Ogden in Weber County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Lower 25th Street Historic District

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 20, 2025

1. Lower 25th Street Historic District Marker

Inscription. The coming of the transcontinental railroad to Utah and Ogden in 1869 sparked the transformation of the city from a quiet Mormon community to a bustling center of commerce and transportation. The hub of that economic activity was the train depot and the two-block section of commercial buildings at the west end of 25th Street. Contructed between the 1870s and the 1920s, those buildings housed the broad range of businesses that one would expect in a booming railroad town: hotels, saloons, grocers, clothing stores, restaurants, boarding houses, brothels, cigar stores, laundries, bakeries, jewelry stores, theatres, and even an ice cream parlor. The mix of people was also diverse. There were significant numbers of Jews, Italian, German, Spanish-Americans, Blacks, Japanese and Chinese that were drawn to the city, creating a sociological climate much more complex than the simple Mormon/non-Mormon distinction that had persisted during the pre-railroad years. Though crime and prostitution were an unavoidable part of the activity on 25th Street, the street also had its share of prominent personalities and events. President Theodore

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Roosevelt, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jack Dempsey, "Gentleman Jim Corbett, and publisher William Randolph Hearst were among the many national figures who strolled down the sidewalks of 25th Street. Because of its historical significance in both Ogden and Utah, the Lower 25th Street Historic District was listed in the National Reginer of Historic Places in 1978.

Erected 1986 by Utah Division of State History. (Marker Number N-170.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Utah Historic Sites (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 41° 13.247′ N, 111° 58.411′ W. Marker is in Ogden, Utah, in Weber County. It is at the intersection of 25th Street and Grant Avenue, on the right when traveling west on 25th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 290 25th Street, Ogden UT 84401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front

and in Greater Salt Lake.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and on the Colorado Plateau.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 20, 2025

2. Lower 25th Street Historic District Marker

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Creston Hotel (here, next to this marker); The Development of 25th Street (here, next to this marker); Gasberg Building (a few steps from this marker); James O. Stephens Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Palace Billiard Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Livingston Confectionary (within shouting distance of this marker); Porter Block (within shouting distance of this marker); The Solomon C. Stephens Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ogden.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 23, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.