Rio Grande in Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Deseret News Building
Photographed by Jeremy Snow, April 30, 2024
1. Deseret News Building Marker
Site of Utahs first commercial radio broadcast
The stately, six-story office building which once stood on this corner was known at various times as the Deseret News, Oregon-Shortline, and Union Pacific Building, depending on which company was its main tenant.
When completed in 1902, the building boasted the latest technology, including fire-proof construction. In 1921, it became the home to Utah's first radio station, KZN (now KSL), which broadcast from a homemade transmitter in a shack on the roof. KSL, television also began broadcasting from this building in 1949.
The building, which helped create a modern business district in downtown Salt Lake City was one of several designed by important local architect Richard K. A. Kletting. It was torn down in 1995 to make way for an 18-story office building.
(caption) Photo: Deseret News Building, ca. 1820 Sainsbury Photo Co.
Courtesy Church History Library
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 40° 46.148′ N, 111° 53.504′ W. Marker is in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It is in Rio Grande. It is on West South Temple Street, on the right
this page online
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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Council House (within shouting distance of this marker); Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Salt Lake Base and Meridian (within shouting distance of this marker); Zions First National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor of Brigham Young and the Pioneers (within shouting distance of this marker); Temple Square Railroad Spur (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hotel Utah (about 300 feet away); Mormon Pioneer Monument (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salt Lake City.
Also see . . . Deseret News (Wikipedia).
Radio: On November 20, 1920, the News began airing nightly wireless news flashes, called the Deseret News-International News Service bulletins. The paper had also formed The Deseret News Wireless Club, with members across the Western United States who would transcribe the radio bulletins and post them in their communities. In April 1922 the paper received a license to officially operate a radio station, with call letters KZN (later(Submitted on April 30, 2024.)changed to KSL). The station's first regular broadcast aired on May 6, 1922, in the form of a talk by then-LDS Church president Heber J. Grant. In 1924 the station was sold to John Cope and his father, F.W. Cope, who formed the Radio Service Corporation of Utah. The LDS Church would later purchase this corporation and go on to create KSL-TV. The News, KSL Radio, and KSL Television remain closely linked via the global operating company, Deseret Management Corporation, which also owns Bonneville International, Deseret Book Company, and Deseret Media Company, among other organizations.Photographed by Jeremy Snow, April 30, 20242. Deseret News Building Marker
Photographed by Frank S. Thayer, publisher, 1907
3. Main Street, showing Deseret News Building
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 577 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. 3. submitted on April 30, 2024. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
