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The Hotel Utah juts aganist the sky in early photo, which captures on film, trolley and horse and buggy near the hotel. This photo ran in the paper's Sept. 26, 1976 edition. Deseret News Archives
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The Hotel Utah, famous Salt Lake City landmark, had a Trane heating system installed when it was built. It was one of the first big Trane installations in the country. July 21, 1947. Deseret News Archives
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The original site of the Hotel Utah was occupied by the Deseret Store and later the Deseret News Publishing Company. The Spanish wall was 12-feet high. This history photo ran in the paper on July 13, 1974. Deseret News Archive
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A frame of a building in 1910 which would become the Hotel Utah in June of 1911. Utah State Historical Society
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The Hotel Utah on Dec. 29, 1938. Deseret News Archives
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A chef at Hotel Utah, June 19, 1957. Deseret News Archives
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This is the north end of the Hotel Utah's Sky Room and is decorated in the English style in ebony, reds and whites. Dorothy Daraper of New York, whose column appeared in the Deseret News, designed the two rooms as well as the rest of the hotel. Feb. 11, 1 Deseret News Archives
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Pat Magura and Ella Caldwell stop at the Bowl 'n Basket at Hotel Utah for a light snack. Behind the counter of the newly installed facility is Lee Bell. The new soup and snack bar is part of a $500,000 modernization project just completed at the hotel. No Deseret News Archives
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Hotel Utah Sky Room in 1961. Deseret News Archives
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Exquisite chandeliers sparkle like stars in the Hotel Utah's new Sky Room previewed recently by the General Authorities. Feb. 11, 1961. Deseret News Archives
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Hotel Utah, June 2, 1967. Howard C. Moore, Deseret News Archives
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In earlier years, Hotel Utah's Roof Garden had no roof but a retractable awning for balmy days. Utah State Historical Society
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New carpeting, drapes, furniture, lighting and painting brighten this living room area of one of the suites. June 2, 1967. Howard C. Moore, Deseret News Archives
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Hotel Utah's beehive, photographed in 1964, has been a historic landmark for 76 years. Photo taken by J.M. Heslop in 1964 ran in the paper on Nov. 28, 1978. Deseret News Archives
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King-sized beds filled only part of large rooms at Hotel Utah. Most rooms had either king beds or two double beds. June 2, 1967. Howard C. Moore, Deseret News Archives
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Original architectural design and beauty of the Hotel Utah was maintained in a $3.1 million modernization program recently completed when this photo was taken in June 1967. The hotel was one of the most imposing structures on the Salt Lake skyline. Deseret News Archives
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Chef at Hotel Utah. Deseret News Archives
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The Hotel Utah Ballroom had ornate walls and ceiling trim. Deseret News Archives
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An undated photo of a banquet in the distinctive lobby of Hotel Utah. Deseret News Archives
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Priceless antiques and original furniture adorn this Heritage Room. Carpeting, drapes and lighting add to the restored effect of the room. June 2, 1967. Howard C. Moore, Deseret News Archives
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Waiters prepare tables in the magnificent Sky Room of the hotel. The room provides a panoramic sky view of Salt Lake City. June 2, 1967. Howard C. Moore, Deseret News Archives
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No other hotel in the world has more self-contained features for pleasure and comfort of the guests than the new Hotel Utah, said the Hotel Monthly upon its opening in 1911. July 13, 1974. Deseret News Archives
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The Grand Ballroom is the crowning glory of the new addition. It provides a plush setting for banquet dancing, and has portable stage. Sept. 26, 1976. Deseret News Archives
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Workmen put a beehive topped by an eagle atop a standard across from the Brigham Young statue and Hotel Utah honoring the pioneers as part of a year long recognition. Deseret News Archives
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The Westin Hotel Utah's plush lobby is a Salt Lake landmark. Deseret News Archives
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A banquet room at the Hotel Utah in Salt Lake City. Deseret News Archives
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The Roof opens at Hotel Utah on Nov. 9, 1976. Deseret News Archives
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A room at the Hotel Utah during its 75th anniversary in 1986. Deseret News Archives
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Marble pillars and ornate chandeliers are a Westin Hotel Utah trademark. April 15, 1986. Deseret News Archives
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Friends bid the Westin Hotel Utah a wistful goodbye to the strains of "Ault Lang Syne." Sept. 5, 1987. Garry Bryant, Deseret News Archives
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In 1933, a gathering at the hotel marked Heber J. Grant's 82nd birthday and 20th anniversary as LDS Church President. March 13, 1987. Deseret News Archives
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A Texas-based company began production of a limited edition porcelain plate commemorating the Hotel Utah, July 7, 1987. Deseret News Archives
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The west wall of the Hotel Utah's lobby. Deseret News Archives
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Myron and Olene Walker, who spent their honeymoon at Hotel Utah 33 years ago, enjoy a final sunset at hotel window on Aug. 31, 1987. Gary McKellar, Deseret News Archives
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Hotel Utah silver pieces to be auctioned include serving trays, pitchers and various dishes, many featuring the hotel's insignia. Deseret News Archives
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Shortly before the closure, President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-day Saints, which owns the hotel, delivered a statement from the Empire Room. Garry Bryant, Deseret News Archives
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Hotel Utah Empire Room chairs such as this will be auctioned in sets of four. Writing desk and lamp are among more contemporary furniture in the auction. A single place setting of the pink, white and gold china will also be auctioned, along with the silve Deseret News Archives
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The antique sleigh bed above was in one of the Heritage suites of the Hotel Utah. Other items to be auctioned March 11, shown above, include the Emerald Room chair, the silver dome and tray (with the Hotel Utah insignia), and the silver candlestick holder Deseret News Archives
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Items ranging from embossed silver to furniture to table linens used in the Hotel Utah were auctioned Saturday to raise money for a permanent home for the Utah Art Council's State Fine Art Collection. March 13, 1989. Tom Smart, Deseret News Archives
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Jack and Janet Cox of Farmington look at a silver plated urn, Wallace Samovar used to serve tea in the Hotel Utah lobby. March 11, 1989. Tom Smart, Deseret News Archives
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The Lafayette Ballroom will be remodeled into a chapel to be used by two downtown LDS congregations as well as visitors who have a desire to meditate. Bishop Hales said the building's beauty will be maintained. June 3, 1989. Deseret News Archives
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Former Hotel Utah employees meet regularly to remember days of elegance. July 20, 1991. Stuart Johnson, Deseret News Archives
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Hotel gets new flagpole. Mike Larsen, of Sandy, Utah, places a gold anodized ball on a new flagpole atop Hotel Utah. The ball was hoisted into place by a helicopter. Deseret News Archives
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Demolition of the north face of the Hotel Utah in this photo take June 5, 1991. Deseret News Archives

By Deseret News

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On June 9, 1911, the Hotel Utah opened and became one of the state's premier hotels. Now known as the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, a multi-day celebration will mark the building's centennial anniversary. This gallery includes photos of the building from the Deseret News archives through the years.

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