The glamorous McCune Mansion was built by Alfred McCune and his wife Elizabeth in 1901. As a gifted entrepreneur, Alfred generated a fortune in both the profitable mining and railroad businesses. He was known for his drive and persistence which led to him becoming a well established businessman at a young age. When Alfred and Elizabeth decided to build their mansion on the corner of Main St. and Fort St. in Salt Lake City Utah, they spared no expense. The ½ million dollar, bungalow style mansion had three floors and 21 rooms. After living in their new home with their family for 19 years, the McCune’s donated their home to the Mormon Church in 1920 who turned it into the McCune School of Music. Later it became the Brigham Young University Salt Lake City Center in 1953 and the Virginia Tanner Modern Dance School in 1973. Purchased and restored in 1999, the McCarthy family now offers the mansion as an event space for weddings and receptions.
The first reported incident of paranormal activity was during the time of the music school when organ music and other instruments could be heard despite the house being empty. Apparently, doors would lock and unlock at will. Even doors with no locking mechanism would be found locked. After purchasing the mansion, Phil McCarthy found that the lights in the ballroom would flick back on after he had turned them off. He was notified by an electrician that a second switch could be found in a room two floors below, however, none of the McCarthys had known about this switch. Finally, instances of a gentle, amiable man dressed in a black cape had appeared in separate cases to a guest and to McCarthy’s son. Could it be that Alfred McCune is watching over his beloved mansion even to this very day?
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