The Great Saltair 

A Brief History of The Great Saltair

The Great Saltair, a beloved recreational spot, first popped up in 1870, making Salt Lake City a hotspot for fun. John McCormick sums it up nicely: "The most popular and the best-remembered resort was the early Saltair." People from all over the West flocked to it, getting on a train from Salt Lake City to get there. Once they arrived, they would dance on what was then the world's biggest dance floor, float in the Great Salt Lake, and enjoy rides like ferris wheels and roller coasters. The Saltair had it all: bike races, rodeos, boat rides, fireworks, and more.

Built by Mormons, the Saltair was meant to be a wholesome place to recreate. It was also built to bring people to Salt Lake City and stop Americans from alienating Mormons. By the 1920s, it was a hit, drawing in around half a million visitors each year.

But in 1925, disaster struck when the Saltair went up in flames. It was a huge blow and marked the beginning of its decline. They tried to rebuild it, but it just didn't have the same popularity. Plus, it was getting too pricey to keep up, and the water levels were dropping, making it less appealing. Eventually, it was abandoned, and in 1970, it went up in flames again.

They tried to revive it in 1981 with a new platform, but in 1984, rising water levels submerged most of the platform. It seemed like the end, but in 1992, the Great Salt Lake Land Company swooped in, buying the land and giving the Saltair another shot. They rebuilt the original structure adding a concert stage for local and well known bands to play at.

Today, the Saltair stands as a testament to resilience, drawing crowds once again and proving that even after setbacks, the spirit of fun lives on.

Pictures of the Great Saltair Throughout History