bteusch

Ogden is a great Utah town that gets no love from the rest of the state.

Historically, Ogden has always been the resented stepchild of Mormon Utah. It is probably the only sizable town in Utah whose origins are not primarily rooted in Mormon settlement. Instead, its history is more closely associated with the Union Pacific Railroad, and the rowdy wild west traffic that spawned it’s downtown architecture. Much of that downtown is still there today, including the train station and late 1800s brick buildings of 25th street. Up until the late 1980s, this area was renowned for it’s seedy and even dangerous element: numerous rough biker bars, flophouses and general degradation. Nowadays, this area is one of the great hidden gems of the state: A fully restored 20s era Egyptian theater, and an 1880’s era 25th street filled with nice restaurants, clubs, bakeries and antique shops.

Yet still most Utahns regard Ogden with open disdain, preferring the strip malls and Olive Gardens of West Valley.