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With tens of thousands of new move-ins settling in Utah each year, there are plenty who aren't familiar with the things that make Utah unique. There are 28 questions on the Utah residency test and you'll need to get at least 19 correct to pass.
Full disclosure: There actually isn't a Utah residency test. If there were, though, these are undoubtedly some of the essential facts you'd need to know.
Whether you are new to the state or are Utah born and bred with ancestors that arrived by ox-drawn wagon or handcart, here is some vital information to help keep your non-existent state residency card from being revoked.
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Visit and like our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BradDeBryLawFirm) for a chance to win weekly meal giveaways. 801-685-1000 * Brad DeBry is not associated or affiliated with Robert J. DeBry & Associates, P.C.State emblem: Beehive
The beehive was adopted as a symbol by Utah's earliest pioneer settlers. The Utah Legislature designated it as the official state emblem in 1959.
According to official state history, "Bees symbolize a community that works for the good of the whole. Each bee does its part in providing for the entire swarm. For the people of Utah, the beehive symbolizes the Utah community as each person in Utah works together to support and help one another and to create a successful industry."
State motto: Industry
The official motto was approved the same day as the emblem. If you visit the state capitol building, you'll see a large staircase with copper beehives on either side. Under each beehive is the single word: industry.
"The early pioneers had few material resources at their disposal and therefore had to rely on their own 'industry' to survive," the Utah History Encyclopedia reports. "The word 'industry' appears on both the state seal and the state flag."
For the time being, at least. Designs for a new state flag are currently in process.
State bird: California Seagull
It's ironic that the state bird bears the name of another state. Its selection as the official Utah fowl was sealed when—according to historical lore—seagulls devoured the Mormon Crickets that were eating the pioneers' crops.
Not surprisingly, the Mormon Cricket was never a contender to be named the state insect. That honor went to the honeybee. See how it all comes together?
State vegetable: Spanish Sweet Onion
Utah ranks 12th among the top onion-producing states with about 80 million pounds annually, according to the producebluebook. If you travel on Utah's highways in early fall you are likely to see truckloads of onions going someplace.
Prior to 2002, the state vegetable was the sugar beet. Pioneers wanted sugar and turned to sugar beets to meet the demand. But the last sugar beet factory closed in the 1980s and it didn't seem fitting to have a state vegetable that no one grew. Sugar beets are now the official state historic vegetable.
State tree: Quaking Aspen
For decades, Utah's state tree was the Blue Spruce which is relatively sparse across the state. In 2014, state leaders instead chose the quaking aspen as the state tree, which makes sense because Utah's mountains are covered by the white-barked aspens.
Also, a stand of quaking aspen near Fish Lake for a time was considered the world's largest single living thing. Called "Pando," the aspen grove covers 106 acres and includes more than 40,000 trees connected by a shared root system. It is one of the oldest living things on earth as it is believed to have started at the end of the last ice age.
State fruit: Cherry
Utah is second among all states in the production of tart cherries and fifth in the production of sweet cherries. Utah is the only state that ranks in the top five for commercial production of both types of cherries.
There is no official state dessert, but perhaps the Utah Legislature should consider giving the nod to a lattice-top cherry pie.
State animal: Rocky Mountain Elk
With a population of nearly 70,000, elk are the second most abundant big game species in the state, just behind mule deer, according to gohunt. In comparison, adult elk average 600-700 pounds while most mature mule deer are 120-170.
Elk are majestic and generally avoid people. During harsh winters, they can be seen on Wasatch Front foothill areas. In winter, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources offers popular elk viewing tours via horse-drawn wagons at its Hardware Ranch winter feeding area near Hyrum.
6 of Utah's most historic and prominent abandoned structures
Many of the following places and structures will sound familiar, but there may be some you've never heard of before. Either way, each of these adds a fascinating dot on the map of Utah history.Utah State firearm: Browning M1911 Pistol
It's no secret that as a collective group, Utah residents are strong supporters of the Second Amendment. In 2011, Utah became the first state to designate an official firearm. But when then Gov. Gary Herbert signed the bill, it was more about state history than gun rights, according to news reports from the time.
The weapon's designer, John M. Browning was a Utah native who had 128 gun patents and was key in the development of automatic and semi-automatic firearms. The legendary pistol was adopted by the U.S. Army as its official sidearm in March 1922 and remained so until 1986. So the designation was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of that event.
Here are some other official Utah designations, without an accompanying explanation:
State song: "Utah This is the Place."
State hymn: "Utah we love thee."
State astronomical symbol: Beehive Cluster in the constellation of Cancer the Crab.
State centennial star: Dubhe, one of the seven bright stars in the Big Dipper (Ursa Major).
State cooking pot: Dutch oven.
State folk dance: Square dance.
State fossil: Allosaurus.
State dinosaur: Utahraptor.
State gem: Topaz.
State grass: Indian rice grass.
State mineral: Copper.
State rock: Coal.
State flower: Sego Lily.
Once you've mastered this information, you'll be well on your way to being accepted as a Utah resident. To cement your standing, just put on a University of Utah or BYU jersey (USU gear is reserved for people born here or direct descendants of Utah pioneers) and head to a football game.
And when you go out to eat, make sure and ask for fry sauce. It's the official state condiment—sort of.
