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25th Street is the heart of Ogden. It features a ton of neat historic buildings, restaurants, bars, tattoo shops, and more. I have been wanting to explore it for a little while, and well, since we were up in Ogden visiting family I thought today was the day! You can see our first short attempt at exploring the town on my Part 1 post I did a few weeks back.
Quick Details:
Length: Depends on how much you explore, we did a 3.17 miles loop with a few spurs.
Trail Type: Loop, Out and back, connector.
Difficulty: It is paved and mostly flat DR2. We added a hill that was a bit steep, but not too bad.
Elevation Gain: With the add on hill we did about 90 feet. Without the hill, it will be a lot less.
Restroom: Not any public ones, but there are several businesses that have one. But, short of that you will need to find a nearby gas station.
Dogs? Dogs are allowed on public sidewalks, leashed. But I can’t imagine it would be very fun for them, so just leave them home for this.
Other Info:
To Get Here:
From i15 take the 35th Street exit in Ogden heading east. Turn left on Wall Avenue. Go about 8/10ths of a mile and turn left into Union Station.
You can instead try you luck and park along 25th Street. but you know, that is a bit of a gamble. We prefer not to fight it and like the path of least resistance haha.
the South Salt Lake Water Tower (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)). It looks like it got a new coat of paint!
Quick digital crop (PSP). We might have to make another visit.
Downtown Salt Lake City (PSP).
Burn scar (PSP).
Welcome to Ogden sign (PSP).
There is a weird… slide looking thing in that canyon (PSP).
We decided to park at Union Station and make our way east from there.
The Adventure:
Well this was not here last time. Neat.
The train yard.
Yu’s Maple Garden. Another thing we completely missed last time. Maybe we will check it out next time.
I was sad to see the fountain wasn’t going again. But it looks like they are restoring it and it should be running sometime this summer. Hopefully they hired a better company than the idiots that did the Reflecting Pool in D.C.
These are new… We ended up seeing a bunch of them today. Our best guess was that they were likely something to do with the Pioneer Days Rodeo.
Union Station. You can learn more about it with the link.
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Panoramic.
25th Street.
The Royal Hotel. As I understand it, it is a hotel for unhoused people.
25th Street again. We decided to walk up on the north side, and would head back down on the south side of it.
Another horse.
Old buildings on the south side.
History sign.
Another horse.
Old buildings again.
Closer. The one on the right says Established 1889!
Altice Corner.
Building across the street again.
Gift house.
Old neon sign.
More signs. I love that 25th street kept them all. Salt Lake did not.
Wicked Wings Oddities is a really neat store, that is totally up my alley! Hah! I wanted to take a picture of the inside but I have had store owners be weird about that before, so I didn’t.
Signs.
Roosevelt Hotel.
Lighthouse Lounge.
Continuing along.
Alley.
Looking back west.
Across the street again.
This building has condos.
Weber State horse.
Horse on the other side.
I absolutely LOVE these old painted on signs that are fading with time. It feels like not many of them exist anymore, but we found a few today! Plus you know, Pabst is our go to cheap beer.
Closer.
Another neat sign. Plus a fun skeleton.
Cinema 502. It doesn’t look like most old cinemas. Interesting.
Historic Place Bar.
Windsor Hotel.
Event flags.
Marion Hotel ahead.
"Major Drug Company
— Ogden City Register of Historic Resources —
Now an Italian Restaurant called Rovali’s Ristorante'
And Beehive Naturals.
Then Color Me Mine. That is a large chain so… nothing special.
Neat building with a clock tower.
Another horse. These are like the random buffalo statues that popped up all over Salt Lake during the 2002 Olympics. Some of them are still around, there are 3 on Antelope Island.
The neat building with the clock again. I guess it is Hearth on 25th.
Closer view of the clock face… which is not displaying the correct time. It is about n hour fast.
Again.
The Ogden 25th Street Dragon. We will see that better on the return trip.
Another horse, which appears to be dedicated to winter sports.
More old buildings.
Gomer A. Nicholas 1908.
I missed the plaque but here is what it says.
"Nicholas Building
Built in 1908, this three-story structure is commercial Victorian architectural style. Its facade remains intact with a corbeled cornice and rusticated stone pilasters. The original stone inscription, “Gomer A. Nicholas,” as the leaded glass windows on the front of the building were badly deteriorated and have been replaced.
The Gomer A. Nicholas Building, as it was originally known, housed the Empire Rooming House on the second and third floors.
The Nicholas family ran a grocery store on the main floor and a tobacco shop occupied part of the basement. It was during this period of time that “25th Street” was the main street of Ogden, a thriving railroad center.
In 1934, Francis Nicholas took over the grocery store, changing the name of the “Nicholas Market.” He remodeled the store and added a large sign to the front of the building. The upstairs later became known as the Reed Hotel.
The market survived the Great Depression and two World Wars, but eventually commercial decay overtook the neighborhood. Finally, in 1971, the Nicholas Market closed its doors, after sixty-three years of continuous operation.
The Nicholas Building was renovated in 1985 by Mrs. Janica O. Pantone."
Another Marker that I missed.
"Belmont Building
Stylistically identical to the Nicholas Building to the west is the smaller complex at 208-210 25th Street. Built in 1908 the simple design features the same brick and transom detailing as the adjoining structure. The building was recently restored in 1985.
Originally, it housed the Famous Clothing Store, the Belmont Rooms, Staple and Fancy Groceries, and Close and Jenkins Victor Cigar Store. The following ad, in 1913, extols the virtues of the Victor Cigar Store: “Lovers of fine tobacco find the Victor Cigar Store always ready to supply them with brands they like best. This store carries a well selected stock, also the output of their own factory, which was established here five years ago. Their favorite brands are ‘Victor,’ ‘Victor Bouquet,’ ‘Blue Bell,’ ‘ La Guesta Clear Havana,’ and other popular brands. Messrs A.E. Close and George W. Jenkins, the popular proprietors, are among out best known businessmen, and are playing a winning hand in the game of public favor.”"
Ko Ko Mo Club. Landis and Ma inform me this has been here forever.
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Panoramic, which distorted it a little bit.
The dragon again.
Continuing along.
"Harry Jordan’s Cigar Shop
232-234 - 25th Street
This building was constructed circa. 1893. The owners during this time period included Patrick H. Gallagher and William C. Warren, a loan officer and former real estate agent. The building replaced an earlier adobe and frame structure that was built on the lot before 1884. In 1894 Warren sold the lot to the Ogden Savings Bank. The bank owned it until 1933, when they sold it to the Real Estate Management Company. Other owners included Benjamin Knudson (1946-1950) and Josephine Branz (1961-1978). As part of the Historic District, the building was placed on the National Register in 1976 and on the local register in 1981.
The earliest businesses known to have occupied the building include Harry Jordan, Cigars and Tobacco (1895); Thomas Riche, Saloon (1900-1904; the Owl Saloon (1905-1912); and William Kent, Barber (1900-1909). Later occupants of the building include the Royal Shoe Repair Company (1916); the New Economy Store, which sold men’s clothing (1925-1945); George’s Cafe (1946-1959); and the Uke’s Cafe (1970-1980). The building was extensively renovated in 1994 to accommodate Zona Roja’s and EV’R Greens.
This structure is a vernacular one-part commercial block structure with some elements of Victorian eclectic style. The structure is constructed of regular fired brick and rests on a sandstone block foundation. A variety of corbeling patterns are evident throughout the entire length of the cornice. Vertical corbeling extends from the parapet to the ground on the outer and center brickwork of the front facade defining the bays."
Now an Italian restaurant.
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Panoramic… also a bit distorted.
The front with some fun neon.
Legacy Tattoo. Fun neon. Now I want to come back in the evening and enjoy all the neon signs!
Another horse.
Continuing along.
“Davenport Saloon.
Built in 1901, this unaltered two-story brick building housed the Joseph Rogerson Restaurant and the J.E. Davenport and Co. Saloon. It was one of scores of buildings built to accommodate the crowds of travelers brought to Ogden by the Railroad.
The design is Classical Revival in detail. The brick facade remains intact with its unique basketweave bond above the second story windows, garlands in pressed tin friezes, pediment parapet, and an inscription atop reads “1901.”
Owned originally by the infamous Belle Topham, when the restaurant was built, a special arrangement was made with the London Ice Cream Parlor’s owner, whereby an independent three-foot wide corridor was built between the two buildings to permit direct access from 25th Street to Electric Alley.”
The little alley that leads to Electric Alley and neat gate to some stairs. It looks like Electric Alley still exists, but its not so much of an alley. I wonder if it used to be. I want to learn more about that haha.
I think I missed that Historical Marker there on the left because I squirreled.... But I found it online.
“London Ice Cream Parlor
Of the many interesting commercial buildings on Lower 25th Street, this two-story structure known only by its faded inscription plaque, “London Ice Cream” may be the oldest and certainly one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the historic district. Pre-dating building records, the store was probably built in 1882-83. It has a Greek Revival facade with its pedimented roof and window pilaster, however, Italianate influences are also evident in the roman arched windows and bracketed cornice.
Among the earliest businesses occupying the ground floor were the Chicago Shoe Store, Bon Ton Restaurant, and T. Ashby Shoe Store.
What probably started out as a legitimate boarding house in the upper story, apparently degenerated into a common bordello not unlike the fifty or so others in the neighborhood. Known as the K.C. Rooms, the business on the upper floor was complimented by similar activities conducted in separate eight-by-eight foot frame “cribs” behind the Parlor along Electric Alley.”
Ah sad! He is called Lil Ice Cream Dude.
“Sculpture Donated By Willard L. Eccles Foundation Through Weber Pathways”
Oops, I missed another Historical Marker. dang it.
“Union Restaurant and Switch European Lodgings
One of the oldest and least disturbed buildings in the 25th Street Historic District is this two-story brick vernacular store built in 1888. The simply corbeled cornice and segmentally arched window bays with stone keys are the only attempts at decoration.
A multitude of ethnic enterprises have occupied the building over the years. Among its occupants were, the Union Restaurant, the Ying Yee Company, Barsotti Confectioners, the Frazzini & Bros. Saloon, Mary Martin’s Ritz Rooms, and the Sunrise Cafe.
Businesses operated continuously in this building from 1888 to 1979. It was restored in 1984.”
Warrens Craft Burger.
Street level.
The Solomon C. Stephens Building
260 - 25th Street
This building was constructed circa. 1888 by Solomon C. Stephens. The family owned land and constructed several commercial buildings on the north side of the 200 Block of 25th Street. Stephens owned the property until 1895 when it was sold to the First National Bank. Later owners included Herbert H. Hayes, and Tom and Akiko Kinomoto who sold the property in 1993 to the current owners, Carma Whiting and Karen White.
The earliest recorded businesses to occupy the structure were “The Switch”, a sample room which served wines and liquors, and the “European Lodging House”, a small hostelry. City directories indicate that several saloons occupied the building during the early 1900s, one of the longest tenants being a saloon owned and operated by the Frazzini Brothers. During the era of prohibition, a soft drinks and billiards business operated in the building. During the mid-1940s, Kinomotos established the American Eagle Cafe in the building which operated on 25th Street for several decades. The building was renovated in 1993 to accommodate “Panhandlers”
The brick structure is a two story, two part commercial block with some limited Italianate detailing. The second story included three symmetrically placed, two-over-two double hung windows, each corbeled arch window opening is topped with segmental arch of sandstone block. Decorative corbeling is located below the window line and along the cornice line of the front parapet wall. The street level section includes a recessed central entry door flanked by large display windows on either side and an entry door for the second story located west of the storefront.”
I think this is it.
Fun details on the next building.
Doorway.
“Porter Block
One of the by products of the Industrial Age was the manufacturing of metal architectural building components. Beginning with the development of cast iron buildings in Eastern America in the 1840's, systems of using replicable, modular, pre-assembled structural systems were expanded during the Victorian era to include cornices and entire facades. The facades could be designed by selecting motifs out of a mail-order catalog. A good example of such construction in Ogden is the Porter Block, constructed in 1898 as a two-story building. The architecture is Commercial Victorian with an all-metal facade which mimics classical columns, a bracketed cornice, urns, and other motifs which were usually executed in stone, brick, wood or plaster. The building originally housed a tailor, candy retailer and barber. Ogden City Register of Historic Resources City”
That is neat to learn about this neat building. Plus, I like the fun art in the windows.
Continuing along.
“The Livingston Confectionary
268-270 - Historic 25th Street
This building was constructed at the beginning of the 1900s as a three story structure with commercial space on the first floor and boarding rooms on the second and third floors. The owner at the time of construction (circa. 1901) appears to have been John Contos, according to property records. Contos sold the property to Charles H. Smith in 1902. Smith sold the property to Sarah H. Wheelwright who owned the property from 1922 until 1944 when it was sold to Lettie Malan. In 1951 Lorna Malan Cole acquired the property from Mrs. Malan.
Occupants of the first floor retail space included: S & R Livingston Confectionery (1901); Paul A. Gysin Barber Shop (1904-1906); The Mexican Chili Parlor/Pullman Bar (1907-1913); and several grocery stores. From as early as 1904, the second and third floors were operated as boarding rooms by Dora Belle Topham (aka Belle London), Ogden City’s most notorious “Madam” of the time period and her husband, Thomas Topham. They operated under the name “The Fashion Rooms”. After 1914, various women continued to lease the rooms until 1949, at which time Lettie Malan leased the buildingto Otto Waldron and E.J. Doherty who leased the rooming house and hotel under terms which required it to be used “to conduct only legitimate and lawful business”.
This building is an example of Commercial Vernacular architecture style. Is is a one-story building with a replicated historic storefront. The original building was a three-story brick structure before a fire burned it circa. (1960). The one-story building that remains has two storefront entrances made of wood with traditional transom windows and kickplates.”
Continuing along. And I see 2 more historical markers I missed. Dang it!
“The Palace Billiard Hall
272 - 25th Street
This building was constructed circa. 1888 by James O. Stephens and was one of several buildings constructed during this time period by members of the Stephens family on the north side of the 200 block of 25th Street (e.g. 260, 274 and 278). The building was built for investment purposes and retail rental space. The Stephens family owned it until 1894, when they sold it to Eccles Lumber Company. The building was owned by the infamous 25th Street “madam” Dora Belle Topham, from 1906 until 1912. Other owners included Utah Mercantile, Land and Livestock Investment Company (1912-1915), James Ballard (1916-1922), and Malan-Wheelwright Investment Company (1922-1946).
The earliest businesses known to have occupied the building were the Palace Billiard Hall; Waker & Solomon, Cigars; and G.W. Jones, Railroad Ticket Broker and Real Estate (upstairs). The first long-term business was Edwin Williams; Grocery (1895-1902). The building housed a billiard hall from 1911 until 1917, changing owners almost every year; the majority of owners were members of the Japanese community which existed in the city. Businesses known to have occupied the building after 1935 include LaSalle Tavern, Calico Cat Bar, and Swan Club Tavern. The building was renovated in 1989 to accommodate the present owner-occupant, Great Harvest Bread Company.
The brick structure is a two-story, two-part block building with decorative brick work on the cornice and above the second story windows. The storefront reflects the typical characteristics along Historic 25th Street, e.g., the square bay transom windows, a fancy metal cornice, and a recessed central entryway door flanked by large display windows on either side.”
“James O. Stephens Building
274 - 25th street
This building was constructed circa. 1888 by James O. Stephens and was one of several buildings constructed during this time period by members of the Stephens Family on the north side of the 200 Block of 25th Street. Members of the Stephens Family owned the building until 1895, when it was sold to the Eccles Lumber Company. The building was owned by the infamous 25th Street 'Madam', Dora Belle Topham from 1906 until 1912. Other owners included Utah Mercantile, Land and Livestock Investment Company, Arcadia Land and Livestock Company, James Ballard, and Malan-Wheelwright Investment Company. The building is currently owned by Douglas J. and Peggy S. Holmes (1994).
The earliest businesses known to occupy the building include the John Maddy Fruit Store and J. W. Stephens, photographer. Madam Topham operated 'Nicely Furnished Rooms' on the second story of the building during the time of her ownership. The first long-term business to occupy the building was June W. Clark, a druggist, who also sold books, stationery, and cigars between the 1910s and 1930s. Later businesses included the Night Hawk Cafe, Grand Cafe, and Great Wall Cafe. Panache Interiors and Antiques Inc. opened in 1987.
The first story of this two-story brick structure includes a new storefront which replicates elements of the original, with a recessed center doorway and display windows on either side. A recessed entrance on the right-hand side of the storefront provides access to the second level. Three arch window openings are of the double-hung, one-over-one style. A decorative brick corbeling with angled soldier course provides the cornice line for the top of the facade.”
The Ogden Wiseguys location across the street. We haven’t been to that one yet. Just the Salt Lake, and West Jordan ones.
The Mercantile.
Another horse.
Another fun history sign.
The James V. Hansen Federal Building.
Crossing Grant Avenue. You can see the Bigelow in the background. We will come to that shortly.
A random fun fact about Ogden. The north/south bound streets are named after our presidents, in order starting with Washington and going east ending with Buchanan… with the exception of Lincoln and Grant being in the wrong place, west of Washington they also skipped Johnson. Since I have met Landis, and started to explore Ogden with him I have been a little jealous of that. What a fun way to teach kids the order of the early presidents. I can tell you Washington and Lincoln and that's about it.
I also find it interesting that 25th Street is the downtown district. I know it is due to the train station being here, but it is interesting. Downtown Salt Lake City starts at essentially 1st and 1st.
First glimpse of the Ogden Municipal Building. Again, we will come back to that too.
The Federal Building again.
Weird fountain.
It kind of looks like those sculptures where people pour liquid aluminum down ant holes and then dig them out.
“James Fitzgerald
The Spirit of the Outdoors 1965
Commissioned under the art-in architecture program general services administration United States of America.”
The fountain again.
The Municipal Building again, and the Ogden Amphitheater. Landis says the amphitheater is fairly new. Playing around on Google Earth, it looks like it was put in sometime between 1997 and 2002. I love that they matched the Municipal Building’s style for the front gate.
The Amphitheater entrance again.
Neat mural. I found that it is called You Belong.
The Bigelow, formerly the Ben Lomond Hotel. Designed by the architectural firm of Hodgson & McClenahan. Hodgson studies with several famous architects including Frank Lloyd Write and Richard K. A. Kletting (who designed a ton of buildings in Salt Lake City). We will see a lot of Hodgson buildings today.
At 12 floors and 177 feet tall it is the 2nd tallest building in Ogden. The former hotel has been converted into an apartment complex.
We hit Washington Boulevard. There was something I missed last time, so a little bit of a detour and overlap from part 1 here as we head north a bit.
Cache Valley Bank, originally the First Security Bank Tower. At 13 floors and 146 feet tall it is the 3rd tallest building in Ogden.
Another horse.
Peery’s Egyptian Theater. Also designed by Hodgson and McClenahan. I covered this a bit more last time, so just a quick breeze by today.
Box office.
Ceiling detail.
Across the street.
Well, despite me finding the little Easter egg I was searching for on Google maps, it decided to be an asshole today and not show it right now. So even though I remembered the general area I should be looking, I was struggling to find it. Dough!
So, we crossed to the east side of Washington to look more closely.
I particularly like this horse!
Wait what? There is a street clock here? I am obsessed with these neat old clocks! How the heck did I miss it last time? So, whether we find the little Easter egg or not, this was worth the random side quest!
Portrait.
It is for Farr’s Jewelry Est. 1956 and it is not displaying the correct time.
I did not get a picture of the building, but I did figure out this is where my little Easter egg I was looking for was supposed to be.
Here is a quick screen grab from Google maps.
I thought maybe Farr’s Jewelry might have covered it up, but according to this they have been here since the 50’s! So, that doesn’t make sense… what the hell am I missing?
The base.
Portrait. You can see the Bigelow and the Municipal Building in the background.
The other side. Also not showing the correct time.
Again.
Closer.
Aside from being distracted by another beautiful street clock, eventually I thought… maybe my Easter egg is in the back? So we wandered that way.
Another horse.
I am pretty sure I missed this one on the other side of Washington.
The Bigelow.
Again.
Beautiful detail on this archway.
More detail near the top.
North entrance.
The neat archway above. It has a pair of the Utah beehives on each side. Neat!
Absolutely gigantic lilies! Holy crap!
The Cache Valley Bank tower again.
I found my Easter egg!! The Golden Spike Brick Sculpture Wall on the back of Farr's Jewelry.
Look how neat that is! It is a representation of the Meeting of the Trains that happened at Promontory Point or Golden Spike National Monument in a brick facade! So cool. I am not sure if Farr’s Jewelry did it or a previous owner, but I am glad it is still here. I do wish that stupid flag wasn’t though.
I love the detail!
Lets see if I can remember, the Jupiter on the left and the 119 on the right.
The actual trains from our trip out to the Golden Spike in 2014.
Panoramic. Dude, I think this is way, way more neat than any mural. How many carved brick murals exist? I wish I could find more information about it though.
Landis tried to be helpful and pushed the flag down, but then I had the problem of the sun being a hassle. Damnit, sometime you just can’t win. But hey, we can always come back.
This was so cool! It was absolutely worth the effort to find.
The Bigelow again.
Front corner.
Here we decided to head south to get a better view of the Municipal Building.
Pretty ‘Blues’ window.
Another horse. This one appears to have a steampunk or mechanical theme.
South end of the Bigelow. I imagine this was formerly valet parking when it was a hotel.
The Ogden Municipal Building again.
John M. Browning monument. Barf.
Ogden Municipal Building again.
Another horse. This one made us laugh. "Italian's Never Die, They Just Pasta Away."
The Old Courthouse.
The Ogden Municipal Building again.
There is a fancy rearing up horse over there.
The Old Courthouse again.
In just a few short weeks we will be celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial I appreciate the milestone, but I am just not feeling particularly patriotic right now. This administration is so hateful and divisive. I wish we had an actual leader in charge for this. hopefully I live long enough to see 300 years with a better administration.
We decided to keep going to the end of the block. Some neat buildings.
Another horse with Coors on it.
Bank of Utah. that is an interesting building.
The other way, towards Mount Ogden.
The Ogden Municipal Building again.
I like this horse too.
Getting closer to the Ogden Municipal Building.
Big old tree.
Old Carnegie Library monument.
The Ogden Municipal Building again. Wow, it is such a beautiful building!
The Bigelow again.
The front of the Ogden Municipal Building. Wow! That is a super pretty entrance!
Looking up.
At 12 floors and 183 feet it is the tallest building in Ogden. It is another Hodgson and McClenahan designed building.
It was built in 1939. It is 1 of 3 Art Deco Style buildings in Ogden. Yes, we will see the other 2 today!
Wow! Now this is a neat building!
Look at the way the light catches on these pretty windows!
Sadly, it was not open today, but I would love to go inside one day.
“Ogden/Weber Municipal Building
The Ogden/Weber Municipal Building, 1939, together with the U.S. Forest Service Building and the Ogden High School, are exceptionally significant as the best Art Deco Style building in Ogden and the state of Utah. They also represent important works of the architectural firm of Hodgson and McClenahan, and are excellent examples of federal work projects initiated during the Great Depression of the 1930's.
The Municipal Building is a warm brick building with glazed terra cotta trim. In many ways it is a "typical" Art Deco example. Symmetrically arranged from a rectangular base, side wings step down gradually from the taller central mass. Metal frame casement windows are separated by brick pilasters which function visually to accent verticality and to modulate the surface lanes. The flat roofs are capped with contrasting glazed terra cotta trim which undulates respectively to the walls and pilasters, activating the roofline and terminating the vertical movement with crisp geo-curvalinear shapes.
The Municipal Building is one of Utah's Public Works Administration projects designed to put people to work and create useable structures for the future.”
Looking up again.
It got a bucking bronco statue.
The building again.
I had to do a panoramic to get the whole thing.
From the corner.
While I was taking pictures I mentioned the Forest Service Building and asked if Landis knew where it was, he didn’t but looked it up, and found it was just a little ways up the hill. So, alright, random unplanned detour. Hind site, we should have saved it for after and driven to it haha. but it was a fun detour. just a bit of a climb.
We can even see it from here, that doesn’t look too far…
Another horse.
Random art.
Directional sign.
Oh, the Eccles Art Center sounds neat! I wish I had looked it up while we were here. Oh well, we will just have to come back.
The Bigelow again.
North entrance and the fun lions.
"This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior."
Random art.
Interesting building.
Art Box.
Monarch butterfly mural.
Almost there. Ooph. Why oh why did I add this climb?
Fun moose painting. I love this new trend I am seeing of painting utility boxes some cities are doing.
Fun fox and kestrel on the other side.
We finally made it to the Forest Service Building. It is on 25th Street, just a little further east than we expected it is at 507 25th Street.
This is another Hodgson and McClenahan building. Completed in 1934 in an Art Deco style.
Oh wow, really neat light posts.
Front door. This one one of the first buildings built under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). We have a lot of structures to thank for that including a neat bridge and walls in Miller Park.
Above. I wish I had crossed the street to get a better view, there is another smaller story I can’t see from here.
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Panoramic.
Sign.
The door again.
The sign above.
One of the light posts.
It is another neat building! I was hoping to go inside, but again, it was closed. I read that the historical marker is inside too well, poop. I guess I might have to come back.
We did find some history on a corner stone.
“William H. Woodin Secretary of the Treasury. Lawrence W. Robert JR. Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. James A. Wetmore Acting Supervising Architect. Leslie S. Hodgson and Myrl A. McClenahan Architects. 1933.”
Detail.
The front again.
Corner.
Front again.
Alright, we should start heading back down.
The Peery Apartments. I didn’t realize it at the time, but they are also a Hodgson building. Built in 1910 so before he partnered with McClenahan.
Back to the utility box with the fox and kestrel.
Closer view of the moose.
And a deer on the final panel. I love this kind of art.
St. Joseph Catholic Church.
The Cache Valley Bank tower again.
Blue and red fire hydrant. Did you know that there is a reason fire hydrants are painted certain ways? It indicates the general GPM.
The Peery Apartments again and some random cube art.
Parking structure for the Monarch again.
Information sign.
Monarch in Moda by Jane Kim, Ink Dwell Studio, 2018.
The Monarch.
Fun detail.
The Bigelow again.
Weird art structure again.
Dumke Arts Plaza.
It’s little.
With the weird art structure.
The Bigelow again.
North side.
Detail.
The lions.
Waiting to cross Washington.
On the northwest corner of the Bigelow is the Bigelow Grill.
And/or the Two Bit Bistro?
The Ogden Municipal Building again.
Alright, random side trip done, now we will head on back down 25th Street on the south side.
The other side of the last horse we saw.
The random art we saw again. I guess it is called New Range.
The Corner. It offers snacks and information. Fun.
The Municipal Building again.
The entrance to the amphitheater again.
I am a little miffed at this. There is a concert going on, fine. They have food trucks, fine. But they closed the sidewalk for it! They likely got a special permit to do so, because otherwise it would be illegal, but still, that is just a big fuck you to people with disabilities and knowing and loving several people with disabilities, including one in a wheelchair, that really ruffles my feathers. Shame on you Ogden.
Kid on stilts statue.
The amphitheater again.
Sledding statue.
Shade nets for the amphitheater. Sandy Amphitheater should take note.
Historic buildings on the north side of 25th.
Mercantile. Landis informs me this was a bus station before and yep, google says it was the old Greyhound Station.
The other side again.
Wiseguys.
Buildings on the other side again. The Porter Block in the middle.
More. London Ice Cream Parlor on the left.
Cute mural on Roosters.
I love their neon sign. We saw them at the Big Cottonwood Brew Fest last week.
Another horse.
“Kansas City Liquor House
253 - 25th Street
This building was constructed circa. 1890. The Eccles Lumber Company owned the property from 1892 until 1908, when they sold it to William H. Gampton. The Gampton family owned the property until 1924. Other owners included Reuben Kaplan, James C. White, Ogden Home Builders Company and Weber County. In 1947, Weber County deeded the property to the Salvation Army.
The first business to occupy the building was the Kansas City Liquor House. Other businesses which occupied the building included: Tai Yuen Chinese Goods (1899-1910); Wing On Hong Company, which also sold Chinese goods (1911-1918); and the Reliable Furniture Exchange (1915-1935). After 1939, the Salvation Army occupied the building.
This building is an example of Commercial Vernacular architecture. Although it was built in 1890, title records indicate that it was thoroughly remodeled in 1940. It is a two-story structure with square windows and small detailing. The building was again renovated in 1994.”
I love that the old liquor house is now a brewery hah!
The front.
We decided to pop inside for a quick beer. But of course since it is Utah you can’t just do that without ordering food since they are a restaurant so we got some fries too. They were yummy. Utah is dumb.
The brewing tanks.
Cute mural. I wanted to take more pictures, but you know, people. Anyway, back to our adventure.
Well, I am doing great today, it looks like I missed 2 more historical markers.
“ZCMI Co-op Building
1871 - 1888
Official outlet of ZCMI (Zion’s Co-operative
Mercantile Institution) (illegible) “America’s First
Department Store.” This wall is all that
remains of the building at this site which was
a whole (illegible) of the Order Branch of
ZCMI from 1781 to 1880. It was part of the
ZCMI co-operative system which served
more than 150 communities in the
Intermountain area with retail commodities
and services beginning in 1868.”
And
“Utah Trunk Factory
241-243 - 25th Street
This building was constructed circa. 1915. The site was the original location of the ZCMI Granary, which was built on the lot before 1884. The eastern wall of the building was constructed in 1890 as a common wall with the building which stood where the courtyard is now located. This was was incorporated into the new construction of the building. The owner at the time of construction of the current building was William E. Newman. Newman owned the lot from 1912 until 1933, when he sold it to the Chemical Bank and Trust Company. This company sold the property to Milton L. Noble in 1943. Owners after 1943 included Lucile B. Noble (wife of Milton), Dolores Bush, and Valate Payne.
This building was a furniture store from 1917 until 1942. In 1917, Abraham Siner, a prominent member of Ogden’s Jewish community, opened the Utah Trunk Furniture Company and continued business until 1922. The Big Four Furniture Company, owned by Mollie Sugar, occupied the building from 1924 until 1935. From 1939 until 1942, Paul J. Kammeyer used the building for the Pioneer Furniture Exchange, a used furniture store. In 1942, Milton Noble bought the furniture exchange and converted the building into Noble’s Cafe two years later. After 1948, Katy Hirao used part of the building for the Jade Cafe.
This one-part commercial block is a one-story brick building in the Commercial Vernacular style. It has two recessed entrances with transom windows and kickplates. Each entrance has two large display windows. The brick enframing walls which define the two bays have decorative inlaid tile. Above the transoms, there are two decorative brick frames. The building was renovated in 1995.”
Cute storefront.
Cute!
The Needlepoint Joint.
Buildings across the street.
It looks like they are developing this parcel. I didn’t look at the sign to see what was coming, but it was a parking lot.
Another history sign.
“Japanese Influence on 25th Street
The Japanese were first introduced to Utah and the Ogden area February 4, 1872 when the "Iwakura Delegation", a group of dignitaries, were temporarily snowed in having arrived in Ogden by train from San Francisco, their journey to the east and Washington D.C.was delayed for 19 days until the weather improved. Their stay in Utah undoubtedly left a positive impression which likely paved the way for future Japanese immigrants who began settling in Utah ten years later.
As a major railway junction, Ogden was a natural draw for railroad section gangs at the turn of the century. This was initially the main source of employment for the Japanese. However, as the Japanese population increased and families settled in the area, their interests and talents were applied in many other areas. By the early 1900's, many Japanese laborers turned to farming to earn a living, and were to produce the nationally acclaimed Sweetheart and Jumbo celery, and the 20th Century strawberries (an ever-bearing strawberry by Taijiro Kasuga). Others found business opportunities serving the Japanese community, railroad workers, and other citizens and visitors to the 25th Street area.
In 1913 Japanese residents organized the Ogden Buddhist Temple with early meetings held at 236 24th Street, at 2430 Lincoln Avenue, and at 225 Capitol Strect until 1937, when a Buddhist temple building at 2456 Lincoln was used.
Due to the close proximity of services, housing employment, business opportunities, and gathering areas for social and religious activities for the local Japanese population, 25th Street and the nearby area soon came to be known as "J" Town. This was an area bounded by Kiesel Avenue on the east, Wall Avenue on the west, 24th Street on the north, and 25th Street on the south. Along 25th Street alone, more than 40 businesses were owned and/or operated by Japanese American businessmen including Kay's Noodle Parlor, Utah Noodle, Dave's Barber Shop, American Eagle Café, and Star Noodle.The Japanese influence that first began on or near 25th Street has played an important role in Ogden's development.
Chigo Parades
Chigo are children who participate in Buddhist processions. They are dressed to represent heavenly beings. Boys wear a stiff hat of lacquered gauze called the Eboshi, while girls wear a crown with a Phoenix Bird and bright metal pendants called Tenkan.
(photo caption) Dr. Moshtaka moved to Odgen in 1924. His office was located at 25th & Grant for many years, until he was forced to relocate (to 2123 Grant) to make way for the Federal Building in 1962.
(photo caption) Historically significant Star Noodle sign.
(photo caption) Tamaki & Co. 2456/2458 Wall Avenue.”
And on the other side
“The Vices of 25th Street
"The rail road is going to make a great change in affairs here, and our people should moderate their expectations and prepare themselves for the alteration which appears inevitable." (May 21, 1868, Deseret News)
To the original settlers of Ogden, this was an understatement. Nowhere were such changes more evident than on 25th Street, also known as "two-bit" street. (Two bits stood for both 25 cents and something cheap.)
Prostitution, gambling, drugs and other vices abounded. While not isolated to 25th Street, gambling could be found in the basements or back rooms of many businesses, especially in the street's taverns and clubs. Police raids on these operations were as common as the games themselves.
(photo captions) Machines seized in a gambling raid on 25th Street are displayed as evidence. Of such police raids, many occured between 1948 and 1955.
Encouraging Intemperance
There were three legendary madams associated with 25th Street. "Gentile Kate" the first to appear on the scene, operated an establishment at 150 25th Street. Author Bensard De Voto wrote of her, "She was a respected part of the business life of town, a speculator in real estate the most liberal customer of the stores... and an unofficial great lady."
In the early 1900s, Kate was followed by the incredibly profitable able "Belle London," (shown right) whose real was name Mrs. Dora Belle Tophan. Belle considered herself a reformer. In 1908, Salt Lake City actually requested Belle's service to establish a more controlled area of prostitution. The Ogden Standard Examiner, in an article on March 22, 1910, reported Belle as saying, "I am the greatest woman reformer in the world...when you know me and the grand work of reform that I am doing, you will hold me high in your esteem. Among many other buildings, Belle's "furnished rooms" (or places of prostitution) included the Marion Hotel and Electric Alley, a series of single story two-room units along the alley behind the north side of 25th Street. The string of lights down the alley gave it its name.
The third famous madam of 25th Street was Rossette Davie, who ran operations there in the 1940s and early 50s until she was arrested during a crackdown on intemperance. Her operations included the Rose Rooms at 205 25th Street, the Denver Hotel, the Wilcox Hotel and the La Siesta at 277 25th Street. Rose wasn't shy about her success-she commonly walked the street with her leashed ocelot and drove a rose-colored Cadillac. She dressed in only the finest clothes, and for that reason, the ladies at Samuel's, a local women's clothing store, loved to see her out and about.
There were many more areas of known prostitution operated by others during these time periods on 25th Street. These included the Reed Colorado Hotel at 206-208, the Marlene Rooms at 246, the Hyland Hotel at 276 and the Wyoming Rooms at 236.
Overindulgent Living
A Standard Examiner article on November 13, 1917 indicated there were also drug problems. One report stated, "Soo Wah, an aged Chinaman, was fined $25 in police court today, when he plead guilty to the charge of maintaining a place where opium and yen-shee are sold...Owing to the fact that he is 84 years old and so addicted to the drug habit that being deprived of it would undoubtedly end seriously, he was imposed as a warning that he was not restrained from its use. The fine was imposed as a warning that he must not dispose of it to others."
O Town Eats.
The Historic 25th Street Dragon. Formerly the Star Noodle sign. You can learn a little more about that with the link above.
Oh, what happened to the Pig and Jelly?
Closer.
Even closer. It is such a cool sign.
The other side.
Again.
Continuing west.
The Ko Ko Mo Club across the street.
“Watkins Grocery and Cranshaw Photography
The two-story, commercial vernacular structure at 215-17 - 25th Street was built in approximately 1895. It housed the Frank R. Watkins Grocery, Mrs. Vina Creamer’s Rooms, the Nevada Rooms, and in 1951 the Seven-Up Bottling Company.
The building at 219-21 25th Street, built in 1905, was the Luke Crenshaw Photography Shop and the Ohio House Hotel. Both buildings were restored in 1985 and then occupied by the 25th Street Upholstery Company.”
Both buildings.
Left side.
Right Side.
Continuing along. I LOVE that little ghostie!
Lower 25th Street Historic District
“Helena Hotel
Constructed circa 1911 and built by Ogden realtor David Maule, this three-story brick, commercial block building is architecturally significant and features elements of the Prairie School style. Key details include its geometric designs, brackets, modillions, and the word Helena displayed prominently on the front facade. In addition to use as a hotel, businesses such as a confectionery, deli, barber shop, tailor shop, etc. continually filled the first floor space to serve the hotel guests.
Marker placed in 2014”
You can still see the Helena! Fun.
Alleged.
Buildings across the street.
Another horse statue.
Another missed historical marker:
“Lower 25th Street Historic District
CC Keller Building
Constructed circa 1898, this two-story, commercial brick building features elements of the Victorian Eclectic architectural style. It was built by Edmund and Elizabeth Hamis. The first business to occupy the structure was CC Keller's Restaurant and Furnished Rooms. The building has seen many commercial uses throughout its history, most notably Rosetta Ducinnie Davie, "Rose," operated the Rose Rooms (part of Ogden's red light ring) with her husband, William, for several years in the late-1940s.
Marker placed in 2014”
Hearth on 25th and No Frills Diner. We will come back to this in a bit.
Closer view of the clock tower. It appears to be about an hour fast.
Looking back at alleged.
Under the clock tower.
Closer.
More fun signs.
Another horse.
Across the street.
Fun neon sign.
It says Time Square on this building.
Statue of a kid with a wheelbarrow.
With some random eggs.
More neon.
Interesting art.
Continuing along.
Another horse.
Another history sign.
The apartments on the other side.
Continuing along.
The Lighthouse Lounge sign lit up.
Massage.
Jeweler.
Historic street market. Sadly they were closed. I was in dire need of some eye drops! Luckily we were almost done.
More old buildings.
Looking up.
Again.
Across the street again.
Continuing along.
Looking up.
Established 1889.
Continuing.
“The Murphy Building/Windsor Hotel
105-109 Historic 25th Street
This building was constructed circa. 1887 and was one of the earliest buildings built on the 100 block of 25th Street. The property was owned by George W. Murphy, a veteran of the Civil War who migrated west in 1869. Murphy also owned the Senate Saloon (111-113-25th Street) and the Murphy Block (101-103-25th Street), located to the east and west of this building. The family owned these buildings and operated businesses out of them for over fifty years.
Mr. Murphy operated a cigar and tobacco shop on the main floor with the Reno Hotel on the second floor during the late 1880s and 1890s. Other businesses included: Fred A. Smith's Grocery, Confectionery and Curio Shop (1895-1932); George W. Murphy's Grocery Store (1903-1913); The Windsor Hotel (1899-1913); and the WPA Community Center and Carnegie Free Library during the New Deal Years (1936-1938).
This building is an example of Commercial Vernacular architecture in a two-story two-part block structure. The second story of the building has five segmentally arched window openings and the brick corbeled cornice line ties this structure to the building located to the west.”
The building.
Another kid statue. Weird motif.
A Gold Medal Mile sign. These popped up after the 2002 Olympics. This one is a little different from the other ones I have seen.
Another horse.
Almost back to Union Station.
The neat water tower.
Another history sign.
The other side.
Union Station.
South end of the building.
A building I missed last time we were here. I am not sure, but I think this was where the laundromat was.
The Royal Hotel again.
Again (PSP).
Bonus Content: We went to see Ogden Highschool.
I decided that it was a little bit away from 25th Street so I made it a separate post.
This building caught our attention and looked like it might be a Hodgson and McClenahan building, but it is not. still a neat building. St Joseph’s School (PSP).
Closer (PSP).
Meh, it is a neat building anyway (PSP).
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Panoramic (PSP).
Heading down 30th Street (PSP).
Lee’s Donuts does not appear to exist anymore (PSP).
Approaching 25th Street again (PSP).
Again (PSP).
I still really needed eyedrops, so we took a quick detour to the closest convenience store Landis could think of.
St. Josephs (PSP).
Well, I got a little turned around and I am not sure where we are here but, pretty houses (PSP).
Fellowship Manor. At 13 floors it is the 5th tallest building in Ogden.
The Peery Apartments again (PSP).
St Josephs Again (PSP).
The Bigelow again (PSP).
Wells Fargo (PSP).
Well, there isn’t much to see heading north on Washington (PSP).
Another horse (PSP).
2 more (PSP).
The Ogden arch (PSP).
We ended up exploring a little bit more, but holy crap this post ran a bit long, so i decided to break that into part 3 haha. But wow! I knew 25th Street had a lot of neat stuff and history but holy crap was that a lot of neat stuff in 1 short adventure! I also liked that if we wanted a quick break, we had a few options. I really, really loved seeing all the neat old buildings, particularly the Hodgson and McClenahan buildings, Just WOW!!! I think I am going with 10 Squirrels today.
As for difficulty, it is paved and mostly flat DR2.
Dogs are technically allowed on city sidewalks, but man, they probably will not enjoy it. So I recommend leaving them home.
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