Utah State SymbolsUtah State Symbols

State Animal - ElkState Animal - ElkA member of the deer family, the elk lives in close association A member of the deer family, the elk lives in close association with the deer and moose throughout much of Utah. Only the with the deer and moose throughout much of Utah. Only the

male elk carrymale elk carry antlers. They can spread more than 5 feet. antlers. They can spread more than 5 feet. Antlers grow during the summer and are shed in the late Antlers grow during the summer and are shed in the late

winter. The cows (female elk) are smaller than the male and winter. The cows (female elk) are smaller than the male and do not have antlers. Mature bulls stand up to 60 inches at the do not have antlers. Mature bulls stand up to 60 inches at the

shoulder and may weigh over 700 pounds.shoulder and may weigh over 700 pounds.

State Bird – California SeagullState Bird – California SeagullThe California gull is considered the state bird of Utah by The California gull is considered the state bird of Utah by

common consent, probably in commemoration of the fact that common consent, probably in commemoration of the fact that these gulls saved the people of the State by eating up hordes these gulls saved the people of the State by eating up hordes

of crickets which were destroying the crops in 1848of crickets which were destroying the crops in 1848. .

State Emblem – BeehiveState Emblem – Beehive

The beehive became the official state emblem on March 4, 1959. Utahns The beehive became the official state emblem on March 4, 1959. Utahns relate the beehive symbol to industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and relate the beehive symbol to industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and perseverance. The beehive was chosen as the emblem for the provisional perseverance. The beehive was chosen as the emblem for the provisional State of Deseret in 1848 and was maintained on the seal of the State of State of Deseret in 1848 and was maintained on the seal of the State of

Utah when Utah became a state in 1896.Utah when Utah became a state in 1896.

State FlagState FlagThe original Utah State Flag was adopted by the State Legislature in 1896 The original Utah State Flag was adopted by the State Legislature in 1896 and revised in 1913. The beehive on the shield stands for hard work and and revised in 1913. The beehive on the shield stands for hard work and industry. The date 1847 is the year the Mormons came to Utah. A bald industry. The date 1847 is the year the Mormons came to Utah. A bald

eagle, the United Stateseagle, the United States national bird, perches atop the shield and national bird, perches atop the shield and

symbolizes protection in peace and war. The sego lily is a symbol of peace symbolizes protection in peace and war. The sego lily is a symbol of peace and a U.S. flag appears on each side, symbolizing Utah's support to the and a U.S. flag appears on each side, symbolizing Utah's support to the

nation. The Utah State Flag, as we know it today, was originally designed nation. The Utah State Flag, as we know it today, was originally designed for the battleship Utah in 1912. It was later made the official flag of Utah for the battleship Utah in 1912. It was later made the official flag of Utah

when Governor William Spry signed House Joint Resolution I in 1913.when Governor William Spry signed House Joint Resolution I in 1913.

State Flower – Sego LilyState Flower – Sego LilyBy an act of the Utah State Legislature, approved on March 18, 1911, the sego lily was By an act of the Utah State Legislature, approved on March 18, 1911, the sego lily was

declared to be the State floral emblem (declared to be the State floral emblem (Utah CodeUtah Code). Kate C. Snow, President of the ). Kate C. Snow, President of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, in a letter dated April 17, 1930, says that "between 1840 and Daughters of Utah Pioneers, in a letter dated April 17, 1930, says that "between 1840 and

1851" food became very scarce in Utah due to a crop-devouring plague of crickets, and that 1851" food became very scarce in Utah due to a crop-devouring plague of crickets, and that "the families were put on rations, and during this time they learned to dig for and to eat the "the families were put on rations, and during this time they learned to dig for and to eat the

soft, bulbous root of the sego lily. The memory of this use, quite as much as the natural soft, bulbous root of the sego lily. The memory of this use, quite as much as the natural beauty of the flower, caused it to be selected in after years by the Legislature as the floral beauty of the flower, caused it to be selected in after years by the Legislature as the floral

emblem of the State." emblem of the State."

The sego lily was made the official state flower after a census was taken of the state's school The sego lily was made the official state flower after a census was taken of the state's school

children as to their preference for a state flower.children as to their preference for a state flower.

State Insect – Honey BeeState Insect – Honey BeeThe honey bee, The honey bee, Apis melliferaApis mellifera, became the official state insect in , became the official state insect in 1983 1983 (Utah Code)(Utah Code) through the lobbying efforts of a fifth grade through the lobbying efforts of a fifth grade

class. The honey bee is significant in Utah history, as Utah was first class. The honey bee is significant in Utah history, as Utah was first called by its Mormon settlers, "The Provisional State of Deseret," a called by its Mormon settlers, "The Provisional State of Deseret," a

Book of Mormon word meaning honey bee.Book of Mormon word meaning honey bee.

State Gem – TopazState Gem – TopazThe Topaz became the State Gem in 1969 The Topaz became the State Gem in 1969 (Utah Code)(Utah Code). It is a . It is a

semiprecious gem found in Beaver, Juab and Tooele counties of Utah. semiprecious gem found in Beaver, Juab and Tooele counties of Utah. Small perfect crystals are found with quartz, hematite, bixbyite, garnet, Small perfect crystals are found with quartz, hematite, bixbyite, garnet,

pseudobrookite, amethyst, cristobalite, durangite, cassiterite and red beryl pseudobrookite, amethyst, cristobalite, durangite, cassiterite and red beryl in cavities in rhyolite on Thomas Mountain, Juab County. in cavities in rhyolite on Thomas Mountain, Juab County.

State Song – “This Is The Place”State Song – “This Is The Place”The 2003 Utah State Legislature voted to change the state song from "Utah, We The 2003 Utah State Legislature voted to change the state song from "Utah, We Love Thee" to "Utah, This is the Place." The Cook Elementary School fourth-Love Thee" to "Utah, This is the Place." The Cook Elementary School fourth-graders sang it to Utah senators before they voted on the change graders sang it to Utah senators before they voted on the change (Utah Code)(Utah Code). .

In 1996, Sam and Gary Francis wrote "Utah, This Is The Place" for Utah's In 1996, Sam and Gary Francis wrote "Utah, This Is The Place" for Utah's centennial celebration. Since then, the song has grown in popularity with children, centennial celebration. Since then, the song has grown in popularity with children,

especially among fourth-graders who learn it as part of their study of Utah especially among fourth-graders who learn it as part of their study of Utah

history.history.

State Tree – Blue SpruceState Tree – Blue SpruceThe blue spruce (The blue spruce (Picea pungensPicea pungens Engelm) was chosen by the Utah State Engelm) was chosen by the Utah State

Legislature in 1933 to be the state tree. The tree is found in the Wasatch Legislature in 1933 to be the state tree. The tree is found in the Wasatch and Uinta mountains at elevations between 6,000 to 11,000 feet and Uinta mountains at elevations between 6,000 to 11,000 feet

(Utah Code)(Utah Code). It can be transplanted successfully and is widely used as an . It can be transplanted successfully and is widely used as an ornamental tree. Its foliage is generally silvery blue in color and has the ornamental tree. Its foliage is generally silvery blue in color and has the

ability to withstand temperature extremes.ability to withstand temperature extremes.

State Fruit – CherryState Fruit – Cherry

House Bill HB33House Bill HB33, which designated the cherry as the official , which designated the cherry as the official state fruit in 1997, was sponsored by Rep. Fred Hunsanker, state fruit in 1997, was sponsored by Rep. Fred Hunsanker, R-Logan; the 2nd graders at Millville Elementary School in R-Logan; the 2nd graders at Millville Elementary School in Millville, Utah were responsible for presenting the new state Millville, Utah were responsible for presenting the new state

fruit (fruit (Utah CodeUtah Code).).

State Rock – CoalState Rock – CoalCoal is used during the coking process in Coal is used during the coking process in steel production, and is burned in power steel production, and is burned in power

plants to produce heat and electricity. Over plants to produce heat and electricity. Over one-half of the electricity used in Utah is one-half of the electricity used in Utah is

generated by coal burning facilities. Coal is generated by coal burning facilities. Coal is found in 17 of Utah's 29 counties, but coal found in 17 of Utah's 29 counties, but coal mining is primarily concentrated in Emery mining is primarily concentrated in Emery and Carbon Counties. Coal production in and Carbon Counties. Coal production in

Utah during 1994 is estimated at 24 million Utah during 1994 is estimated at 24 million tons. tons.

Coal is found in 17 of Utah's 29 counties but Coal is found in 17 of Utah's 29 counties but mainly concentrated in Emery and Carbon mainly concentrated in Emery and Carbon

Counties. To the right, a D&RGW coal Counties. To the right, a D&RGW coal

train winds its way through Carbon County.train winds its way through Carbon County.