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Historic Scott School Community Center
3280 South 540 East, South Salt Lake, UT 84106 (parking is located on the east side of the building on 540 East)
Historic Scott School is the oldest continuously operating school in the state of Utah, and South Salt Lake is proud to be the steward of this institutional campus through the Historic Scott School Community Center. The campus was the founding site of Granite High School, gradually growing and changing to become home to another Promise SSL center and a community center for the arts.
In 2009, South Salt Lake acquired the property from Granite School District with support from Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks (ZAP) funds. Historic Scott School Community Center now hosts several important community services and partners for residents and the public.
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Historic Scott School Timeline
Historic Scott School has been a community hub for over 120 years and is the oldest continuously operating school in the state of Utah. Named after LDS Pioneer John Scott, the original log cabin structure was used as a school, community center, and church. The structure was rebuilt and enhanced over the years, and additional buildings were constructed around the main Scott School. Through its long history, the site and facility has served the community by providing opportunities to learn, thrive, and succeed.
John Scott and local pioneers built a two-room log cabin on the corner of 500 East and 3300 South. It was named the Scott School. Mary Pugh Scott was its first teacher.
The community constructed a new two-room adobe structure to replace the original log cabin. The community members made the abode bricks with clay dug out of the northwest corner of the lot.
Another upgrade took place and a new two-room brick building was built to replace the adobe building. This building was designed in a crucifix plan and included two small classrooms, one large central room, and two entrance hallways. It was also used for various community activities including square dancing, debating, and community meetings.
Granite High, Freshman Class
The building was renamed Granite High School after the previous three locations of the school were consolidated and students were relocated to the Scott Building in 1907. As the years progressed, this school building was used for shop and gym classes, storage of school supplies, and even a junior high school.
An agreement allowed the school to be used jointly by The Pioneer Craft House, Granite School District, and Salt Lake County Recreation. This community use continued for decades until the school district decided to surplus the property.
The City of South Salt Lake successfully applied to Salt Lake County’s Zoo, Arts and Parks program for funds to purchase and update the campus. Granite School District sold the property to the City for $530,000. An additional $234,000 was allocated for essential updates to the safety, security, and accessibility of the buildings and site. The City reopened the campus as a community arts center and re-dedicated it as the Historic Scott School Community Center. Promise South Salt Lake eventually started offering after-school programs in the Redwood Building for youth and families living in South Salt Lake.
South Salt Lake invested ~$700,000 to fully renovate the interior of the Redwood Building for enhanced community and Promise SSL programs, thanks in part to a $200,000 grant through the Salt Lake County CDBG (HUD) program.
In the coming years, the interior of the main Scott School building will be renovated to further expand and enhance the cultural arts, crafts, and community programs provided at the Community Center, and the exterior of both structures will be renovated to protect, preserve, and restore the historical preservation values of the property. The City hopes to regain designation of Scott School on the National Register of Historic Sites and the Utah State Register.
Arts Council
The South Salt Lake Arts Council provides art classes inside the main building at the Historic Scott School Community Center. Classes are hosted by local artists and are low-cost or free to residents. Click here to view current Arts Programming and register for classes.
Promise SSL
The Promise South Salt Lake youth center offers afterschool and summer programs for youth kindergarten through 6th grade. The Historic Scott School is a place where youth can come and be themselves as they explore their talents, meet new people, and reach new academic heights in a unique atmosphere.
MOSAIC Inter-Faith Ministries
Historic Scott School hosts a Community Resource Pantry as a safe space for anyone to receive food and be connected to other resources and programs. This service is operated by MOSAIC Inter-Faith Ministries and Promise SSL, with support from the Utah Food Bank. For hours of operations and contact information, visit the Pantry page.