{"id":262,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:32:04","latitude":41.21310840000000297322912956587970256805419921875,"longitude":-111.9474463000000241663656197488307952880859375,"title":"Ogden High School<br />","subtitle":"","fullsize":"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/fullsize/12ea42d3a15bfc416895c44997158d45.jpg","address":"","all_locations":[],"zoom":5,"creator":["Heidi Rasmussen, Weber State University"],"description":"Ogden High School was designed by the local firm of Hodgson and McClenahan. It was built in 1937 with a local bond issue and funds from the Public Works Administration and the Works Progress Administration, New Deal programs during the Great Depression. In 1983, the building and its sumptuous auditorium were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<br />\r\n\t<br />\r\nLeslie S. Hodgson (1879-1947) was considered the most important architect of the Ogden-Weber area from the late nineteenth to mid twentieth century.  Ogden High School is regarded as his “masterpiece.”  As described in Preservation Utah, the building has three elements: Zigzag Moderne - realized primarily in skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building with its familiar step-back top; Streamlined Moderne - used in gas stations, diner and roadside amenities, where corners curved and parallel lines in buildings echoed the streamlined effect of new cars and locomotives; Classical Moderne - an adaptation of Greco-Roman style with Deco elements.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nAt dedicatory festivities, state PWA director, R. A. Hart, listed his agency&#039;s objectives as “putting men to work, and constructing worthwhile buildings.” He stated further that “Ogden City and Weber County had done more for recovery through construction projects than any other unit in the state.”<br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe cost of the Ogden High School came to about $1.2 million, the first high school built in Utah to exceed a million dollars, at a time when people were struggling to survive on $50 or less a month. Many taxpayers protested the building of such a lavish educational facility; it became labeled the “million dollar high school.” However, seventy years later, the community rallied to save and restore the building with a bond and nearly $9 million raised by alumni in support of the $64 million project.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nTraditional building skills were used to restore the breathtaking auditorium, and the original gym was transformed into classrooms, performance spaces, and science labs. A new entryway was added, and upgrades throughout the building made the school more energy-efficient. The building received a 2013 Preservation Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in recognition of its successful restoration.<br />","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"Ogden High School is one of most important examples of Modern architecture and Art Deco interior details in the state of Utah. Its preservation and restoration is a testimony to the place it holds in the hearts of Ogden residents.","website":"","related_resources":["Bartholomew, Becky, “New Deal Agencies Built 233 Buildings in Utah,” History Blazer, June 1996.<br />","Gladwell, Louis. Ogden Standard Examiner. “’Million Dollar School’ was a Boon for Ogden.” 5 September, 1982.<br />","Manson, Pamela. Salt Lake Tribune. ”Renovation of Ogden High Auditorium Wins Recognition.” 30 March 2013.<br />","National Register of Historic Places. Ogden High School, Ogden, Weber County, Utah, #83003201 National Register.","Ogden Standard Examiner. “Steel Being Placed for Roof Structure of School Building,” 27 September, 1936.<br />","Preservation Utah website. “Ogden High School,” available at <a href=\"https://preservationutah.org/see-our-impact/our-advocacy/item/40-ogden-high-school\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https://preservationutah.org/see-our-impact/our-advocacy/item/40-ogden-high-school</a>.","Wieble, David., from the National Trust for Historic Preservation website. “Ogden High School: How A Utah Community Saved its Beloved Art Deco Gem,” available at <a href=\"https://savingplaces.org/stories/ogden-high-school-how-community-saved-art-deco-gem#.W2yUnNJKiM8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https://savingplaces.org/stories/ogden-high-school-how-community-saved-art-deco-gem#.W2yUnNJKiM8</a>."],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/fullsize/12ea42d3a15bfc416895c44997158d45.jpg":{"id":1123,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Front of Ogden High School showing details","description":"Used with permission from Colbie Hymas.<br />\r\n | 2018 | Colbie Hymas","thumbnail":"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/square_thumbnails/12ea42d3a15bfc416895c44997158d45.jpg"},"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/fullsize/5180124e53884a5e58c4b0a78c3d8f53.jpg":{"id":1124,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Architect Leslie Hodgson","description":"Architect Leslie Hodgson showing plans for Ogden High School | Used with permission from the Utah State Historical Society, photo #944, <a href=\"https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6qg0vgg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6qg0vgg</a>. | 1937","thumbnail":"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/square_thumbnails/5180124e53884a5e58c4b0a78c3d8f53.jpg"},"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/fullsize/d77d05f1bbdb0f6bc825974ada654921.jpg":{"id":1125,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Ogden High School newly completed","description":"Used with permission from the Utah State Historical Society, Photo #07089, <a href=\"https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6pv6tdx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6pv6tdx</a>.","thumbnail":"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/square_thumbnails/d77d05f1bbdb0f6bc825974ada654921.jpg"},"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/fullsize/def85d21e1b28e1b5815e0552e18225a.jpg":{"id":1126,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Aerial view of the Ogden High School","description":"Aerial view of the Ogden High School with mechanic art, auto mechanic ROTC building in rear.  | Used with permission from the Utah State Historical Society, Photo no. Box 1, Fd,1, No. 1, <a href=\"https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s63v1f9v\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s63v1f9v</a> | 1940 | Ralph Forney","thumbnail":"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/square_thumbnails/def85d21e1b28e1b5815e0552e18225a.jpg"},"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/fullsize/5f1c7f806a60d5cf88019292a8c64341.jpg":{"id":1127,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Dedicatory plaque for Ogden High School","description":"Used with permission from Colbie Hymas.<br />\r\n | 2018","thumbnail":"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/square_thumbnails/5f1c7f806a60d5cf88019292a8c64341.jpg"},"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/fullsize/a59e80b13fcf3c1253d41926e837e3e3.jpg":{"id":1128,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Ogden High School","description":"Ogden High School showing recent addition to the rear of the building | Used with permission of Colbie Hymas.<br />\r\n | 2018","thumbnail":"https://www.intermountainhistories.org/files/square_thumbnails/a59e80b13fcf3c1253d41926e837e3e3.jpg"}}}