Grandpa Barlow's Brilliantly Colored House

My Grandpa Barlow's house was featured in the 1938 Salt Lake Tribune describing it as "the most colorfully brilliant thing visible for blocks around there". I love this article's description of the brilliant colors of their yard.  I remember vividly the arch entry way into their backyard on the right side of the house. It was magical. It seems many of my ancestors had talents in horticulture and landscaping. Why couldn't I have gotten some of those genes?