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

Eagle Emporium Building

— 1864, William Paul —

Photographed by Bryan R. Bauer, August 27, 2010

1. Eagle Emporium Building Marker

Inscription. Built in 1864, the Eagle Emporium Building is the oldest existing commercial building in downtown Salt Lake City. William Jennings, Utah's first millionaire, constructed the building to house his mercantile business. The Eagle Emporium Building was also the first home of the Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution. At Brigham Young's request, Jennings exchanged his emporium's inventory for stock in the new ZCMI and leased this building to the cooperative in 1868. The ornate clock in front of this building is one of the few remaining pieces of 19th-century street furniture in downtown. The clock was erected in 1873 and first powered by a water wheel.

Erected by Utah Heritage Foundation. (Marker Number 16.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Utah, Salt Lake City Downtown Walking Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 40° 46.017′ N, 111° 53.478′ W. Marker is in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It is in Rio Grande. It is at the intersection of Main Street and 100 South, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 South Main Street, Salt Lake City UT 84101, 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Old Clock (a few steps from this marker); McIntyre Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Telegraph Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Salt Lake Tribune (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Pony Express (about 400 feet away); Great Salt Lake City Station (about 500 feet away); First National Bank Building (about 500 feet away); Salt Lake Herald Building (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salt Lake City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. First Security Branch of Wells Fargo (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This location is Tour Stop 16 on the Utah Heritage Foundation Downtown Walking Tour.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . . A History of the Eagle Emporium and the Old Zions Bank Clock. (Submitted on September 6, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118.)

The Building Now Houses a Branch of Zion's First National Bank image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bryan R. Bauer, August 27, 2010

2. The Building Now Houses a Branch of Zion's First National Bank

Note the post clock that is mentioned in the marker inscription.

The Building from the Intersection of 100 South Street and Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bryan R. Bauer, August 27, 2010

3. The Building from the Intersection of 100 South Street and Main Street

The North Face of the Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bryan R. Bauer, August 27, 2010

4. The North Face of the Building

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118. This page has been viewed 3,031 times since then and 174 times this year. Last updated on September 16, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 6, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.