01/17/2026
Simon Bamberger 1845–1926 was a pioneering entrepreneur and the fourth governor of Utah, notably serving as the state's first non-Mormon, first Democrat, and only Jewish governor
He founded the Bamberger Railroad (originally the Salt Lake and Ogden Railway), which provided vital passenger and freight service between Salt Lake City and Ogden for over 60 years.
In 1896, he established Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington as a "trolley park" to attract riders to his railroad; it remains one of the oldest and most popular attractions in the West.
He became a millionaire through investments in silver mines, specifically the Centennial Eureka Mine in Juab County.
He helped fund the Clarion colony a Jewish agricultural settlement in Sanpete County intended to teach farming skills to Jewish immigrants.
During his term as governor (1917–1921), Bamberger implemented a sweep of "Progressive Era" reforms:
He turned a $500,000 state deficit into a surplus through rigorous audits and efficient spending.
He established the Department of Public Health and the Public Utilities Commission to regulate essential services like gas and electricity.
He signed the Worker's Compensation Act and recognized the right of laborers to unionize.
He pushed for compulsory high school attendance, a lengthened school year, and increased pay for teachers.
He called a special legislative session to ratify the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing national women's suffrage.
Despite his business interests, he was a teetotaler and signed Utah's statewide prohibition law.
Before becoming governor, he served eight years on the Salt Lake City Board of Education.
He was a key figure in building Congregation B'nai Israel, Salt Lake City's first synagogue, and served as its president.
His election helped end the tradition of selecting political candidates based solely on religious affiliation, as he gained the respect of the Mormon majority through his reputation for "fairness and honesty".
