Welcome to our monthly Famous Utahn segment! For episode 214 we picked Alfred W. McCune to spotlight.
Who is Alfred W. McCune you say? You may have driven by the McCune Mansion in Downtown Salt Lake City many times coming in or out of the city. That is the same McCune! Alfred wasn’t born in Utah but in Calcutta, India. It was there his father converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The family immigrated to Utah, settling in Farmington, and then planting roots in Nephi. Over his 77 years, Alfred had many jobs as a farmer, a stock herder, a laborer,and cattle rancher. Throughout his life he also traveled the world. In the 1890’s his focus turned from the railroad to mining. In April 1889, he purchased a one-third interest in Salt Lake City’s streetcar system, and converted it from mule-drawn wagons to electric. He also bought out the Salt Lake Herald, the Salt Lake Tribune’s biggest competitor at the time and was a founder of the Utah Power Company.
According to Wikipedia, he nearly became a U.S. Senator in 1899, but after being unable to receive a majority after numerous ballots and accusations of bribery, the state legislature adjourned without electing anyone to the seat. The Senate seat remained vacant for two years, and in 1901 another man was elected to the position.
It is said, from his friend Heber Grant, by 1908 McCune’s desire to earn money had overwhelmed his Mormon faith. He and his wife eventually moved to California and donated their home to the LDS church. When both he had his wife’s heath started to decline they came back to Salt Lake. Elizabeth McCune died at the Hotel Utah and was buried in Nephi. After her death, Alfred went to Europe where he died in Cannes, France. He is also buried in Nephi.
Now for a little information on the McCune Mansion. According to Utah Historical Markers, The McCune Mansion took just over two years to construct at the cost of just over one million dollars. It was completed in 1901. McCune’s wealth was so great by that point that he spared no expense and is said to have let his wife have anything she wanted for the house.
Preservation Utah has a great write up about the home as well. It is still, to this day, considered one of the grandest homes in America.
Resources for this episode: Living Places/ Wikipedia/ KSL /Abandoned Spaces
Music By: Folk Hogan; Bootleggers Dance