UTAH HISTORIC SITES INVENTORY 9 Name and Address of Site Owner Date Justin Rich Eccles April 1, 1975 Address of Site Architect or Builder 2508 Jackson Avenue Eber Piers and Whitmeyrs Constrc. Co. Original Owner Original Use Royal & Cleone Eccles Private Home Material Present Use Brick Private Home Year Built 1920 1. Describe the historical significance of the site. Include a discussion of the original and subsequent owners, and dates and events associated with the building and the owners. Royal Eccles was born December 9, 1884, in Ogden, Utah, the son of David Eccles and Bertha Marie Jensen. He was educated in the Ogden City Public Schools (Grant School 1891), University of Michigan (LLB Degree in 1908) and served a mission for the L.D.S. Church to Germany in 1909. Shortly after graduation from the University of Michigan in June, 1908 he accepted a call from the church to serve as a missionary for a three year term in the German Mission. He was duly ordained a minis­ter of the Gospel and entered upon this work. As a consequence, the practice of law was held in abeyance for this period of time. After his mission he traveled extensively in Europe and then re­turned home in 1912. In 1912 Mr. Eccles took up the active practice of the law. He became a partner in the firm of Boyd, Devine and Eccles with offices at Ogden, Utah. During the following years he became increasingly occupied with corporate affairs and executive responsibilities. He became a corporate official at various times in the following institu­tions: Sec. & Treas. of the David Eccles Co. ; Pres. of Oregon Lumber Co.; Sumpter Valley Railway Co., Pres.; Sec. Amalgamated Sugar Co.; Utah-Idaho Central R.R.; Austin Bros. Asso; Utah National Bank; Utah Implement Vehicle Co.; Lion Coal Company; Wyoming Coal Co. fie was also involved in investments, lumber manufacturers, trans­portation, forest products, railroad and reclamation work, beet sugar manufacturer, transportation, livestock banking, farming implements, coal mining and a number of small miscellaneous local coprorate con­cerns. In 1930 he sold his corporate interests and retired to devote his time to his personal affairs. He married Cleone Rich Eccles in the Salt Lake Temple August 22, 1915. He was a charter member of the Ogden Golf and Country Club and the Weber Club. He was a High Priest in his church and taught a Sunday School class for many years. He served as High Priest Group Leader as well ad a teacher of the Elders Quorum and Ward Teacher. During -2- the Second World War or soon after, he sent food packages, shoes, and clothing to every member and child of the Vienna Branch in Austria at his own expense. His hobby was gardending and he experimented with and introduced many varities of trees and shrubs new to this region. Many of them are planted around town. He was known for his many varities of irises and peonies. He and his wife, Cleone, traveled around the world visiting 40 countries in the Orient and Europe. He was the father of seven children: Maren E. Hardy; Edward Rich Eccles (died at age 5); Cleone E. Yeates; Myrelle E. Thomas; Claire E. S. M. Adams; and Justin Rich Eccles. (See attached #II for more information) Describe the building in terms of its architectural significance. In­clude a characterization of the style, a description of any unique features it might possess as well as the contribution it makes to the environment. The roof shingles contain an extension or double course totaling three, breaking the roof main portion into four segments or four bands. Use of extending walls into the planting area from the main house, a- typical and reminiscent of Wright and his Robie house and others. The garage has its own gabled roof, although tied in, located on the south and in no way distracts, but rather adding to the interest of space, which indicates that the architect understood Wright more rather than just utilizing his style. Typical of a later Wright style, called Prairie House, which is highly developed in Wright's Robie House in Chicago done in 1907. It employes dark brick, low pitched gable roof, wood mullioned rain gutter built into the facia, windows, solid panel in the center with operating vents on each side; the soffit is at near window height. In Wrightian homes this would also have been the ceiling height of the home. The roof would then be used as a lid. It has a fascinating step in the soffit just be­hind the facia which adds a lot more interest to the exterior by add­ing a second line just below the facia, and creating a dominant plain for the roof, separating it and yet acting as a cap, visually. This home is relatively free of others influences. The use of the two main piers out in front supporting the roof over the portico is once again Wrightian in influence. The brick is laid in bond composed of a full brick, then half brick or header, full brick, half brick, etc. The course directly above and below staggered so that the half brick and whole brick above and below each other. The window sills and top of garden and patio walls are exposed concrete cap. Ron Hales, Architect Describe what alterations have been made to the original structure. For example, have there been any additions? Where? When? In what ways has use of the interior space been altered? Has the building been stuccoed or otherwise sheathed? (See attached #I for this information) -3- 4. Describe the physical condition of the site at the present time. First class, better than new. What are the future plans for the site? Residential. The garden to the south of the home will be reduced to more grass for easier maintenance and appearance. Sources used in compiling the history. (Persons interviewed, books, diaries, family histories, newspapers, etc.) Original Abstract Original Blueprints Original correspondence between architect, builder, and owner Sewer Permit Obituaries Cemetery profiles Family photos Architectural summaries: Mr. John Piers, Mr. Ron Hales Person compiling form: Name: Justin Rich Eccles Address: 2508 Jackson Avenue Ogden, Utah Telephone: 621-7600 Return to: Preservation Planning Office Utah Historical Society 603 E. South Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84102II.3. The original owner was Royal & cleone Eccles. The house was deeded to Cleone. Royal was the third son of David & Bertha Marie Eccles. He was born in Ogden Dec. 9, 1884 and died aboard the Gripsholm in the Straights of Magellon Feb. 5, 1963. He was educated in Ogden, received an L.L.B. from the Univ. of Michigan in 1908. He served a mission for the LDS church in Germany from 1908 to 1911. He practiced law with Judge Devine until 1920, at which time he assumed the presidency of the Eccles - Oregon Lumber Company in Portland. He served in that position until 1930, at which time he returned to Ogden and concerned himself with the affairs of the David Eccles Building, of which he was a part owner. He became involved with evergreens and flowers, which he displayed and spent much time with in the south lot of the property. He became known in the community for his expertise with evergreens and flowers - principally iris and peonies. Cleone Rich Eccles, second daughter of Edward I and Almira Rich, married Royal in 1918. Several of the six children were born in the house. Cleone became known throughout her life as a dedicated mother, devoute church worker, president of the community concert association for 25 years, Relief Society General Board member and life long violinist, which she practiced and worked at all of her adult life. She died in the home April 27, 1973. During her presidency of the community concert association, many of the famous artists came to the home as guests. Many performed for small private groups. 1. Brick structure. The house today essentially looks the same as when it was first completed in 1920. The garage door has been changed, a tool house has been added, and the front drive in port has been widened. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, 1 dining room, 1 parlor, 1 kitchen, 1 playroom, 1 washroom, 1 furnace room, 1 coal room, 1 fruitroom and 2 storage rooms. 18 rooms total up to 1948 Changes made since 1948 are: 2nd floor - redesign of bedroom and bathroom, to allow a kitchen facility Main floor - the old bathroom was split in two to make two bathroom facilities. the front hall way was enlarged to accomodate a large grandfather clock belonging to David Eccles. This change reduced the size of the kitchen, which necessitated a complete redesign and relacation of the stairs going upstairs and downstairs. In 1973 the kitchen was again completely redesigned. Basement level - A large storage room was converted into a party room, with adjoining kitchen. Two rooms-were excavated to provide additional storage adjacent to the party room. The coal room was made smaller to allow more space in the furnace room and was converted into another storage room. This room has since been converted into a bed room. The playroom was converted into a bedroom with full bathroom facilities. The fruitroom was made smaller to accomodate the relocation of the stairs. The washroom was modernized with cabinets and plumbing etc. Garage level - The garage ceiling was lowered, the two doors removed and replaced with one large roll up door. The new area created by lowering the ceiling was build to accomodate a small apartment, possibly for a gardner. However, it was not fully completed until 1973, before which it was used for storage. A small tool house was build out of brick from the wall separating the garage and garden. Exterior changes have been minimal. The front car port was made wider to accomodate modern automobiles. The garage was somewhat changes, as explained in #4. 6 Unique features about the house, possibly the large eves, the extended roof line, large bay windows, the immaculate condition of the basic structure and the landscaping. 7. Many photographs are available of both the early structure and modern version.