Our historic review for the month of March episode 253 is all about the Rio Grande Station in downtown Salt Lake City.

Construction was completed in 1910 on the Denver and Rio Grand Depot. The project had been long and complicated, fraught with friction, false starts, and fighting along the way. Thanks to architect Henry Schlacks of Chicago Salt Lake was thrust into an intercontinental crossroads.

The fact that the depot even came to Salt Lake was a miracle. The original plan was to have the crossroads junction stay in Denver. Salt Lake was merely supposed to be a connection from Denver to El Paso and eventually Mexico City.

Due to issues with the construction and financial misdeeds the station was eventually slated for Salt Lake City.

The battle between The Union Pacific Railroad and Denver Rio Grande became very fierce, but ultimately the D&RG won out.

Plans began in early 1902 and construction did not begin until 1906. It took four years and an estimated $800,000 to build. (that’s over $21 million dollars today). The station lived an amazing life for many years with hotels, restaurants, and a thriving city center growing up around it. With the advent of the freeway, and air travel by 1977 the station was nearly bankrupt and ended up being sold for $1.00 to the State of Utah. From 1986 to 1999 it served as Salt Lake City’s Amtrack Station.

This grand old building now serves as the home to the Utah Department of Heritage & Arts. It also houses the Rio Gallery, and is used by the farmers market nearly year-round.

Music for episode by Folk Hogan