Last updated on .
The stunning City and Council Building is the home of the city government of Salt Lake City. It was completed in 1894 and replaced the older Council Building, which was later dismantled and moved to Capitol Hill. It served as the state capitol building from Utah’s admission into the Union in 1896 until the new capitol building was finished in 1915. The county offices were also in the building until a separate facility was built in the 1980s.
The City and Council Building has over 100 rooms with a clock tower that reaches 256 ft. into the air. It was the center of a major controversy during its construction. The building was designed by non-Mormons to rival the grandeur of the Salt Lake Temple, which did not go over well with the Mormon population of the city.
Washington Square
The building is located at Washington Square, which is where the original Mormon pioneer camp was erected in 1847. Fountains, monuments, and the perfectly manicured landscaping in the square nicely complement the architecture.
Matheson Courthouse
Across the street is the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse, which is the location of the Utah Supreme Court. It opened in 1998 and replaced the courtroom at the Utah State Capitol.
