by Kacey Jones, For Iron County Today
In the years following World War II, American soldiers returned home to build new lives, new families, and new homes in expanding suburban areas. This period in American history gave birth to an architectural style beloved decades later, known as “midcentury-modern.” It was during this era of design defined by clean lines, that Utah-born, Massachusetts Institute of Technology trained, L. Robert Gardner opened his Cedar City design office. As the founder of the only architectural practice of its kind south of Salt Lake, Gardner left a lasting imprint on Southern Utah.
Those who were lucky enough to attend the L. Robert Gardner show curated by the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) earlier this year, learned that Gardner-designed buildings have stood the test of time in both Iron and Washington Counties. Gardner’s practice received commissions for buildings with vast significance to the communities they serve. Gardner buildings dot Southern Utah University’s campus. They have housed generations of schoolchildren at South Elementary and Cedar High School in Iron County, along with Hurricane, East, and West Elementary Schools in Washington County. Gardner designed important public spaces including the Cedar City Public Library, and homes that have become public spaces, like the Orval Hafen home in St. George, now occupied by the nonprofit DiFiore Center for Arts and Education. For many reading this article, you have likely been inside and appreciated a Gardner-designed building without yet knowing it.
In addition to conceptualizing civic and educational, residential, and religious structures, L. Robert Gardner also brought his design style to important commercial properties that still stand. One such commercial property has been a significant structure on Cedar City’s Historic Main Street. When Cache Valley Bank began looking for a place to open its first location in Cedar City, this Gardner-designed building at 26 North Main Street became a perfect fit.
Rather than constructing a new structure, John Jones, CEO of Cache Valley Bank explained why an L. Robert Gardner building was so appealing for a restoration: “Cache Valley Bank loves historic properties and looks for opportunities to reinvest in the communities where we operate. This building has been an important part of the Cedar City community for a long time, and we’re excited to start this new chapter.”
When conceptualizing what the extensive interior remodel would entail, Jones explained Cache Valley’s desire to go back to the midcentury-modern design style that defined L. Robert Gardner’s aesthetic: “We want people who come into our branch to feel like this remodel captures the style that guided Gardner’s meticulous work. We knew we had to find the right partner, and we’re grateful to Cedar City builder Shawn Ekker of Nova Built who brought passion, vision, and commitment to this historic restoration.”
Cache Valley Bank will open its doors on Thursday, October 3rd. In so doing, Jones issued a warm welcome: “We’d invite all who are interested to come and see first-hand the interior and our approach to blending old and new. We have tried diligently to honor the roots that have sustained this community for generations. Now, we are excited to be a part of its future.”