Utah Centennial 1896-1996
A Photo Exhibit

Part 1: Celebrations of Statehood

Marriott Library
University of Utah

The following photos are taken from various collections in Marriott Library's photo archives.


When Utah became the 45th state on January 4, 1896, it was the culmination of almost half a century of effort by Utah statesmen and citizens. Accordingly, the state celebrated with parades, speeches, bells, choir performances, and other ceremonies. Many public, private, and religious buildings were decorated with bunting and flags, and many citizens showed their public spirit fervor by dressing in patriotic costumes and attending rallies and dances.


The Salt Lake LDS Temple draped with the enormous 45-star flag that had hung in the LDS Tabernacle during Statehood Day ceremonies. This photograph was taken in 1897, when the flag was moved to the Temple for the 50th anniversary of the coming of the Mormon pioneers.
[GEORGE REED Collection, P0184]


The LDS Tabernacle decorated for statehood celebrations.
[GEORGE D. PYPER Collection, P0001]


The ZCMI Building, downtown Salt Lake City, decorated for Statehood Day.
[ZCMI Collection, P0507]


The Dinwoodey Furniture building, Salt Lake City, draped with bunting for Statehood.
[DINWOODEY FURNITURE Collection, P0273]


Vernal, Utah women dressed for a patriotic celebration.
[THORNE PHOTO STUDIO Collection, P0272]


A Salt Lake City choir in the decorated Tabernacle.
[GEORGE D. PYPER Collection, P0001]


A 1910 Statehood Day parade.
[UTAH POSTCARDS Collection, P0591]


Utahns dressed for a parade.
[Olive Wooley Burt Collection, P0244]


The Utah Exhibit at the Nashville Exposition, 1896.
[GEORGE D. PYPER Collection, P0001]


Go To: Part 2: Daily Life in Utah (circa 1896)

You are the person to visit this exhibit.

Roy Webb, Multimedia Archivist; rwebb@library.utah.edu
Michael Noe, Web Master; mnoe@library.utah.edu