Saltair Archaeology and Stewardship
Since the tragic fire of 1970 that destroyed what still remained of the once-great Saltair II pavilion, the site has been left to be slowly reclaimed by the natural forces of the Great Salt Lake. The location of the first two Saltair resorts is now managed by the State of Utah under the authority of the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL). FFSL manages all the sovereign lands in Utah, or those lands that were navigable at the time of statehood such as Utah Lake, Jordan River, Bear River, and of course the Great Salt Lake. As Saltair sits on state lands, the archaeological legacy of this important part of Utah’s history is a protected resource under Utah State Code 9-8-305, which states it is illegal for anyone to remove artifacts from State Lands.
But what is left and why is it important? If you venture out along the old electric rail and automobile causeway that connects the mainland to the old Saltair resort you will see small fragments of glass bottles and stemware, earthenware dishes and stoneware storage crocks, metal bolts and railroad spikes, cut animal bone, and a multitude of other pieces of the past that are the physical pieces to the this resort’s long history. Archaeology is the study of humans through their material culture, or more bluntly, their garbage. The garbage left behind by those who recreated and worked at Saltair I and II, tell a story that is not accessible through historical accounts or oral histories. Each fragment has a story to share for visitors now and in the future.
Unfortunately, some visitors to the site bring along metal detectors and shovels looking to profit and plunder from the past for their own enjoyment. As this site is on public lands, the artifacts and the stories they have to share belong to all of us, not just the one person who wants something shiny for their mantle piece or to fill a soon-forgotten shoebox with baubles. Without the context, the location of the artifact in time and space, there is little for an archaeologist to interpret or learn about the past. Every time someone takes an artifact or digs a whole it is like someone ripped out a page in Saltair’s history book, and we will never be able to put it back. If you visit the old Saltair site please enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of the place, take photos and collect memories, but leave the artifacts where you find them so the next visitor can enjoy the thrill of discovery and connecting to those who played at Saltair over 100 years ago.
Christopher W. Merritt, Ph.D, RPA
State Historic Preservation Officer
Utah Division of State History