John and Jeanette Gerrard House

John and Jeanette Gerrard House. Utah Historic Site. The Gerrard House, constructed in 1906, is significant for its strong representation of vernacular Victorian architecture in Utah. The house was constructed by the Frame Brothers Construction Company. The plan type of the house, known as a central block with a projecting bay, was common in Utah at the turn of the twentieth century. The Gerrard House has a gabled central block instead of the frequently used pyramidal roof core. Although popular in the more urban centers of Utah, this type was used less in the rural settlements of the Salt Lake Valley. However, the Gerrard House stands out as a more elaborate urban example and is an architectural landmark in the area. The dwelling and pump house are the only two original buildings on the property. By the time the house was completed, the Gerrards had managed to establish themselves as successful ranchers in the region, specializing in raising sheep. John Gerrard also established the Gerrard Real Estate Company, and later, the Taylorsville Land and Livestock Company., In 1918, the Gerrards sold the property to David and Clara Jones, who focused on growing and selling sugar beets. The Jones also used a portion of the farm for hay and wheat production. Dairy operations on the property began in 1931 when Raymond C. Jones, the youngest son of David and Clara, leased a portion of the land from his parents for $100 a month. In 1933, he purchased the entire property and started a small-scale dairy with only ten cows. The Jones Dairy survived the difficult Depression years, and by World War II, the operation had improved. The dairy established itself as one of the most successful family-owned commercial dairies in the Salt Lake Valley.