The Mountair Acres Subdivision Historic District in Millcreek, Salt Lake County, is locally significant under Criterion C in the area of Architecture. Mountair Acres is significant in Millcreek for its large number of dwellings in the Early Ranch style, for its high percentage of contributing resources (74% overall; 82% primary buildings, 65% secondary buildings), and for the district’s remarkable architectural integrity. Mountair Acres was one of the earliest suburban type subdivisions in Millcreek. Its development between 1939-1948 was fueled by the increased capacity for borrowing from the Federal Housing Administration, followed by returning veterans and the GI Bill. The subdivision was built out relatively quickly, with seven plats developed in fewer than ten years. Due to the period and rapidity of its construction, Mountair Acres was filled with modest, affordable houses in the Early Ranch and Minimal Traditional styles . These simple and affordable structures reflected the optimism of the generation which had survived the Great Depression and two world wars. The nearby Veteran Heights neighborhood (1947-1950) and Rancho Villa development (1961-1977) demonstrate the continued popularity of these styles, often in modified form. The consistency of Mountair Acres’ Early Ranch construction was enhanced by uniformity in setbacks, scale, massing, and materials. The group of buildings, when observed together, is remarkable for its intact architectural consistency and visual cohesiveness attained through similar sized buildings, driveways, and walkways. Mountair Acres is also notable for the strong integrity of its resources within the city of Millcreek. There has been no demolition or new construction in the neighborhood, providing a rare example of integrity with no out-of-period intrusions. The period of significance is 1940 to 1959, encompassing the time between the first construction and last construction in the district.
