Salt Lake City is located in the state of Utah. The first inhabitants of this area
were the Ute and Shoshone Tribes until the exploration of the city by Mormon Pioneers,
led by Brigham Young, and the establishment of the first settlements on 24 July 1847. The Mormon settlers were in search of a place where they could freely practice their
religion away from persecution -- Young decided upon Salt Lake City as this place.1
The California gold rush in the late 1840s brought many emigrants through Salt Lake City, as well
as previous pioneers from various areas who would generally convert to Mormonism upon
arrival. U.S soldiers were also stationed here in the 1850s and during the Civil War.
Due to the continuous flow of people through the city, the Mormons were able to begin
trading and gain prosperity.2
Salt Lake City became the territorial capital in 1856 and remained the capital until 1896. During this time, the city opened up its mining industry in the 1860s and completed
the Utah Central Railroad in the 1870s. Both of these industrial expansions led the
city to become a thriving hub of Western commerce.3