Salt Lake County Archives

Lost House: Bingham Canyon

slcoarchives — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:28:35 +0000

196 Main Street, Bingham Canyon

This house was built in 1902 and demolished in 1969. The photograph was taken by Salt Lake County tax appraisers circa 1936.

Source: Salt Lake County Tax Appraisal Photographs, 48-176.

Lost Building: Can You Identify It?

slcoarchives — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:12:38 +0000

Here is a photograph of a Salt Lake County government building as it was in the process of being demolished in the 1980s. It was a historic County building that served many purposes in its later years. The first person to leave a comment here that correctly identifies it will win a set of Salt Lake County Archives pencils!

Who Lived In Your House?

slcoarchives — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:07:52 +0000

As we look through our Tax Appraisal photographs, we occasionally see the owners peaking out their front door, sitting on the porch, or children playing in the yard. However, we recently came across a series of photos that really takes the cake. In these photos, circa 1936, a group of ten children followed the Assessor around their neighborhood striking various poses. The children are seen saluting, sitting on each other’s shoulders, posing with just the boys, then just the girls, holding a toy doll and tending to a real baby riding in a stroller.

Wouldn’t it be fun to research your home and see the people who used to live there?

And The Winner Is….

slcoarchives — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:39:16 +0000

A big thank you to all who posted their locations for the contest! We had readers from around the United States enter, but the winner is from Uruguay, South America.

Mr. Wilcox of Uruguay – send your mailing address to archives@slco.org and I will ship out your postcard set!

Thanks again to all who entered!

Enter To Win!

slcoarchives — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:18:42 +0000

To celebrate the new year, the Archives is having its first ever giveaway!

To all of you readers out there, just enter your city and state (or city and country) in the comments field, and the person that lives the farthest away from Salt Lake County wins a set of 4 postcards created by Salt Lake County Archives! These unique postcards feature historical houses, barns, and billboards from our earliest tax appraisal photographs.

The contest closes midnight (MST) of January 19. Stay tuned – I will announce the winner on this blog.

Footloose, 1920?

slcoarchives — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:32:08 +0000

A graduate student doing research for her thesis visited the Archives recently. In pulling her requested records, some County ordinances dating from 1920 were discovered. These ordinances dictate the appropriate behavior at public dance halls.

“An Ordinance Regulating The Illumination Of, Conduct In, Resorters To, And Keepers Of, Public Dance Halls”

(Click image to enlarge)

Source: Salt Lake County Commission, Ordinances, 1918-1920s, Series CM-001.

Got Your Flu Shot?

slcoarchives — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:43:58 +0000

As we wend our way through the winter season, everyone hopes to avoid getting the flu or a cold. Whether you have already spent part of the holidays sniffling or have managed to dodge the bullet (so far), here is a thought that might make you feel better: it could be worse.

Here is a look at some of the ways Salt Lake County tried to limit the spread of epidemics and illnesses in history.

The progression of the Spanish Flu Epidemic

November, 1918: County offices to close early during the epidemic:

Salt Lake County Commission Meeting Minutes, November 22, 1918

Beginning of December, 1918: 1,000 flu cases and 48 deaths; compulsory use of face masks:

: Salt Lake County Commission Meeting Minutes, December 4, 1918

December 18, 1918: Only two flu cases reported; moving picture shows to open again:

Salt Lake County Commission Meeting Minutes, December 18, 1918

In the 1930s, households with Mumps or Whooping Cough patients placed placards in their windows to warn potential visitors away:

"Mumps" sign in window. Photograph circa 1936.

: House with “Whooping Cough” placard in window. Photo circa 1936.

Sources:

Three document images: Salt Lake County Commission Meeting Minutes, 1918

“Mumps” photograph: Salt Lake County Tax Appraisal Photographs, 35-460

“Whooping Cough” photograph: Salt Lake County Tax Appraisal Photographs, 16-18-477-005

Happy Holidays!

slcoarchives — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:55:53 +0000

Happy Holidays from the Salt Lake County Archives!

Cabin near Alta, circa 1956.

To see more historical photographs of cabins and ski lodges, check out our online exhibit:

Protecting the Public: Alta, Avalanches, and the Salt Lake County Mountain Guard

Generating Excitement in the Neighborhood

slcoarchives — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:57:01 +0000

When staff from the County Assessor’s office went out into the field to assess residential and commercial buildings for taxes, they often had company in the form of the neighborhood children.

647 South Egli Court, circa 1936

Source: Salt Lake County Tax Appraisal Cards and Photographs. Cards: 2-995; Photo:16-05-355-024.

Utah State University Class Tours the Archives

slcoarchives — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:12:08 +0000

Utah State University’s Archives Management class visited the Salt Lake County Archives for a tour on December 1. The instructors for this class (curators at USU’s Merrill Cazier Library’s Special Collections) have been annually bringing their class to learn about the Archives for several years. The class also visits the LDS Church Archives, giving the students a wide perspective of archival institutions.

Nine students toured the reading room and the Records Center, asking a lot of insightful questions of the Archives and Records Management staff. This was a very enthusiastic class and staff really enjoyed their visit. We look forward to next year!

USU's class in the Archives reading room.

Students viewing historical records and our exhibit on Historic Magna Main Street.

Students, instructor, and staff in reading room.