The Salt Lake City & County Building
The Salt Lake City & County Building, located in the heart of Salt Lake City, is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and most haunted locations. Completed in 1894, this Gothic-style building has a long history of unexplainable phenomena. Employees and visitors alike have reported eerie experiences, from phantom voices and mysterious footsteps to full-body apparitions of past mayors, judges, and even playful children. The building’s rich history and tragic events have made it a hotbed for paranormal activity.
The Salt Lake City & County Building, often referred to as the “City-County Building,” stands as a monumental piece of architecture in Salt Lake City. Constructed between 1891 and 1894, this awe-inspiring building was initially built to house the offices of both the city and county governments. The building is known for its intricate carvings, gargoyle statues, and grand towers, rightfully earning its nickname “The Hogwarts of Utah” by locals.
The building’s construction was rife with controversy and delays. Initially envisioned by the Church-backed People’s Party, the project was heavily criticized by the non-Mormon Liberal Party for its perceived extravagance. However, once the Liberals gained power, they continued with the project, ultimately relocating it to Washington Square. Despite budget overruns and economic challenges, the building was completed in 1894 at nearly $900,000, ($32.8 million USD in today’s currency) a significant increase from the original estimate of $350,000.
Throughout its history, the City-County Building has served multiple purposes. It housed the Utah State Capitol from 1896 until the completion of the current Capitol building in 1915. It also contained the city’s first public library and various courtrooms, including the one where the famous labor organizer Joe Hill was tried and sentenced to death in 1914.
The rich yet dark history of the Salt Lake City & County Building includes numerous tragic events that have contributed to its haunted reputation. One of the most frequently cited stories involves the deaths of two children during the building’s construction. In an era marked by limited safety regulations and structural instability, construction sites like this one posed grave hazards to workers and bystanders alike, highlighting the dire consequences of inadequate oversight and unsafe building practices. Legend has it, two local children were playing near the site one afternoon. Most of the crew had gone for lunch, leaving the scaffolding of the building bare. These children, full of curiosity yet lacking wisdom, decided to climb the scaffolding. A strong gust of wind rattled the unstable piece of equipment, rocking the children off balance and causing them to plummet to their deaths. Their ghosts have long been rumored to haunt the building, with laughter and unexplainable footsteps heard through the halls late at night.
Another significant event is the trial and subsequent execution of Joe Hill, a Swedish-American labor activist and member of the Industrial Workers of the World. Hill was convicted of murder in a highly controversial trial and was executed by firing squad in 1915. His trial took place in the City-County Building, and it is believed that the residual energy from this event has contributed to the building’s hauntings.
The building has also seen its share of political turmoil. During the early 20th century, it was a symbol of defiance against the dominant influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. This political tension, coupled with the economic hardships of the Panic of 1893, created an extremely charged atmosphere that some believe has left a lasting imprint on the building.
Reports of paranormal activity at the Salt Lake City & County Building have been widely documented over the last fifty years. Security guards, employees, and visitors alike have all reported strange occurrences, from disembodied voices and footsteps to bone-chilling full-body apparitions.
One of the most commonly seen spirits is that of George Montgomery Scott, who served as mayor of Salt Lake City during the building’s construction. The building’s long-time security guard, Bill Zamora, firmly believes the building is haunted. He claims to have seen the ghostly apparition of Montgomery Scott. With both Scott and Baskin’s portraits hanging, it was easy for Zamora to quickly dismiss one of the two. “It looks nothing like Baskin” he says.
Scott’s ghost is often seen on the third floor, and some have reported seeing his figure looking down from a window. His apparition is typically described as having a beard and adorned with late 19th-century attire.
Additionally, the ghosts of the two children who tragically died during construction are also frequently encountered. Several security guards throughout the years have claimed to hear their laughter and the sound of small footsteps echoing through the halls, particularly at night when the building is quiet. These playful spirits are sometimes accompanied by the apparition of a woman believed to be their mother. She is often seen peering around corners near Room 406, a room that has become notorious for its paranormal activity.
Finally, a figure with a slow, methodical walk has been seen roaming the halls. Rumored to be the spirit of a former judge, possibly linked to the trial of Joe Hill, the figure has been seen wearing judicial robes, perhaps still carrying the weight of the controversial trial and its aftermath. The building’s connection to the judicial system and its role in significant historical events likely contribute to this haunting.
Paranormal investigations throughout the years have only strengthened the building’s reputation as being one of the most haunted in Utah. Devices like the Ovilus and spirit boxes have captured strange, unexplained responses, and investigators have reported cold spots, unusual sounds, and other phenomena that suggest the presence of spirits.
One notable investigation was conducted by the “Ghost Hopping” crew, known for exploring creepy and historic locales around Utah and the country. During their investigation, the Ovilus started generating words at an electric pace, producing terms like “down,” “deep,” and “under.” These words seemed to describe the building’s underground tunnel, which once connected the City and County Building to the library across the street. This tunnel was used to transport jail prisoners, including notorious figures like Ted Bundy and Joe Hill.
In the tunnel, the investigators used a spirit box, which quickly cycles through radio frequencies to create white noise. Within minutes, they heard the words “bad” and “evil,” possibly describing the tunnel’s past use or the nature of the prisoners’ crimes. On the third floor, the spirit box produced intelligent responses, including a clear answer of “one” when asked how many spirits were present. Could this be the ghost of the mayor or judge of another era?
The Salt Lake City & County Building is not just an architectural landmark; it’s a hotspot for paranormal activity. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, the first-hand stories and experiences of those who work in and visit this building are compelling and chilling.
If you’re brave enough to explore the haunted halls of the City-County Building, maybe you’ll too have a run in with the Mayor.
Feeling up to a night at the Salt Lake City & County Building? Before you go, be sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
To fully grasp the history of Salt Lake City’s haunted population, take a tour with US Ghost Adventures! Our experienced tour guides will show you the most haunted locations and share their fascinating stories with you.
Follow our blog for more haunted locations, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for the most up-to-date spooky content available.
Sources:
