It’s been almost 13 years since I went to Salt Lake City, but it left an impression on me. Not only because of my spooky nights at the Shiloh Inn, but also because it was such a wonderful city to explore in the evenings after my work was done. I thoroughly enjoyed roaming around the downtown area during the two weeks I spent there for business.
When I came across the photo of one of the rooms I stayed in when I met what may have been the Shiloh Inn’s ghostly guests, I came across other pictures from my time in Salt Lake City. (Actually, I came across the Salt Lake City pictures and among them was surprised to find I had one of the Shiloh Inn.)
For shits and giggles I went to Shadowlands to see if any of the places I had photos of were on Utah’s haunted places listings. The Shiloh Inn sure was, as well as a park I visited.
Interesting. I’d accidentally been haunt jaunting back then and didn’t even know it!
Below are some of the images of Salt Lake I’m so happy to have to remember my visit there all those years ago by.
THE MORMON TEMPLE
I’d had another powerful experience on the Temple grounds, though this time of the more Divine kind. It was while I was exploring Temple Square.
Amidst the gardens I was suddenly overcome with such a strong sense of peace, love, and…I don’t even have words to describe the rest of the feeling. Faith? Conviction in a higher power? I don’t believe in the biblical version of God, per se, but I believe to the core of my being in Spirit (the word I use in place of “God”). I definitely felt Spirit’s grace washing over me that day.
It was so real, so strong, and so unexpected (because back then I was only beginning to explore my spirituality) that it moved me to tears. I remember crumpling on the nearest bench and weeping uncontrollably for no reason. But it wasn’t tears of sadness. They were more of a cleansing, rejuvenating nature.
It’s very difficult to explain. Especially because I never expected to feel anything like that.
THE CAPITOL HILL AREA
I also explored the Capitol Hill area, which reminded me an awful lot of my hometown’s (Denver) Capitol Hill area. The Capitol Building was much the same architecture. (Though Denver’s dome is constructed of a different material.)
The surrounding neighborhood also reminded me of home, because many of the houses were of the same style as those in Denver’s Capitol Hill.
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CITY CREEK PARK AND MEMORY GROVE
Then there were my walks to the park. Or parks, I should say, as the ones I frequented most during those two weeks sort of interconnected.
Before I got to the Capitol Hill area, I crossed through Brigham Young Historic Park and City Creek Park, which were separated by 2nd Avenue. From there I continued up State Street to Capitol Hill. To the west of the capitol was Memory Grove Park.
Shadowlands listed two intriguing ghost stories in the Memory Grove Park and Capitol Hill area. Security cams at the capitol have caught images of a woman at the Pioneer Memorial Museum, which is across from the capitol. Near Memory Grove, it’s said a woman died on her wedding day while crossing B Street. It’s said you can sometimes catch a glimpse of her if you park near the spot where it happened and turn off your lights. (So I guess she only manifests at night?) Also, EVPs have been captured in the area.
Huh. And there I was walking all around Salt Lake City totally unaware of all the spirits possibly surrounding me. But I can see why they linger. They certainly picked a beautiful city to haunt.
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Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
Salt Lake City does have the most beautiful temples and gardens. You did a great job of capturing them with your camera.
Thank you so much, Adsila. High praise indeed, especially since this was pre-digital camera and pre-any interest in photography whatsoever.
Good clarity of photos. Now only I know that, this is a wonderful and beautiful city in the world. Great work.