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Show OMB No. 1024-0018, NPS Form United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section No. 8 Page 6 Ogden Central Bench Historic District, Ogden, Weber County, UT Growth, Prosperity, and the Changing Face of the District, 1888-1899 Social History The district is important in that it portrays the development of civic life during the late-1800s, serving as the main residential neighborhood in the entire county. This could be seen during that era as people, ranging from blue collar workers to businessmen, flocked to the area. Ogden's "Boom" and Sudden Popularity In the early months of 1888 the Ogden Semi-Weekly Standard started to pay particular attention to a rather peculiar demand for rental housing in the city. In the past, several houses in the city had been built for the sole purpose of renting. The homes were constructed in numbers to more than meet the demand of renters coming to Ogden, and were offered at a reasonable price. However, by early-1888, homes that were easily procured at the renters own price in 1887, could hardly be attained now at any figure. As one gentleman residing in Ogden remarked, "There had probably never been so great a demand for rentable houses as there is at the present." It was mentioned that the "Junction City" was starting to enjoy a season of prosperity that was causing the citizens ^n to enjoy the highest satisfaction, and to look forward to the future with a renewed energy. Although Ogden had seen considerable growth since the railroad's arrival in 1869, no one was likely prepared for the boom that lay directly ahead. It was suggested that investors with the means start to put money into building well-appointed tenement houses. Soon, talk of construction for the upcoming summer months was underway. In addition to the many public institutions that were projected, the building of residences was highly discussed, particularly in the Central Bench District. It was in the hope that the new homes would provide for the many who were moving to Ogden to work for railroad related businesses, create jobs for the unemployed, and add to the appearance of the city which had started to be more recognized.21 Realizing the possibility of a real estate boom, investors started to take notice of the city. In February a timely article in the Ogden Standard was published forewarning Ogden citizens of the upcoming real estate boom. It was emphasized that individuals who had a homestead or owned a tract of land not feel entitled to sell it. It was also suggested that people not get caught up in buying land for speculative purposes in order to not drive away those interested in Ogden, and so those who wanted to buy land to build on could do so affordably. 22 Several factors, over and above being the railroad hub of the intermountain West, played into the attention Ogden starting receiving in 1888. Mr. Alfred H. Nelson, proprietor of the Weber County abstracts and an old time realtor of Seattle during its boom days, who came to Ogden in 1883 because of the potential he seen of it becoming a robust city, was quoted as saying, "The only wonder is that the attention of Ogden has been so long delayed, as no other city in the West equals it as a railway and commercial center." Moreover he claimed, "The attractions of Ogden are manifold, and no one article could do it justice." He went on to discuss Ogden's 20 Semi-Weekly Standard, Editorial, 1 February 1888. 21 Ibid, 4 February 1888. 22 Ogden Standard. 8 February 1888. |
