589 East 8800 South
Sandy, UT, USA

National Register of Historic Places - John Thomas and Myrtle Ostler House

Statement of Significance:

The John Thomas and Myrtle Ostler House, built in 1922, is a one-story, frame and clapboard bungalow on a concrete foundation. It is significant under both Criterion A for its association with a period of Sandy City's development and Criterion C, as an excellent example of a simple residence executed by a local craftsman using the nationally popular bungalow style. John Thomas and Myrtle Ostler moved to Sandy in 1922 and became took part in Sandy's second period of development the Specialized Agriculture, Small Business, and Community Development Period (1906-1946) of the multiple property submission, Historic Resources of Sandy City. The house is architecturally significant as a rare and relatively well-preserved example of a wood bungalow in Sandy. The house is in excellent condition and contributes to the historic resources of Sandy.

Historical Significance

Located 12 miles south of Salt Lake City, historic Sandy is at the crossroads of what was once a busy series of mining districts. Paralleling to a large extent the history of mining in Bingham Canyon to the west and Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons to the east, Sandy's history and development either boomed or declined based on these mining operations. Sandy's first major period of development is known as the Mining, Smelting, and Small Farm Era, 1871-c. 1910 During this period Sandy became a strategic shipping point and a number of sampling mills and smelters were built in the area. While the dominant force in the economy of Sandy during the 1870s through the 1890s was undoubtedly that of mining, the local agricultural community continued to develop. The majority of those involved in agriculture were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon church) who were encouraged to pursue agriculture instead of mining.

The Specialized Agriculture, Small Business, and Community Development Period (1906-1946) is the second period of development in Sandy. It encompasses the first half of the twentieth century and was a period of transition for the city. The mining, smelting, and small farm era (1871-circa 1910) was being replaced by a more diversified economy. In some ways, the town still resembled the earlier predominantly agricultural community founded by Mormon settlers in the 1860s, especially as the "boom town" economy created around the mining industry waned. The population of Sandy remained around 1,500 for the four decades between 1900 and 1940.4 However, the city was defining itself as the political, economic, civic, and social center for a major portion of the southeast Salt Lake Valley.

This period of Sandy's history laid the groundwork for the city's eventual transformation from a small town to a suburb. One of the earliest signs of community development was the creation of subdivisions from large farming parcels. During the first half of the twentieth century, the majority of Sandy residents continued to live on their farms, however, most managed to survive economically by combining subsistence farming with other occupations, primarily cottage industries and mercantilism. Other farmers created large specialized agricultural enterprises such as sugar beets and poultry. Many Sandy residents continued to work in the mining and smelter industries in nearby communities after Sandy's smelters closed down.

The original section of land from which the lot was derived was patented to Joseph Barker in January 1877. The Last Chance Silver Mining Company of Utah then owned the property for a short time, until Liberty E. Holden purchased it in 1881. Holden retained ownership until after the turn of the century when two local businessmen and developers James Jensen and William Kuhre purchased the north half of the northeast quarter of section 6 in January 1904 for $3,500. In August 1905 this parcel was dedicated as a subdivision known as the Flagstaff Addition to Sandy. This particular lot was purchased by Alva J. and Anna L. Butler for $265 in February 1910. They then sold it to Niels and Mary A. Thompson in July 1919 for $800. The Thompsons sold the property to August M. Nelson for the same price in 1921.5 The 1938 tax file lists the house as being constructed in 1920, but there was no increase in property value until 1923 when the Nelsons deeded the property to J. Thomas Ostler for $2,400, so it is likely that Nelson, a builder, and contractor, constructed the house in 1922. In addition, a biography of the Ostlers states that they built a new home on east Second South Street (now 8800 South) in 1922.

John Thomas Ostler was born November 25, 1890 to William M.C. and Marintha Platt Ostler, in Juab, Utah. He spent his first two decades there, living in a log house that his father built. He was known as Thomas or Tom most of his life. Thomas Ostler attended school in Nephi. In 1911 he moved to Herriman, Utah to work on a ranch. While there he met Myrtle Bodell, and on June 21, 1916, they married in Salt Lake City.

Mary Myrtle Bodell was born to Joseph Samuel Henry and Sarah Lovinia Howard Bodell on July 13, 1895, in Herriman, Utah. She and twelve siblings lived in a two-room log house with their parents. Because of poor health, Myrtle was only able to attend school through the eighth grade, and instead of going to high school, helped her father in his mercantile store in Herriman.^ She met Thomas when he moved to Herriman and they courted five years before marrying. After their marriage in 1916, the couple had three children, Everett, Pearl, and William, born to them before moving to Sandy in 1922. Four more children were born in Sandy. Joseph, Verla, Althera, and James.
Mr. Ostler spent much of this time in service to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon church). His various callings included Sunday School superintendent, stake missionary, Elder's Quorum President, Mt. Jordan Stake Sunday School Board, and a trainer in genealogical research. Thomas Ostler was an employee of Kennecott Copper Corporation and worked at the Magna Mills for twenty years. He suffered from heart problems for many years and passed away on August 15, 1956. Myrtle Ostler served as secretary to the Sunday School, chorister, and Y.W.M.I.A. counselor in the LDS Church. Mrs. Ostler was very active in genealogy work with her husband. She was also a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Myrtle served for twenty years as a local news correspondent, sending in stories to the Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News, and the Midvale Sentinel. She passed away on April 20, 1968, in Sandy. The property was deeded to the Ostler children in 1950. The current owners are Lyle and Sandra Kunz who purchased the home in 1994.