12758 S Fort St
Draper, UT, USA

12758 S Fort St, Draper, UT, USA

Original Owner: Nielsen Sanderson
Architect: Tolboe, Christian ; Nielsen, Jorgen

National Register of Historic Places - Benjamin and Olivia Meek House

Statement of Significant:

The Benjamin and Olivia Meek House, constructed c.1898, is significant under Criteria A and C. The Meek House is significant under Criterion A as one of four large homes located nearby that were constructed for members of the Nielson family (Olivia's family) who, along with Benjamin Meek were successful sheep and cattle raisers. Under Criterion C the house is significant as one of only four remaining eligible central-block houses, two-stories or taller and all located on this street, remaining in Draper, Utah. Located on Fort Street the house is representative of the larger Victorian-style residences constructed in this area between 1890 and 1910 as the town grew from an early agricultural community and its citizens began to prosper. In a central-block-with-projecting-bays format, the Meek House is an excellent example of a large brick Victorian Eclectic house and is a contributing historic resource in the city of Draper.

History of Draper
The city of Draper, located at the south end of the Salt Lake Valley against the hills that divide it from the Utah Valley, was first settled in 1849. The original settlement comprised a large section of land, taking in almost the entire southern portion of the valley. Originally scouted in 1847, the area was used to graze livestock because of its abundant water and grasses. Ebenezer and Phoebe Brown and their five children were the first settlers, and moved here to sell cattle to those on their way to the California gold mines. By 1852, twenty families were living in Draper. Because of sporadic skirmishes between the settlers and the Ute-Shoshone tribal members construction began on a fort in 1854. Hostilities increased and the families moved into the completed fort in 1855, though the stay was short-lived as the threat diminished and more settlers moved to the area.
Draper continued to grow in population and, although small commercial ventures were established, the city retained its rural atmosphere until the late 1980s. At this time a rapid increase in population along Utah's Wasatch Front was affecting all cities in residential and commercial construction. Up to the present, Draper has experienced some of the heaviest and most visible growth as a bedroom community to Salt Lake City. What was once mostly farm and pastureland is now covered with housing developments that have also crept up the sides of the surrounding foothills. No major industries are located in Draper and the primary commercial development is in retail establishments.