Ogden's Main Street - A Sesquicentennial Feature

How it looked when the Lincoln Highway was paved in 1929.

 

The Lincoln Highway was paved through Ogden in 1929. This was probably one of the most exciting events that had taken place in Ogden for many years. As we look back at pictures of vehicles stuck in muddy roads, it is easy to imagine why the residents of Ogden were enthused. (Following is a news article that appeared in The Ogden Reporter just after the project was completed).

 

City of Ogden opened Lincoln Highway 

on Friday

 

The last few blocks of the 1929 paving project for Boone County was opened last Friday evening by the paving contractor’s superintendent, Mr. Kellogg. This stretch completed the work and now leaves Boone County with a paved stretch of highway from the Greene County line east on No. 30, the Lincoln Highway, to a point about three and one fourth miles east of Ogden.

Many local county people were out driving over the new pavement Sunday and several have voiced their opinion of satisfaction concerning the new improvement. The paving in Ogden practically makes a new town here and certainly increases the neatness of the city. Everyone is highly pleased with the work and have nearly forgotten the inconveniences caused by the construction.

The shoulders on the side of the pavement are practically completed. This leaves the entire project nearly finished and this side of the county a good strip of paving.

 

During the Sesquicentennial Year many different questions about Ogden’s history were discussed. Connie Rudy published an excellent book in 2016, “Downtown Ogden - Past and Present,” describing the history of early day businesses on Ogden’s Main Street.

This writer had previously produced an article dealing with the paving in 1929. A few minor corrections were made based upon Rudy’s book. The map of Walnut Street (Main Street) was re-drawn and attached. The reader might be interested in some of the events leading to the first article.

The first task was to search through a collection of early maps of Ogden. A fire insurance map of the business district in 1930 was located. Some businesses were clearly identified and others were rather vague, but this was a start in the right direction.

Just by chance, a visit was made to the Ogden Telephone Company in hopes that they may have some records from that era. Manager Gerald Anderson was most helpful. Not only did he provide information, but even more unbelievable was their collection of early phone books dating back to the turn of the century. A copy of the 1929 directory was copied and the project was full speed ahead.

Discussion of this project with Morris Sherbring, long time automobile dealer in Ogden, provided many of the missing identifications. “Sherb” had begun working on Ogden’s main street in 1932. He worked part-time while still in school for the Claussen Auto & Battery Co. In the course of searching out names of businesses, other individuals were mentioned who also might have information. These individuals gathered to share their memories and experiences. Included were Bob Jones, Warren Christensen, Jack Crosman, Carl Nebbe and Sherbring.

Read more in the Oct. 12 issue of The Ogden Reporter

 
 

Ogden Reporter

Ogden Reporter
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Madrid, IA 50156
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