Our historic review for the month of April, Episode 257 takes a stroll down the violent and seedy 25th street in Odgen.
Ogden was originally settled by the Mormon pioneers in the mid 1800’s. A quite farming town at first but the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad marked the beginning of Ogden’s 19th-century boom, especially Ogden’s 25th Street. Dubbed the notorious “Two Bit Street,” it was too rough even, reportedly, for Al Capone. The railroad brought with it rail men, travelers, gold rusher’s, cowboys, and drifters. The area around the train station quickly exploded with diversity and the local lawmen could not keep up with the sudden influx of people. Entire streets were thrown up almost overnight.
Ogden’s first boom from 1880 to 1905 ushered in the heyday of the Wild West. Gambling, shootouts, opium dens, liquor, prostitution, and all manner of Vices could be found in one place -Electric Alley. Now a parking lot between 24th and 25th street Electric Alley was run by the notorious Madame Belle London
When the Progressive movement and Prohibition arrived in Utah long before the national prohibition movement Odgen saw another boom. From 1917-1933, Odgen thrived with bootleggers and speakeasies. Tunnels were dug from the Union Station to the Ben Lomond Hotel and crime thrived both underground and above. The tunnels allowed for the easy transport of illegal liquor, outlaws, and underground gambling. Crime was carried out almost uninterrupted for decades.
With the repeal of prohibition, 25th street saw another boom in the organized crime business. Ogden’s Crime bosses could reach as far out as Chicago and even New York. Other organized crime rings would ‘Consult’ with Ogden to see how they had been so successful in their operations. Odgen became the poster child for organized crime organizations around the country.
The real decline in Ogden’s 25th street came in the 1950’s when the IRS arrived. This began a serious crack down on crime, prostitution, and all the vices. Along with the incredible loss of railroad passages, the plug was finally pulled on Ogden’s checkered economy.
If you want to know more about the history of Odgen’s 25th street this topic is only a ‘Goolge’ box away. You too can go down the rabbit hole we did and find some fascinating stories and lots of wonderful photos.
Music for episode by Folk Hogan