Ogden City's captivating history, steeped in railroad lore and pioneer tales, is finding a new voice through "The Untold Stories of Ogden City," a student-led podcast series. Supported by the National Geographic Society and Blue Grass Community Foundation, the initiative aims to quickly bring local storytelling into the modern era through podcasts. Backed by the city’s Office of Community Engagement and featuring the mentorship of Weber State University faculty, Ogden's youth are delving into their community's past and crafting narratives for public consumption.
Ogden's Community Engagement Intern, Bryson Oleson, has been pivotal in directing this venture that connects students to their city's heritage. As obtained by Ogden City, Oleson shared his vision, "We wanted them to be involved with the community, we wanted them to connect with the people that they live around." Local students have eagerly joined the program, exploring the experiences and contributions of Ogden’s residents, with a special focus on its communities of color and their foundational role in the city's evolution.
The podcast has already showcased compelling stories from local figures, such as Anderson, an Ogden School Board alum whose parents came from Mexico seeking a better life for their family. "They wanted a better life for themselves but more importantly for their children. And even though my father and my mother didn’t have even a high school degree, they knew the importance that by having an education, their daughter could do better in life," said Anderson, as per Ogden City. Her father's work on the railroads that connected Ogden to the world resonates through time, as it embodies the hardworking spirit of the city.
The podcast also digs into the history of pivotal local families like the Brownings and Lindquists. Students drew attention to lesser-known figures, such as Matthew Browning, whose contributions to the famous Browning rifles were overshadowed by his brother John. "I really had a desire to tell Matthew’s story more," stated Vander Geiger, one of the participating students, according to Ogden City. Each episode serves as a bridge connecting new generations to the legacies that have shaped their community. From tales of family businesses like Topper Bakery to personal narratives of discrimination and triumph, these stories form a mosaic of Ogden's colorful past.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect accuracy.
