Council House (Salt Lake City)
- Not to be mistaken with the Salt Lake City Council Hall, a building of similar purpose and design.
Council House | |
---|---|
General information | |
Status | Destroyed |
Type | Public/Government |
Town or city | Salt Lake City, Utah |
Country | United States |
Construction started | 1849 |
Completed | 1850 |
Destroyed | June 21, 1883 |
Technical details | |
Structural system | Stone/Adobe |
Floor count | 2 |
The Council House, often called the State House, was the first public building in Utah; being constructed in 1849–50.[1] The building stood in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, on the corner of Main Street and South Temple Street. On June 21, 1883 the building was destroyed when a neighboring wagon depot caught fire and several barrels of gunpowder exploded, spreading the fire to the Council House.[1]
History
The Council House was originally built to accommodate the government of the provisional State of Deseret. Deseret was never officially recognized by the United States Government, and in 1850 the U.S. Congress organized the Utah Territory instead. Following the creation of the territory, it was decided to move Utah's capital city to Fillmore, Utah (because of its centralized location).[2] In Fillmore, the territorial government began construction of the Utah Territorial Statehouse, although the Council House continued to be used for official business until the statehouse was at least partially completed. During the first legislative session held in Fillmore, legislators complained about the lack of housing and adequate facilities in that city, so Salt Lake City was again designated Utah's capital.[2]
Once the capital returned to Salt Lake City, the Council House again was used as territorial offices and also housed several other entities such as the University of Utah, the Deseret News[3] and Deseret Boarding House. The building was also used as a meeting place by the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and endowment sessions were held in the building until the completion of the Endowment House in 1855.[1] Over 2,000 Latter-day Saints received their endowment in the building.[4]
On June 21, 1883, the building was destroyed when a neighboring wagon depot caught fire and several barrels of gunpowder blew up. The explosion and resulting fire destroyed several other buildings, including the offices of photographer
Later property usage
The ruined walls of the Council House stood for several years following the fire, until they were demolished in September 1889.
See also
- List of historic sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Red Brick Store
- Temple (LDS Church)
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8425-2671-5.
- ^ a b Yvette D. Ison (1995). "Utah's First Territorial Capitol, Fillmore". Utah History to Go. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- ^ "Removal". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. August 31, 1850. p. 95. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ "Church Headquarters". churchofjesuschrist.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
Over 2,000 Latter-day Saints received the endowment in the upper floor of the building between 1851 and 1855.
- ^ "A Destructive Fire". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. June 27, 1883. pp. 353, 360. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ "Down With Ruins". The Salt Lake Herald. Salt Lake City. September 18, 1889. p. 8. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ "The Hall of Relics". The Salt Lake Herald. Salt Lake City. July 15, 1897. p. 3. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ a b "New Home For The "News"". The Deseret Evening News. Salt Lake City. September 30, 1899. p. 1. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ "The Deseret News Building". The Deseret Evening News. Salt Lake City. March 29, 1902. p. 9. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ "Deseret News Building to Be Given New Name". Salt Lake Telegram. Salt Lake City. January 7, 1928. p. 7. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ "Walls Come Tumbling Down". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. October 6, 1995. p. B1. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ Knudson, Max B. (September 13, 1996). "High-rise a Gateway on Main Street". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ Kratz, Gregory P. (November 12, 1998). "Gateway Tower dedicated". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
External links
- BYU Virtual Tours - The Council House (archive.org)