By Lynn Arave
OGDEN area residents were fascinated with Ogden Canyon in the late 19th Century. Whereas today the Canyon probably just seems like a conduit to Pineview Reservoir, or the ski resorts, or the South Fork campgrounds, it was practically worshipped 127 years ago and viewed as a natural retreat of its own.
“The chasm
cut by nature’s hand through the Wasatch Range. A tribute to Ogden Canyon’s
Grandeur. Swift, swift river. How it
roars and foams in madness. Then sings in peace. Another royal gorge – Sublime scenery of a
superb canyon – Something the world should see,” was a May 24, 1887 lengthy
headline in the Ogden Standard-Examiner.
The story
mentions passing “the narrows” in the canyon. By that, I assume, the narrow
opening at the start of the canyon (and widened in modern years).
Also
mentioned is passing by the warm, medicinal springs of “Kiesel, Carnahan and
Anderson.”
The
recommendation is next to stop at Wilson’s Mills, tie up the horse and climb a
nearby hill to gain a perspective of looking down the chasm.
“Cap Rock”
was mentioned as another highlight, with one large rock leaning on another. (No
modern reference could be found to this feature, so it may no longer exist in
the Canyon.)
Finally, the
story mentions a large cave, “often been compared with the Salt Lake
Tabernacle,” with a “huge roof of overhanging-rock spreading its rounded rocky
canopy over the astonished visitor.” (Again, what this is talking about is
unclear today.)
“It is a
delightful, healthy, pretty grand place,” the article concluded of Ogden
Canyon.
However, 24
years later, there was a dark side to Ogden Canyon – flooding.
“The Hermitage
is isolated and buildings on the lowlands are endangered – County bridge at the
mouth of the canyon may go down – Homes in the City flooded,” was a Jan. 31,
1911 headline in the Standard.
The Ogden
River was on a rampage that winter and even the bridge over Washington Avenue,
between 19th and 20th streets was in jeopardy.
Ogden Canyon
was also struggling with rumors in 1895 of plentiful rattlesnakes and hobos
living there. An Aug. 24, 1895 Standard reporter said all the dynamiting being
done in the Canyon that summer surely had scared all the reptiles away. And, the
writer said he found no evidence of vagabonds living in the Canyon.
A July 12,
1899 Standard story claimed visitors to Ogden Canyon never numbered less than
1,500 people on a typical Sunday in summer. However, for their benefit, the
road to the mouth of the Canyon needs better sprinkling, to avoid dust and more
upkeep overall.
By early
1901, the mouth of the Canyon was being dynamited, to provide better access.
On Feb. 12,
1913, a fire destroyed the sanitarium at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. A
forerunner to today’s Rainbow Gardens, a Standard story reported the place had
“been considered as one of Ogden’s most popular health and bathing resorts.”
Heated by
coal stoves, the building was razed to the ground. Only the private baths in
the rear of the main building were left standing, with their brick walls.
The
building’s loss was placed at $35,000, lowered to $21,000 with insurance.
Almost a
hundred years ago (1918), there was also a different “Pineview” east of Ogden.
In Ogden Canyon there was Pineview the hotel, with cottages, boating, fishing,
trout and chicken dinners, hot coffee, sandwiches and refreshments.
(-Originally published by Lynn Arave in the Ogden Standard-Examiner, June 20, 2014.)
(-Originally published by Lynn Arave in the Ogden Standard-Examiner, June 20, 2014.)
-NOTE: The author, Lynn Arave, is available to speak to groups, clubs, classes or other organizations about Utah history at no charge. He can be contacted by email at: lynnarave@comcast.net
