Utah Centennial County History Series - Salt Lake County 1996

P e r h a p s few Americans felt as modern as Salt Lakers at the turn of the century. So historical had the first settlers become that the Daughters of Utah Pioneers began collecting journals and memorabilia and interviewing the oldtimers. Now Salt Lake County cradled the largest city in the intermountain area as well as mining villages often defined by ethnicity, agricultural towns, booming enterprises, and newly fashionable country estates. A broadening variety of residents joined efforts to solve common problems but also suffered the anxieties of cultural diversity.

In the early twentieth century, Salt Lake County seized every opportunity to show its all-American spirit. It welcomed President William Taft for a visit and sent the Tabernacle Choir to a private performance at the White House. World War I's call for troops inspired a hearty response and stiff intolerance toward any not eager to participate. In fact, the charge of being different flew at newcomers during these decades as disgustedly as it had once been hurled between "unAmericann Mormons and "ungodly" non-Mormons.

Progress was the byword as skyscrapers rose on the Salt Lake City