Beginning of 1900’s

LDS Church had stopped having people migrate after they convert.

Immigrants starting coming to Utah from the British Isles, Scandinavia, China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, and other countries. 

Brought with them their religious beliefs, languages, holidays, and traditions.

Most came for work.

Mexican Immigrants

The first group of Hispanic immigrants came from northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.

Settled in San Juan County and worked as sheepherders, ranch hands, and farmers.

Around 1910 there was a revolution in Mexico, which led to thousands of Mexicans immigrating north to Utah.

Formed small communities in Bingham, Garland, Ogden, and Salt Lake City.

Most of the newcomers worked in the mines, mills, and on the railroads. 

Jewish Immigrants

In 1911 a group of Jewish immigrants came from New York and Pennsylvania (about 52 families) and settled near Gunnison. 

Established a town called Clarion.

Due to poor soil conditions and a lack of water, the town failed.

Only 12 families stayed.

Jewish people continued to settle in larger cities like SLC.

Chinese Immigrants

By early 1900’s, Chinese communities had been formed in SLC, Ogden, and Provo.

They often settled in communities, with others from their culture.

“Chinatowns” were created in Park City and Ogden, and SLC had a Chinese neighborhood called Plum Alley. 

Many had come for the railroad and stayed, others came to work in mines. 

Japanese Immigrants

Many had come to work on the railroad or in the mines.

“Japantown” formed in SLC.

In 1919 a Japanese school was started for children.

Other Japanese immigrants worked as farm laborers, and worked across the wasatch front.

Utah’s celery, tomato, and sugar beet industries relied upon them.

SLC and Ogden both became Japanese centers with ethnic stores and Buddhist congregations.

Greek Immigrants

In the beginning, most of the Greek immigrants were single men who came to work in the mines. 

They would live in boarding houses, where they would live their culture with others from Greece.

Later on, Greek women were brought over from Greece to marry the men.

They were very proud of their heritage and often taught their children to read, write, and speak in Greek.