Weber and Davis County Communities

Ogden Buddhist Temple

The Weber and Davis County Communities Oral History Project includes interviews conducted by Weber State University faculty, staff, students. The interviews cover various topics including community service, city government, diversity, military service, personal everyday life experiences and other recollections regarding the history of the Weber and Davis County areas.

Matthew Godfrey shares his experiences of attending Weber State University, including earning a master's degree in accounting and being an All-American on the track team. He shares stories of his life growing up and living in North Ogden, as well as his education and serving as Ogden’s Mayor. He reflects on his time running for mayor and discusses some of the major economic and development projects he worked on in his several terms after elected to beautify Ogden City. The interview took place on November 21, 2011.

The following is an oral history interview with Wayne J. Harris, conducted on April 20, 2019, by Sam Harris. Wayne discusses his life, his experiences, and his memories. Kandice Harris, the video technician, and Shirley Harris, Wayne’s wife, are also present during this interview.

Author Val Holley discusses growing up in Utah as well as writing and music. He shares memories of experiences in law school. The interview took place on August 21, 2014.

Dean W. Hurst shares his recollections of growing up in Ogden, Utah and his involvement with Weber State College. Dean’s involvement with Weber began as a student before being drafted into the military in February of 1945 and sent to Ft. Douglas where he was trained as a paratrooper assigned to the 517th Airborne. Following his military service, Dean returned to Weber State and became actively involved in the alumni association.

Lewis Johnson shares stories from his personal life as well as his theories on relationships. The interview took place in July of 2010.

James Kamaya shares his experiences as an Army veteran. Drafted in 1951, James served in both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War and retired from the Army after twenty-one years of military service. The interview took place on March 12, 2013.

Jack Lampros discusses being Chairman of the Stewart Education Foundation, his memories of Elizabeth Stewart, and a brief history of her foundation. The interview took place on July 7, 2012.

Willie F. Moore discusses his memories of Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, and his barbershop on 25th Street in Ogden. Moore discusses his recollections of professional sports, including his time spent playing for the Harlem Globetrotters during the early 1940s. He also discusses religion, segregation, the Hotel Utah, and his association with Weber State. The interview took place on June 14, June 28, and July 17, 2001.

Arlo Mueller shares his experiences as a veteran in the Marine Corps. Mueller voluntarily enlisted in the Marines in 1942 and served in World War II with the Marine Air Squadron as a guard and an anti-aircraft machine gun operator. After separating from the military in 1945, he became a member of the Ogden Fire Department from which he retired in 1968. He then worked as a fire inspector at Hill Field and retired in 1975. The interview took place on March 12, 2013.

 

Betty Ott, wife of Layton P. Ott, shares details of Layton's love of astronomy and physics and his work in science, including naming Weber State University's Ott Planetarium. The Ott Planetarium has received NASA awards as well as local and regional recognition due to their generous support. The interview took place on November 7, 2011.