Historically, education has been a top priority in Salt Lake City. The first Mormon families had their first classes in 1847 with pioneer Jane Dillworth in her tent. By 1850, there had already been many schools built around the valley. The territorial legislature created the office of the superintendent of schools in 1851. Many Large Mormon families, including Brigham Young’s, had their schools referred to as “family schools.”
During the last half of the 19th Century, there was an intense debate over how children should be educated. Public school supervision was also impacted by Mormon influence in public schools, which created complications for non-Mormon parents. Mormons were upset about the proliferation of private Protestant schools. To convert Mormon students, the schools would offer free tuition. The last surviving example of a religiously affiliated school is Westminster College, a secular four-year college. As a result, resentment of non-Mormon influence in the public schools increased among LDS church members, and plans were made to develop church-run schools again.
Below are some rare historical photos of Schools of Salt Lake City from the early 20th Century.
Those are some great photos. There are still some of these lefts.
I enjoyed the pictures. My aunt worked out of the old Arlington School for 20 years.
Great pictures, love these.