Land Title Certificates: Update

As mentioned in a previous blog entry, we have been digitizing and uploading the Salt Lake County Land Title Certificates, 1851-1895 (bulk 1871-1873). An ongoing project, we have now made available all Land Title Certificates up through surnames starting with “P,” and are starting to upload records for surnames beginning with “R.”

The collection contains the Land Title Certificates granted to petitioners from 1871 to 1879 which finally provided federally recognized land title to the people of Salt Lake County.  Although issued in the 1870s, these records can retroactively document land possession back to the 1850s.

Please check our Digital Archives for continuing online additions to this record series!

Example of record for Abram Allen, Salt Lake County Land Title Certificates, series PC-001.

Flash Back: Salt Lake County Mountain Guard

The 1939 newspaper article above was part of an online exhibit that the Salt Lake County Archives created about the history of the Salt Lake County Mountain Guard. This 2008 exhibit focused on one little known aspect of Salt Lake County’s contribution to securing the safety of skiers at Alta ski resort. 

As the snow continues to fly here in Utah and skiers pack the mountain resorts, we wanted to highlight this important and always relevant part of Salt Lake County history once again. Everyone stay safe out there!

First Day of Spring?

To celebrate the first day of spring (March 1, “meteorological spring”), we bring you an image from 1949 of a lunch stand. The “White Spot” lunch stand was located at 3325 South 900 East.

Salt Lake County Tax Appraisal Photographs, parcel 16-29-378-002, serial 16-2728. Salt Lake County Archives.

More images of lunch stands to come, along with (hopefully) more lunch stand weather for Salt Lake County!

Temple Bowling Alleys, 1937

Temple Bowling Alleys formerly located at 15 East North Temple in 1937. Salt Lake County Tax Appraisal Photographs, serial 1-3035.

Now Online!

“Salt Lake County Oaths of Office, including Oaths against Polygamy and Bigamy, 1887-1895” are now browsable on our website! The oaths of office and official bonds were sworn by Salt Lake County government officials in territorial Utah, and were an oath that they were not a polygamist or bigamist (nor had they been convicted of any crime defined by an Act of Congress as “polygamy, bigamy, unlawful cohabitation, incest, adultery and fornication”) and that they will carry out the duties of their office. The name of the official’s wife, used to indicate that they had only one wife and not multiple, is also listed.

Example from “Oaths of Office, including Oaths against Polygamy and Bigamy,” series CL-367. Salt Lake County Archives.

Additional records are also available, either browsable or searchable, on our website!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!

Please note: The reading room will be CLOSED December 20 – 24.

“Schraven Terrace,” 1936

Salt Lake County Tax Appraisal Photograph, parcel 15-01-107-007, serial 03-1562.

The image above was taken by the Salt Lake County tax assessor in 1936. “Schraven Terrace,” as this uniquely shaped building was named, was constructed in 1905 and located at 623 – 627 West 100 South in Salt Lake City. Below is a plot plan drawing showing the outline and dimensions of this terrace building in 1936.

Plot plan drawing of Schraven Terrace, 1936. Salt Lake County Tax Appraisal Card, serial 03-1562.

Source of images: Salt Lake County Tax Appraisal Cards and Photographs, parcel 15-01-107-007, serial 03-1562. Salt Lake County Archives.

Archives Holiday Closures: November

Please note that the Archives will be closed November 25 – 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Online Records: Update

Archives staff continuously work on preparing, scanning, describing, and uploading more and more Salt Lake County records to our website. A quick update about some of the most recent records series made available online include:

Land Title Certificates: Records are now searchable and viewable up to last names starting with “MI.”

Tax Appraisal Cards, 1970s – 1991: Records are being uploaded each week. These cards document assessed values on residential and commercial property located in Salt Lake County, from the 1970s to 1991.

Salt Lake County Maps: Additional maps recently uploaded.

Map from the “Salt Lake County Maps” viewable online. 11.13 Salt Lake County blue prints right of way 1933.

Utah Archives Month 2021!

October is nationally recognized as Archives Month, drawing attention to the importance of archives across the United States. Utah’s theme this year is “Conversations in the Archives” and there will be special events hosted by archives, libraries, and other institutions across the state.

In-person and virtual lectures, exhibits, and trainings on a wide variety of topics will be available throughout October, and make sure you join the Utah State Archives for their free virtual Family History Day on October 23 for presentations about Utah history and family history resources!