[2] The following October, territorial governor Brigham Young selected the 10-acre (4.0 ha) government-owned site, then known as "The Big Field Survey", about six miles from central Salt Lake City.

Sixteen "cozy cells dug into the ground, with iron bars on top" comprised the original prison at a cost of $32,000.

In 1867, the Utah Territorial Legislature determined that the prison was inadequate and once considered moving it onto an island in the Great Salt Lake.

[5] With the continuing growth of Salt Lake City, the local residents eventually wanted the prison population relocated away from the neighborhood of Sugar House.

[6] Following the razing of the old prison, proposals to repurpose the land included an amusement park, campground, golf course, and shopping center.