Visit Odgen’s Historic 25th Street today and you’ll find a charming little avenue full of shops, pubs, and cafes. This Utah city has worked hard over the years to overcome the sketchy history that plagued the area from the time of the railroad workers all the way through Prohibition. In fact, at one time, Ogden was the most dangerous town in Utah and one of the most dangerous places in the entire United States.
The railroad and local mining brought some unsavory characters to town. Electric Alley (a street that no longer exists in Ogden) was full of lonely miners and railroad workers wanting to blow their pay on liquor, women, and opium. Shootouts were common, and the street was run by a local Madame who supplied the men with prostitutes.
The Prohibition Era started early in Utah when the State Legislature voted it into effect in 1917, with hopes to make Utah a dry state. In Ogden, the law had the opposite effect. It quickly became a money-making opportunity and illegal businesses sprung up all over downtown Ogden, but particularly on 25th Street.
Advertisem*nt
The tunnels made it easier to transport prostitutes and liquor from one place to another. Weren't the 1920s in Utah an interesting time?
Advertisem*nt
Related Stories
You Can Find Fascinating 3000 Year-Old Petroglyphs At Capitol Reef National Park In UtahOne Of The Last Grizzlies In Utah, Old Ephraim, Is Buried Near LoganFew People Know The Real Reason Utah Is Called The Beehive State
Prostitution, liquor, and gambling were rampant, and with those vices came violence.
Al Capone is reported to have said that he wouldn't dare walk the streets of Ogden, Utah for fear of his life.
After Prohibition was repealed, the mob moved into Ogden, and gambling was the new favorite criminal activity. Ogden's 25th Street suffered from crime throughout much of the 20th century.
You'll find lots of quaint shops, cafes, and pubs in these historic buildings to explore.
I lived in Ogden for several years and loved it — now it’s one of my favorite places to visit. Are you lucky enough to live there? Tell us about your beautiful city in the comments!
If you are searching for a beautiful day trip destination in Ogden, check out the Ogden River Parkway.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
Most dangerous town in Utah
Courtnie Erickson|September 01, 2021
What are the best things to do in Ogden, Utah?
Today, Ogden is a wonderful and beautiful place to live and visit. There are many activities the entire family will enjoy, great places to eat, and unique places to explore. For example, you can enjoy the beautiful sunshine while walking along the Ogden River Parkway Trail. This gorgeous trail begins at the mouth of Ogden Canyon and travels all the way to 21st Street Pond. It is a paved trail, making it perfect for bikes, rollerblades, strollers, and wheelchairs.
The George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park is another must-visit attraction in Ogden, Utah. This is a 5-acre park that features more than 100 dinosaur replicas. Adults and children alike will love to spend the day walking among the dinosaurs and learning about these remarkable creatures.
Learn more about the history in Utah
Utah's history dates back to the Mormon Pioneers in 1847. Since then, some interesting things have taken place. Here are some fun, historical facts about the Beehive State that will help you win any trivia night.
- Did you know Salt Lake City was once known as The Great Salt Lake City? The “great” was dropped from the name in 1868.
- Fillmore was actually the first capital of Utah. It wasn’t until 1856 when the capital was moved to Salt Lake City.
- Utah was the second state in the United States to allow women to vote.
- In the early 1900s, Salt Lake City used electric trolleys around the Avenues, Sugarhouse, downtown, Liberty Park, Capitol Hill, and more. These trolleys were eventually replaced by buses in the 1930s.
- The Utah Jazz made its first arrival to Utah in 1979.
- In 1983, a massive flood hit downtown Salt Lake City.
- In 1999, a tornado touched down in downtown Salt Lake City.
- Utah was the host of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
Related Articles
The Parowan Gap In Utah Is The Perfect Combination Of Both History And Geology
These 15 Photos Show Utah's National Parks Back In The Good Old Days
9 Fascinating Photos That Show What Small Towns In Utah Were Like In The Early 1900s
A Paper Mill Was Built And Left To Decay At The Mouth Of A Utah Canyon
9 Historic Photos That Show Us What It Was Like Living In Utah In The Early 1900s
Visit These Fascinating Puebloan Village Ruins In Utah For An Adventure Into The Past
The Great Blizzard Of 1993 Dumped 26 Inches Of Snow On Utah
Explore Utah
Fun Facts
History
Meet the Locals
Need to Know
Featured Addresses
Ogden, UT, USA
