Ogden Stadium
 | |
| Location | 668 17th Street Ogden, Utah, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°14′14″N 111°57′43″W / 41.23722°N 111.96194°W |
| Capacity | 20,000 |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 9, 1930 |
| Opened | August 15, 1930 |
| Website | |
| ogdencity | |
Ogden Stadium, also known as Ogden Pioneer Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located within Lorin Farr Park[a] in Ogden, Utah. The stadium seats around 20,000, but is not currently used for any of the four "major" United States sports.
History
[edit]Citizens of Ogden, including representatives of the American Legion and Elks organizations, incorporated a committee in April 1928 to coordinate construction of a stadium.[2] In February 1929, cost was estimated at $65,000.[3] The following month, the City of Ogden agreed to support the effort, along with Weber Junior College and local school boards.[4] The stadium was initially scheduled to open in the fall of 1929, with a college football game between the BYU Cougars and the Agricultural College of Utah (now the Utah State Aggies).[5] In August, $75,000 was raised via bond sales, with the first game moved back, expected to feature Weber Junior College and the McKinley School of Honolulu in late October.[6] In mid-October, during the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the city effectively took over the stadium effort by creating a stadium board and agreeing to finance construction.[7]
Construction of the stadium began on June 9, 1930,[8] was completed during the summer of 1930, and the stadium was first used on August 15, for a fireworks show and big bands to celebrate the start of an athletics meet sponsored by the Union Pacific Railroad.[9][10] Lighting was in place weeks later, as the Utah State freshman squad defeated Weber Junior College in a night game on October 10.[11]
The stadium hosted various college football contests, including games with the Idaho State Bengals, Nevada Wolf Pack, and Utah Utes. It was also used as a boxing venue, featuring champions such as Max Baer, Ezzard Charles, Gene Fullmer, and Joey Maxim.
Current usage
[edit]The stadium also plays host to the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo, which is held every year during the week of Utah's Pioneer Day.[12]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Pool scenes in the 1993 sports film The Sandlot were filmed at the Lorin Farr Community Pool near the stadium.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ "Where Was The Sandlot Filmed?". endlesspopcorn.com. 22 February 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
- ^ "Ogden Stadium Files Papers to Incorporate". The Ogden Post. April 20, 1928. p. 7. Retrieved May 15, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ogden Bowl Plan Moves". The Salt Lake Tribune. February 13, 1929. p. 12. Retrieved May 15, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ogden Stadium Planners Win City Backing". The Salt Lake Tribune. AP. March 22, 1929. p. 15. Retrieved May 15, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Aggies and B. Y. To Open Ogden's New Stadium". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. May 29, 1929. p. 13. Retrieved May 15, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ogden Raises Funds Needed For New Bowl". The Salt Lake Tribune. AP. August 15, 1929. p. 15. Retrieved May 15, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ogden Decides to Finance Stadium". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. October 18, 1929. p. 5. Retrieved May 15, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Work Commences In Construction of Ogden's Stadium". The Salt Lake Tribune. June 10, 1930. p. 12. Retrieved May 15, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Fireworks at Ogden Stadium Booked Friday". Standard-Examiner. Ogden, Utah. August 14, 1930. p. 16. Retrieved May 15, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "All Ready for Fireworks at Park Tonight". Standard-Examiner. Ogden, Utah. August 15, 1930. p. 10. Retrieved May 15, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Aggie Freshmen Defeat Wildcats on Slippery Field". Standard-Examiner. Ogden, Utah. October 11, 1930. p. 5. Retrieved May 15, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo & Celebration". ogdenpioneerdays.com. 31 March 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2022.