Rose Garden History Download (PDF)

Rose Garden Restoration

Holy Cross Hospital - Salt Lake

The story of the rose garden at the former Holy Cross Hospital is the story of people who care for others less fortunate than themselves. From the Sisters of the Holy Cross who established the hospital in 1875, to the people of Salt Lake who have made themselves part of the Holy Cross mission, the roses have become a living expression of a tradition of giving that is growing to meet the need for charity care. 

The original rose garden was located in the northeast quadrant of the Holy Cross Hospital block (now Salt Lake Regional Medical Center) where a parking structure and a medical office building now stand. 

The rose garden began May 2S, 1937 and was a partnership among the Utah Rose Society, the Exchange Club, the Salt Lake City Parks, and Holy Cross Hospital. The garden started off with 600 rose bushes within 2 acres and eventually grew to more than 7,000 bushes, 400 varieties from around the world, and 3.5 acres. Several of the rose beds were given as a memorial to deceased relatives or friends. 

The garden was one of the primary tourist attractions of SLC with hundreds of visitors per day and much more than that on the garden's annual opening day each year. Each June the Utah Rose Society paid its "rent" to Holy Cross Hospital for use of the land for the garden-- a dozen roses were clipped from the garden and presented as "payment" to the Sisters of the Holy Cross. 

The patients looked down on the roses from their windows. Their families sought solace there. The sisters often would go to the garden after work to relax and pray. The rose garden honored all of the Holy Cross Sisters who have served at the hospital and recognized donors who contributed to the Sisters' Charity Care Funds. 

The last rose rent was paid on June 4, 1972. Holy Cross Hospital was starting to expand and needed the land for a parking lot and Moreau Hall for their nursing school. In spring 1973, the city and the Utah Rose Society transferred the rose garden to its new home in Sugar House Park, behind the Garden Center building in the northeast section of the park. 

In 1990, the former Rose Garden at Holy Cross Hospital, now Holy Cross Hospital - Salt Lake, was revived on a smaller scale thanks to the work of Sister Olivia Marie and Jean Bradshaw and with a financial gift from Mr. and Mrs. O.C. Tanner. The new garden was dedicated to the memory of the 200 sisters of the Holy Cross who have served the hospital since 1875. Their plaques are located on the fountain that stands today in the Rose Garden. Today, the Rose Garden is located on the south side of the hospital and is enjoyed by all.