Opened: 30 May 1893
Dedicated: 08 June 1893
Location: West Saltair Drive Exit off of Interstate 80, Salt Lake City
Notes: The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints built the Saltair resort about sixteen miles from downtown Salt Lake City. The railroad which connected the two points was also built by the Church. In 1906, the resort was sold to a group of private Mormon businessman. The famous building was designed by Richard K.A. Kletting. He also designed the Utah State Capitol Building in 1915 and the Dancing Pavilion for Lake Park in 1886.
Features of the Saltair were Swimming, Dancing, Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel, Midway Games, Bicycle Races, Touring Vaudeville Companies, Rodeos, Bullfights, Boat Rides, Fireworks, Hot-Air Balloon Rides and a Roller Coaster which stretched out across the lake.
In the early 1920s, attendance reached nearly half a million people per year. It burned to the ground in April 1925. It was rebuilt much like the original in 1926, but failed to regain its popularity.
In the 1930s, Saltair struggled through the Great Depression. Winds and salt spray ate away at the wood and paint which resulted in high maintenance costs. Another fire in 1931 caused $100,000 worth of damage. The water levels in the lake kept receding leaving the resort a half mile away from the water in 1933.
After closing during World War II, it reopened with high hopes, yet continued to struggle. It finally closed for good after the 1958 season. In the 1960s, efforts were made to save the resort, but it remained closed until it was completely destroyed in a fire in November 1970.
A new pavilion was built near the site of the original in 1981. It opened in July 1982. But in 1984, instead of receding lake levels, the lake raised to its highest level in history. The main floor of the pavilion was left under five feet of water and finally began going back down in the late 1980s.
In Fall 1992, the Great Salt Lake Land Company and real estate developer Walter Plumb bought the resort. During the next six months, the building was restored and a concert stage was added. It opened on the resort's 100th Anniversary on 08 June 1993. It is now part of the Great Salt Lake State Park and features concerts by popular entertainers - local and national.
