A Little History
The Balsam Inn
Brighton Village and its historic center have a deep rooted western history which originated in the mid-1800’s. This evolution began when William Stuart Brighton and his family settled and patented an 80-acre homestead tract of land surrounding the Silver Lake area in 1875, and established the communities identity. The area quickly prospered and became famous in mining and timber industries as Brighton became an important re-supply and lodging half-way point between Park City and Alta. The region supplied Salt Lake Valley with materials and resources, and became a popular “Jewel of the Wasatch Mountains” to escape the heat of summer during pioneer times.
In 1910, Thomas and Mettie Davis purchased plots of land (existing Silverlake Village site) from Robert W. Brighton and built the original 3-story log hotel named The Balsams which opened in 1913. During this time, a stable, saddle house, grocery store and log cabin were also built on the property, and were among the main attractions in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
The stable operated for about 30 years renting saddle horses to summer visitors, and horse teams for the stage line, mining and timber operations, and hauling cement for construction of Lake Mary and Twin Lake Dams. The first owners of the stable were Tom Davis and George Granter, then rented to E.V. and Molly Green who managed it until 1940 when horses were barred from the canyon. The cabin was used by George Granter during the time he operated the saddle house business, and afterwards as living quarters for employees of The Balsams.
The grocery store was leased and operated by various people through the years including Skaggs Grocery Chain and William Holt. In 1933, the building was remodeled and converted to a restaurant, and booths installed to seat about 30 people. They served hamburgers, sandwiches, ice cream, candy, sodas and beer with the business name of Balsam Corner. It also featured a fresh trout tank where customers could catch their own dinner just outside the door, and an earth berm was contoured on site to pond an area for winter ice-skating. The Balsam Corner restaurant was a popular destination in Brighton for many years.
Sadly, The Balsams building burned down in 1937. Tom and Mettie’s son, Paul Davis, rebuilt it into a restaurant and lodge named The Balsam Inn on the same foundation which was completed in 1942. Paul and Inez Davis operated it until 1955 when it was sold to Boyd and Arleen Summerhays who continued the business until it burned in 1959. Gary Heintz purchased the property from Boyd and James Ivers in 1995, only the fourth generation owner since the original patent was issued by the United States of America. Various foundation remnants are still present today and serve as the continued legacy of this historic site.