Aye, Yon Arch, Yield Anew Thy Protection

A Salt Lake City landmark - the 63-year-old steel Capitol Theater arch across 2nd South at 46 West - will be moved to Trolley Square.

A victim of the city's new sign ordinance effective May 1, the advertising span was sold Friday for $1,000 and moving expenses to Trolley Square Associates.

Richard G. Robins, manager of the merchandising complex between 7th and 6th East and 5th and 6th South that once housed the territorial fair and later the city's street car system, said the arch probably will be used as an entrance for the square or a parking parking area.

Mr. Robins said the arch will be moved sometime before May 1.  A City permit will be required, he added.

Joint owners of the arch were the estates of Louis Marcus, administered by Tracy Collins Bank and Trust Co., and James Ingebretsen, administered by Walker Bank and Trust Co.

Howard Marcus, son of Louis Marcus, mayor of Salt Lake City from 1332 to 1936, said it is believed the arch was built in 1910 by the Orpheum Theater.

"The story is," he said, "that the city commission at that time wanted to get an injunction to block construction.  To prevent this, the owners put up the arch overnight.

Mr. Marcus said apparently once the structure was up, city officials let it stay.

The late Mr. Ingebretsen and the late Mr. Marcus purchased the theater in 1927.  One of the reasons the name, Capitol, was picked was that it, like Orpheum, had seven letters - to fit in the sign.

And if you like to collect coincidences, Trolley also has seven letters.