Granger Villa: A Neighborhood Built on Vision, Pride, and Possibility
Granger Villa: Part 1
Over 60 years ago, on a gentle hilltop at 4300 South and 4000 West in Granger, a new kind of neighborhood began to take shape—one that would stand the test of time and remain a beloved part of West Valley's story. This was Granger Villa, the dream of designer Richard Prows, who believed that homeownership should be more than just a roof over one’s head. For Prows, housing was about dignity, pride, and building a future.
Prows, the visionary behind Young America Homes, wanted to offer more than the average starter home. “To get the most out of design and materials, reject pretentiousness for simplicity,” he said. The goal? To make better-built, better-designed homes for working families—homes that felt personal, comfortable, and full of promise.
Each model home in Granger Villa offered something unique:
The Westwood, a contemporary home featured in national magazines, with sliding glass doors opening to a private terrace.
The Charlotte, elegant and family-friendly, complete with a curving driveway and a 27-foot finished recreation room.
The Cape Cottage, a charming colonial design with window boxes and classic outdoor shutters.
The Cherry Hill, a Life Magazine–honored split-level with three bedrooms and a cozy fireplace.
The Country Gentleman, welcoming and bright with oversized living room windows and outdoor storage.
The Highland Fields, a beautifully zoned layout that looked far more expensive than its modest price tag.
But Granger Villa wasn’t just about houses—it was about home. The quiet streets, elevated above the valley floor, offered stunning views of city lights by night and mountain hues by day. It was a peaceful, country-like setting just 18 minutes from downtown, close to schools, churches, shopping, and major employers.
Even the original sales pitch captured what made Granger Villa special: “Housing is a necessity—but just housing is not enough.” Richard Prows understood that a family’s home should reflect their hopes, not their limitations.
Today, while styles and materials have changed, the original spirit of Granger Villa lives on. Many homes remain lovingly cared for by original or long-time residents who still feel that “pride of ownership” that Prows talked about. These houses weren’t just structures—they were foundations for generations.
Here’s to Granger Villa, and to the dreamers and designers who believed everyone deserved something better than “just housing.” They deserved home.
Aug 1963