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Alta's History

Alta has a rich and notable social history, intimately tied with its natural resources. During the second half of the 19th century, Alta was primarily a silver mining district, although some copper was mined as well. Mining in Alta continued until the 1920's. During the mining era, most of the trees in Alta were also forested, primarily to support the mining infrastructure and associated dwellings. In the 1930's, a new type of natural resource was found to be extremely valuable: skiing on powder snow. Alta became North America's second lift-served ski area in 1939. During World War II Alta's rugged mountain terrain was used for training soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division.

Alta was incorporated as a town in 1970 with Lee Bronson appointed as the first President of Alta. In 1972 Bill Levitt became the first elected Mayor of Alta, serving as Alta's Mayor for an amazing 34 years. Mayor Tom Pollard started serving in Januray 2006.

Avalanches have also figured prominently in Alta's history, with some of the country's most notable avalanche professionals having used Alta as their training ground. Avalanches continue to be a part of Alta's environment.

As the Salt Lake Valley has continued to grow over the last 100 years, another natural resource, water, has figured prominently in Alta’s history and current status. Water that collects in the form of abundant snowfall in Alta, becomes a large portion of the Salt Lake Valley’s culinary water supply. Alta is the headwater of the Little Cottonwood Canyon watershed, which currently provides 15% to 20% of the Salt Lake Valley’s culinary water supply.

LINKS: www.altahistory.org www.historytogo.utah.gov www.townofalta.com

History

Alta's History