OCR Text |
Show Utah State Capitol r - i Trrr- . . . ; - . .. . ; ffHs! Hft 11 'v ' I r AfeW ' j f- L " t f . y . 4 - VI This Is one of & series of articles to appear in this newspaper, sponsored by the Salt Luke Advertising Club, associated civic clubs of Bouthern and central Utah, and chambers of commerce; part of a program to point out Utah's resources so that local people will "Know Utah Better". By HAROLD W. PICKERING Utah's citizenry know and love their magnificent State Capitol In Salt Lake City. It is one of the finest structures of its kind in America possibly In the world. Certainly, its location on the commanding eminence at the head of State street is not surpassed by the site o any other public building in this country. While Utah people from the oldsters who watched the building climb into the sky, to the children who study about it in school may regard the capitol as an "old story", it is really one of the most interesting in-teresting features of our interesting state. Facts and figures about the capitol are, like all statistics, dry and easily forgotten. Those who want tonnages, square-feet, dollars and cents, cubic yards and such data may consult a textbook or official guide. But to those Utahns who would rediscover their own state, a little of the project's background may be interesting. From the winter of 1SS8 until the winter of 1912 twenty-four years a large fenced-in area marked the lofty district in Salt Lake City which was, even then, called "capitol hill". The designation, of course, merely anticipated that It would, some day, be justified that a building of granite and marble instead of dreams and wishes would occupy the site. During those two dozen years, saplings planted without a very clear notion of landscaping became sizeable trees. Shrubs and blue grass grew in more or less rank profusion covering the plot which had originally been just another hilltop of gravel and June grass. Neighborhood children used it for a playground and an occasional civic celebration was staged there though not too often, for the approaches were over precipitous streets. So, as a well known broadcast has it, "time marches on". Then, in 1911, after the state's revenues, tangible and Intangible wealth and especially the beneficient inheritance tax had put Utah in position to go ahead, the legislature set the machinery in motion by creating the state capitol commission. This body of men, headed by Governor William Spry, received their appointments about a year later, and set to work. In December 1912, the first gouge of the stream shovel was made In the soil that had been ceded to the state by Salt Lake City away back In 1SSS. This had been preceded by lengthy sessions of the commission. com-mission. Such a project on so grand a scale as Utah's new capitol to involve an expenditure of something over $2,000,000 naturally attracted at-tracted hot competition from some of America's foremost architects and engineering firms. Richard K. A. Kletting of Salt Lake City was the architect whose design on pnre classical lines received the award; James Stewart & Company were the builders. In so huge an enterprise, excavations and foundations; the riveting rivet-ing of beams and girders, building of columns, setting of stone, granite, marble and onyx take time. Meanwhile, state officers and their small army of employes were scattered In office buildings over the downtown district, with the governor and his staff and some other departments Bandwiched into small space at the venerable city and county building. So it was a day of relief for these officials and many others when the capitol was at last completed and dedicated in July 1915. History has been made since that day. A little less than two years after the great bronze doors were opened, the edifice became a hive of activity, housing the many bureaus required to administer Utah's participation par-ticipation in the Great War. Simon Bamberger was governor then and the "reconstruction" period under Governor Charles R. Maybey saw the big building almost as busy as when the conflict was under way. Two other administrations Ithat of George H. Dern, now secretary of war, and the present one headed by Governor Henry H. Blood have tenanted the capitol during stirring times. Today, the huge edifice, built so short a time ago with the idea that it would house in roomy comfort the state offices for almost a generation to come, Is crowded from roof to sub-basement with the greatly increased activities of a growing, progressive commonwealth. To most Utah people, as well as admiring throngs of visitors, the capitol is a mecca for "sightseeing". That is as true of Salt Lake City residents ns of Utahns from distant centers. There is always something some-thing interesting to see at the capitol. Among other things, It houses one of the finest exhibits of contemporary painting and sculpture by native artists to be found In any state; a most extensive collection of Utah pioneer relics occupies a large concession, as do the exhibits of Utah manufactories, minerals nnd agricultural products. During the past year, the friezes and spandrels of the giant dome have been filled by mural paintings by a group of Utah's foremost artists. In the center cen-ter of the rotunda stands the heroic statue of Massassoit by Utah's famed sculptor, Cyrus Dallin. And the capitol grounds, enlarged and beautified year by year, present a delightful study for the lover of trees and flowers and landscape gardening. See and know your state capitol! When you go, spare the time for a study of Its unique beauties even if HB No.So.-and-so, or SJR No.Such-and-such Is threatening wrack and rain to your pocketbook. Your legislators and their doings come and go. Your capitol stands a thing of magnificence and surpassing beauty! |