Christmas Street, aka Glen Arbor Street

Christmas Street, aka Glen Arbor Street (1735 S 1500 East), in Salt Lake City is a tradition that began in 1946. Every family on the street helped pay for Christmas lights and a tree. Each family also decorated their own house to make it a Christmas community.

Christmas Street, Salt Lake City. December 2024.

In 1947, the celebration took place on December 21st, also without any outside advertisement, for fear of congestion should word get out beyond the neighborhood. But the event was described by the Deseret News after the event occurred, and after 1947 the street became a Christmas destination to see.

Every house featured colored lights, bright ribbons, and decorated trees. A large Christmas Tree was decorated in at the end of the cul-de-sac. At the 1947, celebration there were 68 children in attendance, who ran through the street telling their neighbors it was time to celebrate. There was popcorn, caroling, a live nativity scene, and Santa who drove up in a sleek blue roadster.

Christmas Street in 1947 and 1971

Roy A. Menlove is credited with starting the tradition. He was the founder of Menlove Construction and built some of the homes on the street. He was a known as the co-founder of Menlove Dodge-Toyota in Bountiful. A neighborhood Christmas committee was established to plan each year.

The Christmas Street tradition continues today. The Deseret News recently had a story about how it nearly died this year but was rescued by donations to repair the vintage neon Christmas Street sign.

Mi Casita Ghose Sign

Ghost sign, old Southeast Market building. April 30 2024.

A ghost sign on the old Southeast Market building at 422 E 900 South, SLC. This sign is for the Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant and dates to about 1992.

The building is undergoing a reconstruction but it seems like the original facade will be preserved.

The building was constructed in 1941 as the O.P. Skaggs Market (last slide, showing neon sign from 1947).

O.P. Skaggs building and sign, 1947. From Utah State Historical Society.

The building was sold by Skaggs in 1945 but kept the name for several more years, eventually becoming known as Sudbury's Foodtown, after long-time manager, turned owner, Ray F. Sudbury.

Sudbury sold the building in 1966 to William and Mae Tang, who operated it as Super Save Discount Market in the late 1960s.

Many businesses have used the space over the decades. The last ones to occupy the space were Southeast Market, Melewa Bakery, and Pho 28 (Photo 3, from Google Street View 2022).

Ghost sign, old Southeast Market building. April 30 2024.

Google Street View 2022