SLC’s redlining map from the 1930s

A redline map of Salt Lake City from the 1930s. Another interesting and important map.

Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Home Owners' Loan Corporation. 1933-7/1/1939.
From the National Archives.

Clip of the map legend. From the National Archives.

During the Great Depression, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board created residential security maps to indicate the risk of default on federally-backed mortgages.

Demographic information, such as race, was used to create these maps.

Green and blue neighborhoods were considered less risky areas to issue a mortgage and usually had majority-White populations. They were described as “best” and “still desirable” neighborhoods.

Often these neighborhoods had restrictive covenants that prohibited people of color from living in the neighborhood. The Westmoreland neighborhood of SLC is an example of this.

Yellow neighborhoods were designated as “definitely declining” and seen as places where “undesirable populations” may increase.

Red neighborhoods were “hazardous” and were associated with higher populations of people of color. Red neighborhoods were ineligible for federally backed mortgages making it difficult for residents in the neighborhood to become homeowners.

Thus, the term “redlining” refers to those red or “hazardous” neighborhoods that tended to have a higher percentage of residents that were people of color.

These maps recorded the existing conditions of the 1930s and then they were used to reinforce and perpetuate segregated neighborhoods.

This map is from the National Archives, direct link: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/85713738

I geo-referenced the redlining map and overlayed modern neighborhood boundaries using GIS. Even today, much of today's neighborhood boundaries align with the redlining map.

The 1930s SLC Redlining Map, with modern Community Council districts, overlayed. 

Detail clip of SLC's Redlining Map, showing Avenues, Downtown, Central City, East Central, University, and Liberty Wells neighborhoods.

Detail clip of SLC's Redlining Map, showing Rose Park, Fairpark, and Capitol Hill neighborhoods.

Detail clip of SLC's Redlining Map, showing Poplar Grove and Glendale neighborhoods.

Detail clip of SLC's Redlining Map, showing East Central, Wasatch Hollow, and Sugar House neighborhoods.  Note that the old State Prison (Sugar House Park site) is identified as "Yellow."

Detail clip of SLC's Redlining Map, showing Yalecrest, Foothill/Sunyside, and Wasatch Hollow neighborhoods.

Historic LDS 15th Ward Chapel, 915 W 100 South

LDS 15th Ward Chapel, 915 W 100 South. The "For Sale" sign as it appears in Oct 2020.

Is demolition in its future? 

The Historic LDS 15th Ward Chapel is listed for sale and it is advertised as an “opportunity zone” with potential for multi-family housing.

This Gothic style chapel is located at 915 W 100 South in the Poplar Grove neighborhood of SLC.

It was constructed in 1904 after the Oregon Short Line Railroad purchased and demolished the original 15th ward chapel (the ‘Old Granary’) to build the Union Pacific Depot (located in the Gateway).

Brothers Edward T. Ashton and George S. Ashton supervised construction of this building. The Ashton Brothers were responsible for building thousands of homes on the west and south sides of SLC and furnished the stone for the State Capitol, University of Utah Administration Building, and many others.

In 1929 an amusement hall addition was added to the west side of the building.

About 1969 the LDS Church sold the property, and it was turned into a recording studio run by LA East Studios where the music for hundreds of films have been recorded. In addition several renowned musicians including Keb' Mo, Eminem, Elton John, and B.B. King have recorded in this studio.

Currently, this building has no historic protections as it is not located in a local historic district nor is it a local historic landmark.

Sources: 15th Ward Memories by Mary Barraclough; SL Telegram 1923-02-20; Des News 1974-02-09.

Update Feb 2021:  The Utah Art Alliance has purchased the building and plans to convert the building into a community center named The Art Castle.