Utah Heritage Foundation

A few weeks ago I wrote about losing two prominent architects in the same week – Steven T. Baird and Dean Gustavson.  We happened to be in the midst of celebrating their work with the Baird’s cinematic production of ZCMI: A Legacy in Cast Iron and discussing the potential to participate in Salt Lake Modern with Gustavson.

It’s time to now celebrate the work of two more local architects that have passed away this month.  They both happen to be from Ogden.

Keith Wilcox was an Ogden architect who designed buildings such as the Mount Ogden Middle School on Harrison Blvd., the original McKay (now McKay-Dee) hospital, and the Weber State University Fine Arts Center which was (now demolished) one of the state’s premier examples of the New Formalist style.  His architecture will best be remembered for his work on the Washington, D.C. LDS Temple (1968) which undoubtedly is inspired from above.  However, those that knew him best have reflected on how kind and generous Keith was in his work with the LDS Church in various positions all over the world.

UPDATE June 18, 2011

There are still 500-600 seats remaining that are in good condition.  These are an American Seating chair with a curved birch back, and a thick leather padded seat.  The art deco end standards were reused in the Ogden High rehab, so whoever wants the chairs would have to buy new aisle standards from American or reuse what they had in their facility.

Please contact Dan Pratt, Vice President, Building Division of Hughes General Contractors at (801) 292-1411 or dan@hughesgc.com.

In association with National Historic Preservation Month in May, don't miss Ogden City's annual Architectural Scavenger hunt!  To participate, pick up a pamphlet with the photo clues from the Ogden Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd., at the information desk or in Suite 140, or download it here.  Everyone with at least one correct answer is entered in a drawing for local restaurant gift certificates. Those who get every answer right are entered for the grand-prize drawing.  Drawings take place May 19th at the Annual Joint Meeting. Join us on May 19 at 6:00 p.m. for the Weber County Heritage Foundation and Ogden Landmarks Commission's Annual Joint Meeting in Ogden High School's Library.

Weber County Heritage Foundation Lecture Series

presents

Modest & Grand: Weber County's Colonial Revival

Ogden High School auditorium seats are seeking a good home.  They would prefer another historic auditorium, but a non-profit, historic theater would be a great second choice as well.

As you may know, Ogden High School is currently undergoing an $65 million restoration, so any organization that can purchase these historic seats will have first preference and should make their desire known immediately.  Should a fledgling non-profit or school that is otherwise in the midst of restoring a historic theater or auditorium space and could use donated seats, the Ogden School District and Foundation will look at your proposals on a case-by-case basis.

Contact Gary Reed at the Ogden School District, 801.737.7311 / reedg@ogdensd.org, with your needs and your proposal.

Original Auditorium Seat Description

Ogden’s time as the railroad hub was in its infancy when the first train pulled into town in 1869.  But business owners were already crafting ways to capitalize on this very new and exciting time to make money.  Allen Joseph Stout, Jr., a nephew of Hosea Stout, an early Utah settler and general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was in his early 20s and ready to jump on the railroad’s success.

In c. 1870, Stout started a saloon simply called, Stout’s Saloon, on lower 25^th Street.  This was a time before hotels, businesses, and taverns filled the street.  Stout’s business venture is significant today for two reasons.  First, it was an early tavern on 25^th Street, whereas others before it were located at the depot or on Main St. (now Washington Blvd.).  We now associate 25^th Street more with the history of taverns than other streets, which should be linked back to Stout.  Second, Stout’s Saloon was one of earliest of the many Mormon-owned saloons along 25^th Street during the nineteenth century.  As Ogden historian Val Holley notes, there was no “firewall” between Mormon and gentile business interests in the business district during that time.  Everyone had equal access to making money.

The September 18, 1876, Ogden Junction reported that the saloon kept by A.J. Stout had been damaged by a fire, and referred to “sneaking incendiaries who, under cover of darkness, set fires to burn up the property of citizens of Ogden.”  How unfortunate!

Chuck James of Rocky Mountain Painting describes the decorative painting and application process as original painter Alfred Lippell did it.

On Saturday, September 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., one the best homes tours around will be taking place in Ogden.  Weber County Heritage Foundation’s 33^rd Annual Tour features nine private buildings along with the Eccles Community Art Center and the Church of the Good Shepherd.  Together, these eleven prominent historic buildings form part of the basis for the Central Bench or what some are now calling the “Trolley District” promoting the viability of mass transit returning to the hub of urban population for Northern Utah and the Intermountain West’s train capitol.

Nevertheless, the historic homes tour will showcase some fantastic pieces of the Victorian era that have been rehabilitated for modern living and working.  The tour is $15 and starts at the Eccles Art Center, 2580 Jefferson Avenue.  There will also be a lecture given by Richa Wilson, who will discuss the tour’s homes, style development, typical characteristics, terminology, and specific home features.  Her brief presentation begins at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and Noon and will be given at the Eccles Art Center and would serve as a wonderful introduction to this neighborhood if you haven’t been there before.

Lastly, I would be remiss to not return to the preservation issue that is central to this neighborhood at this point and time that I mentioned earlier.  That is, bringing the trolley or streetcar through the Central and East Bench as it historically ran.  It has been a tremendous challenge to have UTA (who is guiding the process) and Mayor Godfrey understand that this is the best choice for the city and has been highly favored by residents who have attended every public meeting and hearing.  However, UTA has so far chosen a route that is several blocks south through another neighborhood where it will not bring the same public benefits that mass transit typically will for its ridership and help stimulate reinvestment in this historic neighborhood at the same time.

When yo