Rio Grande in Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Alta Club Building

— 1897-1898, Frederick A. Hale —

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2016

1. Alta Club Building Marker

Inscription.
This building has housed the Alta Club for over 100 years. Prominent Utah businessmen founded the exclusive club in 1883. The original members were all non-Mormons and most were involved in the mining industry. The Alta Club's official exclusion of Mormons reflects the deep divisions between Mormons and non-Mormons in late 19th-century Utah. After the turn of the century, the club gradually began to admit Mormons and helped promote accommodation between the two communities. The Alta Club now welcomes women as members also. Salt Lake City architect Frederick A. Hale designed the Alta Club in the Italian Renaissance style which was popular for men's clubs.

Erected by Utah Heritage Foundation. (Marker Number 6.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. In addition, it is included in the Utah, Salt Lake City Downtown Walking Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 40° 46.143′ N, 111° 53.279′ W. Marker is in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It is in Rio Grande. Marker is on South State Street (Utah Route 186) just south of East South Temple, on the

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

right when traveling north. Marker is located along the sidewalk, beside the Alta Club Building's State Street (west) entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 East South Temple, Salt Lake City UT 84111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Private School House (within shouting distance of this marker); Gardo House (within shouting distance of this marker); Eagle Gate 1859 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Beehive House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bee-Hive House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Beehive House (about 300 feet away); Brigham Young’s Office (about 300 feet away); The Lion House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salt Lake City.

Regarding Alta Club Building. This building is Tour Stop 6 on the Utah Heritage Foundation Downtown Walking Tour.

Also see . . . The Alta Club: Our Role in History. Club website entry:
By the late 1800’s the territory known as Utah had a burgeoning economy. As a result several affluent groups formed out of the mining and smelting industry. One such group took it upon themselves to create a gentlemen’s social club modeled after the prestigious Union Club of San Francisco. Following recruitment the Alta Club was founded in 1883 by eighty-one charter members, thirteen years

Alta Club Building • <i>west side</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2016

2. Alta Club Building • west side

(marker visible near west/original building entrance)

before Utah became a state. The club was organized as a social club "to present the comforts and luxuries of a home together with the attraction to its members of meeting each other in a pleasant and social way." (Submitted on March 18, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Alta Club Building • <i>southwest corner</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2016

3. Alta Club Building • southwest corner

Alta Club Building • <i>northwest corner</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2016

4. Alta Club Building • northwest corner

Alta Club Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2016

5. Alta Club Building

(front view from East South Temple)
Newer "east wing" (on the left) was added in 1910, but the original stone couldn't be matched.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 400 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 18, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.