8908 South 220 East
Sandy, UT, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Hyrum and Selma Jacobson House

Statement of Significant:

The Hyrum and Selma Jacobson house, built c. 1914, Is significant under Criteria A and C. Under Criterion A it is significant for Its association with an important period of development in Sandy's history: the Specialized Agriculture, Small Business, and Community Development Period (1906-1946), part of the multiple property submission, Historic Resources of Sandy City. The home is also significant under Criterion C as a well-preserved example of the more permanent brick homes built by second generation residents of Sandy. It also represents typical housing for the agricultural and working-class residents of the community at that time. 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. 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 city's eventual transformation from small town to 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 Jacobson house sits on property originally owned by Matilda (also Mathilda) Jacobson, Hyrum Jacobson's mother. When Hyrum was a small boy, his mother moved from Salt Lake City to Sandy to make a home for Hyrum, his brother Andrew, and half-brother John Nelson. The family originally lived , in a small frame home which was destroyed by a lightning-caused fire. Later, the eldest brother John f built a brick home for Matilda Jacobson where they lived until her death in 1913. Matilda purchased the property at 8908 South 220 East from LeGrand Young In 1897. The remains of a foundation near the current Jacobson home are most likely from Matilda's brick house.

Hyrum Jacobson was born in Salt Lake City on November 26, 1879 to Matilda Lagstrom and Anders ' (Anton) Jacobson. Hyrum was raised in Sandy by his Swedish mother and was bilingual. Hyrum worked in mines throughout Utah collecting ore samples. Much of his time was spent in the Alta mines. Hyrum married Selma Erickson on November 2, 1905. Selma Sophia Erickson was born in Murray on February 28, 1885. Her parents were Peter Erickson and Christine Sophia Ahlin. Selma's family moved from Murray to Midvale and finally settled in Sandy by the time Selma was twelve years old. In her early years, Selma worked doing housework and laundry for other families. After their marriage Selma and Hyrum lived in Alta for a time before moving to Sandy. They were renting a home in Sandy at the time of the 1910 census and Hyrum's occupation was listed as farmer. Their home on 220 East was built around 1914, possibly by John Nelson.

Hyrum and Selma were the parents of four children: Flora Viola, Virgil Hyrum, Margaret Selma, and Idylle Clarice. In his later years, Hyrum worked as a foreman at the United States Smelting Company in Midvale. He and Selma were active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for many years participated in church choirs. Selma was particularly talented and sang in the Swedish Choir which performed throughout the Salt Lake Valley. The Jacobsons were also very active in community affairs and local social clubs. Selma served In the Red Cross, as Democratic Chairwoman, and as an election judge. Hyrum Jacobson died of heart failure on May 1, 1938 while recuperating from burns sustained during an explosion at the United States Smelting plant Selma Jacobson died ten years later on September 4, 1948."

In 1950, Flora Jacobson Allen sold the property to Leonard Hall. Leonard and his wife Paulina owned the home until 1970. Boyd Van Ausdall and his wife Margaret lived there until 1976 when it was purchased by Mariin and Sandra Cozzens. The Cozzens sold the property to Mary Jensen in 1978, and in 1979 she sold it to the current owners James and Stacie Wayne. The Waynes have spent the past decade rehabilitating the house.