Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Great Salt Lake Base and Meridian
Altitude (sidewalk) 4327.27 Ft.
Erected 1932 by Mutual Improvement Associations of the LDS Church & Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association. (Marker Number 12.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 23, 1852.
Location. 40° 46.17′ N, 111° 53.484′ W. Marker is in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It is in Capitol Hill. Marker is at the intersection of South Temple Street and Main Street, on the right when traveling west on South Temple Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Salt Lake City UT 84116, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother (a few steps from this marker); In Honor of Brigham Young and the Pioneers (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Utah (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Smith Memorial Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Salt Lake Temple (about 300 feet away); Mormon Pioneer Monument (about 400 feet away); Assembly Hall (about 500 feet away); Church Administration Building (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salt Lake City.
More about this marker. There is a noticeable discrepancy between the coordinates given on the marker and those given by GPS. If you go to the location given on the marker using a GPS, you end up at about 70 S. 300 West. This is probably due to GPS systems using a different Datum than that used for the Marker.
Also see . . . Pratt Family Reunion and Placement of the Marker. This is an interesting detailed account regarding all the activities of the Pratt family at the time this marker was placed. (Submitted on September 1, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118.)
Additional commentary.
1. Different Coordinates for the Marker
The Meridian Project (http://www.pmproject.org/) used Google/Earth and GPS units to determine additional coordinates for many of the principal meridian markers. Their findings match very closely the coordinates given by GPS receivers at the site which differ by about 1/2 mile in west longitude from the marker itself.
— Submitted September 1, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118.
2. Actual location of marker verses Orson Pratt's calulations
Orson used an 1847 sextant and a little dish of mercury to take sun shots. It's remarkable that his measurements are as close as they are. Using my GPS readings (Back Country Navigator) his coordinates are actually 700 feet North and 1,981 feet West of where the meridian marker is placed. Using his instruments today, you would have to an exceptional navigator to get as close as he did. On land, most readings with a sextant and mercury are at least half a mile off. On the ocean, you'd be lucky to get within ten miles of your exact location. Way to go Orson!
— Submitted April 18, 2021, by Steven Allison of South Jordan, Utah.
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 7,054 times since then and 62 times this year. Last updated on August 28, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118. Photos: 1. submitted on June 25, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 1, 2010, by Bryan R. Bauer of Kearns, Ut 84118. 3. submitted on June 25, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on December 29, 2010, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.