This enterprise was inaugurated by the incorporation of a company with $150,000 capital in October, 1880. On Nov. 5, '80 an agreement was entered into with Ogden City by which a franchise for twenty-five years was granted and a fire hydrant contract for the same period consummated. Preparations for active work were made and early in the spring of 1881, operations were begun. Meanwhile the city had purchased a little over one-half of the stock, which placed the company on a firm basis financially, and no delays or embarrassments ever impeded the progress of the work. During 1881 and 1882 nearly eleven miles of mains were laid—making two sources of supply available, first—the Ogden River which is conveyed about three miles in pipes into a reservoir on the bench and furnishes an abundant supply for about ten months of the year; second---Strong's and Waterfall Canyons are united, and conveyed for two miles into the same reservoir. This supply is available for six months, each year, and is intended as a protection against any interruptions by frost that may occur on the River line. The company is supplying about 250 consumers with water, including three railroad companies, viz: C. P. R.
The uses to which the water is applied are too numerous to mention, but as the quality is very pure, free from lime or alumina, it is invaluable for manufacturing purposes, for steam engines &c. &c. and is undoubtedly more healthy for culinary and other household purposes than what is ordinarily produced from wells—and as the city becomes more densely built up, its use will become general for such purposes. While the company does not desire to furnish water for irrigation, still by its sprink ling permits many residences are surrounded by beauti ful lawns heretofore an impossibility. Last, but not least, by a judicial distribution of fire hydrants, supplemented by hose carts and hooks and ladders, a protection from great fires is afforded, which experience teaches is the surest and most efficient yet devised. No costly steam ers to get out of repair, no large monthly bills for men and horses to make a steamer available, but instead a hand hose cart, gravity pressure, and plenty of water.
The daily consumption is about half a million gallons, but that includes sprinkling of all kinds, leaving the regu lar consumption about 300,000 gals. The work during the course of construction was under the personal direction of the officers of the company. E. H. Orth, President; W. N. Horton, Vice-president; Jos. Stanford, Secretary, and Treasurer; and James Taylor, T. D. Dee, and W. G. Child Directors in behalf of Ogden City.
In September, 1880, Messrs. Kiesel, Goldberg, and others of this city obtained a license and formed a company for the purpose of connecting different houses in the city by means of the Telephone. They, however, not having attained their object at the expiration of a few months, sold all their rights and privileges to Messrs. A. J. Pattison and J. N. Keller, who at once placed 40 sets of instruments in different stores and residences; and the service being considered satisfactory the real organization of the telephonic system commenced, it being due to the unremitting energy and perseverence of those gentlemen, the former of whom is the manager of the Western Union Telegraph Co. In 1881 the Ogden Telephone Exchange Company was incorporated and was worked under the general management of A. J. Pattison, with J. J. Dickey and L. H. Korty of Omaha, as President and Secretary respectively. This company remained in existence until March, 1883, when it was dissolved and a new company organized under the title of the Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone Company, with a capital of $600,000. which has recently been increased to $800,000; the officers be ing J. J. Dickey, President; A. J. Pattison, Vice-President and Treasurer; and C. W. Cook, Secretary; the general management remaining still under the able control of A. J. Pattison.
There are now about 120 sets of instruments in use in this city and surroundi ng places, connections being with North Ogden, Plain City, Hot Springs, Uintah, Riverdale, Kaysville, and Salt Lake City, the latter a distance of about 40 miles. Some 60 miles of wire are necessary for the working of the system, which has been very satisfactory, as in most cases each subscriber has a wire for his separate use, and two switch boards are used in the central office, where operators are in attendance day and night.
Ogden has the honor to claim the first inauguration of the telephone System in the western countries of America, and from the small beginning of the 40 instruments introduced by Messrs. Pattison and Keller, the number has increased to some 25,000.
This health resort is located eight miles north of Ogden, Utah, on the Utah & Northern Division of the Union Pacific Railway. These springs rise and flow from thc base of the Wasatch Range, at a temperature of 131 degrees Fahr., and a close analysis of these waters show it to contain (in strong solution) salt iron, nitre magnesia, and soda, with over 300 grains of solid matter to the gallon and flowing about 156,000 gallons every 24 hours. Besides supplying the baths inside the house, this wonderful medicated fluid is run into an outside summer bath 166 by 204 feet, three feet deep at the upper side and about seven at the lower, with runs and spring boards which afford amusement for from 300 to 400 people at one time, and as trains from Ogden to the Springs run daily, thousands of people are enabled to visit them yearly at the low fare for the round trip (from Ogden) of 50 cents.
For many years Ogden, the railroad center of the Rocky Mountain region, suffered from the lack of appropriate hotel facilities, and thousands of travelers—both pleasure-seeking tourists and business men—passed by
the city after a few moments' stop at the depot, who otherwise would have remained a day or two in the town. This deficiency was finally supplied by Mr. John Broom, an old-time citizen and a man of enterprise, who, in April, commenced the excavation for the foundation for the Broom Hotel, on the corner of Main and Fifth Streets, where formerly a row of low wooden structures had served as permanently dangerous firetraps.
The Broom Hotel covers an area of 66 feet on Main Street, by 160 feet on Fifth Street. The part of the building on Main Street fronts to the east, and that on Fifth Street faces to the south. It is built of the best fire proof brick and is three stories high. On the first floor on Main Street there are three elegant stores. The first room on the floor on Fifth Street is 30 x 60 and is designed for the office, baggage room, etc. The billiard hall is 30 x 52 feet, and its appointments are equal to any other on the Pacific Slope. At the west end of the building and facing the south is the apartment 15 x 60 feet, fitted in neat, tasteful style and occupied by Mr. John G. Chambers, the pioneer bookseller, newsdealer, etc. On this floor in the west end of the building are the culinary departments, the kitchens, larder, laundry, etc., with ranges and all other appliances of the latest improved styles. Water is abundant for all necessary purposes.
On the second story there are 34 elegant hotel parlors, with bay windows fronting the south and east. In addition to these is the magnificent dining ball, 52 x 28 feet, splendidly arranged, lighted, and painted. The third story also contains 35 rooms similar in size and con struction to those on the middle story, with bath rooms and all other conveniences. This handsome structure has nine double-bay windows, artistically ornamented and supported with Corinthian columns. The architecture is, in some respects, similar to that of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. From the roof it is lighted by seven large crystal skylights.
The Broom hotel was designed and constructed by Mr. J. C. Matthews, architect, Oakland, California. The rock work in the foundation, etc., was done by Mr. D. J. Doyle, the brick work by Mr. Joseph T. Johnson, the carpenter work was superintended by Mr. J. E. Blethen.
The plastering was done by Messrs. Taylor & Shupe, the painting by Mr. Robert Wilson. The erection of this splendid structure cost between $60,000 and $70,000, exclusive of the furniture, which has been imported from the East and cost $25,000. It is the finest edifice and best hotel between San Francisco, Cal., and Denver, Col.
The Broom hotel was opened on January 15th, 1883, by Mr. A. D. Shakespeare, under whose management the patronage of this hostelry has so rapidly increased that an addition of 33 feet front is being built to it, on the north side, of the same height and style as the main building.
THE NEW CO-OP.
On Friday, February 4th, 1882, the finest and largest structure devoted to commercial transactions in this Territory and for a wide region of country was dedicated. It was the new building of the Ogden branch of Z. C. M. I., on the corner of Main and Fourth Streets. This edifice is an honor to its builders, a credit to the institution, and an ornament to the city.
The whole building is 100 x 115 feet, and three stories. The east front, on Main Street, is 115 feet; the south, on Fourth Street, 100 feet. The construction of the build ing was commenced in May, 1880. There are 800,000 brick in it, and 250,000 feet of lumber, the approximate cost being $70,000. The first floor is used as the retail department. Whether you enter the east or south door, the whole floor is at once to be seen; it is so constructed that it can be divided in a clear manner, so that each place will have its department, without interfering with the other departments.
Leading from the south side of this floor, just on the west side of the bank wall, are the stairs which lead to the second floor. This, like the first floor, is so arranged that the whole place, while it can be distinctly divided into departments, can also be seen from any part at a glance. It is used as a wholesale department for general goods. The private office is at the north end of the general office, while at the south end is another vault to be used for the store. This is of the same shape, and substantial as that in the bank. The ceiling on the se cond floor is fifteen feet high. The third floor is like the second in shape, and is used as a store room, while there is also a loft. The ceiling of this room is twelve feet high.
Beneath the whole building is a fine substantial, airy cellar. It connects with Fourth Street by means of a solid iron slide, down which goods are sent. The floor is without equal in the Territory: it is hard and dry, being made of Portland cement.
Everything that could add to the convenience or beauty of the building has been done. Water and gas pipes are all through it, as well as speaking tubes, which connect all the floors and departments. The entire outside presents a magnificent and imposing appearance, and as before stated, no place in the Territory is more beautiful as a place af [sic] business.
It is a fine specimen of architecture, the designer being the late Mr. Obed Taylor. Mr. N. C. Flygare had the supervision of construction and the contract for the carpenter work. The building reflects great credit on both Architect Taylor and Master Mechanic Flygare, the former for the design, the latter for the execution.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
is in the southeast corner of this building. The entrance to it is from the southeast corner, leading from fine circular granite steps. The door is fine and massive, and on either side are large Corinthian iron columns, fluted, and cast at Davis & Howe's foundry, Salt Lake City. In this bank, which could not have a finer situation, is a vault, as firm and solid as they are ever made.
[Erratum.—The Co-op. building was dedicated in 1881, not 1882, as stated above.]
THE CITY DRAIN.
In 1880, the City Council resolved to have a drain dug through the most important business part of town, for the purpose of draining off the surface water and thus protecting the cellars and basements of mercantile establishments. The work was commenced in the spring and vigorously prosecuted until a portion was completed in the fall, extending from the corner of Main and Fifth running north, on the west side, to Fourth, thence down on the south side of Fourth, to a point below Wall Street, where the water is discharged in some sloughs and finally conveyed on farms in the bend of the river for irrigation purposes.
In addition to this useful work of subterraneous drainage, the same drain was extended from Fifth Street south along Main, to the center of Sixth and Seventh, when it is hoped it will ultimately be continued further on, vastly improving the property along its course and contributing towards the better sanitary condition of the people.
The work was supervised by the Committee on Streets, Joseph Stanford chairman. The surveying was done by Joseph A. West and David Jenkins, and the work of construction was under the immediate direction of Street Supervisor Chas. Welch.
The drain reaches to a depth of eight feet below the surface of the soil. Rock walls four feet high are laid, with a space between the opposite sides of 2 1/2 feet, covered with slabs of rock, and then tilled in with gravel and dirt,
manholes being inserted at proper distances. The work, during the process of which no accident occurred, cost the sum of about $10,000, nearly all defrayed out of the City Treasury, private parties contributing a small fraction.
This public improvement has resulted in great benefits, both in a sanitary point of view and in making it possible to build and maintain, in the very heart of the business center, large and dry cellars for the accommodation of wholesale dealers in groceries, liquors, etc., thus adding to the value of the real estate contiguous to it.
THE BRIDGES.
Weber County, with its numerous, large, and partly very impetuous water courses, was at an early date put under the necessity of erecting bridges to facilitate the crossing of the streams and increase travel and traffic.
At present the County has three bridges which compare favorably with the best, anywhere in the Western country. The oldest in time of erection is the bridge across Ogden River, in the north part of the city. This substantial work was erected in 1876, at a cost of about $14,000, David Moore being the builder. This bridge was built by the City of Ogden, while the one mentioned next was the joint work of both City and County.
Another excellent structure, equaled by none in the valleys, is the bridge across Weber River, in the western portion of the township, a little beyond the depots. It was built in 1880. Hammond & Doyle were the contractors for the piling and abutments, the cost for which was about $7,500. D. Moore was the architect and builder, also, of this bridge proper. His contract amounted to nearly $6,000. This bridge has a double-wagon track, and with the approaches cost $15,500 altogether. Its erection opened up all the rich and populous western portion of the County to Ogden's commerce, and has also resulted in the saving of many lives, as herebefore several people had found their death in the surging waters of the Weber while fording it.
The people of South Weber and Riverdale especially, and the public generally had for a long time been put to much inconvenience, trouble, and expense by the destruction of the late bridge which spanned the Weber River south of Taylor's mills. A new bridge became a necessity, and that necessity is now supplied. Colonel Moore was the contractor and builder, but his son, Mr. David M. Moore, superintended the construction. The span is 125 feet; the full length of floor is 138 feet; width of floor 14 feet, hight [sic] of structure 15 feet in the clear. There are 14 panels of braces to each truss. The bridge is supported by 68 main, and four counter brace rods, ranging in length from 10 to 26 feet, and 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches thick. There are also between 700 and 800 bolts, ranging from nine inches to three feet in length, and from five-eights to one and one-fourth inches in thickness. There is nearly 40,000 feet of lumber in the bridge. This fine structure rests on two right substantial abutments built of sand stone and granite rocks, laid in cement mortar throughout. These abutments rest on fifty-six iron pointed spiles, which are driven twenty-feet below the surface, and are cut off twenty-six inches below water mark. They are capped with heavy timbers, on which the rock-work is built. The contract price of building the bridge was $7,300; part of this amount was appropriated by the Territorial Legislature, and part by the County Court of Weber County. The work was commenced in the latter part of the summer of 1881.
The New City Building is a credit to the City authorities. It is centrally located on the east side of Union Square, between Fifth and Sixth Streets, and faces the East mountains. It is a brick structure, two stories, and 61x31 feet, and is 24 feet to the square. On the first floor of the building there are eight iron cells, each 4 feet 6 inches by 8 feet 7 inches in size. They are made of boiler iron with heavy bar iron doors. On the same floor there are four other rooms, two of them (one 13x15 feet, the other 11x15) are fitted up as offices for the City Recorder. The other two, one of which is l3x24 feet, and the other 10x10 feet, are Council Chambers, where the City Council holds sessions until the New City hall is erected. On the second floor are four well-built cells, which, in size, will average 7x8 feet. These are of wood, 2x6 in. scantlings spiked together, and lined on the outside with lumber. There are on the same floor two other rooms 13x11 feet, designed for sleeping rooms for paupers and transients. Also two rooms, one 13x18 feet for the use of the Justice's Court, and the other, 13x15 feet, fitted up for police headquarters. The rooms and cells will accommodate between 30 and 40 prisoners, exclusive of the rooms occupied by the Court, Council, and police. The building is erected on a rock foundation which is raised two feet above the street grade. The walls are 17 inches thick, the material is extra burnt bricks. The house is covered with Porter-roofing iron. The windows are well barred to prevent escape by any of the prisoners, and the whole structure is thoroughly ventilated from the foundation to the top. It cost, altogether, a little over $10,000. The building was designed and constructed by Mr. N. C. Flygare, architect, of this city.
There was, at one time and another, a great deal said in relation to building of a Street Railway in Ogden City. Several parties applied for charters to the City Council, but it would appear that they could not accede to the terms offered by the City Fathers, or they lacked the necessary capital or real disposition to build the road, and therefore, like the establishment of the Ogden Iron Works, the matter ended in talk and nothing more. However, at the time of this writing, there is a fair prospect of such a road being erected in Ogden City, and that it will be commenced at an early day. On the 20th day of May, 1883, a company was organized for the purpose of building such an institution, provided they could obtain a charter for that purpose. A petition was presented to the Council, asking for such an instrument. Resolutions were drafted, embodying the terms on which the company would be granted permission to construct and operated a Street Railroad in Ogden City. The Company, as now organized, consists of L. W. Shurtliff, President; W. G. Child, Vice President; H. S. Young, Secretary and Treasurer; C. F. Middleton, N. C. Flygare, William Driver, Lorin Farr, L.J. Herrick, of Ogden City; and Jas. Sharp and O.P. Arnold, of Salt Lake City. Several meetings were held by the Company and by the City Council to arrange the preliminaries. A special session of the City Council was held, on Tuesday evening, Aug. 7, 1883, Hon. D. H. Peery, Mayor, presiding. The object of the meeting was to further consider and take final action on the resolutioun granting to the Ogden City Railway Company permission to contstruct and operate a street railway in Ogden City. The resolution was read by sections, several sections were amended, and adopted by the Council.
Ogden City, as the center of many railroads and other travel from all directions, had long felt the necessity of an institution in which to take proper care of sick transients or paupers afflicted with bodily injury or illness while in her limits. To meet these demands, becoming more and more urgent, in the year 1882 the City Council built a hospital. Although it is built on an elevation much above the level of the City, still it is situated in a beautiful romantic little basin on Burch Creek. It nestles in this little vale, surrounded by gently rising hills. It is concealed from view until the traveler reaches to within proximity to it. A more suitable location for such a building, we believe, cannot be found between the banks of Weber and Ogden Rivers. On the hills on either side of this home for the afflicted are nice little groves of oak, etc., in the shades of which the convalescents can, in summer time, repose and enjoy the refreshing mountain and canyon breezes. Within easy distances are several springs of the purest water which flow from the veins of the Rocky Mountains, in this neighborhood. There is also a wide, open space in which the invalids can parade a few hours, in the day time, in the spring or early fall months of the year. The building contains six rooms, most of which are 12x12 feet, and ten feet high. They are comfortably fitted up and well appointed for the purposes for which they are designed. The Hospital was built by Mr. Joseph T. Johnson.
—Best Quality of—
Orders from all parts of Utah, Idaho, Montana and along the lines of the Railroad, will receive Prompt Attention.