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Show April 1 03.qxd 12/7/2021 3:50 PM Volume VII Issue XII Page 9 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 9 April 1, 2003 Huntsville in the 1860s and ‘70s The second year Christen Christensen (Wangsgaard), born February 4, 1820, lived in Huntsville, there was a scourge of grasshoppers. This article in the Deseret New dated July 8, 1868, was written by W. Thompson of Ogden: “Not many weeks ago the hearts of our farmers were gladdened by the prospect of a bountiful harvest. Never since Weber County was settled was there a more flattering one. But lately the grasshoppers have come and done their fell work. Some of the settlements have suffered worse than others. At Eden the crops have been entirely destroyed; at Huntsville, very nearly . . . “ In 1876-’77 the area suffered the ravages of frost, drought, and grasshoppers that nearly destroyed their entire crop. To fight the grasshoppers they used brush switches and beat frantically to drive them into the ditches where they were burned. It was an endless struggle. Epidemics would hit harder some years than others, and many people died as a result. However, the sun always came up the next day, and they went on, striving for existence. Excerpts from the Huntsville Ward Historical Record, pinpoint some of the conditions that affected the lives of those living in Huntsville: May 7, 1875: Pres. F. A. Hammond suggested the idea of organizing an irrigating company. March 17, 1876: Some felt a little tired of the long winter. June 15, 1877: Some discourage about grasshoppers. Flour very scarce. August 26, 1877: Complaints about private herds being in the fields. September 6, 1878: Third District, Pres. P. C. Geertsen reported considerable sickness among the people, Typhoid Fever and Cholera Morbus. Pres. Hammond felt to urge the people to lay up wheat against the time of need . . . spoke of witchcraft, saying some are troubled about being bewitched and showed the folly of giving way to such influences. QUESTIONS cont. from page 5 always effectively supported the non-binding guidance of the Ogden Valley General Plan when making land use decisions. Most of the volunteers in the current incorporation process believe that local government can do a better job of protecting and enforcing the essence and spirit of the General Plan, and the related ordinances as they may be appropriate. If Eden incorporates, the responsibility for the ordinances and land use decisions would fall to those whom we have elected through a democratic process, best serving the needs of the entire community. December 16, 1878: After a lengthy discussion on the matter, it was moved and seconded that the people of Huntsville Ward build a new meeting house. Carried unanimously. March 14, 1879: Bishop Hammond spoke of planting trees on the side walks and the public square . . . wished the teachers to make a collection for to purchase shade trees. April 4, 1879: Bishop Hammond thanked the brethren for the assistance rendered in the beautifying of the public square. The newspaper of December 19, 1878, reported that several children in Huntsville had died recently of Diphtheria. In 1871 a survey of the townsite was made by Surveyor Jos. A. West of Ogden; but so conflicted with the lines and the order and arrangement of the houses, etc., already existing, that the people deemed it to their interest to reject it. In 1872 the U.S. surveying engineers, and also David Jenkins, made a survey of the Huntsville townsite, which was more acceptable to the people than the one made the previous year. Consequently it was approved. A number of buildings were erected that season, and general improvement took place under this more encouraging aspect of affairs. The so-called mountain canal, which taps the south fork about a mile above the other canal was constructed at the cost of about $3500. This canal is bout six miles in length. Wm. Halls taught school this season. The weather during the beginning of 1872 was excessively cold in Ogden Valley. Early in February, one of the heaviest snowstorms ever known in the mountains visited Huntsville and that, too, when the weather was beautiful and clear in Ogden and vicinity, only 12 miles away (Deseret News, 21:1). Note: This information was taken from “Wangsgaard/Wangsgard, Roots and Branches 1866-1989 courtesy of Stanley F. Wangsgaard, Ogden Valley historian. Q. Can a fledgling city stand up to development pressures from large combined tax generating businesses who may be more concerned with their bottom line than with the aesthetics and livability of our community? A. The current record under county government control suggests that a local, more visible, elected government can do a better job of balancing the diverse needs of our citizens, including the livability and quality of life issues. Opportunity for citizen involvement in decisions effecting Eden would greatly increased over the current government system. Spacious 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath, elegant custom home with sweeping Ogden Valley views. Offered at $289,900! Eden horse property. 6 bedroom, 3 bath home on 2.30 acres w/barn. Includes mother-in-law apt. in walkout basement. Beautiful 4 BD, 2.5 BA, home. Incredible Mountain Green Beautiful brand new quality throughout. Soaring vaulted ceilings. Main floor master. Views galore! $289,900! Immaculate 3 bedroom, 1.75 bath home on .96 acres. Ready for new owners! Just $185,900! 5 BD, 2 1/2 BA home on 1 acre in Liberty. Master w/den & hot tub rm. Must see! Call Corey Hadley 941-9415 Only $249,900! Offered at $299,900! 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, unfinished basement. Buy now and pick your floor coverings. $244,900! 5 BD, 3.5 BA w/main floor master. Includes potential mother-in-law apartment. Beautiful terraced yard, mountain, valley and lake views. Offered at $249,900! Wolf Lodge condos, 1 Bedroom, hardwood floors, slate tile,new paint, wood burning stove. Nice! Furnished. Lots of amenities: Pool, 2 hot tubs, tennis court & more. Only $75,000 Historical Photo Jens Winters’ saw mill. Photo courtesy of Gordon K. Madsen of Granada Hills, California. The OGDEN VALLEY NEWS is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. Please mail, email, or call at Shanna 745-2688, or Jeannie at 745-2879 if you have material that you would be willing to share. Incorporation Questions for April 1. Even though the steering committee states that they will circulate two separate petitions, is it not true that the law does not require them to do so? The law seems to say that if you sign the petition for a feasibility study, your name will automatically continue on to an incorporation petition unless you contact the county clerk’s office and have it removed. 2. Some momentum for incorporation seems to have come from anger over growth issues at Wolf Creek. Is the public aware that Wolf Creek had a density of over 2000 condos approved over 20 years ago? Is this density something the newly incorporated city would wish to change? Could they legally do so? 3. Much has been made of the Weber County Commission not supporting the Valley General Plan. Hasn’t the county commissioned studies and made quite an effort to draft ordinances to make the general plan a reality? Could we have specific instances cited where the current commission has ruled against the general plan? 4. The steering committee has replied to the question of last month regarding the three acre minimum zoning by stating that that issue is far more “narrow” than the scope of the committee. If it is such a narrow issue why does it appear to the general public to actually be one of the major issues behind incorporation? Incredible views! Brand new Huntsville home on 4.83 ac. 3+ BD, 2.5 BA, office & bonus rm. Granite kitchen counters. Full unfinished basement. $420,000! Beautiful rambler - over 2800 sq.ft. Gorgeous views. 4+ BR, 3 bath. Best deal in town! Assumable loan. Priced to sell fast! $185,000! Spectacular Mountain Green estate. Approx. 6172 sq.ft. home on 1.6 acres in beautiful Fox Hollow Estates. Panoramic views, open floor plan. Offered at $449,000! Beautiful 3 BD, 2.5 BA, over 1 acre, 40 x 60 garage / shop, passive solar design. Must see inside! Only $259,900! Mountain Green Beautiful Trapper’s Liberty horse property! 6 BD, 3BA, additional garage/workshop w/ covered boat/RV storage. $310,000! Point home. 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, main floor Master on .31 acre lot. Views from every room. Offered at $295,000! Lots / Acreage Beautiful 5.35 acre building lot east of Huntsville town. Panoramic views! Just $100,000! .32 acre Patio Springs building lot $47,900 1+acre Elkhorn Sub.bldg. lot Price Reduced! Only $109,900 Dyan Gill 801 898-5853 |