Jul 1, 2024 - Culture

From the Powell expedition to Olympic porn: A year of Old News

Erin Alberty

Men in Speedos and body oil stand proudly on a parade float in a black and white photo. — Pioneer Day 1949, Salt Lake City. Utah Historical Society digital collections, via University of Utah Marriott Library

A year ago this week, we started the weekly time-travel excursions we call Old News — and it's become a highlight of our newsletter.

Why it matters: Utah can be a tough bubble to break. Our history of geographic and cultural isolation still means newcomers might spend years feeling like outsiders.

Absorbing the lore is crucial to becoming part of any group.

Meanwhile, insiders sometimes need a reality check.

Some of our heroes have been forgotten — and some legends of glory were just plain cruel.

Also: People did some funny stuff way back when.

Tell us: What are your favorite stories from Utah's history?

ICYMI: Here are some of our favorite discoveries from the annals of our past.

When Lucifer took over Provo's newspaper
John Wesley Powell's crappy night
The dead sheep of Dugway
Media spin after SLC's bloody anti-union attacks
How a teenage girl took down Ted Bundy
WTF Halloween pranks of yore
Olympics vs. porn
"White and delightsome"
The mythical hole in the Great Salt Lake
Weird Pioneer Day floats: A photo history
When Alta found out one guy owned the whole town
Utah reacts to school desegregation

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From the Powell expedition to Olympic porn: A year of Old News

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