One of Preservation Utah's largest annual fundraising events, the Historic Homes Tour offers a journey into the past, showcasing the rich history and architectural diversity of the neighborhood. For over 50 years, the Historic Homes Tour has allowed the public to see how historic buildings can be brought into the comfort of the 21st century while maintaining the historic character and charm only historic buildings can provide. With the permission and generosity of the building owners, the tour opens privately owned buildings to the public. Preservation Utah volunteers guide the public through the homes, offering historical and educational information about various aspects of the buildings.

Salt Lake’s Neighborhood In A Park: City Creek Canyon

The site of this year’s Preservation Utah Historic Homes Tour, City Creek is arguably Salt Lake City’s most unique neighborhood. It’s the only one that is located in a canyon, on a creek, and in a park. Its homes, constructed before World War II, reflect its distinct residential development pattern. They crowd the sides of the canyon and the channel of the creek in a meandering layout defined by the topography. Because of its setting, City Creek feels secluded, removed from the city, even though it’s only a stone’s throw from downtown. In its early years, however, City Creek Canyon was a very different sort of place with mills, a gravel pit, even an asphalt plant. And various development proposals would have created a busy canyon “boulevard,” not the quiet lane that exists today, or even a civic center with a city hall, an auditorium, and an art museum.