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Show NPS Form 10-900-a Utah WordPerfect 5.1 Format (Revised Feb. 1993) 0MB No. 10024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section No. _8_ Page J_____________________Ramsey, Lewis A., House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, UT Narrative Statement of Significance The Lewis A. Ramsey house, constructed in 1903 is significant under Criterion B, for its association with Lewis A. Ramsey, one of Utah's most prominent artists during the first half of the twentieth century. Mr. Ramsey, although born in Illinois and educated as an artist on the east coast and in France, spent most of his life in Salt Lake City. The house at 128 South 1000 East, where he lived between 1918 and 1934, represents one of the most productive phases of his career. This house served as Mr. Ramsey's primary residence as well as his studio. During the time he lived in the house with his family, he received local and national acclaim, yet like many Utah artists, struggled financially. His works are still exhibited and revered fifty years after his death, especially within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), which gave him a number of prominent commissions. Converted to apartments after the Ramseys sold the property in 1935, a 1998 rehabilitation has returned to the home to a single family dwelling. Of the many buildings associated with Lewis A. Ramsey, this home is the best preserved and most closely associated with his career. The house at 128 South 1000 East was built in 1903 for James B. Keysor and his wife, Louie Felt Keysor. They purchased the property from John M. and Maria Morgan in 1902. The Morgans are not listed in the Salt Lake City directories and may have been out-of-state speculators.4 James Bernard Keysor was born January 14, 1859, in Salt Lake City. He studied dentistry in New York, graduating at the age of 23. He returned to Salt Lake City and set up practice. Dr. Keysor was one of Salt Lake's most prominent dentists until his retirement in 1929. 5 He died on May 10, 1932. In 1900, James Keysor married Louie Felt. Louie was born Louise Ellis Felt on August 20,1876 in Salt Lake City. She was nicknamed "Louie" after one of her father's polygamous wives, Louie Bouton Felt. James and Louie Keysor had four children, Elsa Louise, Judith Bernice, Alma May and James Bernard Keysor. Alma and James were born after the Keysors moved into their home at 128 South 1000 East. Louie Keysor, along with raising her children, was also a talented artist. She was known locally for portraits of Fisher Harris and H.L.A. Culmer, another Utah artist. She also painted landscapes of local canyons and illustrations for the Children's Friend magazine. In addition, she sang with the Salt Lake Opera Company. 4The 1898 Sanborn map shows the lot subdivided with no buildings. The two-story homes which flank the Ramsey house were probably built around 1905. All three appear on the 1911 Sanborn. 5Dr. James B. Keysor, obituary, DeseretNews, May 10,1932. See also SLC Polk Directories. James Keysor's brother Ephraim Keysor was also a dentist. Another relative'Moroni Keysor practiced dentistry with Ephraim and lived next door to James at 134 South 1000 East. X See continuation sheet |
