"The records of the past guide our steps to the future. Men and women in all walks of life, through tireless effort, have set the patterns which have become our true traditions. Out of these discoveries, inventions, and social experiences, came our culture. Without the starting point provided by the before-mentioned traditions, development would be inconceivable. Our culture rests upon the preservation of the accomplishments of all who have gone before us in contributing the building of this common wealth. But the culture of tomorrow depends on what we of today add to that heritage in the way of thinking, habits and customs." -- Horace Sorensen
Stories and over 60 photos identified in Table of Contents explore the rich and changing history of this Hollow associated with Salt Lake City's early days from first settlement in 1848, of people, business, industry, agriculture, parks, prisons, wildlife, plants, and much more. Parley Pratt, prominent LDS early leader, ! discovered this entrance into the Salt Lake Valley. Indexed.
From the Author
Many people have asked why I was motivated to research and write about this part of the early history of the Salt Lake Valley. I'm not sure I can give any particular reason. It is more a combination of desire to know more about my ancestors who lived in the Hollow plus the other people and things that combined to form the community known as Pleasant Valley.
My interest was cultivated as I worked on the south side of the Hollow in the building which was built by the National Society of the Sons of Utah Pioneers. Working every day for an organization that is interested in seeking the histories and memorializing the pioneers and histories of that era has served to add fuel to the already growing interest. Each time I looked from the balcony to the scene below and saw the remains of the buildings that had historical significance in the area, my interest grew.
Finally, one day I was asked to give a talk on one of the mills that had been located in the hollow.As I started to seek for information, I suddenly realized that there really wasn't much information on things that had transpired there. The more I searched, the more firmly convinced I became that this was a part of history that had been pretty much neglected. Oh there was a paragraph here and there but no one had bothered to gather it together where it would be easy to find.The fire exploded into a real determination to do this work so that others who might have an interest would find it easier to research.
About this time, a gentleman walked into the office. He said he had been walking in the hollow and decided to visit the building. He said his name was Dick Fluehe and that his interest was in the Dudler family that had lived in the hollow. I told him of my efforts and he offered me some of the information that he had on the Dudlers. I knew then that this was something that I had to do.
In asking at Libraries and book stores, I soon found out that nothing had been written about the general area, just small amounts of information here and there. I started to put those bits and pieces together to form a story that I hope will be of interest and benefit to many who may someday want to know about the hollow.
As in all histories, it is a matter of viewing thru the eyes and writings of those who were there.Someone else may view it differently, but I have tried to put as accurate an account of this part of history as I could, recognizing that there may be differing opinions. It is my hope that others may gain as much interest and enjoyment out of reading this account as I have had in gathering it together and putting it on paper. Florence C. Youngberg
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