Founded by Mormon pioneers seeking a place to practice their religion, Salt Lake City became a center of regional commerce, fueled by mining and the completion of the Union Pacific and local railroads. It ultimately attracted residents from all parts of Europe, as well as Mexico, China, and Japan. Historic Photos of Salt Lake City captures the story of this unique community through still photography selected from the finest collections, a visual record of the city's history presented in striking black-and-white photographs. From the building of the magnificent Mormon Temple and Tabernacle to the establishment of America's first department store; from muddy streets to wide boulevards with park-like medians; from Greek grocery stores to Japanese-American baseball teams, Historic Photos of Salt Lake City tells a visual story of a unique American city.

From the earliest days of settlement, South Temple was Salt Lake's most prestigious street. In 1857, William Staines built the Devereaux House, Salt Lake's first of many mansions. The once-bustling Union Pacific Depot eventually found itself increasingly isolated. Downtown's "gleaming copper landmark" overcame numerous hurdles before its construction was finally finished, and the Steiner American Building helped usher in acceptance of Modernist architecture. Evolving to reflect its continued prominence, in 1975, the thoroughfare's core became the city's first local historic district, and in 1982, it made the National Register of Historic Places. Author and historian Bim Oliver celebrates the changing landmarks along these famous eighteen blocks.

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Contains histories of some of the minorities in Utah.

Between 1890 and 1930, Salt Lake City experienced some of the most rapid and profound changes of any city in U.S. history. In its pioneer period, from the beginning of white settlement in 1847 to about 1890, the city struggled against outside pressures to maintain its identity as a self-sufficient Mormon utopian community, with its theocratic government, agricultural economy, and polygamous society. But by the turn of the 20th century, Mormonism had largely abandoned those features, and Salt Lake City was becoming like most other American cities as it embraced capitalism, the evolution of transportation and industry, ethnic and cultural diversity, women's rights, and modern entertainment.