Historical Marker · No. 3346

Desert News Building

Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County · Utah

Utah's broadcasting age began on a downtown rooftop. The six-story Deseret News Building, finished in 1902 to a design by Richard K. A. Kletting — architect of the Utah Capitol — was among the first modern office blocks in Salt Lake City. In 1921 the state's first radio station, KZN, went on the air from a homemade transmitter in a shack on its roof; that station grew into KSL, which added television from the same building in 1949. The building came down in 1995 for an eighteen-story tower; the marker keeps its place.

What the plaque says

Site of Utah’s first commercial radio broadcast The stately, six-story office building which once stood on this corner was known at various times as the Deseret News, Oregon-Shortline, and Union Pacific Building, depending on which company was its main tenant. When completed in 1902, the building boasted the latest technology, including fire-proof construction. In 1921, it became the home to Utah's first radio station, KZN (now KSL), which broadcast from a homemade transmitter in a shack on the roof. KSL, television also began broadcasting from this building in 1949. The building, which helped create a modern business district in downtown Salt Lake City was one of several designed by important local architect Richard K. A. Kletting. It was torn down in 1995 to make way for an 18-story office building. (caption) Photo: Deseret News Building, ca. 1820 Sainsbury Photo Co. Courtesy Church History Library

Where it stands

40.76922, -111.89170 · Directions

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