SHCC Newsletter, January 2012 PDF Print E-mail
Sugar House Community Council Newsletter

January 2012

 

Dear Friends of Sugar House:

This edition marks the beginning of a series of articles that focus on the history of Sugar House.  As we look to shape the next phase of the business district a look back at our history seemed appropriate.  We hope you enjoy.

This newsletter is intended to help keep you informed of the many events, activities and developments occurring in Sugar House.  If you have questions, ideas or suggestions please send us an email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Photo: Utah State Historical Society

Historic view of 2100 S and Sugar House Monument Plaza

 

SHCC Message from the Chair

Christopher Thomas

 

Time, Talents, and Treasure

 

Last month, I highlighted a recently completed online map of Sugar House businesses.    

 

This map was created by SHCC Vice Chair Scott Kisling, recently retired Trustee Lynne Olson, and current Trustee Laurie Bray (of Photography by Laurie), with the assistance of Nancy Matthews who is not on the council.  Scott and Lynne easily volunteered over 120 hours to create this map.

 

This map is a fine example of what happens when talented people donate their time and talent to improving their community.

 

SHCC Vice Chair Amy Barry also devotes countless hours to community efforts, including maintain and updating the fabulous SHCC website, and it provides a wealth of information.  Want to know how to recycle in Sugar House?  Check out the onlinerecycling guide.  Want to see all the proposed developments in Sugar House?  Check out the online SHCC development map she recently created.  Through donating her time and talents, the SHCC website is your authoritative source when it comes to living, working, and playing in Sugar House.

 

And Vice Chair Judi Short - a former Salt Lake City Planning Commissioner - stays on top of dozens of projects at various stages of development through chairing the Land Use and Zoning committee of the SHCC.

 

These are just a few examples of the people working hard to add value to our Sugar House community.

 

As 2011 comes to a close, please consider donating your time and talents to your community - maybe even by becoming a Trustee.  If you want to know more about becoming a Trustee, please contact me.

 

And if you're short of time but would like to make a tax-deductible donation, please do so using our secure online website.  While the SHCC is a volunteer organization and we don't need much treasure to keep our vibrant operation running, paying for a website, making copies, adopting a streetlight, and protecting local historical makers and monuments add up.

 

Sincerely,

Christopher Thomas

Chair

 

 


Sugar House Monument History

Historical Committee 

 

 

Photo: Utah Historical Society

The Old Sugar House

 

Sugar House has so much wonderful history that it seemed appropriate to start shining a spotlight on the rich history of our present surroundings.  This first installment focuses on the origination of the Sugar House Monument. 

As a nearby resident I pass this monument every day and it was only when asked about its origin while waiting in line for a visit to Santa did I realize I really didn't know what it all represented. 

 

Lynne Olson, who is one of the many history buffs associated with the community council offers this first look at one of our icons.

 

by Lynne Olson


It was in 1930, when the world was in the grip of the worst depression of the twentieth century, that the Sugar House Monument was erected in the heart of Sugar House. Responding to a suggestion from Utah sculptor Millard Malin, the Sugar House Business Men's League raised $35,000 to build a memorial to the vision and courage of early Utah pioneers. Two bronze figures at the base of the 70-foot granite pillar were created to represent the agricultural roots of the Sugar House settlement, and its importance as an early industrial center.

 

The monument was erected on a plaza that was built on Twenty-first South in 1914, when Parley's Creek was put underground and the street realigned. The site was originally the location of the A.O. Smoot trading post. Its position is also a tribute to the importance of Sugar House as a commercial center and transportation hub. The plaza marks the intersection of Parley's Creek, whose water drove the machinery for several pioneer-era mills, and the Jordan and Salt Lake Canal, which still delivers water to many local residents and gardeners.

 

Plaque inscription: The Old Sugar House  Home of one of the earliest efforts toward the creation of local industry in utah.  At these crossroads, in 1853-1855, a structure was erected which stood for many years as a symbol of pioneer enterprise and courage.  Its site was approximatley two hundred feet east of this spot.  After the sugar project was abandoned, the old mill served many other useful purposes.  Its life ended in 1928.

 

 

 

 

 

Interactive Maps

Community Interest


The SHCC has certainly undertaken the use of maps to help us in communicating all the information we have for our neighbors in Sugar House.

Our website now has interactive maps that highlight all the recent and pending developments around our community.  We also have an easy to use map that helps you determine which neighborhood you live in and who are the trustees that represent your area. 

We hope these maps are beneficial in helping you geographically see the distribution of projects and by clicking on each pin you can gather even more information about each individual development and trustee.  Please take a moment to check them out at www.sugarhousecouncil.com.

 

Sugar House Local Card

Community Interest

 

Living in Sugar House just got even more exciting with the new program run by the Sugar House Merchants Association for local residents.

 

These cards are free are participating stores and as a local you just have to register your email online and you can begin to receive weekly email blasts that give you access to sales and discounts to all our favorite local Sugar House stores.  If one of your favorite stores is not participating yet now is a great time to get them on board.  To learn more visit here.

 

You can get your card now by visiting Sugar House Coffee, Photography by Laurie or The Joint.

 

 

 

Sugar HouseStreetcar Open House

Transportation Committee

 

Construction for the Sugar House streetcar is set to begin in the spring of 2012. 

 

As this project moves forward there are many design elements that have yet to be decided upon. 

 

An Open House is scheduled for January 26th (location TBD).  The SLC Redevelopment Agency and South Salt Lake will be gathering comments from residents and business owners about their preferences concerning the streetcar corridor, which include the Parley's Trail.  The actual design of the corridor has yet to be finalized and will include questions about surface treatment, intersections, station design, buffers, landscaping, lighting, signage and the trail.

 

To keep up to date on the Sugar House streetcar and find out the place and time of the January 26th Open House when it is announced please visit here.

 

Additionally the environmental assessment of the streetcar corridor has been completed and has resulted in changes to station locations and configuration.  You can read a description of the changes here.