Eccles Avenue Historic District

Eccles Avenue Historic District. . The significance of the Eccles Avenue Historic District is found in the prominence of the families who lived within the district's boundaries. The Eccles, Browning, Keisel, Wattis, and other families whose names are associated with the district's homes, were instrumental in the business, civic, and cultural affairs of Utah and the nation. , , Few families made a greater contribution to the economic development of the far west than David Eccles. Mr. Eccles came to the United States destitute, and succeeded in founding fifty-four separate businesses. In 1910, construction began on the first home on Eccles Avenue. Although not all of the thirteen significant homes identified as part of the district belonged to members of the David Eccles family, seven did, and the remaining six were originally owned by his friends and business associates. , , The Eccles Avenue District is architecturally significant due to its early development in the western states of a regional form of the "Prairie Style". Frank Lloyd Wright said, "The prairie has a beauty of its own and we should recognize and accentuate this natural beauty, its quiet level. Hence, gently sloping roofs, low proportions, quiet sky lines, suppressed heavy-set chimneys, sheltering overhangs, low terraces and out-reaching walls sequestering private gardens." , , Anchoring the Eccles District is a unique, elliptical park. The architects had forethought to integrate this area that offers a gathering spot, creating a sense of unity. This park is fondly nicknamed "Watermelon Park." This refers to the park's shape, and that for decades, it has invited summer activities and glad times shared by the community. Over the years, gardens have been created and nurtared by the street's residents so that all in the community may enjoy the area. , , National Register of Historic Places