Historic Tidbit

Lilacs at the Cemetery

The original lilac bushes were planted in 1937-1938 as a project by the Civic Improvement Club under the direction of President C. V. Forsgren. The Civic Improvement Club began as an outgrowth of the Commercial Club (later the Chamber of Commerce) in 1906. Their first project was to petition the city council to keep cows off of Main Street. (Clink on link below for a history of the Club). The lilac hedge at the cemetery is currently being removed due to them being diseased an

Ken Bott

5 days ago1 min read

Nicknames in early Brigham City:

Many of the early settlers of Brigham City were recent converts to the church from Scandinavia. Because the patronymic system was being used in these areas, there ended up being a lot of Lars Larsens, Hans Hansens, Peter Petersens, etc. in the city. To avoid confusion, many were given "nick" names or names based on personality traits. Some examples in Brigham City included: Big Andrew (see article) Square House Hansen Ear Ring Pete Painter Larsen (see article- one of my favor

Ken Bott

Dec 11 min read

Courthouse Pillar

A relic of yesteryear: One pillar of the old granite and rod iron fence that used to surround the courthouse remains... Update! After posting about the granite pillars in front of the court house, Sean Beckstead's question of where they went led to more research. An article from the BENJ 8/21/1923 noted that the front gate was purchased by the Bear River Ward for their chapel. I don't know if they were there for a time but Seth Bott recognized them as the gate at the northwes

Ken Bott

Dec 11 min read

"The Tunnel"

Another little door that interested me was the spot in between the Idle Isle and the business to the north. It was an alley for years but was eventually purchased by Bert Olsen (who later founded Bert's Turn Inn) and was called "The Tunnel." In the recent pictures, it is apparent why "The Tunnel" was an appropriate name. It originally was used as a news stand and tobacco shop. At one point, Bert Olsen displayed the scores of baseball games on the outside so that the citizens

Ken Bott

Dec 11 min read

Alcove

I have wondered the history of this little "alcove" between the Evan Morgan building (now Dorius Law) and the former Boothe/Wasatch/Utah-Na/Howard Hotel. I found an article explaining it and thought that others may be interested. Box Elder News Journal 5/8/1923. Another article noted that the owner, J E Ryan "added a banquet hall and installed a street entrance to the cafe for better access by day-only guests" (The History Blazer, "Howard Hotel Reflects History of Brigham Cit

Ken Bott

Dec 11 min read

Peach Days

History of "Peach Day" From "History of Box Elder County 1851-1937" it says, "...the idea of a Peach Day celebration occurred to these three gentlemen (S. Norman Lee, Victor E. Madsen, and J. Frank Bowring.). However, the time for harvesting the peach crop was three months distant so they decided to hold a strawberry festival. The success of this venture gave fresh impetus in planning the first Peach Day celebration which was held in the late summer of 1904." pg. 68. These th

Ken Bott

Dec 12 min read