Ogden Travel Guide

Fort Buenaventura was the first permanent settlement by people of European descent in the region that is now Utah. It was established by the trapper Miles Goodyear about a mile west of where downtown Ogden is currently located. In November 1847, Fort Buenaventura was purchased by the Mormon settlers for $1,950. The settlement was called Brownsville then later Ogden. Fort Buenaventura is now a Utah state park. Ogden was named for trapper and mountain man Peter Skene Ogden.

Ogden grew in influence and prominence after the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. The railroad companies preferred basing their operations in Ogden, and the city was known as the "gentile capital" of Utah, since most of its citizens were not members of the Mormon Church. During the heydey of rail transportation, railroad passengers traveling west to San Francisco from the eastern United States typically passed through Ogden. Echoes of the glory days can be experienced at the magnificent Union Station, which boasts a museum, railroad equipment displays, a model train hobby shop, and an excellent restaurant. Ogden is the closest sizable city to Golden Spike National Monument in Promontory, Utah where the transcontinental Railroad was completed.

Ogden was a venue for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Ice Sheet in Ogden was the site of Curling for the Olympics. The Ice Sheet is a hockey rink but was converted to Curling for the Olympic Games. The nearby Snowbasin ski resort was an olympic venue for skiing as well.

Ogden entered a period of decline in the mid to late 20th century as the railroads lost influence. With the passing of the era of rail travel, the once bustling railyard was downsized, and many businesses closed. This period of decline had the paradoxical effect of preserving many of the downtown buildings from the wrecking ball. As a result, magnificent old victorian structures still stand near the Union Station, giving the town the appearance of a wild west movie set. Many of these buildings have been reoccupied by boutiques, brew pubs, and other eclectic businesses. The fabulous Ben Lomond Hotel has also been preserved in the downtown, and is Utah's largest historic hotel.