This is What Utah Looked Like 100 Years Ago...It May Surprise You

In 1900, the LDS temple was the tallest building in the city.

Even in a black-and-white photo, the Mercur Mine looks hot and dusty.

This photo appeared in the 1914 Improvement Era magazine. The tabernacle still hadn’t been dedicated.

The Studebaker Limousine was for wealthy Utah families, though. See that front seat? It’s for the chauffeur!

When you wanted to get away from your husbands for awhile, you just hopped in your Thomas Flyer Touring Car (notice the right-hand side steering wheel!) and cruised Salt Lake.

The Parowan LDS Relief Society Building was built in 1909. It’s where rural women went to get a few hours away from their husbands.

The Roosevelt Ward Amusement Hall was built in 1910. I don't know what they did there, but I doubt it involved gambling, drinking or carousing.

The first ZCMI, in Salt Lake City. Photo taken in 1910.

Clarion was settled in 1911 by the Jewish Agricultural and Colonial Association as a rural experiment. For several years, the crops thrived. In 1914, the weather was extreme and a severe drought killed the settlers’ crops. The population dropped drastically, and Clarion was a ghost town by 1916.

Now you probably don’t hire anyone...you just call up your buddies and have them help you pack your UHaul.

Box Elder County’s parade entry for the 24th of July, 1912. That’s Trolley Square in the background.

This photo of the Murray City Library was taken in 1912.

The Moore School House in 1912 was pretty tiny.

These women were switchboard operators in 1914. Google it if you don’t know what that means, or watch some early episodes of Mad Men. It was a real job for decades.

This is Bingham Canyon in 1914. The copper mine provided housing and a company store where you could shop on credit.

The Pierce Arrow Town Car was stylish and classy.

Now moms are stuck listening to the kid practice so he can get another merit badge.