12/02/2025
As Cottonwood Heights transitioned from farmland into the vibrant residential community we know today, the period immediately following World War II brought a surge in housing development. The first subdivisions within the future city boundaries were platted between 1953 and 1956, transforming the area into a burgeoning "garden suburb" and adding thousands of new residents. Among these early developments, two distinct neighborhoods stand out: Greenfield Village and Cottonwood Ridge.
Platted starting in February 1953, Greenfield Village is the largest and arguably the most distinctive of the earliest neighborhoods. Encompassing approximately 205 acres and divided into 371 parcels across six phases (Plat A through E and H) between 1953 and 1960, this enormous development helped define the mid-century suburban landscape of Cottonwood Heights. The neighborhood forms a roughly fan-shaped area situated at a key historic junction: the intersection of Fort Union Boulevard (7000 South) and Highland Drive (2000 East), a spot historically known as Colebrook Corner.
Greenfield Village was an ambitious, multi-developer project, with early plats involving companies like Peak Improvement Company and Cannon-Papanikolas Construction Company. Advertised with slogans like "Quiet, Secluded, Beautiful" and "Quality, Personality, Charm," the homes were predominantly Ranch-style in traditional brick, conventional American, and even "old colonial" designs. The neighborhood was forward-thinking, setting aside a large lot for commercial development—a strip mall was built there by 1964—and benefiting from a brand new elementary school and an LDS Church meetinghouse within walking distance. Notably, the various phases introduced different architectural variations, from traditional wide-façade ranches to narrower frame perpendicular ranches with carports, built to fit the uniquely curved streets like Meadow Downs Way and Village Green Road.
Platted in December 1953, Cottonwood Ridge is one of the smallest of the early subdivisions, with only 34 parcels on approximately 8.9 acres. It is located in the historic Butler Hill neighborhood, near the intersection of Fort Union Boulevard and 2700 East. This area had been the default center of community life in Butlerville since the 1880s, anchored by the Butler Elementary School (built in 1923) and the Butler Ward LDS Church meetinghouse. The subdivision runs along both sides of Virginia Hills Drive (2715 East), featuring a traffic-slowing chicane at its entrance from Fort Union Boulevard. The neighborhood's namesake "ridge" lies behind the western parcels, offering potential views.
Cottonwood Ridge was owned by Ormond S. and Mildred P. Coulam and quickly filled with homes. By 1956, almost all lots were occupied, often by commuter families and small business owners, reflecting the growing connection to Salt Lake City. The first houses were built in 1953, with the majority completed by 1955. While the subdivision was an early example of suburbanization on Butler Hill, it has seen significant change. Due to its valuable views, many of the original 1950s ranch-style homes have been altered or replaced with newer, larger homes, including multi-story residences.
These two neighborhoods, though different in scale and character, represent the beginning of Cottonwood Heights' transformation, setting the stage for the growth that would follow throughout the latter half of the 20th century.
Pictured: The historic photograph that gives a bird's eye view of Greenfield Village that appeared in the March 31, 1957 Salt Lake Tribune.
