WSU’s Stewart Library Spotlights Ogden’s Historic 25th Street

OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University’s Stewart Library Special Collections will present “25th: The Street that Never Slept,” a new exhibit about Ogden’s notorious street, opening April 4 at 6 p.m. at Union Station’s Gallery 51 (2484 Washington Blvd. Suite 101, Ogden).

The exhibit features photographs from the library’s collection of historical images as well as new photographs by WSU students and excerpts from oral history interviews with men and women who have lived and worked on 25th Street.
 
200 25th Street: Originally a saloon, John Cosmos turned this building into the Beehive Confectionery in 1932, one year before this photograph was taken.
Sara Langsdon, associate curator of Special Collections, said the exhibit is the culmination of the yearlong “Business at the Crossroads” project designed to document the history of 25th Street after World War II.

“Little of that time has been documented, and we really wanted to capture the spirit and vibrancy of 25th Street — both then and now,” she said.

Langsdon and her staff received a grant last year from the Richard K. and Shirley S. Hemingway Foundation to collaborate with faculty and students from multiple departments. History students completed internships in Special Collections, researching buildings and events and conducting oral history interviews.

“It has been such an incredible opportunity to meet these people and listen to their stories,” said student intern Lorrie Rands. “Some of their stories are funny; some are sad. Some even touch on the more dangerous aspects of 25th Street. I think people will love reading them all.”

WSU photography students documented the evolution of 25th Street. Joshua Winegar, assistant professor of photography, worked as their mentor as they took portraits of current business owners and recreated historical images.

Other faculty who have worked on the project include Kathy Payne, associate professor of library science; Kathryn MacKay, professor of history; and Pepper Glass, assistant professor of sociology.

The exhibit will open as part of Ogden’s First Friday Art Stroll and will be on display throughout April. Additional opening night events include a presentation by high school students from Venture Academy titled “King of O-Town: Joe McQueen,” a multimedia timeline of McQueen’s life and career in jazz. Val Holley, author of “25th Street Confidential,” will speak at 7 p.m. and sign books after.
 
This event is also sponsored by a grant from the Utah Division of State History, the Utah Humanities Council and Friends of the Stewart Library. For more information about the exhibit, please visit library.weber.edu/25thstreet.
 
Today 200 25th is home to Lucky Slice Pizza, a popular restaurant owned by Will Shafer, Nick VanArsdell, and Mike McDonald
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.



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Author:
Melissa Johnson, Stewart Library Special Collections
801-626-7235 • melissajohnson1@weber.edu
Contact:
Melissa Johnson, Stewart Library Special Collections
801-626-7235 • melissajohnson1@weber.edu