Centennial House sign returned just as renovation of Park City building is imminent

The sign at the Centennial House on Main Street was returned shortly after it disappeared and just before a major renovation of the building.

PJ Builders, the general contractor preparing for the work on the decrepit building, did not provide details about the whereabouts of the sign before it reappeared or how it was retrieved. The firm said it is “beyond thankful to our Park City community for spreading the word and helping this cherished piece of history return home.”

“As for how it found its way back just like the stories from the Centennial’s past, some things are best left unsaid. The Centennial Building will keep her secrets, and so will we. What matters is this historic sign will once again stand proud as part of the restoration,” PJ Builders said.

The sign went missing during the overnight hours of the weekend of Sept. 5 and Sept. 6. PJ Builders at the time indicated they believed someone or multiple people climbed onto the building and likely used wrenches or bolt cutters to remove the sign.

The sign had been there for at least 30 years.

The Centennial House sign was returned shortly after it was taken from the Main Street building. There are plans to incorporate the sign into the refurbished building. The general contractor did not provide details about the return of the sign. Credit: Photo Courtesy of Courtesy of PJ Builders

The owner of the Centennial House plans to restore the sign and incorporate it into the refurbished building. The project involves turning the structure into a house. It had been a boardinghouse but had not been occupied for years and fell into disrepair. A Poison Creek flood in 2004 further damaged the building, as water, mud and rocks came inside. City Hall condemned the Centennial House in 2007.

The original building dates to the early 20th century and was once known as the Durkin Boarding House. Some materials that can be salvaged from the structure will be used in the new house.

The construction crew in recent days arrived at the site, which is just south of the commercial section of Main Street. Fencing was placed around the structure earlier in September, with historic photos of the Centennial House as decorations. It is a consequential project in Old Town with the history of the Centennial House and the high-profile location.

The Centennial House fell into disrepair over the years. A significant renovation is designed to turn the building into a house. Credit: Michael Ritucci/Park Record

The owner of PJ Builders, Pete Olson, said on Wednesday the firm was finalizing the City Hall permitting for the construction. The work will start once the permitting is finished.

Olson said the crew will begin the work by removing historic elements of the building that will be preserved and used in the construction of the new house. That work is expected to be performed in October, he said. The remaining building will be taken down afterward. Olson said the timeline includes the installation of a new foundation by the end of the year.

Olson is a veteran contractor who has previously worked in Old Town, including the renovations of historic houses. He described the Centennial House as “so iconic.”

“It’s going to be kind of the feather in my cap for my Old Town portfolio,” he said.

There was support for the project during the City Hall approval process. There were also questions about the plans for the project that included whether alternative preservation methods could be employed.