Salt Lake City Hoods: Swedetown!

[Sean Reynolds]

Alright, little known area just north of downtown Salt Lake City. Went up and snapped some photos of this little neighborhood. Here's the history:

Swedetoen, located between Beck Street and I-15 and between Everett Avenue and 1900 North was originally a suburban development promoted by businessmen eager to profit from the great influx of Swedish Immigrants into Salt Lake City in the 1880s.

The land was surveyed, sidewalks laid, trees panted and homes built in hopes of creating a large suburban development. Water was piped from a large artesian well and from a spring in the mountains to serve the residents who had begun to erect homes on their newly acquired lots. However, an insufficient supply of water restricted the growth of the development. By 1930 there were approximately 375 residents living in Swedetown. According to the 1990 Census, today Swedetown has a population of approximately 105 residents.

SWEDETOWN

Here is a map of north-west Salt Lake City. I marked Swedetown on it.

A smaller map taken from the Salt Lake City's official website. It's a pretty small area (the residential area only makes up a few streets).

Now that you've got a feel of where it is, lets take a tour! YAY!

Looking down Beck Street toward Northern X-Posure - a strip club.

Further down the road is the Swedetown Pub. The police don't even come around this area because of how bad it gets........most of the people that come here are Swedes...and well, they can be scary when drunk.

One of the MANY industrial areas within this small neighborhood. City zoning has raped the area and from what I've gathered, no new homes can be built. They've totally zoned this area for industry only.

A street sign. We're moving closer to the inner part of the hood.

A home.

Even more...

Aww, cute dog.

In the middle of the neighborhood sits a nice little park.

Across the street from the park sits an abandoned church. No sign of what religion it is however.

This is 'Dexter Street', but the X has washed away over time. Now it spells out Deter, a fitting name for the street that runs right through the middle of this forgotten neighborhood.

This is the nicest house in the neighborhood.

The front of the church.

Even more homes.

Very.....green!

I'd hate to mow this lawn.

More industry.

Little boy playing in his yard.

Train goin by.

Not exactly sure what the hell this is....

Rail yard.

As you can see they've added on to this house. Not a fan.

Eeek, someone needs a lesson on landscaping.

Dexter and Deluth.

I sorta like this house.

More homes up the street.

Kids playing.

Grit.

Home off in the weeds.

Finally, we look south toward downtown Salt Lake City....with an oil refinery and garbage.

This area sorta reminds me of Springwood from Nightmare on Elm Street 6 (I believe). Very creepy place.

Hope ya' liked.

Oh and no, I don't think Swedes actually live in this area any more.

[monsoon]

[sweettown]

would love to see these pics, why the red x's?