Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Aug. 20, 2024.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
Two years ago today, the president of the United States was in Utah, seeking support for his policies, criticizing his political opponents and raising funds for his next campaign.
And though much has changed since President Joe Biden’s Aug. 10, 2023, stop in the Beehive State, the visit was not that unusual.
Sure, Utahns tend to roll out the carpet for national leaders and other dignitaries, and public safety officials make it a high priority to keep the president safe, but through the years, many of the nation’s presidents have made Utah a place to visit.
So how many U.S. presidents have visited the state?
The answer is 24.
Both Biden and Donald Trump have visited during their presidencies. George W. Bush had more visits to Utah during his presidency than any other U.S. president, with four stops. Herbert Hoover visited several times before he was president, and a whopping 18 times after he retired.
Ulysses S. Grant was the first to come, visiting in 1875. Utah wouldn’t become a state for 21 more years. Many of the early presidents made speeches from the back of trains, while others met with governmental and church leaders. Richard M. Nixon attended the Days of ’47 Rodeo, while Gerald R. Ford’s son attended Utah State University. Now many of them visit the state to enjoy Park City’s ski runs.
Here are stories from Deseret News archives on those presidential visits through the years
“Utah’s most important visitors — president of the United States”
U.S. presidents and Mormon leaders: A history of visits to Utah
Ulysses S. Grant: “President Ulysses S. Grant was the first U.S. president to visit the Utah Territory”
Rutherford B. Hayes: “Two speeches Rutherford B. Hayes gave when he visited Utah in 1880″
Benjamin Harrison: “Shrewd politicking turned the tide and let to statehood for Utah”
William McKinley: “Utah’s most important visitors — president of the United States”
Theodore Roosevelt: “President Theodore Roosevelt visited Utah in 1903 to defend an apostle”
William Taft: “Taft left a big impression on Utahns in 1909″
Woodrow Wilson: “Woodrow Wilson gave 2 speeches in Utah before having a life-changing stroke”
Warren G. Harding: “A century ago in Utah: the trip that killed a president”
Herbert Hoover: “In 1932, Herbert Hoover encouraged Utahns to remain optimistic”
Franklin D Roosevelt: “A look at FDR’s short but very meaningful visit to Utah”
Harry S. Truman: “U.S. presidents and Mormon leaders: A history of visits to Utah”
Dwight D. Eisenhower: “Eisenhower proposed interstate highway program”
John F. Kennedy: “Thousands of Utahns turned out to see President Kennedy in 1963″
Lyndon B. Johnson: “Lyndon B. Johnson had a strong connection with prominent LDS leader”
Richard B. Nixon: “Richard Nixon campaigned in Utah 50 years ago today”
Gerald R. Ford: “Gerald Ford may be the most Utahn president ever”
Jimmy Carter: “Jimmy Carter’s prayer at the Salt Lake Tabernacle”
Ronald Reagan: “Ronald Reagan much-beloved in Utah for decades”
George H.W. Bush: Former President George H.W. Bush praised as ‘devoted servant,’ ‘man of deep conviction’”
Bill Clinton: “Clinton arrives, weathers a storm”
“George W. Bush and Bill Clinton preach civility on visit to Utah”
George W. Bush: ‘The perfect place’: Bush hails Salt Lake Olympics
Barack Obama: President Obama arrives in Utah, meets with LDS Church leaders
Donald Trump: Trump puts bull’s-eye on Bears Ears National Monument
Joe Biden: “Biden blames Trump for incivility, says democracy ‘at stake’ in 2024″