Old Hansen Planetarium, Salt Lake City
Originally built in 1904 as the Salt Lake City Public Library, this landmark was renovated in the 1960s to become the Hansen Planetarium 鈥� the go-to place for all things space. During its operation, it attracted 20% of the city's population and had the highest per capita attendance of any planetarium in the nation. The operation continued until April 2003, when it outgrew the building and was replaced by the Clark Planetarium in The Gateway. Since that time, it was remodeled into the O.C. Tanner Company Flagship jewelry store, which opened in 2009.
While still in the construction stage, the building was described as a "combination of the Doric and Ionian styles of architecture", and would later be classified in the Beaux Arts style. Only three of the four walls鈥攖he sides and front鈥攚ere preserved in the 21st-century restoration, and you may notice that the rear wall now consists of glass and stone, both etched with images of the building's history. It's the largest laser stone-carving project in the world with 18 panels covering 900 square feet (84 square meters) and weighing 44,000 pounds (20,000 kilograms) in all. While the bottom of the rear wall contains repeated images from the library in 1905, the top contains images of a galaxy (signifying the Hansen Planetarium), and the middle contains an image of the founder of the company, O.C. Tanner.
Inside, a new limestone spiral staircase was built with a Flora Cascade chandelier hanging in the center of the spiral. The chandelier includes about 4,000 strands of fiber optics, more than 14,000 interwoven shapes made of white polymer and steel, and about 3,000 golden and amber glass leaves. Weighing 243 pounds (110 kilograms) and extending 26.4 feet (8.0 meters) from the ceiling, the chandelier stretches nearly the entire height of the building.
While still in the construction stage, the building was described as a "combination of the Doric and Ionian styles of architecture", and would later be classified in the Beaux Arts style. Only three of the four walls鈥攖he sides and front鈥攚ere preserved in the 21st-century restoration, and you may notice that the rear wall now consists of glass and stone, both etched with images of the building's history. It's the largest laser stone-carving project in the world with 18 panels covering 900 square feet (84 square meters) and weighing 44,000 pounds (20,000 kilograms) in all. While the bottom of the rear wall contains repeated images from the library in 1905, the top contains images of a galaxy (signifying the Hansen Planetarium), and the middle contains an image of the founder of the company, O.C. Tanner.
Inside, a new limestone spiral staircase was built with a Flora Cascade chandelier hanging in the center of the spiral. The chandelier includes about 4,000 strands of fiber optics, more than 14,000 interwoven shapes made of white polymer and steel, and about 3,000 golden and amber glass leaves. Weighing 243 pounds (110 kilograms) and extending 26.4 feet (8.0 meters) from the ceiling, the chandelier stretches nearly the entire height of the building.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Salt Lake City. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Old Hansen Planetarium on Map
Sight Name: Old Hansen Planetarium
Sight Location: Salt Lake City, USA (See walking tours in Salt Lake City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Salt Lake City, USA (See walking tours in Salt Lake City)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Salt Lake City, Utah
Create Your Own Walk in Salt Lake City
Creating your own self-guided walk in Salt Lake City is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Buildings Tour
Salt Lake City鈥檚 downtown is a good place to view historical buildings and sites, each with its unique story and significance, that reflect the city鈥檚 Mormon heritage and more.
One such edifice is the Devereaux Mansion, a stunning example of Second Empire architecture that stands as a testament to the city's prosperous past. The Salt Lake Temple, an iconic symbol of the city and a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
One such edifice is the Devereaux Mansion, a stunning example of Second Empire architecture that stands as a testament to the city's prosperous past. The Salt Lake Temple, an iconic symbol of the city and a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Salt Lake City Downtown Walk
Salt Lake City's downtown epitomizes the city's settlement and growth. Renowned for its cleanliness, visitors often praise its meticulously planned layout, reminiscent of a Cartesian graph centered around Temple Square, a sacred site for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
In 1847, Brigham Young, leader of Mormon pioneer settlers, designated the site for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
In 1847, Brigham Young, leader of Mormon pioneer settlers, designated the site for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Pioneers Trail
After extensive religious persecution in the Eastern and Midwestern United States, the Mormon Pioneers made their way westward across the plains and mountains to a spot where Brigham Young said God had designated they should stop and settle. Unlike other social groups (farmers, miners, merchants) who created other western cities, these settlers arrived in Salt Lake Valley as a centrally organized... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles