<P> Four days after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young designated the building site for the Salt Lake Temple, which would become a famous Mormon and Salt Lake City landmark . </P> <P> The Salt Lake Temple, constructed on the block later called Temple Square, took 40 years to complete . Construction started in 1853, and the temple was dedicated on April 6, 1893 . The temple has become an icon for the city and serves as its centerpiece . In fact, the southeast corner of Temple Square is the initial point of reference for the Salt Lake Meridian, and for all addresses in the Salt Lake Valley . </P> <P> The Mormon pioneers organized a new state called Deseret and petitioned for its recognition in 1849 . The United States Congress rebuffed the settlers in 1850 and established the Utah Territory, vastly reducing its size, and designated Fillmore as its capital city . Great Salt Lake City replaced Fillmore as the territorial capital in 1858, and the name was later abbreviated to Salt Lake City . The city's population continued to swell with an influx of Mormon converts and Gold Rush gold seekers, making it one of the most populous cities in the American Old West . </P> <P> Explorer, ethnologist, and author Richard Francis Burton traveled by coach in the summer of 1860 to document life in Great Salt Lake City . He was granted unprecedented access during his three - week visit, including audiences with President Brigham Young and other contemporaries of Joseph Smith . The records of his visit include sketches of early city buildings, a description of local geography and agriculture, commentary on its politics and social order, essays, speeches, and sermons from Brigham Young, Isaac Morley, George Washington Bradley and other prominent leaders, and snapshots of everyday life such as newspaper clippings and the menu from a high - society ball . </P>

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