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All items in the collection are originals. The photographs were originally housed in plastic sleeves, with black cardstock identifying the image. The original black cardstock is stored in the control file.
The original Salt Palace opened August 21, 1899, and was located at 900 South between Main and State Streets. The structure served as an amusement and recreation complex. Its dome was covered in salt crystals, creating a dazzling effect when lit at night. However, fire destroyed the structure on August 29, 1910.
It wasn't until 1962 when a joint City-County Civic Auditorium Committee concluded that a civic auditorium was needed in Salt Lake City. The County Commission appointed a Civic Auditorium Board of Directors, and in November 1963 Utah voters approved a $17 million bond issue for the auditorium. The following year, the LDS Church agreed to lease 6.77 acres on 100 South between West Temple and 100 West for $1 an acre, with exclusive use of the facilities for up to 24 days a year. The rest of the land was purchased. In March 1965 the Board of Directors officially named the auditorium the Salt Palace (and later in 1968, the name would apply to all of the buildings in the complex). A dedication ceremony took place March 10, 1967.
The weekend of July 11-13, 1969 was filled with Grand Opening events, including a Glen Campbell concert with 13,600 in attendance. The Salt Palace also included meeting rooms, theaters, Symphony Hall, and the Visual Arts Center. The complex hosted a number of events including ice shows, dances, pageants, rodeos, political gatherings, and conventions. In 1969 the arena hosted the Golden Eagles hockey team, and in 1979 it became the home of the Utah Jazz. However, by 1991 it was clear that the arena was far too small by National Basketball Association standards.
The Jazz moved to the new, larger Delta Center in 1991, and three years later the Salt Palace was demolished. Not only did Salt Lake City need a civic auditorium in the 1960s, but within a short 25 years, the city had outgrown its second Salt Palace.
The collection includes 59 photographs of Salt Palace staff and board members, as well as the grand opening of the arena in 1969.
The Salt Palace Staff Photograph Collection, 1969-1971, Utah State Historical Society.
Donated by Margaret Hunt, 2009.
The collection is open to public research.
The collection is accessible in the Research Center for Utah State History.
The Salt Palace Staff Photograph Collection, 1969-1971 is the physical property of the Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah. Literary rights, including copyright, may belong to the authors or their heirs and assigns. Please contact the Historical Society for information regarding specific use of this collection.
Manuscripts have been separated and are classified as Mss B 1979.