Salt Lake City
AA-2026-3E45A5
On the image
A group of bronze figures stands proudly on a stone pedestal, locked in a perpetual pose of historical significance. They represent the sort of people who, in the 1970s, were still universally admired for their unwavering belief in their own direction, even if that direction often involved moving large groups of people across a continent with minimal amenities.
The sculptor has ensured that each figure projects a solemn confidence, particularly the central leader, who appears to be contemplating either the vastness of the future or the precise location of the next water source. It's the kind of public art designed to make you feel historically uplifted, which, depending on your personal history, can either be inspiring or a gentle reminder that some stories get told more than others.
Against the backdrop of the Wasatch Range, the monument serves as a permanent, immovable declaration of past triumph. It stands there, resolute and bronze, completely unaware that future generations would spend more time looking at their phones than at monumental tributes to their ancestors.
The historian's note
The image depicts the 'This Is The Place Monument' located at the eastern edge of Salt Lake City, Utah, with the Wasatch Range visible in the background. Dedicated in 1947, the monument commemorates the arrival of Brigham Young and the Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, marking the end of their westward journey and the establishment of a permanent settlement.
The central figures on the monument are Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Wilford Woodruff, with other figures representing early explorers like Father Escalante and trappers such as Jim Bridger, along with various groups of pioneers and Native Americans. It serves as a tribute to the diverse individuals and groups who contributed to the early history and development of the American West, particularly in Utah.
The monument stands in This Is The Place Heritage Park, an interpretive site that further illustrates the history of Utah's settlement. It remains a significant landmark, symbolizing the enduring legacy of the pioneers and their impact on the region.
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This Is The Place Monument, Salt Lake City, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-3E45A5. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/this-is-the-place-monument-salt-lake-city-1970s.
@misc{aaAA20263E45A5,
title = {This Is The Place Monument, Salt Lake City, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-3E45A5},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/this-is-the-place-monument-salt-lake-city-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - This Is The Place Monument, Salt Lake City, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-3E45A5 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/this-is-the-place-monument-salt-lake-city-1970s ER -
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