HISTORY

The Trolley District was originally developed as a streetcar subdivision during Ogden’s booming railroad era beginning with the joining of the Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory Point in 1869. As the new junction city boomed so did the neighborhood directly east of the downtown. Here merchants and businessmen settled building fine homes on the first bench above the bustling city. A streetcar system was developed to provide ease of access to downtown, conveying citizens from home to work, dine, shop and back again.

In 1883 the Ogden City Railway Co. constructed and operated Ogden’s first city rail-line. These early trains were originally mule-drawn, transitioning to small steam engines by 1889. In 1891 an electric streetcar made its appearance on Ogden city streets. The trolley system grew, and streetcars were built nearly every two-blocks, including east-west routes along 21st, 23rd, 25th, and 27th streets.

There's more to come, so check back soon for a detailed history of the Trolley District.

Sources:

Strack, Don. "Ogden Rails, A History of Railroads in Ogden, Utah From 1869 to Today." 1997