WSU Historical Lecture Examines How Ogden Became the ‘Junction City’
OGDEN, Utah – To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad, Weber State University welcomes author and historian Val Holley to speak about the influence of the railroad on the development of Ogden as part of the Weber Historical Society Lecture Series, March 11 at 7 p.m. in the Hurst Center Dumke Legacy Hall.
Holley will present “How Ogden Became the Junction City and Why Salt Lake Never Forgave Us.” Holley will give the presentation again March 12 at 7 p.m. at the Weber County Library Southwest Branch (2039 W. 4000 S., Roy) as part of the Whistle Stop Tour sponsored by Weber State University, the Weber County Library and Union Station.
Holley will explain why the railroad went around the north end of the Great Salt Lake, bypassing Salt Lake City; the experiences of Ogden men who worked as graders for the railroad; what led to Ogden’s designation as the junction; and Salt Lake City’s attitude toward Ogden after being bypassed.
“While several outstanding histories of the Transcontinental Railroad have been written, none have focused on Ogden itself,” Holley said. “I will discuss how the railroad boosted Ogden’s growth, economy and relations with the outside world.”
Holley is the author of “25th Street Confidential: Drama, Decadence, and Dissipation along Ogden's Rowdiest Road.”
The presentation is sponsored by the WSU Alumni Association, the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, the Department of History, Stewart Library and the Weber Historical Society.
Visit weber.edu/history/historicalsociety for more information about the Weber Historical Society Spring Lecture Series.
More information about the Whistle Stop Tour can be found here.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Ross Rosier, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • rossrosier@weber.edu- Contact:
Eric Swedin, history professor
801-626-6692 • eswedin@weber.edu