24th of July

Goodyear Cabin: Ogden’s greatest historical treasure

The Miles Goodyear Cabin in Ogden is the oldest non-Native American structure in Utah. It is also perhaps Ogden’s greatest historical gem. Built in 1845, two years before the Mormon pioneers arrived, the now 169-year-old cabin was the first permanent house built in Utah.

Lynn Arave

The Miles Goodyear Cabin in Ogden is the oldest non-Native American structure in Utah. It is also perhaps Ogden’s greatest historical gem.

Built in 1845, two years before the Mormon pioneers arrived, the now 169-year-old cabin was the first permanent house built in Utah.

However, it is a miracle the cabin has survived the times, in that it has moved at least seven times around town – and was also towed on a trailer in one Pioneer Days Parade.

It is presently located on the Weber County Pioneer Museum grounds, 2104 Lincoln Ave.

The historic log cabin, about 250-square-feet in size and made of Cottonwood logs, originally stood near the junction of the Ogden and Weber rivers, close to where today’s Fort Buenaventura State Park in West Ogden now stands.

In the fall of 1847 it was sold by Miles Goodyear (along with the entire Ogden area) to settler Captain James Brown of the Mormon Battalion, representing the Mormon Church, for $1,950.

The cabin first had to be moved about 440 yards southeast of its original location, to higher ground, to be protected from an overflowing Weber River in 1850, according to the Standard on Dec. 27, 1919.

In 1857, it was purchased by Mrs. Amos Pease Shaw and used as a blacksmith business. In 1860, Shaw moved the cabin to the banks of Mill Creek.

In 1866, it was relocated to 1342 Washington Blvd. (named “Main Street” in those days.) On April 3, 1896, Minerva P. Shaw purchased the cabin, who soon relocated it slightly south, near her residence, 1265 Washington (“Avenue” back then). The cabin was then repaired and its dirt roof was replaced with a shingle roof.

In 1916, Shaw donated the cabin to the Ogden Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. The cabin made a special appearance in the July 24, 1916 Ogden Pioneer Days Parade, incorporated into a float.

David O. McKay, chairman of the Ogden Pioneer Days Pageant, recommended that it appear in the parade so that it “might go visiting and show itself off to the big buildings that have been erected since it pioneered,” as quoted in the June 4, 1916 Ogden Standard-Examiner. (The article also mentioned that a controversy was also recently settled proving the cabin was the oldest house in the state.)

The cabin was next transported to the rear of Ogden City Fire Station No. 3, 901 Washington on Dec. 4, 1919. The Sept. 21, 1920 Standard stated that the City of Ogden was now going to take steps to safeguard the oldest house in the state. A shed, to protect the building from storms, was then erected over it.

In 1928, the cabin was moved to Ogden’s Tabernacle Block. There it resided for more than eight decades.

The cabin was meticulously refurbished in 1994-1995. It was dismantled and each of the approximate 500 pieces were numbered. The logs were treated for preservation and a solid rubber membrane was added to the roof, for weatherproofing. Like a sort of jigsaw puzzle, the cabin was then reassembled and each log was linked with an acrylic material.

Near the end of 2011, the cabin was moved to its current location, 21st Street and Lincoln Avenue. The cabin had to be relocated because of the underground parking garage construction for the new Ogden Temple. The LDS Church paid expenses to move the cabin. City leaders hope the new location gives the priceless cabin more visibility.

Weber County DUP museum changing locations today

The historic cabin of Miles Goodyear is moved from the site of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints Ogden Temple, which is being remodeled, to a temporary site in November. The cabin will be moved, along with the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum, to a new permanent site in Ogden. The museum moves today; the cabin will be moved when the weather allows for landscaping. (MATTHEW ARDEN HATFIElD/Standard-Examiner)

OGDEN -- After spending the past few months in limbo, a pair of historic buildings owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will soon have permanent homes.

More than 100 years of history will move a few city blocks today as the Weber County Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum building will be moved from its current location at 2148 Grant Ave. to 2104 Lincoln Ave. on a half-acre lot donated by the city.

The building is being relocated through the joint efforts of Weber County DUP, Ogden city and the LDS Church in conjunction with the renovation of the Ogden LDS Temple.

"When the construction started (on the temple), it became clear they would have to move," said Sharon Stoker, past president of the Weber County DUP. "We're glad it was a relatively close move."

Originally built as the Weber Stake Relief Society Hall of the LDS Church, the building was completed in 1902.

It was deeded to the Weber County DUP on Sept. 30, 1926, and has been serving Ogden as a pioneer museum since 1929.

Stoker said the Miles Goodyear Cabin, which is part of the museum, will be moved to the same new location when weather permits landscaping to begin.

The buildings were moved temporarily in November from the temple grounds to the Grant Avenue location.

Goodyear was born Feb. 24, 1817, in Connecticut and orphaned while young. At age 16, he joined a missionary expedition to the West. He became a trapper and eventually settled in the cabin he built of cottonwood logs in 1845.

The cabin is the area's first home built by someone who was not an American Indian.

The buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s, and the Ogden City Council recently amended its current local register to note their relocation to the Lincoln Avenue site.

Richard McConkie, Ogden director of community and economic development, said the ordinance language makes it clear that the buildings, and not their location, are what is on the register.

A brick-and-sandstone structure with a stone foundation, the Weber County DUP Museum has one of the oldest and largest collections of Utah pioneer artifacts in the state.

Stoker said once in its new home, the museum will undergo extensive renovations to make the building fully accessible to the handicapped. Workers will also add an office, a library and a large meeting room in the expanded basement, improve lighting and redesign exhibit galleries.

Stoker said the public is welcome to watch the move, which should begin about 8 a.m. today.

Weber DUP Museum makes move -- again

Big D Construction moves the historic Miles Goodyear cabin on Lincoln Ave. in Ogden on Tuesday, October 30, 2012.The cabin is being moved to its permanent location at the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum located at 21st Street and Lincoln Ave. in Ogden.(KERA WILLIAMS/Standard-Examiner)

More than 100 years of history moved a few city blocks Tuesday as the Weber County Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum building was moved from its current location at 2148 Grant Ave. to 2104 Lincoln Ave. on a half-acre lot donated by the city.

The building is being relocated through the joint efforts of Weber County DUP, Ogden city and the LDS Church in conjunction with the renovation of the Ogden LDS Temple.

"When the construction started (on the temple), it became clear they would have to move," said Sharon Stoker, past president of the Weber County DUP. "We're glad it was a relatively close move."

Originally built as the Weber Stake Relief Society Hall of the LDS Church, the building was completed in 1902.

It was deeded to the Weber County DUP on Sept. 30, 1926, and has been serving Ogden as a pioneer museum since 1929.

The Miles Goodyear Cabin, which is part of the museum, will be moved to the same new location when weather permits landscaping to begin.

The buildings were moved temporarily in November from the temple grounds to the Grant Avenue location.

Goodyear was born Feb. 24, 1817, in Connecticut and orphaned while young. At age 16, he joined a missionary expedition to the West. He became a trapper and eventually settled in the cabin he built of cottonwood logs in 1845.

The cabin is the area's first home built by someone who was not an American Indian.

The buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s, and the Ogden City Council recently amended its current local register to note their relocation to the Lincoln Avenue site.

Richard McConkie, Ogden director of community and economic development, said the ordinance language makes it clear that the buildings, and not their location, are what is on the register.

A brick-and-sandstone structure with a stone foundation, the Weber County DUP Museum has one of the oldest and largest collections of Utah pioneer artifacts in the state.

DUP convention

I so enjoyed going to the DUP convention today. Sharon Stoker gave me a ride over early, so I had plenty of time to shop while they were in their leadership meeting. I found dolls, books, and a bonnet ... even an owl quilt for Heidi Lyn! With time on my hands, I sat down in a corner to read through one of the children's coloring books - which was actually a delightfully illustrated life history. My friend DaLane Miller saw me and offered me a piece of taffy. Now I felt like a kid at Christmas tucked away in a corner with a book to read and candy to eat. I did come out for the general meeting. I learned that the SLC pioneer museum was the largest museum in the world to cover one theme (pioneers). I had brought my camera along to take pictures. The quilt this year was especially beautiful. (I have never entered the quilt raffle before, but this year I bought 6 tickets for $5 in the hopes of winning this remarkable bedspread.) A lady stood to tell us the history behind the quilt:

Blown by the Wind

This quilt started as a block exchange. All levels of quilters were involved. Everyone was given the background fabric and asked to make maple leaves in varied sizes. Blocks were sent from all over the United States and Canada.

These leaves appear to be blown by the wind. They remind me of the stories of pioneers who journeyed from all corners, uniting to build a legacy, which shaped their lives and ours, the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. We are humbled to walk in their footsteps, as we journey along the wagon trails of our ancestors.

I also really enjoyed the spotlight on the oldest DUP member in attendance. Her five sons paid tribute to her and her many talents. It was humorous and touching. I stayed for the luncheon. (The food tasted good, but they seemed short-handed as the service was slower than it has been in years past.)

DUP irritated at perceived snub from Ogden mayor

OGDEN — The Daughters of Utah Pioneers are still angry about what they perceive as a snub from Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell, but the mayor says slighting the group was never his intent.

The alleged snub dates back quite some time now — eight weeks to be exact — when on July 24, the DUP held a special ceremony to rededicate their Weber County Pioneer Museum.

Early last year, the building was moved from its longtime location at 2148 Grant Ave. to 2104 Lincoln Ave. on a half-acre lot donated by the city.

The building was relocated through the joint efforts of Weber County DUP, Ogden city and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in conjunction with the renovation of the Ogden LDS Temple.

The building has had a rich history in Weber County and Ogden.

Originally built as the Weber Stake Relief Society Hall of the LDS Church, the building was completed in 1902.

It was deeded to the Weber County DUP on Sept. 30, 1926, and has been serving Ogden as a pioneer museum since 1929.

DUP member and former group president Hilma Thirkill told the Standard-Examiner late last week that she and several other members are still steamed about what happened at the dedication ceremony.

Thirkill, who was in charge of fundraising for the restoration of the museum, said the mayor was invited to cut the ribbon at the Pioneer Day rededication ceremony.

While acknowledging that she never spoke to the mayor directly, Thirkill said she contacted the mayor’s secretary, asking that the mayor participate in the event.

Thirkill said she was assured several times that the mayor would be there, receiving final confirmation the day before the event took place.

But when the time came to cut the ribbon, Thirkill said, there wasn’t anyone to hand the scissors to.

“That is what’s so disappointing about it,” she said. “If we had just been told he couldn’t come, it would be a different story, and I wouldn’t have anything to complain about.”

In late August, Thirkill had a letter to the editor published in the Standard-Examiner about the incident.

“I just felt like we were stood up,” she said. “I know he could have easily sent another city representative to step in for him.”

But Caldwell said he would never intentionally snub the group and he regrets that some see it that way.

“I don’t want them to feel like they were slighted in any way,” he said. “Because that certainly wasn’t the intent.”

Caldwell said holidays like Pioneer Day can be busy for certain elected officials, and his July 24 this year was no exception.

The mayor said family commitments and other scheduling conflicts prevented him from being at the ceremony and that he felt bad because he couldn’t make it. Caldwell said he has since apologized to the group and hopes the incident is resolved.

“We realize the important role the (DUP) plays in our city,” he said. “In fact, (the city) even helped them get the land for the current site, so we want to continue to have a good relationship there.”

DUP convention

I did take time out this morning to go the the DUP convention from 10-noon. I don't like to waste money on raffle tickets no matter how cute the quilt, so I purchased some things from the gift table instead: 2 coloring books, a pioneer sunbonnet, and a tiny doll.

The best part for me was listening to the stories. My favorite story this year happened to an Ogden man. He was taking his lunch break when he noticed that someone had left a crumpled up newspaper on the table that had been used to wrap a sandwich in. Having nothing else to do, he decided to smooth out the paper and read it while he ate his lunch. There was an article reprinted from 50 years ago. He read about how a boy had fallen off a cow and broken his arm. Gangrene had set in and there was nothing left to do but amputate the arm. As the man read the article he realized that the boy in the story was his dad. But his dad had both of his arms. After work, he went home to ask his dad about the story.

His father confirmed that he was the boy and everything had happened as the newspaper described. His father then rolled up the sleeve of his arm and said, "this is the arm and this is what happened."

The doctor had come to the house and said the only thing left to do was amputate the arm at the shoulder. in order to save the boy's life. He would be back the next morning to perform the operation - most likely on the kitchen table just cutting it off. The poor parents wept at the thought of what would happen to their son, but as they had already done all that they could do, there was nothing left but to head off to bed. The boy was sleeping on the couch to help with pain in his arm.

It was late when there came a knock at the door. Now this family was a kind and generous family. They never turned away anyone who needed a bite to eat or a place to sleep. So it was not unusual for someone to be at their door knocking. The little boy went to answer the door. There stood a man he had never seen before. The man asked if he could come in, and of course, the little boy let him enter.

The man explained that he was sent from God because of the great faith of his parents. He was going to heal the boy as a witness of the great love the Lord had for these good parents. The little boy should never forget what was about to happen. With that the man ran his fingers up and down the boy's arm three times. The little boy heard popping sounds as the broken bones went back into place. He looked down and his arm was healed. There was a little scarring left at the wrist which should serve as a reminder of how much the Lord loved him. The man said to the boy to be sure and tell his parents everything that had happened and then he left.

Surprisingly, the little boy went back to bed. The next time he heard knocking at the door it was the doctor. The boy went to go open the door using his formerly injured arm. The doctor was amazed as the little boy explained to his parents and the doctor what had happened. The little boy had never forgotten that moment. What he had forgotten to do was tell his children about that story after he grew up.

And so the father wrote the story down for his son. Three months later the father died, but that miracle was preserved in their family history thanks to a crumpled up newspaper found on a table at lunch time.