Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capitol Centennial topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senator Henderson recounts century of Utah State Capitol construction at opening session
Summary
Senator Henderson delivered a centennial history of the Utah State Capitol, recounting key dates and financing steps — including a $1,395,000 bond authorization, a $750,000 appropriation and a cornerstone ceremony on April 4, 1914 — and urged appreciation for the building’s legacy.
SALT LAKE CITY — During opening remarks at the start of the 2016 general session, Senator Henderson presented a detailed historical account of the construction and dedication of the Utah State Capitol, marking its 100th anniversary.
Henderson traced the project from early legislative steps through financing decisions. She said Senate Bill 64 authorized bonds of $1,395,000 to begin construction and that an inheritance tax payment by Mrs. Edward Harriman of nearly $800,000 allowed the legislature to appropriate $750,000 toward the Capitol project. Henderson noted the cornerstone ceremony took place on April 4, 1914, and that the Capitol was completed and dedicated on Oct. 9, 1916.
"The cornerstone was laid on 04/04/1914," Henderson said, recounting archival reporting and legislative records. She called the building a ‘‘vision of beauty and pride’’ and highlighted the role of early lawmakers and civic leaders in making the project possible.
Henderson also described debates from the era — including proposals for monolithic granite columns and competing site suggestions — and credited Representative (later Senator) Charles E. Marks for championing legislation that made construction possible.
What happens next: The centennial was noted throughout the session as an occasion for exhibits and events; Henderson said there would be additional displays and presentations marking the Capitol’s history during the year.
