Oral History

Julian Powell shares memories of the Marriott-Slaterville area, including the effects of the Depression. He also discusses his memories of coaching basketball and playing the Globe Trotters and the opening of the Becker Brewery Company. The interview took place on September 23, 2007.

Samuel C. Powell discusses the failure of the Ogden State Bank during the Depression, his experiences as attorney for the Utah Construction Company, aiding Heber J. Grant in saving the LDS Church's bank, and the building of the Ogden Arsenal and the Defense Depot. The interview took place circa 1960s.

Lori Chambers Reeves discusses growing up in a large Mormon family in the late 1950s-60s in Ogden. She recalls family personalities and practices, as well as holiday celebrations. The interview took place on July 13, 1980.

Max Reeves discusses CCC camps and projects in the Weber County area, as well as farming conditions and irrigation in Missouri and Utah. The interview took place circa 1960s.

Dr. Rich discusses the difficulties of running a medical practice during the Depression. The interview took place circa 1960s.

Richard Richards discusses his early life growing up in Ogden, his family, education, political career, and devotion to Weber State University. Richards, a WSU alum, attorney, author, and Republican Party National Committee Chairman, endowed the Richard Richards Institute of Politics and Ethics and currently serves on the board. The interview took place on August 7 and 13, and September 24, 2012.

Amos Richardson describes his experiences prospering in the agricultural seed business during the Depression and observing the difficulties of many of those around him. He also talks about the help the LDS Church gave to members, especially those who were hospitalized and couldn’t pay the bill. He discusses prices, credit, and wages in some detail. He also recalls a theater giving away groceries to draw people in to see the films, entertainment at the Berthana and White City, and entertainment in the LDS Ward. He also comments on the closure of the Ogden State Bank.

Joel Ricks, president of Weber Normal College from 1920 to 1922, discusses his memories of campus and the community. The interview took place on December 22, 1970.

Stanley Robbins discusses his management of the Perry Estate and, later, the Kiesel Estate. He discusses the operation of several ballrooms, including White City and the Virginia, as well as the Egyptian Theatre and the Ogden Theater. He also talks about developing Kiesel lands in Oregon and conditions in Ogden during the Depression, including a rise in bootlegging and problems along 25th Street. He also discusses the closing of the Ogden State Bank. The interview took place circa 1960s.

Anthony Russell describes teaching at the Weber High School during the Depression and struggling to continue his education at the Agricultural College in Logan. He describes high school teachers sponsoring students and paying for their books, even as the students brought produce to school to sell at a discount to the teachers. He also talks about working for the California Packing Company during the summers, federal programs working on schools and the watershed, the impact of the Depression on the LDS Church, and educating his children. The interview took place circa 1960s.