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Fascinating Vintage Photos of Salt Lake City in the 1940s

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In the 1940s, Salt Lake City was developed rapidly and the population also grew almost seven percent. The last streetcar line was discontinued in 1941 and during World War II, the trolly buses were stopped. The downtown streets were a lot busier than today, but there were fewer cars than today. The Crystal Palace at South Temple and 200 East was the first super grocery store to open downtown. The Bamberger train depot stood where Symphony Hall now is.

During World War II, several military installations were established in Salt Lake City. War industries and military installations revitalized the economy. Workers and soldiers spent their money in the city’s restaurants, shops, ballrooms, and theaters. At the end of World War II, there were two full days of merrymaking and dancing in Salt Lake City.

Here below are some stunning vintage photos that show what Salt Lake City looked like in the 1940s.

#3 People laying on the seashore, Salt Lake City, June 1948

People laying on the seashore, Salt Lake City, June 1948

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#4 Antimony school children visit Salt Lake City, 1948.

Antimony school children visit Salt Lake City, 1948.

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#5 Allen with husband George Burns went on a whistle-stop tour of the western U.S. In Salt Lake City, 1940.

Allen with husband George Burns went on a whistle-stop tour of the western U.S. In Salt Lake City, 1940.

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#6 Sign that says ‘Salt Content 24% Do Not Dive Keep Water Out Of Eyes, Nose And Throat’ at the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

Sign that says 'Salt Content 24% Do Not Dive Keep Water Out Of Eyes, Nose And Throat' at the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

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#7 People walking on the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

People walking on the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

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#10 Woman checking the souvenirs at Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

Woman checking the souvenirs at Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

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#11 Antimony School Kids Visit Salt Lake City, May 1948.

Antimony School Kids Visit Salt Lake City, May 1948.

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#12 Navy men standing in front of the Pullman train that was just released to the military from civilian run.

Navy men standing in front of the Pullman train that was just released to the military from civilian run.

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#13 Radio announcer Jean Ruth Hay holding an alarm clock while lying on the bed, Salt Lake City, 1942.

Radio announcer Jean Ruth Hay holding an alarm clock while lying on the bed, Salt Lake City, 1942.

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#16 Woman touching Salt Flats at the Great Salt Lake, June 1948.

Woman touching Salt Flats at the Great Salt Lake, June 1948.

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#17 Car driving from Omaha Nebraska to Salt Lake City Utah on Highway 30.

Car driving from Omaha Nebraska to Salt Lake City Utah on Highway 30.

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#18 Family driving from Omaha, Nebraska to Salt Lake City, 1948.

Family driving from Omaha, Nebraska to Salt Lake City, 1948.

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#19 A boy sleeping while waiting for the bus to arrive in the depot, Salt Lake City, 1945.

A boy sleeping while waiting for the bus to arrive in the depot, Salt Lake City, 1945.

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#20 A WAC group preparing to travel on an old tourist Pullman without air conditioning.

A WAC group preparing to travel on an old tourist Pullman without air conditioning.

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#21 A crowd of people boarding a bus at the station in Salt Lake City, 1945.

A crowd of people boarding a bus at the station in Salt Lake City, 1945.

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#22 Passengers exiting the airplane after landing in Salt Lake City, 1945.

Passengers exiting the airplane after landing in Salt Lake City, 1945.

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#23 Employees working in a busy freight office in Salt Lake City, 1945.

Employees working in a busy freight office in Salt Lake City, 1945.

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#24 Men in barracks getting ready, Salt Lake City, 1942.

Men in barracks getting ready, Salt Lake City, 1942.

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#25 Brigham Young’s Gabled House, Salt Lake City, 1940s.

Brigham Young's Gabled House, Salt Lake City, 1940s.

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#26 Mountains at Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

Mountains at Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

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#27 Water turbine at Great Salk Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

Water turbine at Great Salk Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

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#28 The Mormon temple (right) and tabernacle in Salt Lake City, 1949.

The Mormon temple (right) and tabernacle in Salt Lake City, 1949.

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#29 Linda Darnell in Salt Lake City for the shooting of ‘Brigham Young’ in 1940.

Linda Darnell in Salt Lake City for the shooting of 'Brigham Young' in 1940.

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#30 Pylon standing beside the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

Pylon standing beside the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

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#31 Contest board stand on the ground, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

Contest board stand on the ground, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

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#32 Dump trucks transporting sands of the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

Dump trucks transporting sands of the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

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#33 Man reading a notice at Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

Man reading a notice at Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, June 1948.

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#34 Jerry Stewart of Salt lake city reads a sign announcing the construction of a new multi million dollar refinery which will process crude oil production of Colorado’s rich Rangely oil field

Jerry Stewart of Salt lake city reads a sign announcing the construction of a new multi million dollar refinery which will process crude oil production of Colorado's rich Rangely oil field

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Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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