25th St Ogden
In the early twentieth century, 25th Street was the center of activity in Ogden. Perhaps the most important part of this section was the Union Station Depot at the junction of 25th Street and Wall Avenue. In 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed near Promontory, Utah. Although Ogden began in 1850 as a religious Mormon community, with the completion of the Union Station the world came into Ogden. On 25th Street, near the train station, one could witness gambling, prostitution, narcotics sales, robbery, rape, and even murder. Ogden grew and became a rough city. Crime boss Al Capone commented in the 1920s that Ogden was too wild a town for him. In 1954, the city effected a clean up of both the streets and the local government. Lorin Farr was mayor of Ogden at the time. He advised his police force in the following way: "Use kindness, be ready for emergencies, and see that guns and pistols are always loaded and powder dry."
Mar 10, 2011
Photos: 22
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