About Poplar Grove

Poplar Grove’s buildings tell a story that many people in Salt Lake City haven’t heard. Just west of downtown, the neighborhood stretches from North Temple to 900 South, between I-15 and 5600 West. It’s the city’s second-largest neighborhood and stands out for its straightforward architecture. Most of the homes in Poplar Grove were built between the 1930s and 1960s, creating a mix of styles that feels both varied and genuine. Victorian cottages, Craftsman bungalows, California ranch homes, and simple, practical houses stand next to each other. Instead of following a single developer’s plan, these homes were built and adapted over time by working families to suit their needs. Each building reflects the real challenges and hopes of the people who lived there. But the story of Poplar Grove goes back even further. Before settlers arrived, the Eastern Shoshone and Goshute peoples lived on this land. After 1847, Poplar Grove became part of Salt Lake City’s original west side, known as the city’s first international district. Immigrants from China, Japan, Greece, Italy, Syria, Mexico, and Latin America made their homes here and started businesses. The neighborhood’s buildings reflect this history: storefronts were repurposed, homes grew to accommodate large families, and yards were planted with foods from many cultures. The old Union Pacific rail corridor runs through the neighborhood and is now the 9-Line trail. It once marked the area’s industrial edge, but today it connects Poplar Grove to the rest of the city and supports new investment along its route. Until now, Poplar Grove hasn’t received much public attention for its unique architecture and culture. Preservation Utah’s Poplar Grove Historic Homes Tour on Saturday, October 17, offers a chance to walk through homes that showcase more than a century of west-side building history. These buildings deserve the same recognition as those in neighborhoods east of downtown. Before the tour, there will be a free neighborhood history lecture on Saturday, October 10, and everyone is welcome. This is the third year in a row that Preservation Utah has brought historic home tours to Salt Lake City’s west side, after previous tours in Rose Park and Fairpark. This effort is purposeful. Poplar Grove’s buildings have stories worth saving, and this fall, we’re sharing them.