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

City Creek

The Creek That Built A City

Photographed by Connor Olson, April 15, 2021

1. City Creek Marker

Inscription. As City Creek flowed out of the canyon, it split into two main branches one of which ran through the western part of this block continuing on to the south of the city where it joined other creeks before reaching the Jordan River. As the city grew, residents constructed bridges across the creek to allow the passage of traffic and built houses and stores along its banks. Each spring brought a heavy run-off from the melting snow in the mountains, often causing property damage for those near the creek.

After particularly heavy flooding in 1853, the city consolidated both creek branches into a wide ditch down the center of North Temple Street to contain flooding. The water went directly from the mouth of City Creek Canyon to the Jordan River. The growing city soon obliterated the original creek bed and its original course was largely forgotten.

Caption: City Creek as it was diverted down North Temple

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 40° 46.121′ N, 111° 53.373′ W. Marker is in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It is in Rio Grande. It can be reached from South Temple Street. Located in City Creek Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

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50 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City UT 84111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front

and in Greater Salt Lake.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Templeton Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Federal Reserve Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Church Historian's Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Gardo House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Church Administration Building (about 300 feet away); Lion House (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Lion House (about 300 feet away); Joseph Smith Memorial Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salt Lake City.

Photo Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Connor Olson, April 15, 2021

2. Photo Displayed on Marker

Photographed by Connor Olson, April 15, 2021

3. City Creek

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 690 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area view of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?