As the capital of Utah and a major cultural and economic center in the United States, Salt Lake City has long been a dynamic, evolving metropolis. The 1990s, in particular, represented a significant period of growth, development, and change for the city.
The 1990s saw a significant population boom in Salt Lake City, with the city’s population increasing by nearly 20% from the beginning to the end of the decade. This growth was driven largely by a thriving economy, as Utah’s key industries – including technology, mining, and tourism – flourished during this time. In response to the population surge, Salt Lake City underwent a major expansion, with new residential and commercial developments springing up throughout the city.
Infrastructure Improvements
As the city grew, so too did its infrastructure. Major roadways, such as I-15 and I-80, were widened and improved to accommodate increased traffic. The city also invested in public transportation, with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) launching the TRAX light rail system in 1999. This new transit option connected downtown Salt Lake City with the southern suburbs, making it easier for residents to commute to work and access the city’s attractions.
Cultural Revitalization
The 1990s also saw a cultural renaissance in Salt Lake City, with the construction of new performance venues and the emergence of a vibrant arts scene. The city invested in the creation of the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center and the Capitol Theatre, which hosted concerts, ballets, and theater productions. Local artists and musicians found a platform for their work in the city’s growing number of galleries and performance spaces.
Here are some fabulous photos that will take you back to the 1990s in Salt Lake City.
There are a lot of images from the 2000s.
The majority of these still look the same. ZCMI mall and Mervyn’s were the only ones that felt genuine throwbacks.
Downtown was very different. It was more historical, including the apartment buildings. It wasn’t littered by all of these modern condo developments. Salt Lake City has declined.
Those photos of La France “Historic Housing” are going to be torn down in the near future. It was a magical place. I’m going to miss it. I met some of the best people there.
Some of them are blurry. Many of them are mislabeled. Trolley Square is labeled as a home, the county building is labeled as Trolley Square, etc.
Some of those photos appear to be early 2000’s….The initial Trax line was ’99, finished in 2003. The Olympics were in 2002.
It’s apparent that the photos were taken after 2000. One of the pictures shows women walking alone, which was not permitted by the LDS church in the 1900s.
The Kodachrome Blue tinge certainly evokes memories, particularly of underexposing pictures due to the limitations of non-digital cameras.