Deborah Blake Utah History Encyclopedia, 1994 On 10 May 1869 from Promontory Summit northwest of Ogden, Utah, a single telegraphed word, “done,” signaled to the nation the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. Railroad crews of the Union Pacific, 8,000 to 10,000 Irish, German, and Italian immigrants, had pushed west from Omaha, Nebraska. At Promontory they met crews of the …
Salt Lake City
John S. McCormick Utah History Encyclopedia, 1994 The settlement of Salt Lake City was not typical in many ways of the westward movement of settlers and pioneers in the United States. The people who founded the city in 1847 were Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They did not come as individuals acting on their …
The Salt Industry Was One of the First Enterprises
Jeffrey D. Nichols History Blazer, July 1995 Sodium chloride, or common salt, is one of the most useful and sought-after substances on earth. It has long been used to flavor otherwise bland foods and to preserve perishables in the absence of refrigeration. The various inhabitants of Utah over the millennia have recognized the value of the Great Salt Lake and …
Herbert S. Auerbach, Renaissance Man
Miriam B. Murphy History Blazer, March 1996 Herbert Samuel Auerbach was born in Salt Lake City on October 4, 1882, to Samuel H. and Eveline Brooks Auerbach. His father was a partner in the pioneer merchandising firm of F. Auerbach & Brother that became one of the city’s leading department stores, second in size only to ZCMI. Herbert received his …
The First Large Factory in Utah
Sharon S. Arnold Beehive History 6 The Golden Spike was barely driven when pioneer leaders chose a likely site for a large factory. With the coming of the railroad, the massive machinery needed to start large-scale manufacturing could be shipped to the territory, and local products could be sold from coast to coast. LDS church leaders had a specific plan …
Charcoal Kilns and Early Smelting in Utah
Becky Bartholomew History Blazer, May 1996 Beginning in the 1860s mining has been an important industry in Utah. Tooele County has long been a leading producer of gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc. But because the first claims were staked by U.S. soldiers who did not stay in Utah and left few records, little is known about early mining techniques …
Mining
Philip F. Notarianni Utah History Encyclopedia, 1994 Mining for metals, coal, hydrocarbons, and minerals was a vital aspect of Utah’s economic, industrial, political, and social growth and development. The mining industry has touched all aspects of life in Utah and has contributed greatly to the state’s history. Mormon gold miners participated in the initial discovery of gold in California, and …
“Tieing” Utah Together: Railroad Tie Drives
Lyndia Carter History Blazer, July 1996 When the transcontinental railroad came to Utah and again as branch lines spread through the territory, a tremendous need for wood to tie the rails together emerged. Suitable wood was sparse, except in the Wasatch and Uinta mountains. Roads to the timbering areas were difficult to build and dangerous to use. Many accidents occurred …
Railroads in Utah
Don Strack Utah History Encyclopedia, 1994 Historians agree that the driving of the golden spike marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah, on 10 May 1869 was one of the most important events in United States history, as it was also in Utah history. In fact, 1869 is considered to be a benchmark year in Utah …
Mining and Railroads
Thomas G. Alexander Utah, the Right Place After Utah’s community leaders had convinced the Central and Union Pacific Railroads to build their stations and shops in Ogden rather than Corinne, the railroaders laid the track that spliced the capital and main business center at Salt Lake City into the transcontinental lines. Seven days after the joining of the rails at …