County
Summit
Year Built
1897
Architect
Byron T. Mitchell (designer/builder)
National Register?
Yes, listed 1984
Status
Still Endangered
Status Explanation
There have been no significant updates since the 2024 listing. The home is still vacant, unprotected, and owned by a developer from out of state. Francis does not have any historic districts or demolition protections for historic buildings. Being on the National Register does not stop a private owner from demolishing the property. As of May 2026, there are no public reports of a preservation plan, rehabilitation proposal, or change in ownership.
About the Threat
The Byron T. Mitchell Home is at risk of being lost due to neglect and pressure from development. The building has been empty since the 1970s and has been getting worse for many years. It is now owned by a developer from out of state. Francis, Utah does not have a historic district, a local landmark program, or any rules to protect historic buildings from demolition. This means the developer can tear down the building without any preservation review or public input. Being on the National Register does not protect the property from demolition by a private owner.
Property values are rising across Summit County, making it more tempting to redevelop the site. The home is located on State Road 32 in the Kamas Valley, where farmland is quickly being replaced by new homes and businesses as Park City and the Wasatch Back area grow. Because the building is in poor shape, the owner has not shown interest in preserving it, the city has no protective rules, and land values are going up, this property is one of the most at-risk on the 2024 list.
Access
No, the building is privately owned, empty, and not open to visitors. However, it can be seen from State Road 32 in Francis.
History
No, the building is privately owned, empty, and not open to visitors. However, it can be seen from State Road 32 in Francis.
What can be done? What was learned?
The best immediate steps are to find a buyer interested in preservation or a partner for rehabilitation, and to talk with Francis city leaders about creating preservation tools. Right now, Francis has no way to protect historic buildings from being torn down. Even a simple demolition review process would give the community a chance to provide input if demolition is proposed. If you are interested in buying or helping to restore the property, start by contacting Summit County to find out who currently owns it.
What is the timeline?
There has been no public announcement of a demolition application or development timeline. The threat remains ongoing and passive, as the building continues to deteriorate, and no preservation measures have been taken. Since there is no required review process, the developer could demolish the building at any time without public notice or the community's opportunity to respond.
What has been the public discussion?
The 2024 Most Endangered listing was covered by the Park Record and TownLift, both highlighting the building's vacancy, developer ownership, and lack of local protections. Preservation Utah Executive Director Brandy Strand said in KPCW's April 2025 coverage: "It's such a unique and beautiful structure, and it's just kind of sitting out there all on its own. We wanted to make sure people knew about that building." Since then, there have been no public advocacy campaigns, community responses, or city actions. The building's isolation, both physically and because Francis lacks preservation resources, makes it especially hard for the community to lead preservation efforts.
Links to more information and articles.
National Register nomination (NPS Gallery): https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/9c3bcddf-0541-4cd8-96e1-45c56660e8c8
KPCW, April 2025 — 2025 Most Endangered nominations coverage referencing Mitchell Home: https://www.kpcw.org/summit-county/2025-04-04/wasatch-back-residents-can-nominate-locations-for-2025-endangered-historic-places-list
Park Record, May 2024 — 2024 Most Endangered listing coverage: https://www.parkrecord.com/2024/05/06/summit-county-dwellings-among-states-most-endangered-buildings-list-according-to-preservation-utah/
TownLift, May 2024 — listing coverage: https://townlift.com/2024/05/summit-county-landmarks-face-demolition-risk/