YALECREST

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Prior to becoming the charming neighborhood it is today, the land was used for farming and agriculture. It was owned by LDS Church authorities, and divided into several acre plots that were used for raising crops. Residential homes began to appear as early as the 1870s. One 10-acre plot belonging to Gutliffe Beck was located on Yalecrest between 1700 and 1800 East. His early adobe farmstead was near the intersection of Yalecrest Avenue and 1700 East, and was later used as a dairy farm. Can you picture cows crossing 1700 East?! There were also alfalfa and mulberry orchards.

The population of Salt Lake City increased rapidly at the turn of the century, almost doubling from 1900 to 1910. Air pollution from coal-burning furnaces, as well as early industry in the valley, added to the smoke-filled air of Salt Lake City, particularly in the winter. Property on the east bench began to look very attractive for residential development because it was above the smokey air of the valley, which is something that we continue to grapple with today. Land developers from Utah and out-of-state sensed the economic opportunity and began to purchase the land. Thus, the Yalecrest neighborhood as we know it was born.

The First Home

One of Yalecrest’s first homes was completed in 1912 and was the focus of one of our blog posts a few years back. With the exception of the now-enclosed back porch, the home’s structure has remained nearly the same as when it was built. It’s a perfect example of the quality craftsmanship and timeless style that makes the Yalecrest neighborhood so special.

Growth

Since the first home was built, 1,486 more homes, two schools, three parks, and even a few businesses have been established. The neighborhood is one of the most sought after and historically significant neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, having been added to the National Register as a National Historic District in 2007.