5 beloved Utah tourist attractions that no longer exist

5 beloved Utah tourist attractions that no longer exist

(Utah Division of State History)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is full of unique landmarks and attractions that draw visitors from around the globe. From Temple Square to Zion National Park, locals and visitors alike flock to their favorite destinations within the state.

But these beloved places can be fickle things. Some are destroyed by fire. Some succumb to storms and other forces of nature. And in many cases, they simply decline in popularity and end up being demolished to make way for the next big thing.

This list looks at a handful of Utah’s notable tourist attractions that no longer exist.

Saltair

Intended by local leaders to be a “Coney Island of the West,” Saltair was designed by famous architect Richard K.A. Kletting (who also designed the Utah State Capitol). The sprawling resort opened in 1893 and attracted visitors from far and wide. Highlights included one of the world’s largest dance halls, a roller coaster, merry-go-round, carnival games and swimming in the ultra-buoyant waters of the Great Salt Lake.

A rail line ran throughout the day from Salt Lake City to the resort, and hundreds of thousands of people made the trip each year. Saltair soon became one of the most popular attractions west of the Mississippi.

But disaster struck on April 22, 1925, when a fire erupted in one of the buildings. Firefighters poured in from multiple cities in the region and battled the inferno for two days. Despite their efforts, the grand resort was mostly destroyed.

A new version of Saltair was built on roughly the same site and opened in 1926. It never reached the same level of popularity as the original, and it suffered the same fate when it was destroyed by fire in 1970.

Rebuilt a third time as just a pavilion, it acts as a concert venue with a small gift shop.

Bridal Veil Falls Tram

On New Year's Day, 1996, an avalanche rumbled down the mountainside in Provo Canyon. Many locals remember it well because it destroyed the aerial tramway that took visitors up to a lodge perched on the cliff above Bridal Veil Falls.

The tram opened in the ’60s and made headlines with its claim to be the “steepest aerial tram in the world.” Whether or not that was true, it was a breathtaking ride. Passengers were treated to stunning views of the falls and the canyon below as they ascended to the lodge, which hosted weddings, dances and other events.

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While earlier avalanches had damaged the tram over the years, the avalanche of ’96 proved to be too significant to bounce back from. The mangled ruins remained for years, as the owners and passionate locals attempted to secure funding for a repair. But vagrants and vandals frequented the area and in the summer of 2008, a man-made fire seriously damaged the lodge. Soon afterward, the tram’s supporters admitted defeat and the cables were cut down so they wouldn’t be a hazard.

Geneva Resort

When most people in Utah hear the name Geneva, they think of the massive steel mill built near the shore of Utah Lake during World War II. But the mill borrowed its name from a beloved resort that made its home at the lake for decades.

The Geneva Resort was built in 1888 and boasted a hotel, dance pavilion, saloon, boat harbor, rental cabins and two swimming pools. One of the most popular attractions was a toboggan slide that sent riders plummeting down a wooden track and skidding across the water. According to historical accounts, there was even a pet bear on the property that would entertain the guests.

Every Saturday night, people would gather in the pavilion for large dances. An in-house orchestra provided the music and the lights reflected off the lake to create a magical backdrop.

Competition was fierce at Utah Lake during this time, with several resorts vying for visitors. The Geneva Resort remained a local favorite until it finally closed its doors in 1935.

Thatcher Opera House

When the Thatcher Opera House went up in flames on April 17, 1912, a crowd of locals came to help the fire department battle the fire. It was a sad day for the citizens of Logan who did everything in their power to preserve the landmark. Sadly, the Thatcher Opera House was beyond saving.

Located on the corner of Main and Center, the Opera House was built in 1890 by George Washington Thatcher. His goal was to bring top-tier performing arts to Cache Valley. When it was completed, the building could hold nearly 800 people. It was distinguished from most other theaters in the area by its elegance.

News reports from the time suggest that the fire was started by a clerk in a neighboring store. The man was working in the basement and struck a match for added light. An ember flicked off the match and onto some cotton batting, resulting in a large fire that quickly spread to the theater.

The silver lining from the fire was that no one was seriously injured. The theater had been filled to capacity the previous night for a performance and was expected to fill again for a performance later in the evening of the 17th. Had the blaze started at either of the times, the fatalities could have been staggering.

Cobra Rock

There are lots of rocks in the Moab area, but Cobra Rock stood out from the crowd. The giant hoodoo rose up out of the desert like an imposing snake with a hooded head. Climbers, photographers and hoodoo-appreciators were all attracted to the unique formation.

The Cobra had an undeniably precarious appearance even before it fell. In fact, local climbers would sometimes joke with each other on April Fool’s Day that the Cobra had come toppling down. Then in the summer of 2014, it actually did. No one knows the exact time or circumstances of the toppling. But a serious thunderstorm had hit the area, and it’s believed that weather was the culprit.

Due to the popularity of Cobra Rock, it’s fortunate that no climbers or hikers were in the area when it came crashing down. One thing’s for sure — there are a lot of people who will never forget the stunning sight of Cobra Rock looming over the desert floor.

So there are five of Utah’s lost tourist attractions. Other landmarks that could go on the list include the old Paria movie set, the Porterville Meeting House (seen in the film "Troll 2") and Wall Arch in Arches National Park. What lost Utah landmarks would make your list? Share them on the comments board.


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About the Author: Grant Olsen -----------------------------

Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com contributor team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, travel, product reviews and other interesting things. You can contact him at grantorrin@gmail.com.

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