As announced earlier this year, beginning on December 29, 2019, the Salt Lake Temple will be closed for renovations for the next four years. Portions of Temple Square will also be undergoing significant changes. As the heart of Salt Lake City, Temple Square has been transformed many times since it's mid-1800's creation, with the adding and removing of numerous buildings, structures, and features. Below are photographs documenting Temple Square's history, showing both the area's past, present, and future.
1800s
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
The first Salt Lake Tabernacle, built on the corner of Temple Square where the Assembly Hall now sits (1855).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
The Endowment House, dedicated on the Temple Square block for temple ordinances until the Salt Lake Temple was finished. It was built in 1855 and torn down in 1889. Pictured here are stones for the temple in front of the Endowment House.
Photo from theUtah State Historical Society
Overlooking current-day Temple Square from the north. Notice that the Salt Lake Tabernacle we are familiar with today is under construction (1866).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
Temple Square, looking north. The temple foundation can be seen (1867).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
Looking east at the Salt Lake Temple construction (1877).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
The inside of the newly constructed Assembly Hall. Notice the paintings on the ceiling that are no longer there today (1880).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
Temple Square before the Salt Lake Temple was completed (1889).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
E. G. Holding (right) and George Albert Smith (left) inspecting a new electric light on top of the Salt Lake Temple (1892).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
Looking down over one of the Salt Lake Temple's southeast spires to Temple Square and the Assembly Hall. Notice that the Seagull Monument and the pioneer handcart statue seen near the Assembly Hall today have not been placed yet. Also notice the tall trees lining South Temple street outside of the Temple Square wall, which are no longer there today (1892).
1900s
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
This photo from the year 1900 shows a layout of Temple Square as well as the statue that was located in the intersection of South Temple and State Street.
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
An old information booth on the lawn of Temple Square. Date of photo unknown.
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society.
The interior of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Notice that the organ has not yet been expanded to its current size (1905).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
The inside of the Bureau of Information located on the south side of Temple Square where the South Visitors' Center stands today (1908).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
The exterior of the Bureau of Information office at Temple Square (1909).
Photo from theUtah State Historical Society
An image of a Christmas Nativity billboard in front of the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in 1914. Notice the historic drinking fountain and the Seagull Monument, which has now been placed in front of the Assembly Hall.
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
George A. Smith in front of the Salt Lake Temple with his automobile before Temple Square was closed off to vehicular traffic (1918).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
The updated interior of the Assembly Hall. Notice the paintings on the ceiling have been painted over (1927).
Photo from Utah State Historical Society
An aerial view of Temple Square in the late 1930s looking east. Notice the black roof of Salt Lake Tabernacle with directions to the Salt Lake airport for passing planes as well as the open space where the North Visitors' Center stands today.
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
Photo of the old Salt Lake Temple annex north of the temple (1937).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
An aerial image of Temple Square. Notice the Tabernacle roof is no longer black. You can also see the old temple annex north of the Salt Lake Temple as well as a circular pathway around a statue on the lawn south of the temple where a fountain currently sits (1947).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
Construction of the Temple Square North Vistors' Center (1962).
Photo from the Utah State Historical Society
An early nativity scene in front of the Salt Lake Temple (1965).
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
This ariel view shows the current Salt Lake Temple entrance, the sealing annex that was added to the temple earlier, Main Street before it was converted into a plaza, and the empty parking lot north of the temple where the Conference Center will be constructed.
2000s
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
The Handcart Pioneer statue installed southeast of the Assembly Hall in 1965 (2003).
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
The interior of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Notice the organ has been expanded on either side since its original installation (2004).
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
The fountain placed between the South Visitors' Center and the Salt Lake Temple as it is still seen today (2010).
Photo from ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
An aerial view of the temple, North Visitors’ Center, Tabernacle, and the recently built Conference Center (2012).
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
A new nativity scene on Temple Square. Notice that Main Street in front of the Salt Lake Temple has been filled in and turned into a plaza.
Photo from Church Newsroom
A view of the Salt Lake Temple from the southwest. Notice the statues on the plaza that were added over the years (2019).
Rendering from Church Newsroom
Plans for renovations on the south side of Temple Square. The visitors' center on the right will stand where the South Visitors' Center stands today.
Rendering from Church Newsroom
Rendering view inside the north gate of Temple Square showing the top of the skylight over the recommend desk entry. (2019)
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