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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's state capitol building celebrated a big birthday Wednesday. It marked 100 years since construction began on the building.
According to Wilson Martin, director of the Division of Utah State History, there were two major events that led to the building of the capitol. The first was when Salt Lake City donated 20 acres of land known as Arsenal Hill in March 1888.
"Salt Lake City donated that to the territorial government to build that capitol building, and that was not realized for quite a few years because there just wasn't any money," Martin said.
We ought to just say 'Happy Birthday' to the Utah State capitol and recognize the vision of our ancestors who made this building possible.
–Wilson Martin, Director of Division of Utah State History
The second event was when the state received a big sum of money in 1909, after Union Pacific Railroad president Edward Harriman died. His widow had to pay a 5 percent inheritance tax to the state of Utah, which ended up being close to $800,000.
"So that $800,000 tax due and another $1,000,000 bond is what really got the building started off," Martin said.
With other donations and funds the $2.5 million in construction costs were raised, and what resulted is one of the most beautiful capitols in America.
"We ought to just say ‘Happy Birthday' to the Utah State capitol and recognize the vision of our ancestors who made this building possible," Martin said.
Daily tours of the capitol building are available through the Visitor's Center, located on the first floor of the building.
