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Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah, the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a great base for outdoor recreation.
Overview of Salt Lake City
Before the arrival of Europeans, the Shoshone, Weber Ute, and Paiute lived in the Salt Lake Valley. In 1825, Jim Bridger (1804–1881) was probably the first non-Native to explore the area, and it was surveyed by John C. Frémont (1813–1890) in 1843 and 1845. The infamous Donner Party passed through in August 1846.
Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young (1801–1877) arrived in July 1847, when the territory belonged to Mexico. They were seeking a secluded area to practice their religion free of the persecution they faced in the United States. Young is said to have seen a vision of the area, and said “This is the right place, drive on.” upon arrival at the valley. Four days later, he selected a site for the Salt Lake Temple.
On February 2, 1848, at the conclusion of the Mexican–American War, the region was ceded to the United States. The pioneers created the State of Deseret and petitioned for its recognition in 1849, but instead, Congress established the Utah Territory the following year, designating Fillmore as its capital.
Becoming a Capital City
Great Salt Lake City — later shorted to Salt Lake City — was incorporated in 1851 and became the territorial capital in 1856, attracting gold prospectors and LDS converts. In 1870, a new line connected it to the Transcontinental Railroad, ushering in a period of migration of different ethnic groups and religions. Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Greek Orthodox churches were built along with a Jewish temple, and a Chinatown and Japantown once thrived. A red light district existed until it was shut down in 1911.
On January 4, 1896, Utah achieved statehood and Salt Lake City became a state capital. Suburban areas to the north and south began to grow, and the city experienced population decline from the 1960s through 1980s. It hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, which was a huge success and one of the few in recent history to turn a profit. The city will also host the 2034 Winter Olympics.
Temple Square
Temple Square — at the heart of Salt Lake City — is the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more commonly known as the LDS Church. It’s a beautiful space with a peaceful atmosphere, bordered by North Temple, South Temple, West Temple, and Main Streets. Temple Square is open daily, but it’s best to visit during the week as some buildings are closed on weekends.
When we entered the grounds, the first things we noticed are the gorgeous landscaping followed by how friendly everyone was. Although missionaries are on hand to greet visitors and answer all questions about the LDS Church, we never felt a religious push from anyone.
Conference Center
The first place you should visit is the Conference Center, which is directly north of Temple Square. Construction began in 1997 and it opened in 2000. At the end of 2021, it replaced the North Visitors’ Center and South Visitors’ Center and as the main visitor center.
The 1.4-million-square-foot building features an Observation Deck and a rooftop terrace with gardens and views of Temple Square. My personal favorite part of the building is the fountain in front. The Conference Center is open daily and is the place to inquire about free guided and self-guided tours of Temple Square.
The semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — attended by church members from all over the world — is held in the 21,000-seat auditorium every April and October. The 850-seat theatre hosts family-oriented cultural productions and events throughout the year.
Salt Lake Temple
The centerpiece of Temple Square is the Salt Lake Temple. Construction began in 1853 under the leadership of Brigham Young, and after 40 years, it was finally completed in 1893. It was designed by architect Truman Angell (1810–1887), who was inspired by old European styles.
Although it was the first to begin construction in Utah, it was the fourth temple dedicated in the region and the sixth overall in the LDS Church. Only church members may enter Salt Lake Temple, but visitors are able to admire the impressive structure from the outside.
The Salt Lake Temple stands 222 feet high and has a floor area of 253,015 square feet (23,505.9 square meters). The granite used in its construction was hauled in by ox-drawn wagons from Little Cottonwood Canyon, 23 miles away. The temple topped with a statue of Moroni, a Book of Mormon prophet, standing 12.5 feet (3.8 meters) tall, and features stone carvings on the exterior. It’s currently undergoing a seismic renovation process and other upgrades. Work began in 2020 and is expected to be complete by 2027 (as of May 2025).
Joseph Smith Memorial Garden
The Joseph Smith Memorial Garden, created in the 1970s, sits just south of the Salt Lake Temple. In the center of the peaceful space is a fountain.
Statues of Hyram and Joseph Smith
Statues of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith (1805–1844) and his brother Hyrum (1800–1844) are on the east side of the garden. Executed by Mahonri Young between 1907 and 1909, they were originally placed in niches next to the east doors of the Salt Lake Temple on November 5, 1909, and moved just south of the temple on June 27, 1911. The life-sized statues of the two men, killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844, were created using their death masks. (Note: The statues have been temporarily relocated while renovation projects are underway (as of May 2025).)
Three Witnesses
On the west side of the garden is Three Witnesses. It was created by Avard Fairbanks (1897–1987) to commemorate the Testimony of Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon — Oliver Cowdery (1806–1850), David Whitmer (1805–1888), and Martin Harris (1783–1875). The monument was unveiled on April 2, 1927. (Note: The monument has been temporarily relocated while renovation projects are underway (as of May 2025).)
South Visitors’ Center (Closed)
Note: the South Visitors’ Center was demolished as part of a project that began on December 29, 2019. It’s being replaced with a new visitor pavilion expected to be complete sometime in 2026 (as of May 2025). The exhibits have been temporarily moved to the Conference Center.
To get a good understanding about what went into building the Salt Lake Temple, you can visit the South Visitors’ Center, which was built in the 1970s on the former site of the Bureau of Information. An exhibit on the construction of the temple details its origins, architecture, and the difficulties laborers faced. One interesting section shows how granite was cut and moved 23 miles to the site by ox-drawn carts.
You’ll also find an impressive scale model of the temple with cutaways, allowing you to see some of the finest details of each room.
North Visitors’ Center (Closed)
Note: The North Visitors’ Center was demolished in November 2021 and replaced with landscaped gardens and contemplative space. The exhibits have been moved to the Conference Center.
The North Visitors’ Center is on the northwest corner of Temple Square, just inside the north gate. Construction began in 1960 and it opened to the public in 1965. On the main floor, there’s a scale model of Jerusalem in AD 33. Upstairs is a replica of Christus by Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844), installed in 1966. The original is in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Downstairs is the Scriptures and Revelations exhibit, featuring profiles on the prophets of the LDS Church, including founder Joseph Smith (1805–1844).
Another exhibit showcases the Church’s missions and wonderful program of giving to the poor and sick around the world.
Salt Lake Tabernacle
The Salt Lake Tabernacle — home of the world-famous Tabernacle Choir (formerly the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) — is on the west side of Temple Square. Featuring an 11,623-pipe organ, it’ s one of the most acoustically perfect buildings in the world and the first site in the country designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. It’s open daily, with organ recitals taking place at noon from Monday through Saturday, and at 2pm on Sundays.
To meet the goal of allowing a large congregation to hear the prophet and other Church leaders speak, Brigham Young proposed a large domed structure with no columns, and he wanted a pin drop to be heard from 170 feet away. Bridge builder Henry Grow achieved this by designing the building using a lattice truss.
Built between 1863 and 1867, the Tabernacle measures 150 feet wide, 250 feet long, and 80 feet high, and was constructed almost entirely with local materials — only the window glass, nails, bolts, and other metal parts had to be imported. Benches were painted to look like oak, and a balcony was added in 1875.
The General Conference took place in the Salt Lake Tabernacle from the time of its completion until the Conference Center opened in 2000. In addition to holding meetings, concerts, and lectures, twelve U.S. Presidents have spoken there as well as Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) and Charles Lindbergh (1902–1974).
Assembly Hall
A few steps away, on the southwest corner of Temple Square, is Assembly Hall. This Gothic Revival building was built between 1877 and 1882 to replace an adobe tabernacle that was no longer in use. It’s used today for lectures, recitals, and free weekend concerts, as well as overflow for General Conference and other Temple Square meetings. It’s open daily.
Assembly Hall is 68 feet wide, 120 feet long, and the central tower is 130 feet high. It originally featured murals on the ceiling depicting important scenes and locations in the history of the LDS Church and wood painted to look like marble — the current interior dates to 20th-century renovations. A 3,489-pipe organ was built in 1980 to replace an older organ, and the stained glass windows are original. The benches can accommodate about 1,200 people.
Monuments in the Southwest Quarter of Temple Square
A handful of impressive monuments stand in the space just east of Assembly Hall. Some of them have been moved there from other locations since my visit.
Seagull Monument
The Seagull Monument is in the center. Created by Mahonri Young (1877–1957), the grandson of Brigham Young, it commemorates the Miracle of the Gulls. It was dedicated on October 1, 1913, and is believed to be the first in the United States dedicated to birds.
In 1848, Mormon crickets began devouring the crops planted by the pioneers after their arrival in the Salt Lake Valley. The farmers prayed for divine intervention, and — according to traditional accounts — beginning on June 9 of that year, they witnessed flocks of seagulls eating the crickets over a period of two weeks. This ensured the survival of around 4,000 pioneers.
The monument consists of a column resting on a granite pedestal. Atop the column is a ball with a bronze sculpture of two large seagulls measuring 8 feet (2.4 meters) wide. Four bronze relief panels decorate the pedestal, with the first three depicting The Founding of the Commonwealth, The Arrival of the Sea Gulls, The First Harvest, and the fourth containing a dedicatory inscription. Until 2024, the gulls were gilded and the monument was surrounded by a circular pool of water 40 feet (12 meters) in diameter and filled with water lilies and goldfish. The pool has been replaced with flower beds.
Handcart Pioneers
Handcart Pioneers, created in 1926 by Norwegian-born sculptor Torleif S. Knaphus (1881–1965), stands nearby. It’s dedicated to the Mormon handcart pioneers who braved harsh conditions and trekked all the way to Salt Lake City from the east. Although fewer than 10% of the Mormons who made their way west used handcarts, they’re an important symbol of the sacrifice and determination of the pioneer generation. The sculpture rests on a stone base and measures roughly 4 feet wide, 10 feet long, and 6 feet high.
Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood
The Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, by Avard Fairbanks, depicts John the Baptist placing his hands on the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, both kneeling at his side. Mormons believe the restoration of the Aaronic priesthood, which took place on May 15, 1829, gave the power and authority of God to male leaders of the LDS Church.
The bronze sculpture was cast by Roman Bronze Works in New York City and measures approximately 10 x 8 x 4 feet. It was unveiled on October 25, 1957, and originally placed north of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. When construction on the North Visitors’ Center began in 1960, it was boxed for protection and later moved to a space near the eastern wall of Temple Square. The statue was placed just west of the Joseph Smith Memorial Garden in 2006 and temporarily removed when renovation projects began in 2020. It has stood in its current location since early 2025.
Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood
A few steps away you’ll see Fairbanks’ Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood, commissioned in June 1962 as a companion piece to the Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood. It depicts Apostles Peter, James, and John placing their hands on the head of a kneeling Joseph Smith, while Oliver Cowdery waits to the side for his own ordination. Mormons believe the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood, which took place on May 15, 1829, gave a power and authority of God higher than the Aaronic priesthood to male leaders of the LDS Church.
The plaster was completed in 1964 and shipped to New York City where it was put on display at the 1964 World’s Fair. The bronze casting was completed in 1972 but wasn’t added to Temple Square until 2006. The statue was temporarily removed when renovation projects began in 2020 and has stood in its current location since early 2025.
Base and Meridian Marker
The Base and Meridian marker is at the southeast corner of Temple Square. All streets were numbered from this spot starting on August 3, 1847. The coordinates are marked 0 in each direction, meaning it’s the exact center of Salt Lake City. A sandstone marker placed at the spot in 1855 was replaced by a replica in 1989. The original marker is on display in the Conference Center.
Brigham Young Monument
The Brigham Young Monument stands a few steps to the east. Created for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, it features a bronze statue of Young atop a 25-foot-high granite pedestal. A relief of a pioneer man, woman, and child decorates the south side, while the north side contains a plaque listing the pioneers who arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. Sculptures at the base depict a Native American facing east and a fur trapper facing west.
The statue was moved to Temple Square shortly after the World’s Fair, and by 1897 it was installed in the middle of the intersection at Main and South Temple. It was moved to its current location in 1993, improving traffic flow and allowing visitors to approach it.
Joseph Smith Memorial Building
The large building next to the monument was designed by Parkinson and Bergstrom and completed in 1911 as the Hotel Utah. It served as such until 1987, reopening in 1993 as the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Inside is space for public events, dining options, a banquet hall, and theatre. The restaurant on the 10th floor offers views of the Salt Lake Temple. The building is currently under renovation and has partially reopened to the public (as of December 2025).
Church Administration Building
Continuing east is the smaller Church Administration Building, which holds the offices of the president of the LDS Church. It was built between 1914 and 1917 and used to contain all church offices. The building is closed to the public. Outside the north side you’ll find a sculpture of Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma (1804–1879).
Church Office Building
To the north is the Church Office Building. This 28-story building — the second tallest in Salt Lake City — was designed by George Cannon Young (1898–1981) and completed in 1972. It was officially dedicated on July 24, 1975. Although it’s now closed to the public, it was once possible to visit the observation deck on the 26th floor.
A beautifully landscaped plaza fills the space between the Church Office Building and Church Administration Building, with clear views of the Salt Lake Temple to the west.
Beehive House
The Beehive House, at the corner of State and South Temple, was the official residence and office of Brigham Young (1801–1877), the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the first governor of Utah Territory. Completed in 1854, it later housed presidents Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901) and Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918).
The three-story home was designed by Truman Angell to accommodate Young’s large family, including many wives and children. It’s named for the beehive sculpture at the top — a symbol of the LDS Church representing cooperation, industry, and hard work.
After being restored to its late-19th-century appearance, the Beehive House opened as a museum in 1961. It contains several original furnishings and personal items owned by Young. Free 30-minute tours are available daily (Note: The Beehive House is currently closed for renovations (as of May 2025).).
Lion House
Next door to the left is the Lion House, completed around 1856 as another official residence for Young. Truman Angell was the architect and it was named for the statue of a lion above the front entrance, sculpted by William Ward III (1827–1893). The home had 26 bedrooms and was able to accommodate more of Young’s wives and children. Young died in one of the bedrooms in 1877
In the 1920s, the Lion House housed the domestic science department of LDS University (now Ensign College). The Young Women Mutual Improvement Association operated it in the 1930s as a social center and also rented rooms for social events. Later, it was saved from demolition in the 1960s and converted into an events venue. In 1991, it became the Lion House Pantry, a cafeteria-style restaurant that closed in 2020. The restaurant is expected to be replaced by a museum after Temple Square renovations are complete (as of May 2025).
Eagle Gate
To the right of the Beehive House, straddling State Street, is the Eagle Gate. This monumental gate was originally constructed in 1859 at the entrance to Brigham Young’s property and has been rebuilt twice, in 1891 and most recently in 1963. The original gate, designed by Hiram B. Clawson (1826–1912), was 22 feet (6.7 meters) wide, while the current gate, designed by Grant R. Fairbanks — a son of sculptor Avard Fairbanks — is 75 feet (23 meters) wide.
A wooden eagle sat atop the original gate, but the current gate features a 4,000-pound (1,800 kilogram) bronze eagle that’s 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 meters) tall with a wing span of 20 feet (6.1 meters).
Church History Library
Across the street to the north of the Church Office Building is the Church History Library. It opened on June 20, 2009, to hold church records from 1830 to the present, once kept in the Church Office Building. The library features 10 main storage rooms with atmospheric controls holding many original items. The Church History Biographical Database contains information on thousands of pioneers and missionaries. You’ll also find the Reference and Reading Rooms and an exhibit of historical LDS Church records. It’s open daily except Sundays.
Church History Museum
West of Temple Square is the Church History Museum, which chronicles the history of the LDS Church from its early days in Nauvoo, Illinois. There’s no admission (as of May 2025) and it’s open daily except Sundays.
Founded as the Salt Lake City Museum & Menagerie in 1869 by Brigham Young’s son John (1844–1924), it was transferred to the LDS Church in 1878. The Salt Lake Literary and Scientific Association acquired the museum in 1885 and renamed it the Deseret Museum. The Temple Square Bureau of Information took over in 1919 and it eventually became the Church History Museum.
FamilySearch Library
A few steps south is the FamilySearch Library, which is one of the largest genealogical libraries in the world. Visitors are able to search records and learn about their ancestry. It’s open daily except Sundays.
Map of Temple Square
Alta Club
The Alta Club, a private social club founded in 1883, is located at the southeast corner of South Temple and State Streets. The building opened on June 1, 1898, and was designed by Frederick Albert Hale (1855–1934) in the Italian Renaissance style. The east wing, added in 1910, almost doubled its original size.
Former Salt Lake City Public Library
Next door to the south is the former Salt Lake City Public Library, built between 1904 and 1905 in the Beaux-Arts style. Although it was designed by Heins & LaFarge of New York, Frederick Albert Hale supervised construction. The 20,000-square-foot building, financed by mining magnate John Quackenbos Packard (1821–1908), is three stories high. It features a two-story entrance pavilion with four attached columns, and three bays with double oak doors.
The library, established by the Ladies’ Literary Society of Salt Lake City in 1898, moved to a modern facility in 1965. Wesley Budd converted the building into a planetarium, eventually relocating to the Clark Planetarium a few blocks west. O.C. Tanner purchased the building in 2007 to serve as its flagship jewelry store.
Utah State Capitol
The Utah State Capitol is a few blocks north of downtown. The center of government for the state of Utah, it stands atop a former munitions storage area once called Arsenal Hill (now Capitol Hill). The land was donated by Salt Lake City to the State of Utah in 1888 for the purpose of building the capitol, but construction didn’t begin until December 26, 1912. The building was completed on July 3, 1915, and it was inaugurated on October 9, 1916.
The Neoclassical Revival building was designed by architect Richard K.A. Kletting (1858–1943). It’s 404 feet (123 meters) long, 240 feet (73 meters) wide, and the dome is 250 feet (76 meters) high. The façade features 52 Corinthian columns, each 32 feet (9.8 meters) tall and 3 ½ feet (1.1 meters) in diameter. There are four floors and a basement.
Free 45-minute guided tours are available on the hour from 10am to 3pm, Monday through Friday (as of May 2025), while self-guided tours are possible during operating hours. The building is open Monday through Thursday from 7am to 8pm and Friday through Sunday and holidays from 7am to 6pm.
Lion Sculptures
Four lions made of Italian marble guard the east and west entrances of the capitol. The originals were made by Gavin Jack (1859–1938) and installed in 1915, but they were replaced during renovations between 2004 and 2008. The new lions were made by Nick Fairplay.
Second Floor of the Utah State Capitol
The main entrance to the building opens to the second floor, which is also considered the main floor. Almost completely covered with marble, it’s possible to hear echoes bouncing around the cavernous interior.
Atria flank the rotunda to the east and west. They’re covered with skylights and feature two levels of balconies supported by 24 Ionic columns. At the end of each atrium is a marble staircase. The governor’s office and the state reception room, or Gold Room, is also on the second floor.
Rotunda of the Utah State Capitol
The rotunda is the most striking feature of the building, decorated with several impressive paintings. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling is an exact copy of one hanging in the Arkansas State Capitol. It weighs 3,000 pounds (1,400 kilograms); the chain supporting it weighs an additional 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms).
The dome, rising 165 feet above the floor, was painted by William Slater and depicts California gulls flying among the clouds. The cyclorama at the base of the dome was painted by Lee Greene Richards (1878–1950) in the 1930s. It depicts eight important scenes in Utah history, including the driving of the Golden Spike.
The four pendentives were sketched by Richards and painted in 1933–1934 with the assistance of Gordon Cope (1906–1999), Waldo Midgley (1888–1986), and Henry Rasmusen (1909–1970). They represent four important moments in Utah history: Father Escalante Discovers Utah Lake – 1776; Peter Skene Ogden at Ogden River – 1828; Fremont First Sees Great Salt Lake – 1843; and Brigham Young and Pioneers Entering the Valley.
The four niches in the rotunda contain statues collectively known as “The Great Utahs”, sculpted by Eugene L. Daub, Robert Firmin, and Jonah Hendrickson. Each stands about 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall and they represent Science and Technology, Land and Community, Immigration and Settlement, and Arts and Education.
Third Floor of the Utah State Capitol
Climbing the stairs to the third floor, you’ll find the entrance to the House of Representatives chamber in the west atrium. Above is the mural Passing of the Wagons, painted by Girard Hale (1886–1958) and Gilbert White (1877–1939) in 1917. It depicts the arrival of the pioneers in the Great Salt Lake Valley in July 1847.
The Supreme Court chamber is at the end of the east atrium. Hale and White also painted the mural Madonna of the Wagon above, depicting “a desert turned lush by irrigation and families establishing their new homes”. The chamber is ceremonial, as the court moved downtown to the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse on Washington Square in 1998. The Senate chamber is on the northern side of the central wing.
Fourth Floor of the Utah State Capitol
The fourth floor contains a sculpture gallery in the corridors as well as the viewing galleries for the House and Senate chambers. Sculptures and busts of several important people from Utah line the corridors. One of the personalities depicted is Philo T. Farnsworth (1906–1971), an inventor who contributed to the development of the television. The sculpture was created by James Avati (1950–2025) in 1990.
Sculptures on Capitol Hill
In addition to great views of Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Mountains, you’ll find several statues and sculptures scattered around Capitol Hill.
Beehive Sculptures
On the South Lawn in front of the South Capitol Steps are two beehive sculptures presented to the state by Kennecott Copper Corporation on July 24, 1976. The beehive is an important symbol of Utah, representing the hard-working spirit and cooperation of its people.
Mormon Battalion Monument
The Mormon Battalion Monument, on the southeast corner of the South Lawn, is dedicated to the 500 pioneers who volunteered to join the US Army during the Mexican-American War. It was sculpted by Gilbert Riswold (1882–1938) and unveiled in 1927. Figures on the monument depict important periods of the Battalion’s history: the Enlistment, the March, the Discovery of Gold in California, and the Arrival of the Pueblo Detachment to the Salt Lake Valley.
Council Hall
Council Hall is south of Capitol Hill. It served as Salt Lake City Hall from 1866 to 1894, when offices moved to the newly-completed Salt Lake City and Council Building.
Architect William H. Folsom (1815–1901) designed the building and oversaw construction, which began on February 8, 1864. It opened in January 1866. From 1894 to 1915, it was used as a police headquarters followed by other city offices. Originally located downtown, it was dismantled and relocated in 1961. The building now houses the Utah Office of Tourism and a gift shop.
A few painted bison sculptures stand on the grounds of Council Hall. They’re part of the Trailblazer Art in the City project and can be found in other spots around Salt Lake City.
White Memorial Chapel
Across the parking lot to the east is the White Memorial Chapel. It was built between 1979 and 1980 as a replica of the Salt Lake 18th Ward Meetinghouse, with material salvaged from the original building. The Mahonri Kenneth White and Ada Marie Sparks White Foundation funded its construction and donated it to the State of Utah. The building serves as a nondenominational chapel for weddings, memorials, and other events.
The original meetinghouse was built starting in 1880, held its first LDS Church religious service on July 23, 1882, and was demolished in June 1973.
Washington Square
Washington Square, four blocks south of Temple Square, is where the first Mormon pioneer camp was erected in 1847. On August 2 of that year, it was designated a public square, and it later hosted a skating pond, circuses, a hay market, and a baseball field. Some sources indicate the square was named on December 12, 1865, by the Salt Lake City Council, but this wasn’t made official until February 21, 1957.
On June 16, 1995, a gathering of 40,000–50,000 people took place at Washington Square to watch the International Olympic Committee announce the host of the 2002 Winter Olympics. A similar event took place on July 24, 2024, for the 2034 Winter Olympics.
Fountains, sculptures, and the perfectly manicured landscaping nicely complement the architecture of the City and County Building in the center.
Salt Lake City and County Building
The stunning Salt Lake City and County Building is the home of the city government of Salt Lake City. It was built between 1891 and 1894 to replace the older Council Building. It also served as the state capitol building from Utah’s admission to the Union in 1896 until the new capitol building was completed in 1915. The county offices moved out of the building when a separate facility was built in the 1980s.
The City and County Building was the center of a major controversy during its construction. It was designed by non-Mormons to rival the grandeur of the Salt Lake Temple, which did not go over well with the city’s Mormon residents. Architects Henry Monheim (1824–1893) of Salt Lake City, George Washington Bird (1854–1950) of Wichita, Kansas, and William Thomas Proudfoot (1860–1928), also of Wichita, established the firm Monheim, Bird, and Proudfoot in 1891 specifically to design the building, and their submission beat out 14 other designs. The City and County Building was the firm’s only project — Monheim died during construction, and Bird and Proudfoot moved to Philadelphia and Chicago, respectively, in 1896.
The City and County Building features a central clock tower that rises 256 feet (78 meters) into the air. It’s topped with a statue of Columbia. On the south wing is a bronze statue of the goddess Justice. Both statues — along with two others depicting Commerce and Liberty — were removed following an 1834 earthquake. They were replaced after renovations in 1989. Walter Baird and Oswald Lendi carved most of the exterior features.
The five-story building has over 100 rooms. The mayor’s office is in the south wing while the city council chambers are in the north.
Scott M. Matheson Courthouse
The Scott M. Matheson Courthouse, on the west side of the square, hosts the Utah Supreme Court. The five-story building opened in 1998 to replace the courtroom at the Utah State Capitol. It also hopes the Third District and Third District Juvenile Courts, Utah Court of Appeals, and the Utah State Law Library. The building features two wings with a central circular colonnade. At the time of construction, it was the largest public building project undertaken since the Utah State Capitol.
This Is the Place Monument
The This Is the Place Monument marks the approximate spot where Brigham Young ended the long journey west for the first group of Mormon pioneers to enter the Salt Lake Valley. On July 24, 1847, he looked out onto the valley and said “This is the right place. Drive on.”
The first monument at the site was erected by B. H. Roberts (1857–1933), who built a wooden marker with a Boy Scout troop in 1917. It was replaced with a white stone obelisk in 1921. In 1937, the State of Utah commissioned Mahonri Young (1877–1957), a grandson of Brigham Young, to create a larger monument, which he sculpted at Weir Farm in Connecticut from 1939 to 1947. He was assisted by Spero Anargyros (1915–2004). The monument was dedicated on July 24, 1947 — the 100th anniversary of the pioneers’ arrival in the Salt Lake Valley.
Features of the This Is the Place Monument
The monument depicts several prominent members of the original group of Mormon pioneers as well as others who came before them. At the top of the central pedestal, facing west, is Young, Heber Kimball (1801–1868), and Wilford Woodruff (1807–1898).
Below are Orson Pratt (1811–1881) and Erastus Snow (1818–1888) — the first members of the party to enter the valley on July 21, 1847 — celebrating their arrival. Reliefs of the wagon trains and pioneers making their way west decorate each side of the base.
On the north pedestal is a group of fur trappers from the Rocky Mountain Fur Company led by William H. Ashley (c. 1778–1838). They passed through Utah in the 1820s.
On the south pedestal is the Domínguez–Escalante Expedition of 1776, a group of Spanish explorers led by Franciscan monks Atanasio Domínguez (c. 1740–1803/1805) and Silvestre Vélez de Escalante (c. 1750–1780).
East Face of the This Is the Place Monument
At the center of the east face is a relief of the Donner Party, who ended up snowbound in the Sierra Nevada. Many had to resort to cannibalism to survive. Young followed the route they had set just a year earlier.
Each side of the east face features statues of three important figures in Utah history. To the left are Étienne Provost (1785–1850), an early-19th-century French-Canadian fur trader for whom the city of Provo, the Provo River, and Provo Canyon are named; Chief Washakie (c. 1804/1810–1900), a warrior and greatly respected chief of the Shoshone who befriended fur traders and Brigham Young; and Peter Skene Ogden (1790–1854), a British-Canadian fur trader with the Hudson’s Bay Company who explored the Great Salt Lake and for whom the city of Ogden is named.
To the right are Benjamin Bonneville (1796–1878), a French-born American fur trader and explorer for whom the Bonneville Salt Flats are named; Father Pierre-Jean De Smet (1801–1873), a Catholic priest from Belgium who did missionary work and explored the West; and John C. Frémont (1813–1890), the American military officer and explorer who performed the first scientific exploration of the Great Salt Lake in 1843 and became the first Republican presidential candidate in 1856.
This Is The Place Heritage Park
This Is The Place Heritage Park depicts life in Utah during the early settlement days. A small visitor center near the This Is the Place Monument opened around 1959, and the park as we know it developed in the mid-1970s. There are over 50 historic structures to visit as well as train rides, pony rides, and a petting zoo.
The pioneer village features historic homes and buildings with hands-on activities such as candle dipping and rope making. The Native American village contains traditional dwellings and hosts craft demonstrations including weaving and pottery.
The park is open daily except Sundays, while the Pioneer Center, gift shop, and monuments are open daily. You can purchase tickets at the Pioneer Center, and unlimited train rides are included in the admission. Prices are current as of December 2025:
- Summer admission — from March 28 to October 31 — is $22.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors age 65+, $16.95 for kids age 3–11, and free for kids under 3.
- Winter admission — from October 31 to March 28 — is $9 for all ages and free for kids under 3.
Journey’s End
There are a few monuments standing within the park boundaries. Journey’s End, by Stanley Watts, depicts a family kneeling in prayer after completing the trek to the West.
Mormon Battalion Monument
On the southwest corner of the park is the Mormon Battalion Monument. It’s dedicated to the 496 men of the Mormon Battalion who were recruited in 1846 to serve in the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War. Their 2,100-mile march from Iowa to Southern California was one of the longest infantry marches in American history. It established the first wagon route to the Pacific coast, linking the East with Southern California, and also helped justify the 1854 Gadsden Purchase.
The monument consists of two sculptures — Duty Calls and Duty Triumphs — created by Steven L. Neal of Pendleton, Oregon. It was dedicated on August 21, 2010.
National Pony Express Monument
Nearby is the National Pony Express Monument. It’s dedicated to the Pony Express riders who risked their lives carrying the U.S. Mail between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, from April 1860 through October 1861. A short trail leads past exhibits and a sculpture by Avard Fairbanks (1897–1987) to a replica Pony Express station.
Planning Your Trip to Salt Lake City
Here’s some practical info to help you plan your trip to Salt Lake City:
How to Get to Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is a hub for Delta Airlines. From there, you can connect to the city via bus or light rail. Amtrak’s California Zephyr line, running between San Francisco and Chicago, makes a stop in Salt Lake City. There’s also Greyhound bus service.
Getting Around Salt Lake City
Driving in the city is easy and we had no problems finding parking. On the negative side, rush hour traffic can be brutal. We spent more time on the roads than we had hoped. We didn’t use public transportation so I can’t comment on it.
Where to Stay in Salt Lake City
There are countless options for all kinds of budgets, but we opted to stay in an Airbnb in the suburb of West Jordan. It’s a short drive from downtown.
Our host, originally from Colombia, had an entire finished basement with three bedrooms, a huge living room, and a kitchen. There was a private entrance through the back. There were several stores and restaurants nearby, but we decided to take advantage of the kitchen by cooking all of our breakfasts and dinners there, and packing our lunches. Although we only spent a day downtown, we spent five days in the Salt Lake City area and used the Airbnb as a base for several short day trips.
Sports in Salt Lake City
If you’re a sports lover, you’ll find both professional and college sports in Salt Lake City:
- The Utah Jazz play NBA basketball at the Delta Center.
- The Utah Mammoth play NHL hockey at the Delta Center.
- Real Salt Lake plays MLS soccer at America First Field in the suburb of Sandy.
- The Utes of the University of Utah play several different men’s and women’s sports in the Big 12 Conference. The main venues are Rice-Eccles Stadium for football and the Jon M. Huntsman Center for basketball. The campus is in the eastern part of the city.
Shopping in Salt Lake City
City Creek Center is a popular mall across the street from Temple Square. You’ll find over 95 different shops and restaurants. It’s open daily except Sundays.
