Following recruitment the Alta Club was founded in 1883 by eighty-one charter members, thirteen years before Utah became a state.

"[1] Although it is widely believed that the founding members only allowed “Gentiles” or those who were not of the Mormon faith to join, that soon changed.

In the years since its repeal, rumors and stories surfaced telling of the various ways members got their hands on “hooch” and brought it into the club.

In addition to the 81 charter members, in attendance was Wilford Woodruff, a later president of the LDS Church, and Utah territorial Governor Eli H. Murray.

[4] Founded in 1883, the club was originally located in the old Alta Block, midway between Main Street and West Temple on Second South.

The Alta Club building was designed by Frederick Albert Hale in Italian Renaissance style.

In 1958 the club acquired land located on the north side of South Temple Street for a parking lot.

Ongoing renovations, along with caring membership and staff, maintain what has become one of Salt Lake's most beautiful and long-lasting buildings.

[5] The Great Depression was a difficult time for everyone, including the “rich man’s club.” At one point in 1933, the financial situation became so desperate that the Board decided to entirely waive initiation fees for 90 days, in hopes of encouraging people to join and pay monthly dues.

Deedee Corradini, then a Chamber of Commerce executive and later mayor of Salt Lake City; Genevieve Atwood, Utah State Geologist; and Annette P. Cumming, a prominent local philanthropist, became the first female members.