FAX: 866-676-4789
North Ogden, UT 84414
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North Ogden City, Dating back many centuries, the North Ogden area has been a choice place to live. Perched on the mountainside beneath Ben Lomond peak, it provides a wonderful view of the Weber Basin and Great Salt Lake. The hills and valley are punctuated with numerous cold water springs and streams. Fish and wildlife abound in nearby forests. Plentiful water, good soil and the warm air of the mountain-bench create a great climate. For hundreds of years before the arrival of white men, the North Ogden bench was the seasonal home to the Shoshone Tribe which was strong and well organized. The Shoshone did not perceive fur trappers as much of a threat and initially the Mormon Pioneers, who had a generally friendly attitude towards native tribes, were welcomed. However, as the number of pioneers and their settlements increased, competition for the same land and natural resources began to put pressure on the traditional Shoshone pattern of life, leading to occasional conflict. In 1850, Jonathon Campbell, a veteran of the Mormon Battalion that served in the Mexican American War, along with his brother Samuel, attempted settlement of the North Ogden bench. They were soon driven away by the Shoshone. In 1851, they returned in greater numbers and established a stronger foothold in the area. In January of 1863, the Shoshone migrated north to their winter encampment on the banks of the Bear River near the Utah/Idaho border. A series of clashes occurred that winter with settlers. In response, Colonel Patrick Connor, leader of the U.S. Army, 3rd California Infantry, stationed in Salt Lake City to keep the Mormons in check, led a sizeable force into Northern Utah to teach the Shoshone a lesson. During early morning hours, while the Shoshone people were asleep, soldiers attacked in what is now recognized as one of the most brutal and shameful slaughters of Native Americans in United States’ military history. The Shoshone way of life and dominance in the area was changed forever by the “Bear River Massacre”. Freed from competition with the native inhabitants, North Ogden boomed and became an industrial center with its own mercantile institutions, like Z.C.M.I. that was located on 400 East a little south of where McDonald’s is today. Later a Post Office and Barker’s Service Station were built on the same site. Brick making became a successful business and supplied materials for many buildings in the City, as well as the Eccles Building and J.C. Penney store in in Ogden. Fruit farming was the main economic activity and, at one time, North Ogden was one of Utah’s choice fruit belts, shipping fruit throughout the United States. Today, North Ogden hosts many wonderful local businesses with the promise of more to come. HISTORY OF NORTH OGDEN Looking for a home in North Ogden? Call Robert Bolar at 801-737-3333 or visit OwnUtah.com
HISTORY OF NORTH OGDEN
Because of the unusual valley setting and its beautiful surroundings, North Ogden was a choice spot to the early settlers. The valley floor was covered with green foliage and wild flowers of every description. Mountain streams ran clear and cold. Multi-shaded autumn leaves made the foothills and mountainsides an artist’s paradise in Indian summer. Mighty Ben Lomond, the mountain to the north, stood as a marvelous majestic tower of strength. North Ogden was truly one of the beauty spots in the West. But, it was alive with Native Americans! At one time there was nothing but teepees and Native Americans all over this valley, and they were hostile to any white man who entered upon their land. Consequently, it created a real challenge for anyone who wanted to live in this valley. The early trappers were the first white men to come to North Ogden, years before the Mormon Pioneers, because the streams that flowed from the mountains were full of beaver and fur bearing animals that roamed the hills. They came through North Ogden Canyon because Ogden Canyon was a wild, impassable gorge that was a threat even to horses. In 1850, Jonathon Campbell, a Mormon Pioneer and member of the Mormon Battalion, and his brother, Samuel, were the first to try and establish a white settlement here, but the Natives ran them out! On March 4, 1851 they returned with a company of ten families and claimed it forever from the Natives. They cut trees in the canyons and began building log cabins. They grubbed out the sagebrush and planted grain. In the fall of that year, Brigham Young, the leader of the Mormon Church, came from Salt Lake City and laid out the town. North Ogden was surveyed into 14 blocks, each block being divided into half-acre lots. A civil government was established with a justice of the peace and a constable. The little community grew and thrived, with more and more people coming to settle. In the summer of 1852 the men of the settlement hauled logs from the canyons and built the first schoolhouse, which was located on Washington Boulevard near the North Ogden Medical Center today. All church services, school, socials and civic meetings were held there. This industrious group of pioneers did everything possible to build and develop their town. Not only did they farm, but many businesses were established such as the gristmills, saw mills, cane mills, molasses mills, and blacksmiths, lime kilns and tanneries. In 1856 the North Ogden Canal was started. It was the first and largest of its kind. When completed it cost around $56,000 to build. The women of the town became experts in weaving, spinning and making of homemade carpets. Apostle of the Mormon Church, Wilford Woodruff, described North Ogden as one of the most flourishing settlements in the territory. However, through all of this prosperity and growth, the pioneers had their troubles too, such as problems with the Natives, crickets, droughts and blizzards that froze cattle in their tracks. Native troubles forced them to build a fort in the middle of the town. It was a rock wall and cost $15,000, but before it was completed, the pioneers made friends with the Natives by feeding them instead of fighting them. The fort wall was later abandoned. From 1860 on, North Ogden boomed and became quite an industrious center. It had its own mercantile institutions, one of which was Z.C.M.I. and was located on 400 East a little south of where McDonald’s is today. Later that site became the location of a Post Office and Barker’s Service Station. Brick making became a prominent business and furnished bricks for many buildings in North Ogden, as well as bricks for the Eccles Building and the J.C. Penney’s store in Ogden. Through the years, fruit farming became the main commodity and North Ogden became one of Utah’s choice fruit belts with the fruit being shipped throughout the United States. Today, many businesses are successfully operating in North Ogden with the promise of more to come. It is one of the most beautiful residential areas in Weber County with new homes being built throughout the town. North Ogden, to this day, is a valuable part of the area’s economy and still one of the beauty spots in the West. -Source North Ogden City NORTH OGDEN HISTORICAL MUSEUM The North Ogden Museum continues to move forward. We now have a website that can be reached through a link on the City’s website or directly at http://home.comcast.net/~bspackman. We hope to keep you updated concerning our activities through the site. The Standard Examiner featured us in an article about the historic street signs that are being placed throughout the city. They will soon all be in place. We continually work to gather historical information related to North Ogden. We are also collecting artifacts for the museum and appreciate any contributions of materials as well. Memberships are also being offered to join the Museum Foundation. Your contribution will be used for the initial start-up and continued financing and maintenance of the future Museum premises. Joining the Foundation will allow you to help with this worthwhile endeavor. There are still some calendars for sale. We would like to say thank you again to all the businesses that sold them and everyone who bought them. The Pet Chalet was inadvertently left off of the list of businesses when thanked in a previous bulletin and their help was appreciated. Contact these Board Members for more information: Richard Blaylock.....782-7455 You can also stop by the Museum office, located at |
