This Is the Place Heritage Park | Salt Lake City

Information

Landmark: This Is the Place Heritage Park
City: Salt Lake City
Country: USA Utah
Continent: North America

This Is the Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City, USA Utah, North America

This Is the Place Heritage Park is a living history museum located in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

It reconstructs pioneer-era Utah settlements and provides educational exhibits on the state's history.

Visual Characteristics

The park features reconstructed buildings constructed from wood, brick, and stone, mimicking 19th-century architecture. Structures include log cabins, adobe homes, and larger public buildings like a tabernacle and a general store. The landscape is characterized by manicured lawns, dirt pathways, and mature trees providing shade. The park is situated at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, offering views of the Salt Lake Valley.

Location & Access Logistics

The park is located at 2601 East Sunnyside Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. It is approximately 5 kilometers east of the Salt Lake City center. Access is via Sunnyside Avenue, which connects to Foothill Drive. Ample parking is available on-site. Public transport options include UTA bus route 25, which stops near the park entrance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

This Is the Place Heritage Park was established in 1958 to commemorate the arrival of Brigham Young and the first Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. The park's design aims to replicate the appearance and functionality of settlements from that era. The land itself is part of the foothills of the Wasatch Range, a geologically active mountain range formed by tectonic uplift.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can explore 40 historic buildings, including a blacksmith shop, a schoolhouse, and a print shop. Demonstrations of pioneer crafts such as candle dipping, weaving, and butter churning are conducted daily. Horse-drawn wagon rides are available. Interactive exhibits focus on the lives of early settlers, Native American history, and the development of Utah.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available throughout the park. Shaded areas are provided by trees and covered pavilions. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally reliable within the park. Food vendors and a sit-down restaurant are located within the park premises.

Best Time to Visit

The park is open seasonally, typically from April through October. The best time of day for photography is generally mid-morning or late afternoon when the sun angle is lower, reducing harsh shadows. Weather is most favorable during late spring and early autumn, with moderate temperatures.

Facts & Legends

The park's name is derived from Brigham Young's reported statement upon seeing the valley: "This is the place." A specific historical oddity is the presence of a working replica of the Deseret News printing press, which still produces commemorative newspapers.