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Alta is located at the upper end of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Alta has virtually had two lives: early day mining (1872-1930) and present day skiing. Silver was discovered in 1864 and the mining industry was born. The first claim was filed by 1865 and soon people started settling the area. The Alta Hotel was the first structure built in Alta. In 1872 there were 3,000 people living in Alta and there were 180 buildings.
Alta was embroiled in controversy from almost its conception. The first settlers neglected to obtain claims for the land on which they built their homes and businesses. It was learned that Walker Brothers and Company had applied for and had received claims for the Alta town site. A lawsuit was filed and Walker Brothers offered to pay the settlers for the land at $50 to $250 a lot. Most settled and agreed to the compensation offered and a few just moved on.
Alta itself was subjected to avalanches over the years. The decline of the value of silver; widespread economic problems; inaccessible ore, expensive smelting processes, water in the mines and destructive avalanches caused the town to decline. By 1930 Alta was essentially a ghost town.
Alta started a second life in the late 1930s when a ski lift was built. The lift was officially dedicated 13 November 1938, but was not officially opened until January 1939. It was a huge success. By the second season, 86,000 lift tickets were sold. During the second season Alta's held its first international downhill and slalom competition. A ski school was established and the Alta Lodge was dedicated on 29 November 1940. During World War II paratroopers from the 10th Mountain Regiment trained on its ski slopes. The resort has continued to grow and expand. The renowned powder snow at Alta has been called "the greatest snow on earth."
The collection is comprised of photographs documenting the early ski industry at Alta (Utah) located at the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains just to the east of Salt Lake City. The photographs include general views of Alta, mountain troops, races, ski jumps, ski lifts, ski patrol, skiing in general and visitors to the resort.
Alta (Utah) Photograph Collection, ca. 1930s-1950s, Utah State Historical Society.
Gift of Anthony Bowman and Charles B. Morton
The Alta (Utah) Photograph Collection is the physical property of the Utah Historical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah. Literary rights, including copyright, may belong to the authors or their heirs and assigns. Please contact the Historical Society for information regarding specific use of this collection.