History

The Utah Office of Tourism, formerly known as the Division of Travel Development (commonly referred to as the Utah Travel Council), was created within the Department of Development Services in 1967 as part of a consolidation of several related state agencies (Laws of Utah 1967, ch. 175). 

Formed in 1974, the Utah Film Commission was an initiative started by Governor Cal Rampton as a way to attract film productions to the state. It became a part of the Utah Office of Tourism in 2005.  Their mission is to promote the entire state of Utah for film, television and commercial production and foster the development of local talent, crew and industry.

Since 1924, Utah has been capturing the imagination of filmmakers and storytellers and today is no exception. With thousands of productions created in-state, Utah has an undeniably deep and lasting commitment to the entertainment industry. Film production creates jobs in the creative sector while supporting local businesses and encouraging tourism across the state. Utah’s Motion Picture Incentive Program has had a profound impact on the state, both economically and culturally.

Visit the Utah Film Commission's website to learn more about the office and for a deeper dive into Utah's 100 year history in film and television.

Council Hall (formerly City Hall) is one of the American West's most historic buildings, serving for almost 30 years as the seat of government of Salt Lake City and the meeting place of the territorial legislature. It was during this time that the settlement of Utah was completed, transcontinental rails were joined at Promontory Point, Brigham Young and other leaders of (the pioneer trek) generation passed away, Utah's mineral treasures were discovered and opened to development, and the Female Suffrage Act passed in City Hall in February 1870. Almost thirty years to the day of the dedication of City Hall, Utah became a State. These were years of expanding population and empire building, of bitter struggle between LDS (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and non-LDS factions, of threatened military action, of disfranchisement of thousands of Utah voters and the imprisonment of hundreds. Indeed, the City Hall was probably the scene of more important history-making events than any other Utah building of its time. In 1962, it was dismantled and restored on Capitol Hill to make way for the new Federal Building.

In 1863 a committee was appointed to draft plans for a new city hall since the modest structure built five years earlier had proved to be inadequate for the growing city. Ground was broken at 120 East First South, Salt Lake City, on February 8, 1864, and almost two years later, the building was dedicated at a cost of $70,000. The dedication of the new structure on January 8,1866, was one of the most colorful social events in city history. The ceremony was attended by Brigham Young and other prominent dignitaries. That evening, a grand banquet was held on the second floor. Architect of the new City Hall was William H. Folsom , who designed the Salt Lake Theater and many LDS Church and commercial buildings.

The ground floor contained six spacious rooms used for police work and other purposes. On the upper floor were a council hall and courtroom decorated with highly enriched cornices and centerpieces. Doors and window frames were made from superbly grained mahogany and root oak. All principal rooms were richly carpeted and lavishly furnished. A full-length portrait of Brigham Young adorned the Council Chamber.

In 1894, city offices were moved and this building served as police headquarters and police court until 1915. From that date to 1961, the building was occupied by the Board of Health and Sanitary Division offices, storage of fire department equipment and other city purposes.

Plans were made in 1948 to restore this historic building. Instrumental in the restoration were David O . McKay, President of the LDS Church, and Nicholas G. Morgan, Sr, prominent Salt Lake City attorney and philanthropist. Additional efforts were also contributed by the State of Utah and Salt Lake City Corporation. President McKay aided in securing the land from the City on Capitol Hill, and the LDS church contributed $300,000 for moving and reconstructing the building. The State of Utah paid for most of the furnishings and landscaping. In 1961, under supervision of Architect Edward O . Anderson, dismantling of the old building began (with exterior stones removed and numbered) and most of the restoration work was completed by 1962. Furnishings and landscaping were finished in 1963-64.

Council Hall was formally presented to the State of Utah in July of 1963, where it continues to serve as an official State information center and home of the Utah Office of Tourism (formerly Utah Travel Council) and Utah Film Commission.

Information published in the pamphlet A Guide to Utah's Council Hall in Salt Lake City, 1971, by the Utah Travel Council.

Did you know Council Hall was the place where the first woman voted in the modern United States on February 14, 1870? Two days prior, in that same hall, the territorial legislature voted unanimously to extend voting rights to women. Although Wyoming had already agreed to give women the right to vote, Utah held the first official election in which women participated.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary, displays were created at Council Hall that include a quilted memorial in the likeness of Seraph Young, Dr. Martha Cannon, Emmeline B Wells , and Emily Richards, who famously crusaded to ensure women's right to vote in Utah. There is also a small collection of photos, prints, articles and certificates that tell the story of the vote. Outside on the front lawn is a collection of bronze statues of a table and chairs to  represent drafting the state constitution, Seraph Young's footprint, and four doorways representing the amendments and acts needed to arrive at the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 . 

Take the  walking tour from Council Hall to downtown Salt Lake City to discover more historical sites that recognize important locations in the journey of Utah's early suffrage participants. More information can be found on Better Days website - a non-profit organization dedicated to popularizing Utah's women's history.