Commitment to Preserving the History of our Neighborhoods

Written by East Central Chair

Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance. East Central Community is a nationally recognized and registered historic district and has two additional City Registered Districts: The University Historic District and the South Temple Historic District.

Many contributing buildings in the National District are eligible for significant state tax credits for home improvements. You can find information on this program here: http://history.utah.gov/historic_buildings/index.html

The Salt Lake City Planning Division supports the listing of individual properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places because of the substantial tax incentives available. Districts or sites listed that are locally designated carry the burden of regulation for the property owners, and thus are considered for designation with great care and study.

Historic Buildings

Flooding on North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, 1907

City Creek ditch flooding on North Temple Street, SLC, 1907

We can help you with your historic building!

Why preserve? …

Most of all, it’s simply a matter of good sense. It’s smart to protect older buildings and neighborhoods….”

~ National Trust for Historic Preservation

Utah’s State Historic Preservation Office assists communities, agencies, and the general public in researching, surveying, designating, and treating their historic buildings and structures.

Explore our website and discover Utah’s historic built environment and how you can help preserve the past.

Features

Learn More About Preserving Your Historic Building

Utah Preservation Conference
Join Certified Local Governments and other preservationists throughout the state at the Utah Heritage Foundation’s annual Utah Preservation Conference.

National Register Information
Whether you want to list your historic property or research what other historic properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Utah, this is the site for you.

National Register Database
Find detailed information on the buildings and sites on the National Register in Utah.

Contractor Directory
Need professional assistance with your rehab? The companies and individuals in our directory have experience working with historic buildings.

Compliance Issues
For information on federal and state laws concerning cultural resources, see the SHPO Compliance pages.

Contacts

Barbara Murphy 801-245-7251 – Program manager
Debbie Dahl 801-245-7233 – Grants
Chris Hansen 801-245-7239 – Sections 106 and 404 compliance
Don Hartley 801-245-7240 – Technical advice for CLGs and government agencies
Cory Jensen 801-245-7242 – National Register and architectural survey
Nelson Knight 801-245-7244 – Tax credits

Types of Historic Districts

A historic district is a geographic area with a concentration of older buildings and sites unified by development, events or design. In Salt Lake City, most of the historic districts are considered significant because of their association with the development of the city.

Map of National and Local Historic Districts

Historic districts can be listed on the National Register of Historic Places or locally designated. Individual buildings or sites can be listed on the National Register or listed locally on the Salt Lake City Register of Cultural Resources. Both designations recognize and encourage the protection of historic properties, but they are very different. The distinctions between the two are listed below:

National Register of Historic Places

Nation’s official list of historic architectural and archaeological resources worthy of preservation. Established by the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act which outlined federal listing criteria.
Administered by the Utah State Historic Preservation Office (801) 533-3500.
Offers no protection to historic properties, unless federal funding is involved.
There are no restrictions that come with National Register designation.
Federal and state income tax credits available for renovation of historic properties

Local Designation on Salt Lake City Register of Cultural Resources

Salt Lake City Council designates local historic districts and local landmark sites upon a recommendation from the Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission and Planning Commission.
Administered by the Salt Lake City Planning Division (801) 535-7757.
The Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission can deny demolition of properties within the historic districts or individually designated properties.
Requires review and approval for new construction and changes to the exterior appearance of buildings and sites within local districts.
No financial incentives available.

University Historic District

Although several homes in the University Historic District were constructed prior to the beginning of the twentieth century, the great majority of residences in this district were constructed from 1900 to 1920 – a period marked by prosperity and growth. Subsequently, the architecture and streetscape of this historic district are the most homogenous of all of Salt Lake City’s local historic districts.Situated on the east bench, this neighborhood was popular for development as it was removed from the hustle of downtown and the poor air quality of the valley floor. The establishment of the University of Utah in its current location in 1901 ensured the viability of this neighborhood, and many homes were constructed for university faculty and staff.The neighborhood was not popular for student housing until after World War II; after that time, the character of the neighborhood slowly changed and numerous multi-family apartment buildings were constructed. Dismayed by this development, residents lobbied the Salt Lake City Council to designate the neighborhood as a historic district in 1991 and reduce permitted zoning densities in 1994.

The University Neighborhood is both a Nationally recognized and City Historic District. The area contains several original square 10-acre blocks as well as a number of half-size rectangular blocks. It is primarily a residential neighborhood with a commercial strip of two blocks in the east part of the district. At the time of it’s nomination for national status in 95, 586 buildings in the district, 452 buildings are contributing, 71 are non-contributing due to alterations and 63 are out of period structures. There are also two sites (grass medians and a park) and at the time, one structure (reservoir) within the district. While the period of significance for the date ranges from c. 1883 to 1941, the majority of historic buildings (75 percent date from the 1905 to 1925 period. The tree-lined streets, grass parking medians, sidewalks and uniform set-backs in the neighborhood are distinctive feature that enhances character. The district retains a high degree of its historic integrity with 82 percent of the buildings contributing to the historic association and feeling of the area.

City Web site: http://www.slcclassic.com/ced/hlc/

University Gardens nomination for the National Registry of Historic Places.

Design Guidelines for the University Historic District

South Temple Historic District

The South Temple Historic District was designated in 1976 as the city’s first local historic district. It is a beautiful, tree-lined street known for its fine mansions, elegant apartment buildings, and impressive religious and fraternal structures. Its history, however, is associated with the city’s beginnings and people of a variety of backgrounds have always lived and worked on South Temple.The demolition of several significant structures on South Temple in the 1960s and 1970s inspired concerned citizens to press for greater protection of historic resources.In recent years several structures have undergone extensive renovations and South Temple Street is undergoing major reconstruction.

Design Guidelines for the South Temple Historic District.

South Temple Historic Brochure

Esther is a Chair of the East Central Community Council.

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East Central Chair – who has written 56 posts on East Central Community Council.