Stewart Library Special Collections and University Archives

Stewart Library Special Collections and University Archives Documents the history of Weber and Davis counties through manuscripts, photographs and books.
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The library and campus may be closed but we have lots of digital collections anyone can browse. Check them out at https:...
09/07/2026

The library and campus may be closed but we have lots of digital collections anyone can browse. Check them out at https://dc.weber.edu/

A year after member of the Weber Stake decided they needed a college, the Methodist church met to discuss building their...
09/04/2026

A year after member of the Weber Stake decided they needed a college, the Methodist church met to discuss building their own university. On March 6, 1889 the Utah University of the Methodist Episcopal Church board was created. Plans moved rapidly and 50 acres of land was donated. It would have sat at the foothills south east of where Ogden High School stands today, roughly 30th St. and Tyler Ave.

During the next few years construction progressed and the basement and the first story were erected. Then the crisis of 1893 hit. The funds dried up and the building and the entire project was abandoned. The walls stood for several more years until Matthew S. Browning and Joseph Clark purchased some of the sandstone to create their own homes. The land was broken up and sold thus ending the efforts to create another religious university in a region that was considered frontier at the time.
Photo of Matthew S. Browning's sandstone home (demolished)

Calling all cooks. chefs, home bakers and everyone in between. We are still looking for recipes. If you owned a restaura...
09/02/2026

Calling all cooks. chefs, home bakers and everyone in between. We are still looking for recipes. If you owned a restaurant or were an employee of someplace that closed down and know the recipes we want to add them to a community created cookbook! If its a family favorite from Betty Crocker or Better Homes and Garden magazines we want to add it! Share your favorite drink, appetizer, main dish, side dish and desserts!
You can email us at [email protected] or send a message here. If its a photo of a recipe that works too!!!

Sacred Heart Academy in Ogden, Utah, was a Catholic school administered by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It opened in 1...
08/31/2026

Sacred Heart Academy in Ogden, Utah, was a Catholic school administered by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It opened in 1892 and closed in 1938. It had two locations during its time in Ogden.

The land for the academy was purchased in 1881, but construction took time, with the school opening in September 1892. It initially stood at 26th Street and Washington Blvd, then moved to 25th Street and Quincy Ave.

The Sisters of the Holy Cross were responsible for the administration and much of the teaching at Sacred Heart. Saint Mary's College of South Bend, Indiana, provided significant funding for the construction.

Although the first school came a year after St. Joseph's which was an all-boys Catholic school, the school provided education to students in Ogden, with some sources mentioning kindergarten and music classes continuing until 1959, even after the main school closed. The school closed its doors in June 1938. The building was demolished in 1961.

When it comes to schools, public schools are the first to come to mind but did you know that in Ogden there were a Metho...
08/28/2026

When it comes to schools, public schools are the first to come to mind but did you know that in Ogden there were a Methodist school, a few Catholic schools, a Presbyterian school and a Congregational school and an Episcopal school.

In 1870, church services for the Episcopal congregation were first held in Ogden, at the train station. The School of the Good Shepherd opened in October of that year, with thirteen students. Just eight years later there were 92 students. By year 13 there were 1000 students and growing every year after.

The first denominational school was the Episcopal school under Reverend Mr. Gillogly. It stood at 24th street and Grant just across from where the church stands today. There were four teachers, three departments – primary school, intermediate school and a high school. The school was open from 1870 to 1890 when the city of Ogden started the free public-school program.

This image is from the book Beneath Ben Lomond's Peak, 1944.

Today is National Dog Day! Dogs have been a part of many people's lives. Here are just a few images we have that are dog...
08/26/2026

Today is National Dog Day! Dogs have been a part of many people's lives. Here are just a few images we have that are dogs!

Today is the first day of Fall semester! Share your favorite back-to-school stories! If you are a new student or an al...
08/24/2026

Today is the first day of Fall semester! Share your favorite back-to-school stories! If you are a new student or an alumni we would love to hear from you.

It might be Ogden thing, but you can't talk schools without talking Ogden High School! The "Castle on the Hill" was buil...
08/21/2026

It might be Ogden thing, but you can't talk schools without talking Ogden High School! The "Castle on the Hill" was built by Ogden architect Leslie Hodgson. One of the first million dollar schools in Utah it was meant to be iconic! The school is housed in a historic, Art Deco building style and opened in 1937. It was meant to replace the older high school that was quickly becoming too small with the growing population of Ogden. The old school became Central Jr. High.
At the dedication, Governor Henry H. Blood said, “The quality of the building will endure long after the cost is forgotten.” His words have proven true, and Ogden High stands today as a beloved landmark.

In 1892-93, the voters of Ogden voted on two bonds to rebuild some of the public schools to meet the needs of growing en...
08/19/2026

In 1892-93, the voters of Ogden voted on two bonds to rebuild some of the public schools to meet the needs of growing enrollment. Grant school was one that saw a dramatic remodel. At the cost of $23,000, it was contracted but then went over budget by an additional $4,000.00. It was a two-story building with 8 classrooms and a "play area" in the basement.
The new Grant school was built after the model of Madison school and stood at Grant Avenue between 22nd and 23rd Streets. Very few alterations were ever made to the building. The school stood until 1970.

In 1879 the city of Ogden voted to build a school that would accommodate more students. The city was rapidly growing. Fi...
08/18/2026

In 1879 the city of Ogden voted to build a school that would accommodate more students. The city was rapidly growing. Fifteen months were required to complete the building. It was to be the largest school to date. Everyone was so proud of the school, the newspaper said “The Central School building is the most noticeable mark of Ogden’s architectural progress. It is deservedly an object of pride, not alone in this city but throughout the Territory.” The school was dedicated on September 26, 1880 and stood at 2527 Grant Ave. By 1910 the board of education felt there were too many schools too close together and part of the school yard was sold. After 40 years serving the community, the building was sold to the “Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.”

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3921 Central Campus Drive
Ogden, UT
84408

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Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm

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