SALT LAKE CITY — Many of the most beloved tourist destinations in Utah history no longer exist. What happened to them? The majority were damaged by fire, floods or avalanches. Others were deliberately demolished to make way for future development. Whatever the culprit, the demise of such landmarks often leaves those who remember them filled with fond memories or melancholic feelings of loss.

This list looks at five former attractions that are no longer available to the public.

Castilla Hot Springs

Spanish Fork Canyon is home to numerous hot springs. According to a report on Utah.gov, one of the most popular was undoubtedly the Castilla Hot Springs resort. In the late 1880s, the property owner built bathing tubs so visitors could come soak in the rejuvenating water of the spring. One guest, Lucinda Southworth, found the experience so life changing that she and her family purchased the land and upgraded it with a hotel, dressing rooms, swimming pools, cottages and a dance pavilion, Utah.gov said.

An article from the Daily Herald recounts how the Southworths were shrewd marketers and promoted Castilla Hot Springs as a potential cure for everything from arthritis to tobacco addiction. Visitors flocked to the resort by the trainload, hoping to get relief from their various illnesses.

The Utah.gov report describes how when Southworth died, the resort began to go downhill. Due to the advancement of modern medicine, fewer people were coming to the springs to be cured. The decrease in tourist dollars meant that the family lacked funds to maintain the buildings and property. A fire in the 1940s wiped out the hotel. In 1952, a mudslide damaged some of the other remaining structures. The springs were eventually capped and little still remains of this once beautiful resort.

49th Street Galleria

When it opened in 1983, the 49th Street Galleria attracted visitors from across the state to its Murray location. The massive mirrored towers were visible from the freeway and became synonymous with fun for anyone who grew up during that time. Activities included bowling, miniature golf, laser tag and arcade games.

After a period of declining business, the Galleria was rebooted as the Utah Fun Dome. But in 2003, a shooting took place on the premises. A young boy was among the four people injured and the negative press from the incident put a damper on attendance.

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5 beloved Utah tourist attractions that no longer exist

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.

When the Utah Fun Dome finally closed its doors, the site was slated to reopen as a two-year college. That never got off the ground, however, and kicked off a series of failed ventures for the old Galleria.

Finally, a business plan came along that successfully transitioned the building into a charter school. While many locals were happy to see new life come to the empty property, they were also dismayed to see the iconic towers torn down.

Nutty Putty Cave

Located west of Utah Lake, Nutty Putty Cave is an extensive network of passages that for many years attracted legions of veteran cave explorers, adventurous families, ambitious Scout troops and college students on dates.

With so much traffic in the tight confines, combined with the inexperience of many of the visitors, it’s no wonder that rescuers were regularly summoned. As reported by the Deseret News, a gate was finally installed at the entrance that could only be accessed by those who obtained a permit.

Ultimately, the cave was again opened to the public. But tragedy struck in 2009, when a 26-year-old man became stuck in an infamously dangerous portion of the cave. Rescuers worked tirelessly in the cramped conditions to free him, but after more than 27 hours, he died. Unable to remove the body and fearing future fatalities, officials made the controversial decision to permanently seal the entrance of the cave.

Beck’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Though it may be hard to imagine now, the shores of Utah Lake were once dotted with popular resorts. Guests came from far and wide to frolic and dance at places like the Provo Lake Resort, Provona Beach Resort, Lincoln Beach Resort and Geneva Resort.

The Beck’s Saratoga Springs Resort was opened near the mouth of the Jordan River in 1884. It offered swimming, boating, dancing and amusement park attractions.

Over the years, the Saratoga Springs Resort stayed relevant by consistently reinventing itself. When a 1968 fire destroyed the dance hall, the resort added more rides and attractions. The owner even hosted a massive rock concert headlined by the band Deep Purple.

According to an article from the Deseret News, when the opening bands blew out the power on the stage, Deep Purple was unable to perform. That didn’t go over well with the crowd. Irate fans began tearing down the structures at the resort and inflicting thousands of dollars in damage. It took about 100 police officers to restore order.

The owners of the resort then added a three-story high slide called the Kamakazi. It opened in 1980 and quickly became one of the area’s most popular attractions. Business boomed for a few years, but the Utah Lake flood of 1983 did significant damage to Saratoga Springs. It never really recovered and the remaining structures were dismantled in 1995.

Porterville Meeting House

Built in 1898, the Porterville Meeting House served many uses over the years. As its name suggests, it was used as a church meetinghouse. But it also was a schoolhouse and at another time a family even used it as a private residence.

In 1971, the beautiful building was added to the Utah State Register of Historic Sites.

Nearly 20 years later, it gained added popularity when it was used for the filming of “Troll 2.” If you haven’t heard of “Troll 2,” just know that it’s widely considered to be one of the worst films ever made. And one of the most infamous scenes from the movie, in which a goblin queen turns two teenagers into vegetables so that they can be eaten by vegetarian goblins, was shot in the building.

Like so many of Utah’s lost landmarks, the Porterville Meeting House was destroyed by a fire. A report from the Standard Examiner gives details about the sad incident which occurred about 15 years ago. All that remained after the blaze were the walls.

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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