REPRIEVE FOR AN UNUSED STREET:AN INTRICATE PUZZLE by Colette Penne
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or some it was "Two-bit Street," for others-simply "Twenty-fifth." For many it was the hub of all major social activity, both respectable and notorious. People from all over the world have visited here. National magazines have written feature articles about it. Healthy businesses have begun here and others not so strong have had to close their doors. But, most important, families who lived on this street experienced growing up together as did families living anywhere else. Today, it's only an echo of what it once was. These majestic buildings that once housed growing families and prospering business now, for the most part, stand unused and in need of repair. Why the Twenty-fifth Street project you ask? This street is an important part of Ogden's history and should be a rewarding part of its future. Back around the turn of the century, 25th Street was the economic center for a thriving community. It was the favorite meeting place for all walks of life-a bustling avenue, full of talk and travel and trade. Why, a doctor would say, you couldn't visit the area without becoming infected with its contagious attitude of success. And that's an ailment the town was very glad to have. The sound of the hammer from William Fife's blacksmith shop or the smell of freshly baked apple pie from the Saddlerock Restaurant near Franklin Street would just bring your senses alive with excitement. There was always a tingle in the air. New
businesses would come in just to give the area a look and end up never wanting to leave; they were like a youngster in front of Lindsey's ice cream store on a hot summer afternoon. But it was not always just business on 25th; every holiday people would pull up a bench or two and watch those grand parades move majestically up the street. Yes, at one time the entire community's progress reflected each changing emotion of these four city blocks. It could be said that Ogden City was born here on 25th Street. And, judging by its delightful atmosphere, 25th Street was a mighty proud parent. Business activities, the railroad and 25th Street became synonymous. After the golden spike was driven a few miles north of here in 1869, the residents at the west end of the street found themselves host to the grandest
railroad depot between Omaha and San Francisco. "Junction City" station is what the passengers used to call it. Thousands of travelers captured their first scenes of Utah commerce from its generous doors. That station greeted many a young soldier during the years of World War I. But then, of course, none were as welcomed as Utah's own 145th field artillery unit when they pulled into Ogden after two years of loyal service in France. There was a serious influenza epidemic going through the city at that time, but no health warnings could keep the folks from hugging and kissing their doughboys as they marched up 25th Street, around the town, and back down to the station before traveling on up north. Soldiers weren't the only people the railroad brought to 25th Street,
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