The American West Part 3: Salt Lake City and Jackson Hole

Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah. The city was founded in 1847 by a group of Mormon pioneers led by their prophet, Brigham Young, who left behind hostility and violence further east. They extensively irrigated and cultivated the arid valley formerly occupied seasonally by the Northwestern Shoshone. The city lies at the foot of the Wasatch Front and is separated from the Great Salt Lake by extensive marshlands and mudflats. Salt Lake City is home to the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but less than half the population is Mormon today.


Looking south beyond the domed Utah State Capitol and along the broad State Street with Main Street to its right. The twin spires of the Temple can be seen tucked between the buildings, middle right.

Some of the main buildings associated with Temple Square from the roof gardens of the Conference Centre

The Handcart Pioneer Monument is a tribute to the early Morman pioneers that could not afford the larger ox-drawn wagons and so walked across the rugged plains in the 1850’s, pulling or pushing all their possessions on hand made wooden carts. Some 250 died on the journey but nearly 3,000, mainly British converts, completed the 1,350 mile trek from Iowa City.

Joseph Smith (1805-44) founder of the Latter Day Saint movement stands amidst the flower gardens of Temple Square.

The Conference Centre auditorium can seat 21,000 people without pillars or columns to interrupt the view.

Jackson is a major gateway for millions of tourists visiting nearby Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. It is located in the Jackson Hole valley of Teton County, Wyoming.

Tourism and skiing form the basis of the local economy. The main shopping and eating district is centered around the town square. All types of goods can be found and local art is important embracing the strong western tradition.

The four corners of the square are accessible through arches built of discarded antlers, originally collected by local school children.