Everyone in my family grew up knowing that Ashton & Evans designed Saltair! But as a non-Utah native, sorting out the details (pre-Wikipedia) was harder than I expected. First, Saltair is much more than the pavilion and swimming beach, but a full-scale amusement park. And second, there were three Saltairs (Saltair I, II, and III) of which Ashton & Evans designed Saltair II.

Saltair I was designed in 1893 by Richard Kletting, the architect of the Utah State Capital. Its glory days continued until April 1925 when it “burned to the ground” (Halliday).

Plans were announced to rebuild immediately, on the same site, reusing Kletting’s plans for sentimental and historic reasons. In fact, the reopening was scheduled for 5 weeks after the fire. The owners, though, had second thoughts. Political and financial difficulties delayed the reconstruction, though a few temporary Saltair attractions opened that summer (McCormick & McCormick).

Ashton & Evans received the contract for Saltair II in 1926 and the new owners wanted it rebuilt to “preserve the original architectural beauty … and follow closely the Spanish-Moorish lines“ of the Kletting design (New Saltair) but “more spacious, more elaborate and well-appointed … with the most modern equipment. The new pavilion was finished in stucco and painted in a variety of Mediterranean colors and patterns” (McCormick & McCormick). Blueprints show that Ashton & Evans designed not only the pavilion, but scooters, concessions, and much more (Special collections, Ashton & Evans collection).

Saltair II was fully opened in 1929, four years after the fire destroyed Kletting’s original pavilion. “Like Phoenix rising from the ashes … the grand lady of the lake glittered once more under the bright summer sunlight of popularity and fame” (McCormick & McCormick).

But disasters continued to torment Saltair. First the depression. Then natural disasters: fires destroyed the roller coaster in 1931 and windstorms toppled it again in 1932. The pier burned in 1939. The water levels were inconsistent. Then came WWII, Saltair was closed from 1943 – 1945. After reopening, attendance continued to decline, and Saltair II was closed in 1958 (Gadd).

Deterioration, vandalism, and arson set in quickly. Finally, fire destroyed the pavillion in 1970. Ten years later (1981), an abandoned airplane hangar was brought to the location and a façade added. Since then, Saltair has gone through brief periods of resurgence, never lasting long. It is currently used as a concert facility.