L.R. & Clara Anderson House

L.R. and Clara Anderson House. . This Victorian Eclectic and Queen Anne style house remains as one of the most distinctive architectural landmarks of Manti. The house, which initially consisted of only two rooms, was begun in 1896 by Lewis R. (L.R.) Anderson. After he returned from a two-year LDS mission, he began construction on the staircase and upper bedrooms, adding the back bathroom, kitchen, and basement by 1899. The last addition was made in 1915 when he built a large bay window in the dining room to display Clara's plants. The chicken coop and brick carriage house were built in the 1920s. , L.R. was a wool broker and rancher, served as mayor of Manti (1902-08), was a member of the Utah State Legislature (1913-17), and was an LDS church stake president and temple president (1943-59). He and Clara, married in the Manti Temple in 1895, raised four girls and three boys in this home. They entertained LDS general authorities, civic leaders, and numerous businessmen here. Clara was temple matron, held many positions in the Relief Society, and was president of the Manti Camp of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. L.R. and Clara lived here until their deaths in 1968 and 1978, respectively.