Ruth Wattis Gwilliam/Marriner Eccles Home

Built in 1917 and designed by Eber Piers, this home is one of two matching houses which were designed on adjoining properties on Van Buren and, along with the Edmond Orson Wattis house behind them on Eccles Avenue, formed the Wattis Compound. This house was given to the Wattis’ daughter, Ruth Wattis Gwilliam. Mrs. Gwilliam divorced her husband and moved to Paris to become a sculptress.

In 1923, the home was sold to Marriner Eccles. Mr. Eccles began his career in finance at a small bank in Hyrum, Utah and along with Marriner Browning organized the First Security Corporation. Mr. Eccles and his wife, May Campbell Young, added a garage and a servant’s wing onto the house.

Mr. Eccles talents and insights caught the attention of the Roosevelt Administration and he was appointed the chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank in 1934. His vision greatly influenced the massive public works projects of the FDR Administration. He also was instrumental in the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Housing Administration and the World Bank. Mr. Eccles died in 1977.

2541 Van Buren Avenue in Eccles Avenue Historic District and in the Ogden’s Central Bench Historic District in Ogden, Utah

Built in 1917 and designed by Eber Piers. this home is one of two matching houses which were designed on adjoining properties on Van Buren and, along with the Edmond Orson Watt is house behind them on Eccles Avenue, formed the Watt is compound. This house was given to the Wattis’ daughter. Ruth Wattis Gwilliam. Mrs. Gwilliam divorced her husband and moved to Paris to become a sculptress. In 1923, The home was sold to Marriner Eccles. Mr. Eccles began his career in finance at a small bank in Hyrum, Utah and along with Marriner Drowning organized the First Security Corporation. Mr. Eccles and his wife May Campbell Young added a garage and a servant’s wing onto the house. Mr. Eccles talents and insights caught the attention of the Roosevelt Administration and he was appointed the chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank in 1934. His vision greatly influenced the massive public works projects of the FDH Administration. He also was instrumental in the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Housing Administration and the World Bank. Mr. Eccles died in 1977.*