With our busy lives full of technology, we often feel nostalgic for a simpler time, long before we were born. While it’s easy to think that life would be less annoying without cell phones and the constant bombardment of news online, life in the early 1900s in Utah was far from easy. Take a look at these vintage photos from the Beehive State’s past, and see whether you’re grateful to be living in 2018, or if you wish you could step back in time and live back then.
- Main Street, Salt Lake City, 1904.
Library of Congress Streetcars and horse-drawn wagons! It’s a far cry from today’s rush hour, isn’t it?
- Men gathered outside the Mormon Tabernacle in downtown Salt Lake City, 1906.
Library of Congress Here’s proof that General Conference has always been crowded.
- Welcoming President Roosevelt in Ogden, 1903.
Library of Congress President Roosevelt visited Utah in July 1903, and huge crowds were thrilled to welcome him.
- President Roosevelt in Salt Lake City, 1903.
Library of Congress Here’s President Roosevelt, standing with Utah’s Governor Wells.
- An artesian well in Bluff, 1909.
Library of Congress Women in their long, cumbersome skirts are hanging out watching this huge drill at work in the town of Bluff. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.
- Saltair, between 1900-1910.
Library of Congress At the turn of the century, Saltair was the place to be. A train took passengers from Salt Lake City right out to the resort. It burned down in 1925 and has been rebuilt several times.
- An adorable baby burro, 1908.
Library of Congress This man in his awesome vest and hat is going for a ride on a burro… and leading a tiny, three-day-old baby burro behind him.
- A family picnic at Lagoon in the early 1900s.
Lagoon/Facebook Riding the roller coaster must have been much harder while wearing a dress and hat.
- A wild ride at Lagoon, in the early 1900s.
Lagoon/Facebook I guess expectations were much lower back then. Imagine getting excited about this ride now!
- Utah State Hospital, Provo, between 1900-1920.
Public Domain/Wikimedia The Utah State Hospital opened in 1885 as the Territorial Insane Asylum.
- American Traveler Car, 1909.
Harry Shipler, Shipler Commercial Photographers/Wikimedia This promotion photo was taken as part of the Dolly Dimples contest.
- Mr. and Mrs. Robert Todd, 1919.
Internet Archive Book Images/Wikimedia The Todds had 17 children, 14 of whom lived. It’s hard to tell if the sour look on her face is because she was dealing with 14 children, or because the photographer didn’t even care to ask her first name… she’s just “Mrs. Robert Todd.”
Which of these photos is your favorite?
Library of Congress
Streetcars and horse-drawn wagons! It’s a far cry from today’s rush hour, isn’t it?
Here’s proof that General Conference has always been crowded.
President Roosevelt visited Utah in July 1903, and huge crowds were thrilled to welcome him.
Here’s President Roosevelt, standing with Utah’s Governor Wells.
Women in their long, cumbersome skirts are hanging out watching this huge drill at work in the town of Bluff. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.
At the turn of the century, Saltair was the place to be. A train took passengers from Salt Lake City right out to the resort. It burned down in 1925 and has been rebuilt several times.
This man in his awesome vest and hat is going for a ride on a burro… and leading a tiny, three-day-old baby burro behind him.
Lagoon/Facebook
Riding the roller coaster must have been much harder while wearing a dress and hat.
I guess expectations were much lower back then. Imagine getting excited about this ride now!
Public Domain/Wikimedia
The Utah State Hospital opened in 1885 as the Territorial Insane Asylum.
Harry Shipler, Shipler Commercial Photographers/Wikimedia
This promotion photo was taken as part of the Dolly Dimples contest.
Internet Archive Book Images/Wikimedia
The Todds had 17 children, 14 of whom lived. It’s hard to tell if the sour look on her face is because she was dealing with 14 children, or because the photographer didn’t even care to ask her first name… she’s just “Mrs. Robert Todd.”
Some of Utah’s historic places are still around for us to enjoy. Check out this historic lodge that was built in 1925 — you can still stay there!
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