Who doesn’t like to go back and see the place where they grew up?” said Ogden social entrepreneur and developer Thaine Fischer. “If it's relatively unchanged and beautiful it gives us a sense of pride and security.” Vacant, demolished or neglected old buildings with boarded-up windows will quickly crumble. And nobody wants blight in their city. Thankfully, some key … [Read more...]
Funky, Fun & Fab Restaurant in Ogden: A Visit To WB’s Eatery
One of the coolest eateries I’ve set foot in during the past year or more is WB’s Eatery in Ogden. It anchors The Monarch on Historic 25th Street and while I’ve enjoyed takeout meals from WB’s in the past, this was our first dine-in experience and it was terrific. WB’s – which is a combination wine cafe, bar, bodega and coffee house – is open for in-house dining but also … [Read more...]
Ogden Businesses Survive COVID Challenges Thanks to Local Support
There’s a famous scene in the show Friends where Ross enlists Rachel and Chandler to help him carry a couch up a narrow flight of stairs, and he ends up madly shouting, “Pivot! Pivot! Pivot!” as the too-large sofa becomes lodged in the corner of the stairway. It’s a hilarious moment, and one that reflects the far-more-serious motto for many business owners during the pandemic … [Read more...]
Re-Making Ogden: MAKE Ogden Master Plan Sees Future and Preserves Past
Whether you see it as charming or “gritty,” Ogdenites are proud of their town and have preferred to keep the sweetness of Ogden-life one of Utah’s biggest secrets. But despite efforts by locals to stay hushed and humorously embrace the stigma from its past, newcomers are discovering the endearingly scruffy beauty of Ogden, vacant lots and all. The revitalization of … [Read more...]
Impact of COVID Imposed Restrictions on Ogden and Its Businesses
Over the past eight months, small businesses and restaurants have struggled to survive restrictions established to confine the spread of Covid-19. Some have shut their doors for good, among them Kaffe Mercantile’s downtown location at 2276 Washington Blvd. The popular coffee bar still operates two other cozy sites at 1221 26th St. on Ogden’s east bench and 930 … [Read more...]
Striking Gold in Ogden: A 45-Year Professional Jewelry Maker Relocates to Ogden’s 25th Street
Carl Cox, of Alaskan Gold Connection, has spent the last 25 years living in Fairbanks, Alaska. After Nevada, Alaska is the second most productive gold-producing state in the country. Cox moved there with a jewelry-making background and decided he wanted to get more acquainted with the raw and natural gold specimens as they were mined from the mountains. Gold is usually … [Read more...]
Best Staycation Within One Hour of Salt Lake: Ogden and Its Beautiful Valley
Travel these days looks a whole lot different than it did a year ago. Planes, trains, and ships are basically out of the question for most Utahns, who, by this time, would have finished their summer vacations and started planning their holiday travels. That’s why stay-cations — excursions close to home — have cabin-fevered locals traveling to places that are close enough to … [Read more...]
They are stealing our water, Liberty Utah
Cowboys and Horsemen: Bill Hadlock and Sons Hadlock’s original family property was on 115 acres including the river bed. He moved to Liberty when he was eight, grew up on this land raising cattle and riding horses everyday. He was hired 55 years ago to manage the Browning’s Bar B Ranch in Eden. Hadlock’s son Lex’s property is just below his new house. The family members, … [Read more...]
Ogden Valley Today: Is the booming real estate squashing out the local community?
We visited the Shooting Star Saloon to find locals who could provide leads for our story. The saloon survived prohibition by maintaining a lookout for prohibition agents, whereby, if agents or the law were seen ascending Ogden Canyon, saloon owners would be alerted to kick everyone out and shut down. Today it’s a local hangout. Inside, thousands of bills (of various … [Read more...]
How Ogden got its name
A Brief History of the Ogden Valley Prior to the arrival of the Mormon pioneers, the Ogden Valley was recognized by Indians as a special place. Abundant game in the area made the traverse across the mountain pass (now called Trapper’s Loop) a seasonal migration for the nomadic Shoshone Indians, who camped and hunted the abundant beaver, moose, elk, and waterfowl that are … [Read more...]