Christeele Acres Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Christeele Acres Historic District
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by State St., 900 South, 450 East, and 1010 South, Orem, Utah |
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| Area | 10.5 acres (4.2 ha) |
| Built | 1943 |
| Architectural style | FHA minimum house |
| MPS | Orem, Utah MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001626 |
| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1999 |
The Christeele Acres Historic District is a neighborhood in Orem, Utah. It was built in 1943 to provide homes for people working at the Geneva Steel plant. This plant was very important during World War II.
The historic district has 62 single-family houses and three duplexes. These homes were built following special rules called "minimum house" standards. These rules came from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). They made sure the houses were big enough for a small family. Each house had two bedrooms and about 700 square feet of living space.
Contents
Why Christeele Acres Was Built
Steel for World War II
In May 1941, the United States government needed more steel. This steel was for building ships during World War II. Most steel plants were in the eastern U.S. It was hard to get enough steel to the Pacific Coast.
So, the government decided to build a new steel plant. They wanted it inland, away from the coast. This would keep it safe from attacks. On February 4, 1942, they chose Orem, Utah, for the new plant. This plant was called Geneva Steel.
Housing for War Workers
Building and running the Geneva Steel plant needed many workers. These workers needed places to live. Many cities faced a housing shortage during the war. Workers moved to cities with war jobs but found no homes.
To help, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the National Housing Agency. This agency oversaw many government programs for housing. One important part was the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The FHA helped people get loans to buy homes.
The "Minimum House" Program
Designing Affordable Homes
The FHA's "minimum house" program started after the Great Depression. During this time, fewer homes were being built. It was also hard for people to pay for their homes. The FHA wanted to make homes more affordable. They also wanted to help the home-building industry grow again.
In 1936, the FHA published a book called Principles of Planning Small Houses. This book showed different house designs. The main idea was to get "maximum accommodation within a minimum of means." This meant making the most of a small space. The plans left out extra rooms and fancy decorations.
Smart Building Methods
The FHA also looked for ways to build homes faster and cheaper. They encouraged using standard building rules. They also set basic needs for heating, plumbing, and electricity.
Builders could use different materials like wood, brick, or stucco. They could also change how the house looked from the outside. This made neighborhoods look nice, even with similar house plans. This way of building many similar homes is called tract housing.
Building for the Future
The government needed to use materials carefully during the war. The War Production Board controlled these materials. The FHA had to show why homes were needed. They also wanted to build homes that would last. They did not want temporary shelters that would be left empty after the war.
War workers had families. The FHA wanted them to have good, permanent homes. They wanted these neighborhoods to stay livable long after the war. Strict rules were made to save wood and metal. For example, there were rules about how many brass keys could be made for each lock. By April 1945, over 800,000 homes had been built. These homes became a lasting part of the nation's housing.
Importance of Christeele Acres
The Christeele Acres Historic District is important to Orem's history. It shows how Orem changed from a small farm town to a larger city. The government housing programs from the war also influenced how neighborhoods were built after the war. This district is important for understanding social history, government, industry, and military efforts of that time.
