A historic preservation reconnaissance survey has identified approximately 275 properties as eligible or contributing historic resources within the historic core of Spanish Fork. The project, which was completed with a combined budget of roughly $30,000 through state and city funds, establishes a baseline for future planning, redevelopment, and transportation projects.
Survey Scope and Findings
The survey results were presented to the Spanish Fork City Council during a work session on Aug. 4, 2026. The study focused on a specific area of the historic core, generally spanning from 300 East to 300 West and from 300 South to 400 North, which contains one of the city's highest concentrations of older residential and commercial properties.
Conducted by Shalae Larsen of Io Landarch, the survey was performed in cooperation with the Spanish Fork Historic Preservation Commission and the Utah State Historic Preservation Office. The project involved documenting approximately 605 properties from the public right-of-way, capturing exterior photographs and data regarding architectural characteristics, age, and historic eligibility.
The findings revealed that approximately 263 properties were deemed ineligible for historic status, often because they fell outside the evaluated historic period or had undergone alterations that compromised their historic integrity. However, officials noted that some ineligible properties could potentially regain historic integrity if non-historic exterior materials were removed or appropriately rehabilitated.
Historic Development Patterns
The reconnaissance survey categorized Spanish Fork's development into several distinct periods, ranging from pioneer settlement between 1850 and 1874 through the brick era, bungalow and interwar development, post-war expansion, and the modern period. One significant finding was that these development periods are intermixed throughout the survey area rather than being organized in clearly defined geographic rings or neighborhoods.
Architectural Character
Spanish Fork's historic housing stock is characterized primarily by modest, working-class homes rather than highly ornate architecture. Common architectural forms identified include WWII-era cottages, bungalows, and crosswing homes. The survey also noted that approximately 55% of the surveyed buildings were constructed with brick, reflecting the availability of local materials and historic masonry skills.
Preservation Strategies
A major portion of the City Council discussion focused on the strategic use of this survey data. The consultant recommended that the city consider Main Street as a priority for a National Register historic district nomination. Such a designation would provide formal recognition of the area's historic significance and could make qualifying rehabilitation projects eligible for financial incentives, though it does not impose the same development restrictions as a local historic district.
The council discussed the importance of utilizing incentives rather than relying primarily on regulation to encourage preservation. Potential tools mentioned include rehabilitation tax credits, grants, facade improvement programs, technical assistance, and educational materials. Specifically, the presentation identified a potential 20% Utah state historic rehabilitation tax credit for qualifying residential projects and a 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for qualifying income-producing properties.
