Faces in the Crowd - Salt Lake City Pioneer Day 1897

This 1897 photograph captures a glimpse of the cross-section of people living in Salt Lake City at the turn of the last century.

This photo (source) is of a float for the Pioneer Semi-Centennial (Pioneer Day) on July 24, 1897. The float itself is rather interesting as it is a replacement for a Chinese dragon from Rock Springs, Wyoming, that was originally planned. The Chinese dragon made an appearance the year prior, 1896. Read more about that here and here. 

Salt Lake City's Pioneer Centennial celebration on July 24, 1897.
Colored by author. Original from USHS.

The Chinese dragon never made it from Rock Springs, Wyoming, (the parade organizers didn't pay) so this float was made as a replacement. It was titled "the serpent of the Great Salt Lake" and was described as "It's gaudy trappings will be covered with drapery which will glisten with salt crystallizations.”

But more than just the story of the float, I like that it shows all types of people. The images below are detailed clips of people in the crowd.

Two Black women. They are dressed up with puffy sleeves and wearing nice hats.

A fellow with an interesting beard, maybe Chinese (it's hard to tell).

 Buffalo Soldier (Black Soldier) stationed at Fort Douglas.
His situational awareness training is evident as he is is looking directly at the camera 

Two Chinese individuals. They could be from the SLC Chinatown at Plum Alley or they could be from Wyoming- Rock Springs and Evanston both having a high number of Chinese residents.

A loving dad and daughter. A White family who are out to see the parade. Dad is wearing a bowler hat, a more expensive style than the utilitarian style hat of the man in the foreground.

Shoshone-Bannock individuals, probably part of the parade. Likely from Idaho.

Well-dressed White kids. Away from parental supervision. Perhaps friends, perhaps relatives.

An older White lady with a fancy hat. She does not appear to be very pleased.
It is likely hot and the sun is bright.