Federal Heights, Salt Lake City facts for kids
Federal Heights is a lovely neighborhood in Salt Lake City, Utah. It's a residential area located east of Virginia Street and north of South Temple Street. The neighborhood is right next to the Wasatch Mountains on its north side. To its south and east, you'll find the University of Utah. Federal Heights is known for being a well-off area. Many of its homes were built in the early 1900s.
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What's in a Name? The History of Federal Heights
The name "Federal Heights" has an interesting story. It comes from a time before Utah became a state in 1896. Salt Lake City was settled by Mormons in 1847. The federal government of the United States wanted to keep an eye on the settlers. So, they built Fort Douglas in the mountains near Salt Lake City.
Fort Douglas and Early Residents
Fort Douglas was a military post. It was built not far from where Federal Heights is today. Later, a U.S. Senator from Utah named Thomas Kearns helped make Fort Douglas an important military base. The officers who worked at the fort built their homes northeast of the fort. This area became known as Federal Heights.
Exploring the Homes of Federal Heights
Federal Heights is famous for its beautiful old homes. Many of them were built in the early 1900s. These houses often show a style called "revivalist architecture." This means they were built to look like older styles from history.
Popular Architectural Styles
You can see many different styles of homes here. Some look like old English houses, called Tudor. Others might remind you of Spanish buildings, known as Spanish Colonial. You might also spot homes with Norman/Romanesque or English Colonial designs. Some even have Moorish or Mediterranean touches.
Understanding Lead Pipes in the Neighborhood
Sometimes, older neighborhoods can have older types of water pipes. Federal Heights is one of the areas in Salt Lake City where homes might still have lead pipes for drinking water.
Why Lead Pipes are a Concern
Lead pipes can be a problem because lead can get into the drinking water. Drinking water with lead can be unhealthy, especially for kids. The city of Salt Lake City is working to find and replace these old pipes. This helps make sure everyone has safe drinking water.
