NORTH OGDEN’S ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES: THEN AND NOW

BY SABRINA LEE

Whenwe think about historic preservation, most people immediately think about architectural preservation. But historic preservation can be applied to people, places, and events that happened. Its main goal is to preserve a part of history for future generations. In May of 1973, the National Trust for Historic Preservation created a weeklong celebration to relate local and state preservation progress to the national effort being made. In 2005, the celebration was extended to the entire month of May. Utah celebrates May as Archeology and Historic Preservation Month. The Utah State Historic Preservation Office has month long events that connect people to the past.

Locally, North Ogden’s Historical Museum and volunteers have dedicated their time to preserving the stories and treasured artifacts of North Ogden, but the city also has some beautifully preserved historical homes. And it has also lost some historic places due to growth.

One of those lost is the Sydney Stevens House, that was located at 2593 North Washington Blvd. The Sidney Stevens House was a 2 ½ story fired brick residence, built in the pioneer design in 1874 in the shape of a T. Modification to the home over the years included the covered remodeled porch and balconies.

Sydney Stevens was a successful general retail store and farm implement proprietor. When the 2-story home burned down, he built a 3-story home. It contained 14 rooms, and the 3rd story was used as a dance hall where many social functions were held over the years. The Stevens lived in the home until 1890, their daughter Bessie and her family lived there until it was purchased by Clarence and Myrtle Barker, and for many years Barker Family members or renters occupied the home. The house was placed on the National Historic Registry in 1977. After over 100 years of standing on the corner North of Washington Blvd., the building was determined to be structurally unsound and demolished. Although not on the National Registry, many early 20th Century homes are still standing. Such as the John and Emily Blaylock home. John began teaching at the age of 19, after he graduated from Weber State Academy.

Even older homes are still standing in North Ogden, too. The Nathaniel Montgomery Home is a rare example of a home “staying in the family.”

Alice Wyatt, pictured in front of the home in 2016, is a direct descendent of Nathaniel and Nancy Montgomery who built this brick home in 1891. She has preserved the home and furniture of her family. Sadly, Alice passed away

The Spackman home has been standing for over 130 years! John and Emma Spackman built this home in 1870; the foundation rock is from the old North Ogden Fort. The red brick was painted white in the 1950’s.

I love old houses and old things. Walking into an old house, you can’t help but wonder what the walls would say they have seen. Our community is lucky enough to still have people like the volunteers at the North Ogden Historical Museum that are willing to preserve history through artifacts and photos. And we are even luckier to have had people like Alice Wyatt that dedicated her time to the Historical Museum and preserving her family home.

Are you a History Buff? Do you have a local history or ancestor story you would like to share? We want to hear from you!

Email cindy@connectionpub.com with your stories, and we might feature them in the magazine.