Weber Theatre

RonP on April 2, 2009 at 9:59 pm

— Here are some excerpts from the September 3, 1931, city of Ogden commissioners meeting: President Tracy (of Weber College) pointed out that “With the Weber theatre operating now on the south side of Twenty-fifth street between Grant and Lincoln avenue “We will have over 30 boys and girls making two trips down the street a day, both in the morning and in the evening.” “They are youngsters and we do not want them to get mixed up with these loose women,” he asserted. “They are curious, and perhaps may end up wrong.” “What do they go down for?” asked Commissioner Williams. “I don’t know,“ said Mr. Tracy. “Just young and curious I guess.” GIRLS DROP BEANS! He explained that one Weber college boy was in a jam so far, being mixed up with a woman and declared that girls, leaning out of upstairs windows, he has been told by the boys, attract their attention by dropping beans on their heads. Commissioner Williams observed that hereafter he was going to keep his hat on while walking down the street.

—Feb 28, 1943, news article
Opening of the new war department theatre, U. S. army, on Twenty-fifth Street in Ogden at seven o'clock Sunday evening was announced Saturday by Brig. Gen. Ralph Talbot, Jr., commanding general of the Utah quartermaster depot. Gen. Talbot stated that the theatre building, formerly the Little theatre, was taken over by the army in order to provide added recreational facilities for Colored troops stationed in this area. The theatre will largely accommodate troops from the Utah quartermaster depot, troops from Hill field and Camp Hooper.The building has been completely renovated with newly reconditioned seats and the latest sound and projection equipment has been installed. Lt. Francis J. Blaisdell, depot theatre officer, who will be in charge of the management of the theatre, stated that latest pictures will be shown within 30 days of national release and that the theatre will present many special features and attractions for the troops.The formal opening will be held Sunday evening March 7, when a special program will be presented by troops of the QM depot under the direction of Miss Violet M. Hemsley, director of the Ogden Colored USO club. March 9, 1943. Colored soldiers of the Ogden-Davis county area today were attending shows in the new U. S. army theatre, 225 Twenty-fifth. The theatre was opened under auspices of the war department, sponsored by commanding officers of military establishments, who felt there was an acute need in Ogden for such additional recreational facilities for Colored troops stationed in this area.

Other trivia:
—When it was a hotel, many of the local crime or drunken reports in the newspaper often listed the violator’s address as 225 25th street.
—A Standard-Examiner article in the 1940s said the Star Noodle Parlor was raided for gambling.