Always Ogden

Ogden City Hall 2007

AlwaysOgden.com started about 16 years ago as a way for me to show off all of the great recreation places, restaurants, events and features that the Ogden area has to offer… Mayor Matthew Godfrey was in office and Ogden was beginning to change from the sleepy, inexpensive railroad town. Then, the Recession knocked us off the stool. The great projects were put on hold, foreclosures skyrocketed and the momentum of the early 2000’s was lost for a few years. One of the first posts I did was on the Wonder Bread plant, located in the middle of Ogden. The amazing smell of bread, Twinkies, HoHos, and more, spread throughout the city. The smell was especially delicious when I would be leaving the gym…

From out of nowhere, some horrible hackers got ahold of my lovely site, turning it into rubbish – it took years to rid the site of the shocking posts! I am a firm believer in incredibly long and confusing passwords, lots of editing and checking comments on the page, and keeping material relevant and exciting. Which is where the City of Ogden is today – relevant and exciting!

Beyond the thrill of Historic 25th Street, there’s so much more. Don’t miss the amazing Monarch, Nine Rails Arts District, and the upcoming Wonder Block. Watch for massive community murals that dot the city streets. Art galleries have sprouted, along with cute cafes, new coffee shops, record stores, and community theaters. Ogden also possesses quaint housing stock, which has improved dramatically over the past ten years. My goal is to bring these homes, businesses, people and places to your fingertips.

In addition to Utah Real Estate, you’ll get to know my great agents, who are at your beck and call. I’m also including my favorite vendors! From contractors to best hang outs, you’ll be able to see them all.

Eccles Community Art Center

This majestic Victorian gives off a lovely light in the alpenglow winter afternoons in Ogden, but the Eccles Community Art Center  radiates a glow even further into our Ogden Community.  The home, built in 1893 by James C. Armstrong, was purchased by David and Bertha Eccles in 1896. Since 1959, it has been the home to ECAC, as well as the birthplace of several notable pursuits.  Bertha Eccles started the Utah Chapter of the Girl Scouts in this home in 1920. Over the years, it has also been the home to the Children’s Aid Society, Drama Club, Child Culture, Martha Society, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and Red Cross.  Currently, the center is home to the Junior League of Ogden, Ogden Rotary, Onstage Ogden (formerly Ogden Symphony-Ballet) and the Carriage House Gallery.

                The Eccles Community Art Center (ECAC) is a non-profit organization, dedicated to a continued effort to stimulate interest, foster awareness and provide education in all visual and performing arts. The center is located within the Nine Rails Creative District, Ogden’s newest addition to the eclectic community offerings. The fabulous exhibits change monthly, involving all facets of the art community.  This year, the annual fundraiser/gala promotes seeing art in action, with eight renowned artists painting their pieces at the event. Additionally, artists from throughout Utah will have their work on display for immediate purchase, with a portion of the proceeds going to the center. Quite the fabulous evening, the night boasted over 20 artists, selling their artwork and painting live works of art for the live auction! Although the gala just happens once per year, you can visit the center anytime, and especially on First Friday Art Stroll.  

                If you’d like to become more involved, know that The ECAC offers classes in visual, diverse, literary, health & happiness and performing arts, all taught by some pretty amazing instructors.  The ECAC brings a variety of events to Northern Utah including a chalk art fair for teens, the Recycled Art Competition, as well as Art In Bloom, the Plein Air Competition, Traces of the West, Statewide Competitions, and a Holiday Home Tour in association with the Weber Heritage Foundation. For more information about the center, please visit The Eccles Community Art Center.