The McCune Mansion - Outer Grounds

 The McCune Mansion in Downtown Salt Lake City is a large, old mansion in the city. It also is apparently haunted. Haunted enough to be featured in some Haunted Utah books. As far as I can tell, it is also a very nice venue for weddings and other events. We came here today looking for random sequoia trees. They are closed on Sundays, but we figured it was a public enough area that we could explore the grounds. But, it is private property and all, so if someone chases you off, well, that’s the rub. The website does state: "Private event venue, entry by appointment only" but we had no intention of going inside. I guess what I am saying is do so at your own risk. And also, don't crash anybody's private event.

Quick Details:

Length: Meh, maybe a tenth of a mile.
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: DR3
Elevation Gain: unknown 
Restroom: No.
Dogs? Unknown, but I am assuming no.
Other Info: Again, it is a private event venue. So you might be trespassing. If that is not your bag, the mansion and the trees can be seen from Main Street.

To Get Here:

Take North Temple to Main Street and head north for 1 1/2 blocks. Turn right on Hillside Avenue, then immediately right into the large parking area.

Or park on Main Street and walk past it.

Heading up State Street towards the Capitol (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)) We didn't realize there was a designated parking lot so we drove around a bit looking for parking.

The Utah State Capitol and the new round about that opened January 6th, 2025. At first I thought it was an improvement, but before we completed the circuit, Utahans proved otherwise.

The Trail:

After looping around the neighborhood a few times looking for parking, we found a lot dedicated to the building, that also threatened fines and towing if not using the area. Well, even if it was closed for the day we figured we were using the area. We were only here for 6 or so minutes, and did not have a problem, but I cannot say that will always be the case.

Anyway, here is the back of the mansion.

Giant M on the ground. Railroad Tycoon Alfred W. McCune started construction on the mansion in 1894 and it was completed in 1901. When him and his family decided to move to Los Angeles in 1920 they donated it to the LD$ church who turned it into a music school

In 1999 the McCarthy family bought it and restored it to it's former glory, turning it into the event venue it is now.

The back of the mansion.

It is supposedly haunted. Some things people have reported are furniture that moves on its own, cold spots, flickering lights, an organ that plays by itself and a little girl's apparition has been seen and heard, especially at weddings. Around Christmas, a man's apparition in a black cape has been seen. He is thought to be Alfred McCune.

I thought I had seen that they offer ghost tours, but I cannot find anything about that now. Either it is a Halloween thing, or I might be thinking of another mansion. But, this is a pretty distinct building.

Dedication to Thomas Kearns McCarthy. It seems the McCarthy family currently owns and runs the place.

Boar statue. Created by local artists Richard Young and Lena Toritch. In tradition of the Boar worldwide, they invite you to rub it's nose for good luck.

We found the pair of sequoias. The random site I was using as a guide suggested there was a grove here. I hardly think that 2 trees constitute a grove, but still fun!

Little closer. Meh, I am not really thrilled with the lighting right now. These are located on the northwest corner of the property.

Random old well. I was quite surprised that it did not appear to be covered.

Oh, the grate is just a bit lower. But, this is good, we don’t need any Timmy in the well issues.

The redwoods again.

The west side of the mansion.

I imagine this is a mandated emergency egress.

Stairs down towards Main Street and 2nd North.

I think this is the main entrance.

The front, or south side.

Random ladies.

Dragons.

The front again.

Big fancy M on a sewer grate.

Really cute and stylized fleur-de-lis. At least I think that’s what it is, maybe there is a fancier version I am not aware of.

The mansion again.

Curved glass windows. Now that is super neat!

Fancy trellis near the parking lot.

Here is a google street view image of the sequoias from main street if that is a better option for you.

The front from google street view as well, since I failed to get that too.

Heading down State Street.

That was a fun random little adventure. I am glad we found some more redwoods, but it felt a little weird to be on the property while they were not open. I was on the fence on whether we were okay, or totally trespassing so I didn't want to dilly dally. But, we saw what we wanted to, and the building is neat too. One of these days I hope I get the opportunity to go inside. Meh, 7 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, it was easy, paved, generally flat, but there are some stairs. DR3. But I believe there are some options to avoid the stairs.

As for dogs, uhm, no indication, So I am gonna go with no. Unless you stay on the outside of the grounds.