Jens Nielson House

Built in the 1880s by Jens Nielson, the first LDS bishop of Bluff. Nielson was born in 1820 in Denmark and in 1856 traveled across the plains to Salt Lake city in a Mormon handcart batallion.

Prior to pioneering in Bluff, he built homes in Parowan, Paragonah and Cedar City, Utah. 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.

The house was significantly altered in the 1950s when its second story was removedand 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 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.

The house has had several owners in recent history, and after serving as a restaurant and an inn, the Jens Nielson house is now a private residence.