950 E Logan Ave
Salt Lake City, UT, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Clifford R. Pearsall House

Statement of Significance:

The Clifford R. Pearsall House, built in 1891, is architecturally and historically significant as one of the ten remaining houses that were original to Perkins Addition subdivision, the most visually cohesive example of a streetcar subdivision in Salt Lake City. Streetcar subdivisions played a major role in the transformation of the land south of the original city from agricultural to residential use in the 1890s, and Perkins' Addition was considered the standard of subdivision excellence. The Pearsall House, as one of seven houses in Perkins' Addition which are variants of one house pattern, documents a significant process in suburban development--the use of standardized plans that could be varied to accommodate individual preferences. Additionally, this house type, distinguished by its gable facade and double porch entry, is unique in Salt Lake City, having originated in Colorado.

The Clifford R. Pearsall House at 950 East Logan Avenue was built in 1891 as one of the thirteen large, brick houses constructed in Perkins' Addition subdivision by Metropolitan Investment Company. The house was first purchased, apparently as investment property, by Herman C. Metalmann, a tinner at King & Yankee, a stove and hardware company, who roomed at 213 State at the time. Metalmann, who is never listed in the city directories past 1891-92, apparently for feited the property soon after buying it. The title passed through several hands between 1892 and 1896, but during that time the house was never owner-occupied.

Harper J. Dininny, agent for Metropolitan Investment Company, which built the Perkins' Addition houses, lived in this house from about 1894 to 1896. He lived in other houses in the subdivision also, including what was apparently his own home at 927 East Logan Avenue (1892-94) and the house at 1630 South 900 East (1898-1900; later demolished). Dininny, a lawyer, later served as Salt Lake City Attorney from 1905 until his death in 1917.