The Council House, often called the State House, was the first public building in Utah; being constructed in 1849–50.[1] The building stood in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, on the corner of Main Street and South Temple Street. On June 21, 1883 the building was destroyed when a neighboring wagon depot caught fire and several barrels of gunpowder exploded, spreading the fire to the Council House.[1]
The Council House was originally built to accommodate the government of the provisional State of Deseret. Deseret was never officially recognized by the United States Government, and so Utah Territory was organized by the U.S. Congress instead. Following the creation of the territory, it was decided to move Utah's capital city to Fillmore, Utah (because of its centralized location).[2] In Fillmore, the territorial government began construction of the Utah Territorial Statehouse, yet the Council House continued to be used for official business until the statehouse was at least partially completed. During the first legislative session held in Fillmore, legislators complained about the lack of housing and adequate facilities in that city, so Salt Lake City was again designated Utah's capital.[2]
Once the capital returned to Salt Lake City, the Council House again was used as territorial offices and also housed several other entities such as the University of Utah, the Deseret News[3] and Deseret Boarding House. The building was also used as a meeting place by the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and endowment sessions were held in the building until the completion of the Endowment House in 1855.[1]
On June 21, 1883, the building was destroyed when a neighboring wagon depot caught fire and several barrels of gunpowder blew up. The explosion and resulting fire destroyed several other buildings, including the offices of photographer Charles Roscoe Savage, and caused damage to a number of nearby buildings, including ZCMI and the LDS Church tithing office.[4] Today the Beneficial Tower (Gateway Tower West) sits on the Council House's former location.
^ abcReligious Studies Center at Brigham Young University (2008). Salt Lake City, Ensign to the Nations: Hallowed Ground, Sacred Journeys. pp. 128–129. ISBN978-0-8425-2671-5.
^ abYvette D. Ison (1995). "Utah's First Territorial Capitol, Fillmore". Utah History to Go. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
^"Removal". Deseret News. August 31, 1850. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
^"A Destructive Fire". Deseret News. June 27, 1883. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
council, house, salt, lake, city, mistaken, with, salt, lake, city, council, hall, building, similar, purpose, design, council, house, often, called, state, house, first, public, building, utah, being, constructed, 1849, building, stood, salt, lake, city, utah. Not to be mistaken with the Salt Lake City Council Hall a building of similar purpose and design The Council House often called the State House was the first public building in Utah being constructed in 1849 50 1 The building stood in Salt Lake City Utah Territory on the corner of Main Street and South Temple Street On June 21 1883 the building was destroyed when a neighboring wagon depot caught fire and several barrels of gunpowder exploded spreading the fire to the Council House 1 Council HouseThe Council House in 1869General informationStatusDestroyedTypePublic GovernmentTown or citySalt Lake City UtahCountry United StatesConstruction started1849Completed1850DestroyedJune 21 1883Technical detailsStructural systemStone AdobeFloor count2 Contents 1 History 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksHistory EditThe Council House was originally built to accommodate the government of the provisional State of Deseret Deseret was never officially recognized by the United States Government and so Utah Territory was organized by the U S Congress instead Following the creation of the territory it was decided to move Utah s capital city to Fillmore Utah because of its centralized location 2 In Fillmore the territorial government began construction of the Utah Territorial Statehouse yet the Council House continued to be used for official business until the statehouse was at least partially completed During the first legislative session held in Fillmore legislators complained about the lack of housing and adequate facilities in that city so Salt Lake City was again designated Utah s capital 2 Once the capital returned to Salt Lake City the Council House again was used as territorial offices and also housed several other entities such as the University of Utah the Deseret News 3 and Deseret Boarding House The building was also used as a meeting place by the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints LDS Church and endowment sessions were held in the building until the completion of the Endowment House in 1855 1 On June 21 1883 the building was destroyed when a neighboring wagon depot caught fire and several barrels of gunpowder blew up The explosion and resulting fire destroyed several other buildings including the offices of photographer Charles Roscoe Savage and caused damage to a number of nearby buildings including ZCMI and the LDS Church tithing office 4 Today the Beneficial Tower Gateway Tower West sits on the Council House s former location See also Edit Latter Day Saint movement portalAdam ondi Ahman Holy of Holies LDS Church List of historic sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints Red Brick Store Sacred Grove Latter Day Saint movement Temple LDS Church Temple presidentReferences Edit a b c Religious Studies Center at Brigham Young University 2008 Salt Lake City Ensign to the Nations Hallowed Ground Sacred Journeys pp 128 129 ISBN 978 0 8425 2671 5 a b Yvette D Ison 1995 Utah s First Territorial Capitol Fillmore Utah History to Go Retrieved January 28 2011 Removal Deseret News August 31 1850 Archived from the original on July 16 2012 Retrieved January 28 2011 A Destructive Fire Deseret News June 27 1883 Archived from the original on July 15 2012 Retrieved January 28 2011 External links EditBYU Virtual Tours The Council HouseCoordinates 40 46 10 N 111 53 28 W 40 76944 N 111 89111 W 40 76944 111 89111 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Council House Salt Lake City amp oldid 1124728898, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
