Lewis S. and Theresa B. Hills House

This Victorian Eclectic style house was built c.1905 for financier and businessman Lewis S. Hills.  After settling in Salt Lake City in 1862, Hills soon became involved in a successful mercantile business.  That success led to the formation in 1868 of Utah Territory’s first financial institution, a private banking firm which eventually became the Deseret National Bank.  Hills served as cashier until 1892 when he was selected president.  After his retirement in 1911 he was appointed chairman of the board of directors.  Hills was also involved in numerous other business and banking ventures, including Z.C.M.I., Beneficial Life Insurance Company and A.J. Pattison and Company (later the Utah Telephone Company).  The move from his old house on Second West to the more fashionable residential area on East First South was consistent with his rising social standing and with the general shift of upper middle class residents toward the east side of the city.  After his death in 1915, his wife Theresa and their daughter continued to live here until 1925.