Ogden - Weber Chamber of Commerce

Ogden’s proximity to and history with the railroad had earned it two nicknames toward the end of the 19th Century: “Junction City” and “gateway to the West.” It also marked the beginning of significant commerce activity and stimulated the creation of a more organized effort to bolster and integrate business development activities.

In that landscape the Ogden Chamber of Commerce was organized, April 1887, with David H. Peery as president and J. H. Krause as secretary. This was the second such organization created in Utah. Under its articles of incorporation, the Chamber was “organized for the purpose of advancing the general prosperity of…the city of Ogden.” Even now in the 21st Century, the Chamber’s official mission statement is nearly the same.

The two organizations remained close in ties and proximity, but the Ogden Publicity Bureau formally re-instated the name of Ogden Chamber of Commerce, 26 January 1920. Then in 1926 the two organizations consolidated to become The Weber Club-Chamber of Commerce. This lasted for nine years when in 1933 the two separated.

Over the years, the Chamber and its community partners have chalked up many important victories. When rumors began spreading in 1935 that the Federal Government was looking to establish a new Army Air Corp in the Mountain West, leaders from the Chamber sprung to action. On January 26, 1938 the Chamber boldly purchased and turned over 136 acres of land to the Government, a move to show how serious the community wanted the installation. Following one-and-a-half years of political jockeying, the Chamber was advised their proposed site was selected. Then on 4 January 1940, ground was broken for the development of Hill Air Force Base, probably one of Utah’s biggest economic development successes and a key installation in the United State’s defense.

The Chamber’s history is packed with many other examples of advancing prosperity in Weber County. It’s difficult to imagine what Weber County would look like without the vision, leadership and service of countless individuals from the Chamber and other organizations in the community.