OCR Text |
Show i I 1 , ' , . . i '' a ' ) , .. j ; ;.l - ; i ' " . .. , LOOKING BACK In Salt Lake City on a January day in 1891, a brawny track gang commenced spiking down rails in a direction direc-tion that pointed North, towards Ogden, about 36 miles away. This was the beginning of a long projected "local" railway Simon Bamberger Bam-berger had been advocating to serve the rich farm communities com-munities between Salt Lake City and Ogden. THE UNION Pacific and : Denver & Rio Grande passenger pas-senger trains between the two largest cities of Utah, were operated at such infrequent intervals that businessmen were required to wait overly long, costing them valuable time and holding up the progress of the region. The name selected for Bamberger's local railroad was "The Great Salt Lake & Hot Springs Railway," and it had as its first goal a popular resort four miles north of the city known as "Beck's Hot Springs." THOSE FIRST little trains, powered by steam "dummy" engines - a small steam en- o i rw mmnlptplv Pnrlnw1 hv a wooden body intended to make the engine resemble its cars- made good time and in a short while were carrying a sizable number of people to the resort. Encouraged by this first success, they pushed forward with the construction plans This is the old "Dummy" station in Bountiful. The line came to Bountiful in 1892. and the track gang went to work with a will and rapidly the light rail penetrated northward. Our town of Bountiful was reached in 1892 and Centerville two years later. BY 1895, Farmington was reached, but there construction construc-tion was temporarily halted because of financial difficulties. difficul-ties. In October of 1896 there was a complete reorganization reorganiza-tion and a new company emerged with the name, "Salt Lake & Ogden Railway," and construction was resumed. Steam -ope rated passenger trains opened through Salt Lake-Ogden cervice on August 5, 1908, terminating at 31st St. in Ogden. However, by 1910 it was evident that superior, more economical service could be given the public by converting the SL&O to electric operation. ABOUT THE time the trains became electrically powered the name of the company was changed to "Bamberger Electric Railroad" and until its termination ter-mination in 1952, was known as the "Bamberger." From a local diarv we read, "the f i rst electric car on the Bamberger line went through Bountiful at 12:02, Tuesday, May 24, 1910." Simon Bamberger's original purpose for developing develop-ing the local railway was indeed in-deed fulfilled as it served these farming communities for many years, enabling the farmers to ship their fresh produce throughout the area. VARIOUS commodities were also transported, such as the brick produced by the "Improved Brick Company." Incoming freight shipments received for use in the region included lumber of all kinds, cement, plaster, hay. grain, coal, and merchandise used by the trade here in the community. com-munity. The railway was of vital importance for passenger transportation as it carried workers to and from their jobs, college and high school students to their places of learning, few and scattered at that time. It served to transport the local people of the area to the various recreation facilities, the most famous being "Lagoon," a popular resort which was developed by Simon Bamberger. Bam-berger. THE BUILDING presently occupied by the "Bountiful City Light and Power Company" Com-pany" is located at the site of the old Bamberger Bountiful Station, and was used as a warehouse for storing the produce and commodities being be-ing shipped to and from the area. The station stood immediately im-mediately in front of the existing building. This site has been nominated nominat-ed to receive recognition as having important significance sig-nificance in the growth and development of this community. com-munity. Through a special Bicentennial project, historical his-torical sites are now being selected from many nominations nomina-tions sent in by individuals. clubs, service organizations, businesses, and church groups. THE BOUNTIFUL Region Historical Sites Committee wishes to express appreciation apprecia-tion to all who have respond ed and who have helped in discovering our historical heritage. |