Ghost Tour | The Haunted Places of Ogden
Guest Article From Darren Nelson for My Local Utah.
The dead might very well be alive and kicking in Ogden City. As autumn leaves blanket the ground and Halloween approaches, we’re diving into the thrill of investigating the city’s most haunted spots. From the eerie quiet of city cemeteries to the spooky charm of Historic 25th Street, and even the backstage atmosphere of Peery’s Egyptian Theater, Ogden is brimming with paranormal intrigue.
Please remember that most of the scary locations mentioned are private property and must be treated respectfully (please be aware security monitoring is in place and vandalism is a criminal offense). Join us as we explore By Feature Writer Darren Nelson for My Local Utah. The Haunted Places of Ogden some of the city’s most chilling locations and uncover the legends that go bump in the night.
Union Station in Ogden is indeed one of the city’s most renowned haunted sites. This historic depot, which once served as a major hub for the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, is steeped in tales of the supernatural. Its long history, marked by both triumph and tragedy, has left a lingering imprint on the building.
The station has been the scene of many eerie occurrences. Visitors and staff have reported hearing unexplained sounds, such as footsteps echoing through the halls, the laughter of children, and disembodied voices. Shadowy figures are said to roam the corridors, and there are frequent reports of items moving on their own. The most chilling of these tales is related to the Bagley train disaster of 1944, which claimed 48 lives. It’s said that one of the victims, a woman from that tragic day, is often seen wandering the second floor. Witnesses have even claimed that she interacts with the living, though curiously, she seems to speak only to men.
Today, Union Station has been repurposed and no longer functions as a train station. Instead, it hosts a variety of events, festivals, and cultural activities, including galleries and museums. It remains a vibrant part of Ogden’s community while still holding onto its ghostly past. If you’re planning a visit, you might find yourself drawn into its rich history—and perhaps catch a glimpse of something spectral in the shadows.
Moving directly East across the street from Union Station, we find ourselves on Ogden’s Historic 25th Street. This historic street boasts a colorful past of shady activities and crime. Today’s Historic 25th Street boasts an eclectic mix of boutiques and bistros, but its family-friendly atmosphere today belies a seedier side to Ogden’s past. In the early days “Two-Bit Street” had a colorful reputation for some shady activities and crime. The street’s colorful history is still a point of intrigue, with lingering mysteries of underground tunnels and echoing tales of a ghost or two.
Many merchants and their staff still claim to experience hauntings in their various establishments. Some of the hot spots—or cold spots—along the street include the old Ben Lomond Hotel (now known as the Bigelow Hotel and Residences), the Lighthouse Lounge, the KoKoMo Club, Grounds for Coffee, and the Making Scents Emporium are among the few shops and eateries known for their haunted specters.
Most of the ghosts are described as harmless or mischievous, but a ghost is still ghost when it comes to creepy feelings and cold spots.
The Eccles Mansion
Discovering Breeze Airways was like hitting the jackpot. With their affordable flights, we could book a last-minute trip to Orange County, right next to Disneyland®, without breaking the bank. This was a dream come true for our family. The kids were ecstatic about the idea of one more adventure before school started, and I was thrilled that we could make it happen without the usual financial strain.
Breeze Airways lived up to its name, offering a smooth and pleasant flight experience. The staff was attentive, the seats were comfortable, and the kids were entertained the entire time. Plus, the convenience of flying out of Ogden meant we started our vacation stress-free—a rare and much appreciated luxury.
Flo's Grave
Ogden City Cemetery, like many burial grounds, has its own collection of ghostly tales. One of the most fascinating is the story of Florence Louise Grange, who died at the young age of 15 under mysterious circumstances in 1918. The exact cause of her death is still uncertain, with some accounts suggesting she was hit by a car, choked on a piece of candy, or suffered from a sudden illness like a heart attack or influenza.
Florence’s grave site has become legendary, particularly due to an unusual local legend. To summon the spirit of Florence Grange, one is said to need to flash their car’s headlights three times at her gravestone. According to the story, this act will cause an orb of green light to manifest and float toward the passenger side of the car. As the light reaches the car door, a ghostly figure of a girl is said to appear and reach for the handle.
The Solider Statue
Also in the Ogden City Cemetery is the Soldier Statue. As the legend goes, if you walk or drive around the WWI soldier statue three times in the dark, the statue will follow you with its eyes or change positions.
Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, Ogden City Cemetery offers a glimpse into the city’s haunted history—and, from the sounds of it, maybe an interactive experience or two.
The John M. Browning Mansion
This historic mansion was the family residence of famous gun designer John Moses Browning and was constructed in 1899. Today it is a private residence with ghostly reports of apparitions, voices, and objects that move on their own. The paranormal activity seems very strong in the basement boiler room and a crawl space under the home. Ghost-hunting investigators have also captured faint sound recordings of gunshots in the home. I would expect nothing less from the Browning residence.
Ogden Exchange Building
This abandoned old building has all the ingredients of a haunted location. The Ogden Exchange Building was originally used as offices for the stockyard. Then it was repurposed as a Mental Health Services Clinic, while the basement was used as a morgue for the county. To make things even more spooky, the place has a seriously creepy vibe to it. Local legends speak of several resident ghosts, and ghost hunters have obtained multiple audio recordings of disembodied voices.
Bellington Manor
Formerly known as the LeRoy Eccles Mansion, the Bellington Manor today is an upscale reception center in the heart of Ogden. Its haunted history dates back to 1928 when Edwin Jackson Harness and his wife purchased the home. After his wife died in 1942, Edwin became a recluse and died in 1956. Haunting reports include sightings of Mr. and Mrs. Harness and a man named J.D. who was employed by the Harnesses
The Prairie Schooner
This restaurant was a family-owned establishment for decades until sold to new proprietors. The rumor is the father (and original owner ) continues to haunt the restaurant to this day. Strange occurrences include lights turning off and on, objects moving around by themselves, and footsteps on the stairs. The place is a great place for a tasty steak and maybe a ghost sighting too.
The Newgate Mall
This restaurant was a family-owned establishment for decades until sold to new proprietors. The rumor is the father (and original owner ) continues to haunt the restaurant to this day. Strange occurrences include lights turning off and on, objects moving around by themselves, and footsteps on the stairs. The place is a great place for a tasty steak and maybe a ghost sighting too.
Borgstrom Hall
As part of the Army Reserve Center in Ogden, Bergstrom Hall uses the surname of four brothers who died in action during military deployment in World War II. People have reported an eerie feeling of being watched and the lights turning on and off. Seeing orbs (supposed spirits of light) have been captured in pictures of those visiting the hall. Several people have also reported feelings of being watched along with noticing the lights turning themselves back on after they had been turned off.
The Peery Egyptian Theater
This historic theater in downtown Ogden was first opened in July of 1924 featuring films of the silent era. Today, after several refurbishments, the theater is a classic location for hosting performances and events as well as movies. There is also a historic Wurlitzer organ adding to that “old-time” theater ambiance.
For a structure that has been aroundfor 100 years, it is no surprise it has a history of hauntings. Reports include strange sounds, lights turning on and off, shadow figures occupying empty theater seats, and music playing when the theater is empty. The ghost of a little girl who died from a fall during the construction in 1923 is often said to haunt backstage areas and play the piano.
A crafter and decorator hot spot, Rainbow Gardens features a homestyle restaurant, a very eclectic gift shop, and a quilters store and classroom. The building was originally a sanitarium (its pool step foundations can still be seen in part of the gift shop) and sits at the base of Ogden Canyon. The age of the building gives off some creepy vibes, even in daytime hours. The hiking trail nearby and its concrete bridge that spans over the river offer up a feeling of unease and a sense of being watched. Reports from workers and visitors include strange voices and noises, particularly on the east and south sides of the building. There are also stories of cryptids and ghosts in the woods and near the dumpsters surrounding the building.
Last on our list of spooky Ogden locations is the Ben Lomond Hotel. Now known as the Bigelow Hotel and Residences, this structure is the only remaining and operational “Grand Hotel” of the original three such hotels in Utah. Located on the corner of Historic 25th Street and Washington Blvd., this beautiful Italian Renaissance building has seen its fair share of history since its opening in 1927.
Multiple ghosts are said to haunt the hotel, including several who died there over the years. This includes an employee who fell down the elevator shaft, a murder victim, and a bathtub drowning. People have reported disembodied voices, elevators moving on their own, and doors slamming loudly for no reason. Apparitions of ghosts and moving shadows have also been witnessed.
One of the most well-known ghost stories is of a tragic bride who stayed in the hotel. It is said that a bride mysteriously died from drowning in the bathtub in room 1102. Guests have reported the bathtub turning on and off by itself. Additionally, a despondent woman who died of malnutrition in her room (also 1102) after hearing of her son’s death is said to also haunt the hotel, and the ghost of her son haunts the room next door to hers (1101). Guests in this room report cold spots and creepy feelings, and some have even claimed to see the ghost himself. Obvious spots in the hotel of increased paranormal activity are the 11th floor and the basement areas of the building.
Ogden’s haunted locations are like windows into another era, blending history with the supernatural. Whether you’re drawn to the eerie tales or the thrill of the unknown, these stories remind us that life has its mysteries, and tales of the paranormal can still stir our imaginations and make the hairs on our necks stand up.
Disclaimer: If you are up to exploring some of these reported haunted locations on your own, please note that several are not open to the public. Please obey posted signs and adhere to any rules and regulations. Ghost-hunting explorers must respect private property and please obey local trespassing laws and remember vandalism is a crime.
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