United States Forest Service Building (Ogden, Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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US Forest Service Building
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View from across 25th Street
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Ogden, Utah |
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| Built | 1933 |
| Architect | Hodgson, Leslie S.; et al. |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| MPS | Ogden Art Deco Building TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000432 |
| Added to NRHP | May 24, 2006 |
The U.S. Forest Service Building is a special old building in Ogden, Utah. It belongs to the United States government. You can find it at 507 25th Street. This building was built a long time ago, between 1933 and 1934. Its main job was to be an office for the U.S. Forest Service. It also held offices for an experimental station and a supply center. In 2006, this building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
Contents
Why This Building Is Important
The design for the U.S. Forest Service Building started in 1932. A local company called Hodgson & McClenahan worked on it. Construction began in 1933 and finished in 1934. A company from St. Louis, Missouri built it.
Building During the Great Depression
This building was one of the first projects built under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a big government program. It helped create jobs during the Great Depression. The Great Depression was a time when many people did not have jobs. Building this office helped the government create work. It also helped Ogden grow. The U.S. Forest Service became a very large employer in the city.
A Cool Art Deco Style
The building is a great example of the Art Deco style. This style uses cool, detailed designs. It often has stepped shapes and geometric patterns. There are only three buildings in Ogden with this style. All three are on the National Register of Historic Places. Utah even put a special marker inside the building. This marker tells visitors about its importance.
Still Used Today
The U.S. Forest Service still uses this building for its offices. Other government groups also have offices here. These include the Internal Revenue Service and the USDA. Because it is so unique, the building is a well-known landmark. It has been kept in great shape over the years. Not many changes have been made to it.
How the Building Came to Be
In 1908, the U.S. Forest Service chose Ogden for its main office. They picked Ogden over Salt Lake City. Ogden had better train prices and more local services. It also had a stronger business community. But building the office took a while. Work on the building did not start until the 1930s.
Helping the Economy
This building was one of the first in the country funded by the WPA. The WPA was a big part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal program. The New Deal aimed to boost the economy. It helped people find jobs during the Great Depression.
Designed by Local Experts
Local architects Hodgson & McClenahan designed the building. Leslie Hodgson created the first ideas. Myrl McClenahan drew the detailed plans. Both were known for being very careful. They made sure every detail was perfect. The building became a new example of the Art Deco style. Hodgson & McClenahan helped make this style popular in Ogden. Construction started in January 1933.
A Local Landmark
The building quickly became famous in Ogden. It looked amazing in an area that was mostly homes. It also helped make Ogden a key place for federal activities. Very few changes have been made to the building since it was built. This means it still looks much like it did when it was new. Some storage areas became offices in 1939-1940. The roof was replaced in 1963.
The U.S. Forest Service Building was first listed as historic in 1983. It was part of a group of Art Deco buildings in Ogden. In 2006, it was listed on its own. The U.S. Forest Service still uses the building today.
Building Style and Look
This building is a great example of the Art Deco style. It looks modern and has a strong vertical feel. It also has cool, fancy decorations. You can see stepped shapes and straight lines everywhere. Art Deco designs like chevrons (V-shapes), sunbursts, and zigzags are also used.
Colors and Materials
The four-story building is covered in bricks. The bricks are darker tan at the bottom. They slowly get lighter beige as you go up. The architects used eight different shades of brick. They even helped place each brick. This made sure the color change looked just right. The mortar and other details match the bricks.
The building has a rectangular shape at the bottom. The upper floors are U-shaped. This lets natural light into the middle of the building. The building is made of strong concrete. It has brick and terra-cotta walls. The bottom sits on a gray granite foundation.
Outside Details
The front of the building faces Twenty-fifth Street. It is perfectly balanced. It has windows placed evenly apart. Tall brick columns make the building look even taller. The windows have special terra-cotta panels above them. These panels have zigzag patterns and leaf designs.
The flat roof has a three-story tower in the middle. This tower has a glass-topped greenhouse. It was used for studies and experiments. The tower also has the stepped pattern and chevron designs. A tall brick chimney is on one corner. It also shows the cool color changes.
Main Entrance
You enter the building through the main door in the center. The doorway is set back and has a wide frame. Above the door, a sign says "U.S. Forest Service." Two carved eagles are on each side of the sign. The Forest Service symbol, a tree on a shield, is also there. Two Art Deco street lamps stand next to the entrance. They have sunburst and chevron designs. The main doors are glass. They have metal frames and handles with a stepped design.
Inside the Building
The inside of the building is also very decorated. This is common for Art Deco style. The entrance area and main lobby look the same. The walls are covered in beautiful Utah Golden Travise marble. The bottom of the walls has green Verde Antique marble. The top of the walls has fancy plaster molding. This molding is an Art Deco version of a classic design. It is covered in a shiny silver color. The ceilings have silver foil designs in the center.
The main staircase is also made of the same marble. It has wooden handrails. Arched openings lead from the lobby to the hallways. The hallway walls still have their original wooden trim. This trim also has the stepped design. Some floor areas still have the original rubber tiles. These tiles were laid in a diamond pattern with three colors.
Important Dates
- 1908: The U.S. Forest Service chooses Ogden for its main office.
- 1932: Local architects Hodgson & McClenahan design the building.
- 1933-1934: The building is constructed.
- 1983: The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is part of a group of Art Deco buildings in Ogden.
- 2006: The building is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Building Facts
- Location: 507 Twenty-fifth Street
- Architects: Hodgson & McClenahan
- Built: 1933-1934
- Style: Art Deco
- Status: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Main Materials: Buff-colored Brick; Terra Cotta
- Special Features: Cool, stepped Art Deco shape; Stylish Art Deco designs
