SALT LAKE THEATER    100 South State Street    Opened: 1862    Closed: 1928

The Salt Lake Theatre was built in Salt Lake City in 1861-1862 at a cost of over $100,000 on the corner of 100 South and State Street.

President Brigham Young, of the Mormon Church, donated more than half of the funding because he believed Salt Lake City needed a theater to bring recreation, relaxation, and additional unity to the pioneer community. Visitors from other areas were shocked and even a little scandalized by his support because the theatrical stage did not have a good reputation in the 1860s. However, President Young's dedication made very clear his expectations for a good and moral theater.

The Salt Lake Theatre, with a seating capacity of 1,500, was one of the finest buildings in Salt Lake City, even comparing well to theaters worldwide. It was praised by many of the professional actors who performed there, including such theatrical greats as Sarah Alexander, Julie Dean Hayne, E. L. Davenport, and John McCullough. "There was scarcely a "star' of the American stage who did not make a Salt Lake Theatre appearance".

Unfortunately, after more than half a century of significant productions, the financially troubled and aging playhouse was sold in 1928 to be razed(demolished) for a commercial office building.