Jens Nielson

Jens Nielson House


This fabulous house was built in the late 1880's by Jens Nielson, the first Latter-day Saint bishop in Bluff. It was originally similar in design to the other stone house built by Jens Nielson on the same block. Kirsten Jensen Nielson, Jens's second wife, lived in this house with Jens.

Jens Nielson House
Jens Nielson

The house was significantly altered in the 1950s when its second story was removed and its front porch framed in and turned into a bathroom. It appears that the second story materials were re-used to build an apartment onto the south side of the lower story.

The remodeled building was then stuccoed entirely, and a simple gable roof was built over it. A shed roof was built over the apartment.
In 1991, the present owner restored the original cross-wing, two-story form with the four gables. The lower story stucco finish was retained. The upper story is sheathed in ceder shingles laid in a staggered pattern, and the restored second story roof reproduces the original steep pitch of the gables. The lower story originally had windows on all four walls, although the south wall is obscured by the present-day southern apartment building. Each wall has two windows; one single double-hung, and one coupled double-hung window. There are red brick arches over each window. The doorways, one on the north porch, one in the west wall, and one in the south wall, have transoms over their lintels. Existing major alterations to this building are the new upper story and the attached apartment on the south side. The upper story exhibits architectural elements and materials that are consistent with the local vernacular architecture. The apartment does not contribute to the character of the building(Allan).

The house has had several owners in recent history, and it is currently being used as a bed and breakfast.


1997 pictures of Jens Nielson House. Now a bed and breakfast.
(Elizabeth Boot photos)

Page By Rory Atcitty
San Juan High School


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