Salt Lake City was founded on July 24, 1847 by a group of approximately 150 Mormon pioneers. Of course, people had been living in the region for centuries. In fact, as the United States was declaring its independence in 1776, Catholic fathers and the explorers Dominguez and Escalante were documenting Utah's geography and people. Ancient indigenous people, the ancestors of the Ute and Navajo tribesSalt Lake City was founded on July 24, 1847 by a group of approximately 150 Mormon pioneers. Of course, people had been living in the region for centuries. In fact, as the United States was declaring its independence in 1776, Catholic fathers and the explorers Dominguez and Escalante were documenting Utah's geography and people. Ancient indigenous people, the ancestors of the Ute and Navajo tribes, are reported to have been in the area from approximately 1 A.D. to 1300 A.D. Spanish explorers and Mexican traders followed Escalante and Dominguez in the 18th century. Mountain men and trappers arrived to exploit Utah's abundant wildlife during the 1820s.
Mormon pioneers began arriving in 1847, and over the course of that year nearly 2,000 migrated to the Salt Lake Valley in search of religious freedom. The pioneers faced much adversity as they established their community. In 1848 a late frost, drought and a plague of crickets nearly destroyed the settlers' harvest. Flocks of seagulls from the Great Salt Lake consumed the insects and enough crops were saved to ensure the pioneers would survive the harsh Utah winter.
The University of Utah was established in 1850. The famous California Gold Rush of 1849-50 also brought many settlers to the area who, after a harsh crossing through the unforgiving Rockies, were not willing to cross the desert to get all the way to California. In 1853, construction began on Temple Square with granite quarried from nearby canyons and hauled by ox and wagon to the building site. The structure took forty years to complete. By the time the first transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869 at Promontory Point (approximately 80 miles north of Salt Lake City), Utah, or as the Mormons called it, The State of Deseret, had a population of more than 60,000 Mormons. Thousands of soldiers, miners, ranchers and merchants followed. The completion of the transcontinental railroad also brought many of Utah's first tourists who were determined to see this new "City of Saints." In 1896, Utah became the 45th state admitted to the Union.
The modern character of Salt Lake City began to evolve in the early 1900s. The Utah State Capitol Building and many other extant buildings rose on the shores of the Great Salt Lake. Electric trolleys, operating from what is now Trolley Square, transported people living in the outlying regions of Sugarhouse, Liberty Park and The Avenues. The Eagle Gate that had served to mark the entrance to Brigham Young's estate was reconstructed to allow traffic flow into the city. Parks, sewer systems and street lighting were put in place. It was a prosperous time in Deseret, and its people made the most of it.
Copper, silver, gold, coal and lead mines were opened throughout the state, and silver became king. Many of the city's most graceful mansions were constructed by those early mining tycoons and remain as examples of this opulent time in the state's history. The population of Salt Lake City tripled in the first decades of the 20th century. Although the Great Depression slowed the area's growth, the numerous defense installations and manufacturing concerns that were developed to meet the demands of World War II revitalized the economy. Hill Air Force Base (approximately 30 miles north of Salt Lake City) is still an active and important part of northern Utah's economy. A number of corporate entities that got their start during World War II and in the post-war years, and such organizations as Hercules, Cordant Technologies (formerly Thiokol) and UNISYS have maintained an important presence in Utah. Utah's healthy economy has also attracted a wide variety of national and international companies including Delta Airlines, Intel, American Express and eBay.
As with the rest of the United States, the suburbs around Salt Lake City expanded and developed their own identities in the 1960s and '70s. Today, Sandy, West Valley City, Sugarhouse, Holladay, Murray, Riverton and Draper have become communities unto themselves. The nearby canyon communities and the ski resorts evolved into the world class ski areas good enough to host the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Each ski area, like each section of Salt Lake City itself, has a distinct personality and cachet. For example, Park City is now renowned as the home of the Sundance Film Festival and Deer Valley Resort is one of the world's premier ski resorts. The Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and Alta Ski Area in Little Cottonwood Canyon also rank among the world's top ski areas and, just over the mountain, Brighton Ski Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort remain local favorites with both skiers and snowboarders. Salt Lake City's UTA buses make runs to the Cottonwood Canyons on an almost constant basis during the ski season.
The mountain men and early pioneers would undoubtedly be amazed by what the mountains have become! Because Salt Lake City exists in the shadows of these nearby mountains, it has evolved into a city that is deeply connected to its geography and environment. The downtown skyline continues to grow, but is always dwarfed by the mountains to the east and by the desert and the Great Salt Lake to the west. Its history has been one of contrasts, and its future is certain to highlight those contrasts even further.... more info
Salt Lake City offers something for every traveler, from skiing in the mountains to exploring the shops and restaurants of downtown.
Temple SquareTemple Square was once the middle of Salt Lake City. Tabernacle is the home of the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Excellent historical displays comprise the Museum of Church HistorySalt Lake City offers something for every traveler, from skiing in the mountains to exploring the shops and restaurants of downtown.
Temple SquareTemple Square was once the middle of Salt Lake City. Tabernacle is the home of the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Excellent historical displays comprise the Museum of Church History and Art next door. Also in this area is the Gothic Cathedral of the Madeline. Once you're finished having a look, dine at the Fresco Italian Cafe.
Joseph Smith Memorial Building Walk through Temple Square to the Beehive House. Once home to Brigham Young, this luxurious abode is now open to visitors. If you are hungry, the Lion House Pantry next door serves traditional pioneer cuisine that never fails to please. Head to the nearby Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Here, you can view a film depicting the immigration of the Mormon pioneers or use the FamilySearch Center computers to track your ancestors, if you're from the Salt Lake City area.
Pioneer Memorial Museum The Pioneer Memorial Museum contains many treasures of the first settlers in Utah. Memory Grove Park is right next door. Nearby are the ZCMI Center, America's first department store, and the Gateway Center mall. Browse the many shops and grab a bite at Granato's, famous for its sandwiches.
Contacting a professional tour company is a good idea if you're visiting Salt Lake City. See the city's main attractions on foot, go on an adventure down the Colorado River or fly on a helicopter.
Walking Tours Salt Lake Historical Tours Inc ( +1 801 582 6269 ) Salt Lake City Tours ( +1 801 534 1001/ http://www.slctravel.com/tours.htm/ ) Western Leisure Inc ( +1 800 532 2113 )
Rafting Tours Dinosaur River Expeditions ( +1 800 345 RAFT ) High Country Rafting ( +1 801 224 2500 )
Horsedrawn Carriage Tours Carriage For Hire ( +1 803 363 8687/ http://www.carriageforhire.net/ )
Adventure ToursSki Utah Interconnect Adventure Tour ( +1 801 534 1907/ http://www.skiutah.com/resorts/interconnect/ ) Interconnect Adventure Tour ( +1 801 534 1907 ) Colorado River and Trail Expeditions ( +1 800 253 7328/ http://www.crateinc.com/ ) Adrift Adventures ( +1 800 824 0150 )... more info
Situated at the base of the magnificent Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City is booming economically and evolving at a rapid rate. While most business travelers limit their activities to the city center, many tourists come for the outstanding outdoor recreation found throughout the Salt Lake Basin. In winter, skiing is the main reason for a visit to this vast area, but when the snow melts, it becomesSituated at the base of the magnificent Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City is booming economically and evolving at a rapid rate. While most business travelers limit their activities to the city center, many tourists come for the outstanding outdoor recreation found throughout the Salt Lake Basin. In winter, skiing is the main reason for a visit to this vast area, but when the snow melts, it becomes prime mountain biking and hiking country.
The City Center
The downtown area is a mixture of contrasts with old and new buildings side by side. The stately Temple Square is flanked by high-rise office buildings. Brigham Young's Beehive House creates a 19th-century oasis across the street from office towers of the 21st century. Arranged on a logical grid pattern with Temple Square at its center, all addresses in the city can conveniently be found with little effort.
Business and tourism are the lifeblood of the city, but between the office buildings lay the cultural and entertainment centers that present numerous diversions at the end of the business or ski day. The Capitol Theatre, home of Ballet West, is both an architectural and cultural gem. One of downtown's classic older buildings, the theatre has been renovated into a modern venue for Broadway productions and intimate concerts. It is only a pleasant stroll from any of the downtown hotels and is close to some of the city's finest restaurants. Equally accessible from anywhere in downtown is Abravanel Hall (home of the Utah Opera Company) and the Energy Solutions Arena. The volunteer hosts at the Salt Lake City Convention and Visitors' Bureau in the Salt Palace Convention Center can always recommend a variety of activities, favorite restaurants or sites to visit.
Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City is truly a hill! A walk from downtown up State Street to the Utah State Capitol Building offers a sampling of the grandeur of the homes of mining and financial barons. Several of these old residences, notably Wolfe Krest Bed & Breakfast and The Inn on Capitol Hill, provide a good sense of Salt Lake City as it was at the turn of the 19th century. The private homes on the hill also offer an eclectic blend of Victorian, Italianate and "wealthy pioneer" architectural styles. Just to the west of the Utah State Capitol is the Pioneer Memorial Museum, which also provides a sense of life in the "Beehive State" in its early days.
Once the home of the trolleys that were the transportation mainstay of Salt Lake City, the trolley barns of Trolley Square now enclose some of the best restaurants and shopping in the city. From the well-known Hard Rock Cafe to the local favorite Desert Edge Brewery at the Pub, the numerous dining establishments are each a pleasure. Shopping ranges from the eclectic to the stylish and from the mainstream to the uncommon. Trolley Square is an ideal setting for an afternoon of shopping or an evening of dinner, drinks and a movie.
The University of Utah
The university district and the university itself offer a number of delights. On the campus of the University of Utah are the Utah Museum of Natural History and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Kingsbury Hall is a concert and performance venue that is a special pleasure for jazz performances, dance productions and theatre. The University's Huntsman Center hosts the sporting exhibitions of the University of Utah Utes, while the nearby Red Butte Gardens is a four-season experience that, once again, integrates the city with Utah's diverse natural environment.
Outside the City Center
Like many metropolitan areas, Salt Lake City has sprawled past its designated boundaries into numerous suburbs and outlying areas. North of the city center lie Farmington, Hill Air Force Base and Ogden, home to the Hill Aerospace Museum, Eccles Dinosaur Park and Lagoon Amusement Park. West of the city center is home to Salt Lake International Airport and much of the area's rapidly expanding industry. To the east of the city lies the magnificent Wasatch Front. These craggy peaks and bucolic valleys shelter Park City and world-renowned ski resorts such as Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort and Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort.... more info
Getting There
Air
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) +1 800 595 2442 http://www.slcairport.com
SLC is located 10 minutes from downtown and services the following airlines:
Bus: Utah Transit Authority ( +1 801 743 3882/ http://www.rideuta.com ) has bus routes to and from the airport. Buses run M-Sa 6a-10:30p and Su 6a-5:30p.
Taxi: Taxis, all metered, can be easily located at the far end of the baggage claim in both terminals from the following companies:
Limo and Van: All Resort Express ( +1 801 457 9457/ http://www.alta-snowbird-transportation.com ) Big City Business & Ski Shuttle ( +1 801 867 9207/ http://www.bigcitytransportation.com ) Bighorn Express ( +1 888 655 7433/ http://www.bighornexpress.com ) Express Shuttle ( +1 800 397 0773/ http://www.xpressshuttleutah.com ) Salt Lake Express Shuttle ( +1 800 356 9796/ http://www.gotrailways.com ) Utah Transportation Management ( +1 888 655 7433/ http://www.utahshuttle.com ) VIP Limousine ( +1 801 288 9494/ http://www.2889494.com )
Train
Amtrak ( +1 800 872 7245/ http://www.amtrak.com ), located at 340 S 600 W, provides service to Salt Lake City via the California Zephyr. The Zephyr runs daily between Chicago and San Francisco.
Bus
Greyhound ( +1 800 231 2222/ http://www.greyhound.com ) accesses Salt Lake City daily. The downtown bus station, ( +1 801 355 9579 ), located at 160 W S Temple, is open daily 5a-midnight.
Car
Known as the "Crossroads of the West," Interstate 15 and US Highway 89 run through Salt Lake City traveling north or south and Interstate 80 approaches the city from the east and west.
Getting Around
Public Transit
Utah Transit Authority ( +1 801 743 3882/ http://www.rideuta.com ) operates throughout all of Salt Lake City with buses and the TRAX light-rail. Most buses run on weekdays 6a-midnight, Sa 7a-midnight, and Su with limited routes. TRAX operates M-Th 5:30a-11p, F-Sa 5:30a-1a, and Su 9:30a-9:30p. If you enter and exit a bus within the "Free Fare Zone" in the downtown area, the ride is free.
Taxi
Some of the major taxi and shuttle companies servicing Salt Lake City include:
City Cab Company ( +1 801 363 8400 ) Express Shuttle ( +1 800 397 0773/ http://www.xpressshuttleutah.com ) Ute Cab Co (+1 801 359 7788/ http://www.utetaxi.com ) Yellow Cab Company ( +1 801 521 2100/ http://www.yellowcabutah.com )
Walking
Take in Salt Lake City via foot on the Downtown Walking Tour passing sites like Temple Square, Mormon historical buildings, parks and museums. There are also several hiking opportunities near the downtown area in places such as Silver Lake, Ensign Peak and White Pine Overlook. For those not interested in walking, view downtown Salt Lake City from a horse-drawn carriage by Carriage for Hire ( +1 801 363 8687 ) or take a horseback ride along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
Traffic Information
To find out city traffic information go to http://www.traffic.com
If traveling overseas, take the safety precaution of registering your trip at https://travelregistration.state.gov and for helpful, practical advice about traveling technicalities and safety standards check out http://travel.state.gov/.... more info
Currency:
USD
Time Difference:
GMT -5 -10
Dialing Code:
1
Electricity:
120 V
Language:
English 82.1% Spanish 10.7% other Indo-European 3.8% Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% Protestant 52%
United States, Salt Lake City
Situated at the base of the magnificent Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City is booming economically and evolving at a rapid rate. While most business travelers limit their activities to the city center, many tourists come for the outstanding outdoor recreation found throughout the Salt Lake Basin. In winter, skiing is the main reason for a visit to this vast area, but when the snow melts, it becomesSituated at the base of the magnificent Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City is booming economically and evolving at a rapid rate. While most business travelers limit their activities to the city center, many tourists come for the outstanding outdoor recreation found throughout the Salt Lake Basin. In winter, skiing is the main reason for a visit to this vast area, but when the snow melts, it becomes prime mountain biking and hiking country.
The City Center
The downtown area is a mixture of contrasts with old and new buildings side by side. The stately Temple Square is flanked by high-rise office buildings. Brigham Young's Beehive House creates a 19th-century oasis across the street from office towers of the 21st century. Arranged on a logical grid pattern with Temple Square at its center, all addresses in the city can conveniently be found with little effort.
Business and tourism are the lifeblood of the city, but between the office buildings lay the cultural and entertainment centers that present numerous diversions at the end of the business or ski day. The Capitol Theatre, home of Ballet West, is both an architectural and cultural gem. One of downtown's classic older buildings, the theatre has been renovated into a modern venue for Broadway productions and intimate concerts. It is only a pleasant stroll from any of the downtown hotels and is close to some of the city's finest restaurants. Equally accessible from anywhere in downtown is Abravanel Hall (home of the Utah Opera Company) and the Energy Solutions Arena. The volunteer hosts at the Salt Lake City Convention and Visitors' Bureau in the Salt Palace Convention Center can always recommend a variety of activities, favorite restaurants or sites to visit.
Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City is truly a hill! A walk from downtown up State Street to the Utah State Capitol Building offers a sampling of the grandeur of the homes of mining and financial barons. Several of these old residences, notably Wolfe Krest Bed & Breakfast and The Inn on Capitol Hill, provide a good sense of Salt Lake City as it was at the turn of the 19th century. The private homes on the hill also offer an eclectic blend of Victorian, Italianate and "wealthy pioneer" architectural styles. Just to the west of the Utah State Capitol is the Pioneer Memorial Museum, which also provides a sense of life in the "Beehive State" in its early days.
Once the home of the trolleys that were the transportation mainstay of Salt Lake City, the trolley barns of Trolley Square now enclose some of the best restaurants and shopping in the city. From the well-known Hard Rock Cafe to the local favorite Desert Edge Brewery at the Pub, the numerous dining establishments are each a pleasure. Shopping ranges from the eclectic to the stylish and from the mainstream to the uncommon. Trolley Square is an ideal setting for an afternoon of shopping or an evening of dinner, drinks and a movie.
The University of Utah
The university district and the university itself offer a number of delights. On the campus of the University of Utah are the Utah Museum of Natural History and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Kingsbury Hall is a concert and performance venue that is a special pleasure for jazz performances, dance productions and theatre. The University's Huntsman Center hosts the sporting exhibitions of the University of Utah Utes, while the nearby Red Butte Gardens is a four-season experience that, once again, integrates the city with Utah's diverse natural environment.
Outside the City Center
Like many metropolitan areas, Salt Lake City has sprawled past its designated boundaries into numerous suburbs and outlying areas. North of the city center lie Farmington, Hill Air Force Base and Ogden, home to the Hill Aerospace Museum, Eccles Dinosaur Park and Lagoon Amusement Park. West of the city center is home to Salt Lake International Airport and much of the area's rapidly expanding industry. To the east of the city lies the magnificent Wasatch Front. These craggy peaks and bucolic valleys shelter Park City and world-renowned ski resorts such as Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort and Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort.... more info
Wehere to go if you're not Mo by
Tammy 15th Jul 08
If you can get past the Mormons, you're in good shape. SLC ranks #3 in the country for the Gothic Nightlife. Don't miss the drum circle at Liberty Park every Sunday.
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Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake, or its initials, S.L.C. It was originally known as Great Salt Lake City.
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