Early Salt Lake City

Since Salt Lake City was founded by members of the Church, photos of the city have been regularly collected throughout the years, and there are thousands scattered among several library collections. A search for a specific building like “Salt Lake Temple” or “Gardo House” can bring up many of those images. There may be additional photos in collections labeled as “Views of Salt Lake City” or ”street scenes.” Below are some of the more significant collections.

Charles W. Carter glass negative collection, circa 1860–1900 (PH 1300)

This comprehensive digitized collection contains portraits of residents of Salt Lake City and Utah, as well as photographs of activities, buildings, homes, Temple Square, the Great Salt Lake and its resorts, Fort Douglas, several Utah communities, and railroads. Also includes photographs of drawings, paintings, lithographs, cartoons, and some photographs by other photographers.

Salt Lake City photograph collection, circa 1857–1960s (PH 350)

This digitized collection contains photographs of the city including downtown streets, businesses, buildings, churches, monuments, schools, and parks.

Temple Square photographs, circa 1870–1981 (PH 362)

This digitized collection contains several photographs documenting the changes on Temple Square through the years. Photographs include aerial and ground-level views of the buildings and landscape, as well as General Authorities and other people who have worked on or around Temple Square.

Charles R. Savage photographs, circa 1866–1906 (PH 500)

This digitized collection brought together by Church archivists includes views of Salt Lake City, Utah, including the 1897 Pioneer Day parade, the Great Salt Lake, and Fort Douglas. There are also photographs of other Utah cities, landmarks, and mining operations. There are also views of the surrounding states and portraits of American Indians.

Salt Lake City, circa 1869 (PH 563)

This digitized collection contains views of businesses and homes in downtown Salt Lake City.

Utah scenes, circa 1892 (PH 597)

A small digitized collection of photographs with views of Salt Lake buildings and local landmarks, including caves on the beach of the Great Salt Lake.

Utah scenes, circa 1865–1869 (PH 280 3)

This small collection contains very early views of a group of missionaries heading to Europe, wagon trains, Salt Lake City, and Camp Douglas. Available upon request. Contact us through the Ask Us form for more information.

Views of early Salt Lake City, circa 1858 (PH 676)

A digitized collection of photographs (most are 20th-century copies of 19th-century photographs) collected by Howard R. Driggs and containing Salt Lake City buildings and the surrounding areas.

Views of Salt Lake City, circa 1867 (PH 684)

This digitized collection contains panoramic views of the city taken from the top of the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

Photographs of Salt Lake City, circa 1865 (PH 688)

This digitized collection contains views of several downtown buildings, businesses, and residences.

Salt Lake City and vicinity, circa 1861–1864 (PH 300)

This collection contains views of the old Tabernacle and bowery on Temple Square, the Council House, and other buildings on Main Street. File also includes views of the surrounding mountains and the Great Salt Lake. Available upon request. Contact us through the Ask Us form for more information.