 1997, the amphitheater became a seasonal attraction each fall when it hosted a frightening event. This temporary use gave the historic site an entirely different purpose for visitors during those decades.