Rio Grande in Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Salt Lake Theatre
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, June 18, 2007
1. The Salt Lake Theatre Marker
The bronze bas-relief is signed “Mahonri” and dated 1940 in the lower right.
Long, long be my heart with such memories filled;
like the vase in which roses have once been distilled.
You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will,
but the scent of the roses will hang ’round it still.
“The people must have amusement as well as religion” —Brigham Young
The Salt Lake Theatre, 1860–1923, erected on this site under the direction of President Brigham Young, dedicated March 6, 1862.
Erected 1940 by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints & The Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Co.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is March 6, 1852.
Location. 40° 46.042′ N, 111° 53.307′ W. Marker is in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It is in Rio Grande. Marker is at the intersection of South State Street and 100 South, on the right when traveling south on South State Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 70 S State Street, 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. Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Building (here, next to this marker); Social Hall (about 300 feet away, measured
this page online
Regarding The Salt Lake Theatre. Built in 1861 on the northwest corner of State Street and First South Street, it survived two-thirds of a century before it was razed in 1928.
Additional commentary.
1. The Mountain Bell Building
This marker is on the wall of what was once called Mountain Bell building. Mountain Bell, one of the original 24 Bell Telephone Companies, served the states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and a little piece of southwestern Texas. The legal name of Mountain Bell was “Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Co.”, the name on the marker. It was owned by the American Telephone and Telegraph
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, June 18, 2007
2. "The people must have amusement as well as religion."
— Submitted June 27, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
2. “Farewell!—But Whenever You Welcome the Hour” by Thomas Moore
The four lines of poetry quoted on this marker are from a poem by the popular Irish poet Thomas Moore (1780–1853).
This is the complete poem.
Farewell!—but whenever you welcome the hour.
That awakens the night-song of mirth in your bower,
Then think of the friend who once welcomed it too,
And forgot his own griefs to be happy with you.
His griefs may return, not a hope may remain
Of the few that have brightened his pathway of pain.
But he ne’er will forget the short vision, that threw
Its enchantment around him, while lingering with you.
And still on that evening, when pleasure fills up
To the highest top sparkle each heart and each cup,
Where’er my path lies, be it gloomy or bright,
My soul, happy friends,
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, June 18, 2007
3. The Salt Lake Theatre Marker
Shall join in your revels, your sports, and your wiles,
And return to me, beaming all o’er with your smiles—
Too blest, if it tells me that, mid the gay cheer
Some kind voice had murmured, “I wish he were here!”
Let Fate do her worst, there are relics of joy,
Bright dreams of the past, which she cannot destroy;
Which come in the night-time of sorrow and care,
And bring back the features that joy used to wear.
Long, long be my heart with such memories filled!
Like the vase, in which roses have once been distilled—
You may break, you may shatter the vase, if you will,
But the scent of the roses will hang round it still.
— Submitted June 27, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, June 18, 2007
4. Detail from Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,372 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on September 15, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 25, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
