Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-18

between South Temple and First South
street was made the home of the first
stores, Y. c. NJ. 1. was established on
Its present site in 1868 and was
largest store In tho, city. In the course
of few years the east side Of Main
street was filled with one story busi-
ness concerns and then the west side
OF Main street was occupied by bust
ness.
EARLY BUILDINGS
After the first block on south Main
street was occupied. the business dis
trict splice over into the block on
Main street between First and Second
South streets. The Godbe-Pitts Drug
store corner was erected In 1868 and the
Jennings building, now occupied by tho
Utah National bank in 1864 Here the
progress southwark was arrested for a
short time. The Deserot National bank
builcing was erected In 1870 and then
the Il. G. NJ. l. store was remodelcd
and completed to its present height In
1915 In the meantime better estab-
lishments were erected or buildings
rcmodcled on this block
FIRST "SKYSCRAPER."
The Hussey Bank building was
erected five stories in height in 1871.
which is now Brown as the Bamber
ger bulCing. and was the first skyscrap-
er in the city and the only business block
that far south except the Walker Bros
bank building which was crectp in
IScO Aftorvrord .rcro ,,., a., 4-
the Husscy building and the two top
stories were destroyed. The fire was
the largest in the history of tho city
up to that time. The building was re-
modelled and cut down to three stories
The expansion OF the district ceased
for few years after the second block
on Main street was taken In. The old
Walker House where the Keith-O Brien
store stances, was among the first bus
ness blocks between Second and Third
South on Main street It was built in
1873 and the Gift House soon followed
1t carrying the outpost OF the business
district down to Third South street.
The progress southward stopped here
again and the business activity went
building was erected in 1915 and the
White House followed it across tho
street in 1878.
CROSS STREETS BUILD UP.
After these buildings were completed
the business district experienced
lateral expansion. Small stores began
to build around the corner and the
cross-streets on Main street annexed to
the business district. The Cullen
hotel was butt in 1850 For several
years after this the most activity was
experienced on the cross streets.
CITY'S FIRST ELEVATOR.
In 1883. Main street property began
to climb upwards The Scott -Streyeu
building was erected and overshadowed
the old Hussey bank building for size.
1t was the first building equipped wrth
an elevator and with its completion
came the advent Of office buildings In
Salt Lake. The Progress building
closely followed it in 1889 Before
these however, the Hooper -Eldredgs
building was erected in 1881 but was
not made exclusive use of rs an Office
building at the time.
In the meantime. the business dis
trict crept over on to State street
and West Temple streets. 1t was ths
small stores. blacksmith shops and this
class of business which was crowded
out of the cross streets that sought
new quarters where the rents were
lower This was caused by improve
ments. larger buildings and an in
crease In values
In 1892, the Walker Bros Dry Goods
company moved into its present loca-
ton at Third South and Main streets.
The company carried the first bust
ness across Third South street which
amounted to anything. For a long
time II was away out in the residence
district Then Freed's Furniture com
pany moved on to Third South street
and occupied small quarters. This was
also considered too far out OF the way
to build up u business at the time
In 1890 and 1891 four large buildings
were erected on Main street They
were the Walker Bros store, the Nc
Cornick bank building. the Constitution
building. and the Tcmpleton building.
The Hooper block was built or cast
First South street, the Commercial
block ON cast Sec I'D South street, tho,
DooIy block on Second South and
West Temple streets. the Knutsfosd
on Third South and State streets. the
Brooks arcade on State and TAird
South streets.
PANIC Calls Il HALT.
After these nlnc buildings were erect
ed. the days OF the big panic cams
along and Salt Lake. like other cities
the United States. was az
fscted. Business rccuperated in
short time, however, and began TO
grow rapidly again Since that time
the district established fl!lcd UP with
arger and better buildings. The Des-
.ret News building was erected and
completed in 1899, and was the first
absolutely fire proof building in the
city.
When the federal building was erecs
VI on Main street. between Third a.
E'ourtl, South streets. the business 3
rict experienced another pull south
ward. AS the result Samuel Nowho=S
Jaw the possibilities OF a profitable IN
acrosI the street and he erect
q his two magnificent Office building,
he largest i'll the city at tho present
imc. Then he took steps to build
large hotel or Fourth South and
dain streets which Is now under cor
truction