Sep 12, 2008
National Register of Historic Places - Malcolm and Elizabeth Keyser House (Albert and Zella Merrill House; Russell and Margaret Lucas House)
Statement of Significant: The Malcolm and Elizabeth Keyser House, built in 1913, is a two-story Prairie School residence located at 381 E. 11th Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah. The house is significant under Criteria A and C. The original owners, Malcolm A. Keyser and Elizabeth Callison Keyser, were prominent citizens in Salt Lake City in the early twentieth century and heavily involved in the commerce of the city. Malcolm Keyser was president of the M. A. Keyser Fireproof Storage Company and vice president of the Aaron Keyser Investment Company. The Keyser Investment Company, specialized in real estate loans, and was one of the leading companies involved in the development of the Avenues neighborhood. Due to difficulties with infrastructure, the Keyser House was one of only a handful of homes built in the upper Avenues in the first quarter of the twentieth century. From its 11th Avenue location, the Keyser House commanded an inspiring view of the burgeoning city and likely made a favorable impression of on Mr. Keyser's professional associates and social contacts. The Keyser House is significant under Criterion C for its association with the historical and architectural development of the upper Avenues neighborhood in Salt Lake City. It is also significant as the most fully realized example of the Prairie School residential design in the Avenues, and possibly the city. The house was built by John W. A. Timms and his son, Thomas L. Timms. The design is attributed to the architectural firm of Hyrum C. Pope and Harold W. Burton, who designed numerous Prairie School-style buildings in Utah. The Keyser House is distinctive, partially because of its horizontal massing, and also for its materials, a combination of brick and hollow clay block, covered in textured stucco/granite. The majority of Prairie School-influenced buildings constructed in Utah in the early twentieth century were built of brick, including the work of Pope and Burton. Stucco covered examples are relatively rare and this early use of granite is unique. The choice of materials may have been suggested by Malcolm Keyser, who built his business on the "fireproof storage business. During the 1950s, the house underwent a remodel and expansion that transformed the rear of the residence into a high-end suburban ranch house complete with pool. These modifications are also within the period of significance, 1913-1956, and were completed without compromising the integrity of the original Prairie School design. The Keyser House was listed on the Salt Lake City Register of Historic Sites in 1978. The home has recently undergone a complete rehabilitation as a state historic preservation tax project. The Malcolm and Elizabeth Keyser House is a contributing resource in the Avenues neighborhood of Salt Lake City.
National Register of Historic Places - Malcolm and Elizabeth Keyser House (Albert and Zella Merrill House; Russell and Margaret Lucas House)
Statement of Significant: The Malcolm and Elizabeth Keyser House, built in 1913, is a two-story Prairie School residence located at 381 E. 11th Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah. The house is significant under Criteria A and C. The original owners, Malcolm A. Keyser and Elizabeth Callison Keyser, were prominent citizens in Salt Lake City in the early twentieth century and heavily involved in the commerce of the city. Malcolm Keyser was president of the M. A. Keyser Fireproof Storage Company and vice president of the Aaron Keyser Investment Company. The Keyser Investment Company, specialized in real estate loans, and was one of the leading companies involved in the development of the Avenues neighborhood. Due to difficulties with infrastructure, the Keyser House was one of only a handful of homes built in the upper Avenues in the first quarter of the twentieth century. From its 11th Avenue location, the Keyser House commanded an inspiring view of the burgeoning city and likely made a favorable impression of on Mr. Keyser's professional associates and social contacts. The Keyser House is significant under Criterion C for its association with the historical and architectural development of the upper Avenues neighborhood in Salt Lake City. It is also significant as the most fully realized example of the Prairie School residential design in the Avenues, and possibly the city. The house was built by John W. A. Timms and his son, Thomas L. Timms. The design is attributed to the architectural firm of Hyrum C. Pope and Harold W. Burton, who designed numerous Prairie School-style buildings in Utah. The Keyser House is distinctive, partially because of its horizontal massing, and also for its materials, a combination of brick and hollow clay block, covered in textured stucco/granite. The majority of Prairie School-influenced buildings constructed in Utah in the early twentieth century were built of brick, including the work of Pope and Burton. Stucco covered examples are relatively rare and this early use of granite is unique. The choice of materials may have been suggested by Malcolm Keyser, who built his business on the "fireproof storage business. During the 1950s, the house underwent a remodel and expansion that transformed the rear of the residence into a high-end suburban ranch house complete with pool. These modifications are also within the period of significance, 1913-1956, and were completed without compromising the integrity of the original Prairie School design. The Keyser House was listed on the Salt Lake City Register of Historic Sites in 1978. The home has recently undergone a complete rehabilitation as a state historic preservation tax project. The Malcolm and Elizabeth Keyser House is a contributing resource in the Avenues neighborhood of Salt Lake City.
Sep 12, 2008
Posted Date
Jun 28, 2023
Historical Record Date
Sep 12, 2008
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
