Nels G. Hall House

The Hall house is one of the best examples of the Spanish Colonial Revival style in Salt Lake City. Especially significant are the tiles of the front entry. They are probably the work of Ernest Batchelder, an important southern California artist of the Arts and Crafts period. The house was built for Nels G. Hall, a prominent businessman, and designed by the architect Slack Winburn and his sons. Hall desired a simplicity and elegance in the exterior design and a functional interior, which are reflected in the house.

The Nels G. Hall House is located at 1340 East Second Avenue in the Avenues of Salt Lake City, Utah and was added to the National Register of Historic Places (#80003923) on October 3, 1980. The text on this page is from the national register’s nomination form.

Nels G. Hall was born on December 29, 1884, in Provo, Utah, a son of Nels and Josephine Bergstrom Hall. He was educated in Provo and graduated from Brigham Young Academy’s School of Business. He married Hazel Greaves at Ephraim on September 5, 1910. They had three children; Katherine, Jeanne and Nels G. Hall.

Hall’s business career began in 1905 when he moved to Salt Lake City to accept a position with the Utah Savings and Trust Company. He then became assistant to Heber M. Wells, who later became the first governor of Utah, in 1914 Hall helped create the Columbia Trust Company and became vice president. In 1920 he left to become secretary-treasurer of the Panama Sugar Company. He soon returned to Salt Lake City to become manager of the Utah Wholesale Grocery, and at that time lived at 275 llth East. He then assumed vice presidency of the Columbia Trust Company and entered into the mining business with several business associates, forming the South Mountain Mining Company at Jordan Valley, Oregon. It was during this period of Mr. Hall’s life that he began the plans for the house. He had visited California and resolved to build a Spanish Colonial or Mission style similar to houses he had seen, and eventually decided on the Spanish Colonial Revival plans. In 1945 Hall sold the mining company and devoted his time to personal investments and business. l He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Federal Heights Ward, and he was also active in civic affairs.

Nels G. Hall lived in the house from the day it was ready to occupy until his death at the age of 80 on December 31, 1964. His widow, Hazel, remained in the house until her death some six years later. Their only son, Nels, lived in the home a short time until his untimely death in 1971. The house remained vacant as such for five years and later occupied by Dr. Alien S. McGaughey. The Thomas Buranek family are the current residents.

Nels G. Hall hired the architect Slack Winburn and his son to design a house similar to Spanish-style houses he had seen in California. According to Hall’s daughter, he wanted simplicity and elegance in the exterior design and a functional and warm interior. The builder was J.H. Johnson.

The exterior appearance of the house is in keeping with the simplicity and elegance desired by Mr. Hall. The principal building material is brick, with a stucco finish. The house has a very solid appearance, with the windows recessed from the exterior façade about six inches. One exception to the brick construction is a frame extension of the master bedroom in the rear of the house. This is also covered with stucco.

Wood was used on the exterior of the house mainly for the cornice and the openings. Doorways, window frames, balconies and support posts in the rear of the house are wooden. There is also a small wooden deck extension in the rear. Simple wooden posts support a roof over a sun porch located above the concrete garage. The garage is partially underground, and was built at the same time as the original structure.

In the Spanish Revival style chimneys were commonly placed in the interior of the house. The Hall house, however, has both its chimneys located on the exterior walls, one on; the east and one on the west façade. The physical appearances of the two chimneys are in keeping with popular designs used for this style. One chimney is used for two fireplaces, one below the other.

The wooden posts which support the rear extension of the second floor (the master bedroom) are designed in the style of the Spanish Colonial Revival. Two posts are placed very close together, as if to resemble a single post. A common feature of the Spanish Colonial Revival style is the balcony. Typical balconies are long and extend around a portion of the exterior. Two balconies are situated on the Hall house on the street façade, second floor. The first is made of wood, with panels having a cutout sun motif in the center. These panels of wood were quite common for privacy as well as for wind protection. The second balcony, around the corner from the other, is ornamented with wooden spindles.

One of the loveliest features of the house is the front door surrounded by beautiful ceramic tiles. These tiles were probably the work of Ernest Batchelder, an artist of the Arts and Crafts period who lived and worked in southern California. The tiles depict popular Spanish motifs. Extra tiles were purchased in case tiles were damaged by weather or age. These tiles were ordered, as were the roofing tiles, through the Cahoon Brick Company.

The Hall house main floor plan consists of a living room, dining room, breakfast room, study, kitchen and one-half bath. There are two fireplaces on the main floor. On the second floor, there are three bedrooms, a full bath, and the master bedroom is in the rear of the house. The lower level consists of an amusement room, a bedroom, a laundry room and a three/quarter bath.

The John M. Whitaker House is significant for its association with its original owner, occupant and namesake, John Mills Whitaker, a man important for his contributions to his church, business, educational and political community. His voluminous journal and papers are a valuable local history resource.

Built in 1889 and located at 975 East Garfield Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah and added to the National Register of Historic Places (#78002684) on March 30, 1978. The text on this page is from the nomination form when it was added.

Related:

• How to spot a “polygamy house” apartment in Utah

The John M. Whitaker House is a two-story building constructed of brick with stone trim in 1889. The residence follows the High Victorian Italianate style and is well preserved, excepting the stucco sheathing over the exterior brick–an alteration which conceals the original color and texture of much of the exterior. Inside, however, the house is very much intact.

Typical of Victorian era floorplans, the plan of the Whitaker House is irregular, yet it is almost symmetrical with both the east and west wings of the building being identical as to types and layouts of rooms. Each wing has separate front entries. The plan has all of the aspects of a two-family residence or perhaps a “polygamy house.” The central wing of the house has pent corners and is fully two stories tall, while the side wings are one-and-one-half stories in height.

The building has a hip roof and boxed and moulded cornice. The window bays are tall, segmentally arched and contain one-over-one operable sash windows. The wings have shallow, square bay windows. The foundation wall is sandstone. All major entries to the home are recessed and covered by wooden porches which feature carved wooden trim. The original landscaping is intact, the trees and shrubbery now being fully matured and very large. A photograph of the building taken shortly after construction shows the original appearance of the home and its yard.

Of its architectural features, the interior of the Whitaker House is most impressive Several fireplaces with ornamental wood mantels and front pieces, tile hearths, and stamped metal hoods are extant. A variety of Eastlake doors, as well as window and base trim are intact. The heavy Eastlake stair rails and balusters, high ceilings, wood floor and original hardware also remain in most areas of the building.

The original contract with T. O. and T. J. Angell, October 17, 1889, is extant and specified the “best of materials, Oregon pine studs, and maple, walnut or mahogany banister.” The contract also mentions a spring, a well, and plumbing and indicated “the house will be built at a cost of $4,575.”

John M. Whitaker was an active and prominent member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during its early years in the Salt Lake Valley. During his lifetime he saw the church emerge from the trying pre-manifesto days to its present condition. As a young man Whitaker knew intimately men whose lives reached back far beyond Civil War days. He was acquainted with Mormon Church President John Taylor and married his daughter Ida in 1886. He worked with John Young, son of Brigham Young, on some of the great railroad projects of Utah. Whitaker witnessed the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple and saw Utah enter into statehood. As one of the early residents of the Sugarhouse area, Whitaker developed what came to be known as the Verona Water System, the earliest supply of water in that location.

The papers of John M. Whitaker contain the many facets of his long life: missionary, bishop, patriarch, teacher and speaker in the L.D.S. Church as well as horticulturist, builder, educator, politician, businessman and diarist.

His business life included employment as the secretary of John W. Young and the building of the Salt Lake and Eastern Railway, manager of the Taylor Brothers Real Estate Company, assistant secretary and ticket and passenger agent of the Utah Light and Railway Company. He later became head of the office of the Utah Light and Railway Company (Utah Power and Light) , manager of the Deseret Employment Bureau, and Civic Employment Bureau and paymaster for the Civic Works Administration.

Whitaker was best known for his role in church activities and administration. He faithfully recorded what he saw and heard, and carefully preserved written information of all kinds. For fifty years he recorded for the press all the General Conferences of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also initiated the tremendous growth of the seminary movement in the Mormon Church. His seminary teaching, the establishment of a Free Public Library which later became the Salt Lake Stake Library and his activities during the depression with unemployment in church and state marked the beginning of the ward, stake, and general welfare program of the Mormon Church.

During the polygamy persecutions when several church officials went into hiding Whitaker absorbed some of their responsibilities in their absence. This resulted in his work in the L.D.S. Church Historian’s Office and his long involvement recording and editing church history.

After the passage of the Edmunds-Tucker Law in 1887 the L.D.S. Church was disincorporated and Whitaker was out of work. He began employment with the Salt Lake Herald, the Cannon Brothers Real Estate Company, and gave private shorthand lessons, being an expert in that field.

In 1889 Whitaker was appointed to several prestigious offices in his church. It was also at this time that he became interested in politics. He worked for Senator Reed Smoot and made great efforts with lectures and press articles to defend B. H. Roberts in his fight to gain a seat in the United States Congress. He also defended and proselyted for Mormonism and became active in the prohibition movement, helping to organize the Utah Federation of Prohibition and Betterment League, later becoming its president in 1914. In addition, Whitaker was the first deputy treasurer of Salt Lake County. Whitaker’s last few years were concerned with seminary teaching, the initiation of the Church Welfare Plan and gardening. On April 2, 1960, John Mills Whitaker died at the age of 96.

The following chronology outlines the life and accomplishments of John M. Whitaker:

October 16, 1863. He was born at Centerville, Utah, the son of Thomas William Whitaker and Elizabeth (Oakden) Mills Whitaker. His youth was spent in Centerville and Ogden working with his father farming and in carpentry and building. At this time he began his study of Pittman shorthand. His first lessons were from his father.

December 17, 1879. He received a Territorial prize at the Deseret Agricultural and Manufacturing Society Fair for his wood carving of the Lord’s prayer. He was very proficient in carving and scroll work.

1883. He worked in a bank in Ogden for H. S. Young.

August, 1883. He went to Salt Lake City with his father to work in the building trades. He joined the Delta Phi Debating Society at the University of Deseret. He was made secretary. During the evenings he gave shorthand lessons to students. Also he started recording speeches, sermons and the conferences in the Tabernacle, which activities he continued throughout most of his life.

November 7, 1882. He met Ida Taylor, daughter of John Taylor, president of the L.D.S. Church, and Mary Oakley Taylor.

January, 1884. He registered at the University of Deseret as a Normal student. He earned money by giving shorthand lessons, recording sermons and speeches. He was also employed on a part time basis as instructor in phonography (phonetics, shorthand, typewriting and commercial letter writing). He also helped his father. He attended the 14th Ward where he met many Church leaders, contacts which were of benefit to him later.

July 7, 1884. Franklin D. Richards, L.D.S. Church Historian, offered him a part time job which he accepted. During the time of the polygamous persecutions when Richards had to be away, Whitaker was responsible for all the office business.

April 28, 1886. His father, Thomas W. Whitaker, died suddenly of a heart attack in Salt Lake City.

June, 1886. He received his two-year Normal degree.

September 22, 1886. He married Ida Taylor. They lived at the Gardo House for a time-while President Taylor was in hiding during the time of polygamy period.

February 23, 1887. He began efforts to establish a Free Library and Reading Room in the Salt Lake Stake.

July 23, 1887. John and Ida’s first child was born. She was named Ida Taylor Whitaker.

July 25, 1887. President John Taylor died while still in hiding over polygamy.

The Church offices closed because of federal pressures. The L.D.S. Church was disincorporated as a result of the Edmunds-Tucker Law passed March 1887. Whitaker was out of work. He was offered part time employment for the Salt Lake Herald, which position he accepted. He also worked for the Cannon Brothers Real Estate Company and other establishments. He continued to give private shorthand classes. At this time he became actively interested in politics. Through his efforts the Salt Lake Stake Library was established.

February 29, 1888. He was asked by John W. Young, owner and manager of the Salt Lake and Fort Douglas Railway to work for him. He became his private secretary and was managing secretary for the railroad. August 30, 1888. He became the purchasing agent for the Salt Lake and Eastern Railway also. This necessitated giving up the University and other work except some reporting for F. D. Richards. September 3, 1888 he was put in charge of the new offices, and on September 22 was made director. October 3 he was in charge of all affairs of John W. Young while Young was in the East.

September 22, 1888. His daughter Mary Taylor was born. She died November 28, 1888.

January 24, 1889. He was called to New York by Young to assist him there.

June 11, 1889. He purchased an acre of ground in Sugarhouse area.

June 24, 1889. He assisted Young in the organization of the Utah-Western Railway Company. He became one of the directors and stockholders.

July 11, 1889. He became secretary and general treasurer of the First Council of Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was also a member and the secretary of the Sunday School Union Board and secretary to the General Superintendency of the Sunday Schools.

1889. He continued private shorthand classes and wrote out blessings of missionaries for the extra income. During August he taught a class at the University of Utah. He taught the first Commercial course given at the University of Utah.

1889. He was assistant secretary of the Bullion Dust Mining Company.

September, 1889. He turned over to others the work of the Free Library.

October 17, 1889. He let the contract for the building of his home at 975 Garfield Ave.

January 5, 1890. His daughter Elizabeth Taylor was born.

September, 1890. The family moved to their new home in Sugerhouse Ward.

1890. He became very active in promoting learning among the young people. He was soon elected a trustee of the Twenty-ninth School District.

August 18, 1891. His daughter Marguerite Taylor was born.

1891. He was still actively interested in politics. He also recorded many speeches of visiting celebrities.

June 3, 1893. He received his teaching certificate from the University of Utah.

November 6, 1892. His son John Taylor was born.

1895. He was one of the reporters for the Constitutional Convention. He voted “Yes” for Utah to become a state.

February 23, 1896. His son Leon Taylor was born. Died, April 13 of whooping cough.

November, 1896. He cast his first vote for the President of the United States.

May 5, 1897. His daughter Janette Taylor was born.

August 18, 1897. He was called on a mission to the Eastern States Mission. He left December 3, 1897.

1898. He was in charge of the elders of New Jersey. He lectured, wrote press articles and his first pamphlet, “The Plan of Salvation.” May 1898. He was appointed president of the New England Conference. He organized the first L.D.S. Sunday School in Providence, Rhode Island.

May, 1899. William H. Smart, president of the Eastern States Mission, called John Whitaker to Boston to act as his assistant. His assignment was to systematize the Mission records, write histories of the conferences and also a general history of the Mission. During all this time he made great efforts with lectures and press articles to defend B. H. Roberts in his fight to gain his seat in Congress. He also did the same in defending and proselyting for Mormonism.

January 20, 1900. He was released from his mission after 25 months in the field.

November 24, 1900. His son Eugene Taylor was born.

February 1900. He was appointed second counselor to the bishop of Sugarhouse Ward. January 1902. He was appointed first counselor.

February 7, 1901. His son John T. Died of diphtheria.

1902. He became the first deputy treasurer of Salt Lake County.

1903. He was a worker for Reed Smoot, Senator. He was one of the committee to go to Washington to plead the case.

July 26, 1904. His son Edison was born.

January 1905. He was made bishop of Sugarhouse Ward.

March, 1905. He became assistant secretary and ticket and passenger agent of the new Consolidated Light and Railway Company. Later he became head of the office of the Utah Light and Railway (Utah Power and Light Company).

February 9, 1907. He resigned this position to become manager of the Taylor Brothers Real Estate Company. In 1908, Taylor brothers Real Estate was agent in this area for the King Hill Irrigation Project, King Hill, Idaho. Whitaker was actively involved in its preliminary promotion. He and members of the family bought into it.

May 1911. He first expressed his interest in prohibition. He became active in the movement and helped organize the Utah Federation of Prohibition and Betterment League. In 1914 he became its first president.

March 1914. He was released as bishop of the Sugarhouse Ward when it was divided and reorganized. He was selected to be a patriarch.

1915. He was appointed by Frank Y. Taylor as the instructor for the L.D.S. Granite School Seminary. He reorganized the whole curriculum and procedure. With Adam S. Bennion, superintendent of Church Education, George H. Brimhall, president of B.Y.U., and others, he helped develop the church seminary system and curriculum.

April 1917. He proposed having the Seminary students speak in the wards, which activity has continued.

June 10, 1919. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education and his High School Life Diploma from the University of Utah. He continued taking courses in evolution, psychology, science and modern thought under visiting professors.

July 1920. As chairman he conducted the Lecture Program for Seminary Teachers at the B.Y.U. Aspen Grove Summer School. He delivered many of the lectures himself.

June 1921. He was again responsible for the lecture program on “Doctrine of the Church” at B.Y.U. Summer School.

January 15, 1925. He was made chairman of the new Editing Committee on Church History and Doctrines with Sidney B. Sperry, David A. Broadbent, and Enoch Jorgensen.

July-August, 1927. He taught the course “Science and Religion” at B.Y.U. Aspen Grove Summer School.

June 1929. At age 65 he retired from seminary teaching.

November 1927. The family moved from the old home at 975 Gargield where they had lived for 27 years to the newly completed home at 1536 South 13th East.

December 13, 1929. He became the manager of the Deseret Employment Bureau. He immediately put into it the same enthusiasm, systematizing efforts, innovations and hard work as in all his endeavors.

Fall of 1930. He also managed the newly created Civic Employment Bureau. It closed in the spring of 1931, reopened in the fall of 1931, and closed again the next spring of 1932.

August 1932. The Deseret Employment Bureau was placed under the Presiding Bishop’s Office. He was designated as “contact officer.” He also received the tithing in produce under David F. Smith, manager of Growers’ Exchange. Continued through 1936.

1933. He was paymaster for Civic Works Administration. He also taught some seminary classes. 1936. The Welfare Plan of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was initiated. Whitaker was invited to meet and help in its organization and development. Much of his past work became a basis for its development.

1937. His mother, Elizabeth Mills Whitaker, died in Centerville, at the age of 98 years

1939. The Federal reform program was becoming a program of recovery. This brought about the end of the work with the Presiding Bishop’s Office.

June 1942. He and Ida became members of the University of Utah Emeritus Club. June 7, 1943. He was made its president.

May 22, 1946. On this date occurred the death of his wife, Ida Oakley Whitaker, at their home. She was 86 years old, the last surviving daughter of President John Taylor. He lived alone until 1954. He worked in his garden, with his sons, attended church, did ward teaching, gave blessings, had fireside meetings in his home. He began to organize and write his transcript journal from his many notes, letters, and diaries.

1951. He made a trip to the H. E. Huntington Library at San Marino, California, to see Leslie E. Bliss who was interested in the Whitaker journal. He made arrangements for them to make photostatic copies.

1954. His daughter Bessie and husband Nelson G. Hunt moved in with him. Mr. Hunt died soon after.

1958. He made arrangements with Mr. L. H. Kirkpatrick to send his library and collection of papers, letters, diaries, etc., to the University of Utah Library. Some were turned over to them in 1959 and some were to be given later. The last were received by the Library in 1969.

July 29, 1959. He made his last journal entry.

April 2, 1960. He gave his last blessing. Three hours later he died at his home on 13th East, age 96 years 6 months.

Whitaker’s house was designed by Truman O. Angell, Jr. and built by the Angell Brothers. Angell is best known as architect of the Logan Temple and Temple ton Building The Whitaker House, built in 1889, is High Victorian Italianate in style.