Because of the unusual valley setting and its beautiful surroundings, North Ogden was a choice spot to the early settlers. The valley floor was covered with green foliage and wild flowers of every description. Mountain streams ran clear and cold. Multi-shaded autumn leaves made the foothills and mountainsides an artist’s paradise in Indian summer. Mighty Ben Lomond, the mountain to the north, stood as a marvelous majestic tower of strength. North Ogden was truly one of the beauty spots in the West. But, it was alive with Native Americans!

This industrious group of pioneers did everything possible to build and develop their town. Not only did they farm, but many businesses were established such as the gristmills, saw mills, cane mills, molasses mills, and blacksmiths, lime kilns and tanneries. In 1856 the North Ogden Canal was started. It was the first and largest of its kind. When completed it cost around $56,000 to build. The women of the town became experts in weaving, spinning and making of homemade carpets. Apostle of the Mormon Church, Wilford Woodruff, described North Ogden as one of the most flourishing settlements in the territory

From 1860 on, North Ogden boomed and became quite an industrious center. It had its own mercantile institutions, one of which was Z.C.M.I. and was located on 400 East a little south of where McDonald’s is today. Later that site became the location of a Post Office and Barker’s Service Station. Brick making became a prominent business and furnished bricks for many buildings in North Ogden, as well as bricks for the Eccles Building and the J.C. Penney’s store in Ogden. Through the years, fruit farming became the main commodity and North Ogden became one of Utah’s choice fruit belts with the fruit being shipped throughout the United States.