Utah’s “This is the Place” monument was dedicated 77 years ago

Salt Lake City, Utah – On July 24, many people in Utah commemorate Pioneer Day. However, some people might not be aware that this day also marks the anniversary of the “This is the Place” monument’s dedication in Salt Lake City.

Thousands of people gathered at the monument’s base on July 24, 1947, to witness its dedication. David O. McKay, who would go on to become the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presided over the dedication.

Each dignitary present during the dedication helped to place the final stone at the monument with a trowel. Few people were able to come up close enough to see the specifics of the statue, but everyone in attendance listened as then-President George Albert Smith paid respect to the pioneers.

A Latter-day Saint who held the position of First Presidency in the church, J. Reuben Clark, was among the attendees; Clark also brought his granddaughters to the event.

Craig Wirth of ABC4 was able to speak with Clark’s grandchildren a number of years after he missed the 1947 dedication.

Louise Sharp Davis and Annette Sharp Mower, Clark’s granddaughters, a few years following the dedication. They recalled, they told Wirth in 1996, how everyone at the dedication was dressed up, despite the fact that the day was quite hot (94 degrees, based on Wirth’s research).

They added that there used to be nothing but the monument and it was the largest feature in the area.

When it comes to the memorial, Clark’s granddaughters stated, “It looked so much bigger then, than it does now.”

Standing tall at the entrance to Emigration Canyon, the building became a new landmark. The monument is believed to be situated close to the spot where, in 1847, LDS prophet Brigham Young stated, “This is the right place,” stopping his carriage.

Situated on 450 acres, This Is The Place Heritage Park pays tribute to Utah’s pioneer history throughout the year with a variety of events and attractions.