| Providence
Inn building monument to pioneers
By Megan Wiseman
January 23, 2009 | PROVIDENCE -- The
Providence Inn hopes to complete a new monument by June
6, 2009 which will recognize the founding pioneers and
the 150-year celebration of Providence City, says owner
Karl Seethaler.
"It's an important project that
needs to be done carefully," Seethaler said.
A committee has been put together
to help create the monument, including Jay Christopherson,
who is doing the architectural design, and City Councilman
Dale Astle.
Seethaler said that it is still being
debated whether or not the new monument will include
the old plaque of the original monument or if a new
one will be created. A time capsule will also be put
in the monument with an opening date of sometime in
2059. Seethaler said that the committee is still deciding
on what will be put into the capsule and is making sure
that it properly reflects Providence.
One thing the committee knows will
go into the capsule are the names of anyone who donates
towards the estimated $40,000 cost of the new monument.
"We want everyone to feel like
they are a part of the monument," said Seethaler.
"It's important that people feel good about this
monument and that it means something to the community."
The original monument was constructed
in 1947 and was dedicated by former LDS president George
Albert Smith. Seethaler said the monument was supposed
to last 100 years, but with time the mortar fell apart
and the monument was taken down.
Seethaler took over the building
(known as the Old Rock Church) in 1993 and turned it
into the Providence Inn to make sure that this piece
of Providence's history was preserved. He feels that
the monument is an important part of the Inn's history.
In the 14 years that Seethaler and
his family have owned the inn, many renovations have
been made, including a new wing connected to the old
church and a new bridal suite.
"When we started planning and
creating the bridal suite, we Googled, researched and
visited many other reception places," said Seethaler.
"Some of the nicest reception halls would only
have a bathroom for the bride to get ready in or the
bridal room would double as a storage room. We wanted
something different, something more special and I think
we've achieved that and now have one of the most elegant
places."
Seethaler said that the Inn has two
main functions: the bed and breakfast and then weddings.
Seethaler said he likes providing a place that offers
an alternative to the popular option of having a reception
in a church gym. He said that the inn isn't just another
building; it has history and community behind it.
When it's not catering to a steady
stream of weddings, the Old Rock Church is welcoming
guests from as far away as Switzerland. Seethaler said
that 30 percent of the inn's guests are returning guests,
30 percent have come to the inn by word of mouth, 30
percent found it through the Internet, the last 10 percent
come for various reasons and 20 percent of all the guests
are residents of Cache Valley.
"It's a great romantic getaway,"
said Seethaler. "It's a place where people can
come and relax and see the beauty of Cache Valley."
To make a donation to the Providence
Inn monument make checks payable to Providence Pioneer
Monument Inc., c/o Ralph Call, treasurer, 585 Canyon
Road, Providence 84332, or you can call Committee President
Dale Astle at 435-752-4693.
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