After all that historic scavengering, it occurred to me that there are many important landmarks in Ogden that are widely ignored by locals. Some of these buildings and sites are taken for granted every day, but are must-sees for anyone living in or visiting Ogden. So I decided to compile a list of what I believe to be Ogden’s best landmarks. According to my Google searches, this has (incredibly) not been done. Of course, there were many options to choose from and I picked what I thought were the very best based on aesthetics, historical significance and community importance. So without further introduction, here is the countdown of...
Ogden City's Top Ten Landmarks
10.
Ben Lomond Hotel, 2510 Washington Blvd.- Built in the 1920s, this Italian Renaissance Revival building is Ogden’s largest and most prominent hotel. Centrally located on the corner of Washington Blvd. and Historic 25th St., it definitely stands out and makes downtown just that much more attractive. Still serving as a hotel, it also houses MacCool’s Restaurant and Bar and hosts weddings and other events. Plus, it’s supposedly haunted.
9.
Weber State University, 3848 Harrison Blvd.- WSU is a cornerstone of the Ogden community; its expansive campus continues to grow. Not only has it been providing higher education since 1889, it is also adds culture and art to the city by hosting and sponsoring many events . I chose WSU because it’s cool to say you live in a college town and, of course, I bleed purple.
Photo of Elizabeth Hall--home of WSU's English Department, my department ;)
8.
Ogden’s Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd.- This is another great downtown building located right across the street from the Ben Lomond Hotel. With its high Art Deco style, this is a great example of our government’s original economic stimulus plan. Beautifully restored and preserved, it is also the home of the Municipal Gardens, monuments of early settlers, Capt. James Brown (my I-don’t-know-how-many-greats grandfather) and Lorin Farr, and the annual Christmas Village.
7.
Ogden Welcome Arch, 17th St. and Washington Blvd.- What has long been viewed as an eyesore is finally becoming an appreciated and well-known Ogden symbol. From what I have read, welcome arches, like Ogden’s, used to be pretty popular in the 50s and 60s. So, what better way to be welcomed into Ogden than a sweet vintage welcome arch? And don’t forget-- It really does pay to live in Ogden.
6.
Eccles Mansion, 2580 Jefferson Ave.- The David and Bertha Eccles mansion, located on historic Jefferson Ave., rivals the many other beautiful, historic mansions on that street. In addition to being one of Ogden’s most beautiful homes, it serves the community in many ways. The mansion is used to display local artwork from paintings to pottery; house community organizations, from Ogden Symphony Ballet to Weber County Heritage Foundation; and hold community classes, from yoga to poetry writing.
5.
Ogden Parkway, 1890 Park Blvd.- Ogden City has done a great job making the Ogden River a family-friendly area. The well-maintained paved trail that runs along the river is perfect for walking, running and biking. The trail also leads to many other great Ogden locations, such as the Dinosaur Park, the MTC Learning Park and Fort Buenaventura. The Big Dee Sports Park along the parkway is a great place to fly kites or have a picnic. All of these features make the parkway a great showcase of Ogden’s outdoor venues, natural beauty and family activities.
4.
Ogden High, 2828 Harrison Blvd.- This is another Art Deco building that was built during the Great Depression to create jobs. It is ranked the 3rd most beautiful school in the nation. I think it is awesome that it has survived the years and is still being used as a school unlike many other historic Ogden schools that have been demolished. It is currently undergoing a major renovation to preserve it for future generations. Plus, my daughter will most likely be a Tiger one day.
3.
Malan’s Basin, 3500 ft. above 27th St.- I think this area just beautifully sums up Ogden’s great outdoors. It is a great place to hike up to and enjoy the scenery. It was formerly the site of my husband’s great-great grandparents’, the Malan’s, summer resort. There may be a few remnants of the historic sight left and it has a great view of Ogden.
Photo Courtesy of Jim Olsen
2.
Peery’s Egyptian Theater, 2439 Washington Blvd.- This theater is a wonderful survivor of the Roaring 20s. Here you can enjoy independent films, classic movies, live performances and many other events. Thanks to the wonderful restoration, of which my father-in-law was superintendent over, the theater is once again a beautiful addition to downtown.
1.
Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave.- Nothing other than the Union Station could take the number one spot. Without this hub, Ogden would not have its nickname Junction City and it wouldn’t have once boasted itself as Utah’s fastest growing city. Historic 25th St. would likely never have been called Two-bit Street either. The Union Station is the most important landmark in Ogden and continues its legacy as a museum and community center. With Ogden’s new transportation hub located right next door, it is likely to continue to be a door to Ogden; bringing new visitors every day.
All of these buildings are great places to visit to celebrate our city, expose your kids to history, art and community and spend time in Ogden. Check out Ogden today. See my calendar for upcoming events happening at many of these places.
Agree with this list? Disagree? What is your favorite Ogden landmark?
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