Historic “Owl House” on 6th Avenue in Salt Lake City

This is one of my favorite houses in the Avenues. Neighborhood people call it “Owl House” because of the owl faces on the lintels of the front windows. The home was built in 1890 for John Tims, who was propietor of the Phoenix Planing Mill, which probably explains the lavish use of wood trim. There is a small gable up front with  a wood paneled sunburst.  There is also built-up side trim, projecting window sills and turned columns on the enclosed porch. The neighboring home on the east is a reverse twin of this home. It originally had similar wood trim, but at some point the scroll work was removed and the exterior covered in aluminum siding. “Owl House” had its moment of fame during Prohibition. The basement was home to a moonshine still and was the site of a major FBI sting .