At the beginning of the 20th Century, Salt Lake City was home to Industrial Workers of the World. The city was developing rapidly, and the population was also growing rapidly. Many historic buildings were constructed, including the State Capitol. Residents of the Avenues, Capitol Hill, Liberty Park, and Sugarhouse areas could commute to downtown by way of electric trolleys parked at Trolley Square. Over the years, trolleys were gradually replaced by buses. Eagle Gate, which had previously been used as a gate into Brigham Young’s estate, was rebuilt so traffic could flow properly. Several parks were constructed, sewer systems and streetlights were installed, and roads were paved during that time.
The economy of Salt Lake City was disrupted during the Great Depression. About 36% of the workforce was unemployed at its peak. Job opportunities were scarce. The growth resumed again during World War II when the war industries and military installations revitalized the economy.
Below are some stunning historical photos of Salt Lake City from the 1900s to the 1930s. These photos depict streets, landmarks, and the life of the city in the early 20th century.
#1 5-10 and 15 Cents Stores, August 1909.
#2 Bill Rishel in Velie Pathfinder, Salt Lake City, 1913.
#3 Yellowstone Park Sign on Smith Drug Store, Salt Lake City, 1910.
#4 Main Street Looking South, Salt Lake City, 1920
#5 Newhouse Building and Federal Building From Rear of Greenewald Furniture Store, Salt Lake City, December 1908.
#6 Stonecutters split granite boulders in Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, for use in building the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City.
#7 A view down one of Salt Lake City’s main thoroughfares, 1935.
#8 Frankenstein and Dracula 1938 Double Bill at Victory Theatre, Salt Lake City.
#9 Swimmers at the original Saltair
#10 E. L. Horr opened a bicycle repair and rental shop in Murray Utah at 4473 South State Street in 1902.
#11 Centre Theater 300 S and State Street in Salt Lake City in 1937.
#12 Downtown Salt Lake City, 1930s.
#13 Salt Lake City, 1930s.
#14 Main Street in Salt Lake City in 1936.
#15 One of Great Salt Lake City’s first fire engines featured steam-powered pressure.
#16 Salt Lake City, 1930s.
#17 Keith O’Brien Company Millinery Department with Women, March 1908.
#18 Gardner and Adams Window at Night, 1908.
#19 Inter-mountain Electric Company Window, 1916.
#20 Keith O’Brien Company, Millinery, 1908.
#21 Auto Supply Company, B.F. Goodrich Tires, Salt Lake City, 1918.
#22 Ambulance, The Boss Rubber Company, Salt Lake City, December 1915.
#23 Clayton Picture of Daynes Music Company, Salt Lake City, 1909.
#24 Sixth Avenue Drug Store Interior, 1920.
#25 Lucas Truck, Salt Lake City, February 1914.
#26 Halliday Drug Store Interior, Salt Lake City, October 1905.
#27 O’Brien Company, Dry Goods Department, March 1908.
#28 Huddart Floral Exterior, Salt Lake City, October 1904.
#29 Meredith Auto Company, Ford Auto in Front of Store, July 1910.
#30 Native Americans of the Shoshone tribe in Salt Lake City, 1900.
#31 A wooden Mormon ‘punishment horse’ at Salt Lake City, 1900.
#32 The building of the railway bridge over the river at Salt Lake City in Utah with the beginnings of a settlement by the Mormon sect evident.
#33 View along Main Street in Salt Lake City, 1900.
#34 East Temple Street Unpaved East Side Now Called Main Street As It Appeared In Early Frontier Days Salt Lake City, 1900.
#35 View over Salt Lake City with a Mormon Temple in the centre, 1900.
#36 Main Street, Salt Lake City, 1990.
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One Comment
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I think this picture has been mislabeled. It couldn’t have been 1990 that this picture represents. Maybe 1900?
#37 West Side Main St., Salt Lake City, 1900.
#38 The Temple square, 1990.
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One Comment
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Another mislabeled date for this picture.
