The capital of Utah, Salt Lake City is one of the largest cities in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States. Since 1852 it has been the seat of Salt Lake County. It is also the world capital of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormons. Located in north-central Utah, Salt Lake City lies on the Jordan River near the southeastern end of the Great Salt Lake. It is in a valley bordered to the north and east by mountains and the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The city is built on the terraces of ancient Lake Bonneville. The Wasatch Mountains rise as high as 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) above the Great Salt Lake valley floor. Places of interestIn the center of the city are the Seagull Monument and the chief buildings of the Mormon church—the Tabernacle and the Temple. The Tabernacle is a large oval structure with the capacity to seat 8,000 people. It is famous for its choir and its large pipe organ. This building and the Assembly Hall, which is used for religious services, are open to the public. The Temple is a large, granite structure used for marriages, prayer, and baptisms. Only Mormons are allowed inside the Temple. - The State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah.
The State Capitol is another important building in Salt Lake City. The city is also the location of Beehive House and Lion House—two residences of Brigham Young, the city's founder. Fort Douglas, on the outskirts, was founded in 1862. The University of Utah and Westminster College are located in the city. EconomySalt Lake City is a trade and distribution center for Utah and parts of neighboring states. It became a thriving center of commercial activity with the opening of its mining industry in 1862 and the completion of the Utah Central Railroad in 1870. The city also manufactures missiles, computer equipment, construction materials, and textiles. Other industries include oil refining and the processing of meat, sugar beets, and other farm products. HistoryIn 1847 Brigham Young led a band of Mormons westward out of Illinois. They were seeking a new home where they would be free to worship as they chose. Young selected the Great Salt Lake valley for their settlement, which was known as Great Salt Lake City until 1868. The Mormons transformed the barren land into a beautiful, well-planned city. Ten-acre (4-hectare) blocks bound by wide streets were grouped around the Temple block. At first the city's growth depended on the inflow of Mormon converts from Europe and America. Later, industrial growth attracted many non-Mormons. Utah came under the control of the United States in 1848, and Congress created the Utah Territory in 1850. Except for a brief period in 1858, Salt Lake City was the territorial capital from 1856 to 1896. In 1896 it was made the state capital. Conflicts between Mormons and United States officials led to the so-called Utah War of 1857–58. United States troops established Camp Floyd west of Utah Lake. Social and religious conflict between Mormons and non-Mormons continued to trouble the city for a century. Population (2000 census), 181,743. |