Ogden City, Utah

Navy sailors at the Red Cross Canteen in Ogden Union Station. 1942-1945

Red Cross of Northern Utah Collection. Utah State Archives and Records Service

American World War II Heritage City

During World War II, the Utah General Depot was one of the largest military supply depots in the U.S. Located in northwest Ogden and neighboring Marriott, it opened in 1941 and was a primary source of supplies for both military and incarceration sites throughout the U.S. and overseas. The Depot was one of the largest employers in the Ogden area, at its peak employing over 7,500 civilians. In 1942, the Depot also opened a prisoner of war camp to house German and Italian prisoners. It was one of the first ten POW camps in the country.

The surge in employment during the War led to a need for more housing. Anticipating a housing shortage in Ogden, the federal government constructed the neighborhood of Grandview Acres for defense workers. In 1942, Ogden was also selected as one of 58 over-crowded war production areas in the U.S. This allowed the government to lease privately owned homes and buildings as defense worker housing.

Because of its location in the middle of the country, Ogden’s Union Station was a major rail hub for goods and people. Over 1 million service members passed through the station during the War and its Red Cross canteen was among the busiest canteens in the entire Pacific Area.

The students of Ogden also played a part in the home front. All junior and senior girls enrolled at Ogden High School were Red Cross certified and the Ogden High School Pep Girls Club members were inducted into the civilian defense organization as messengers. In addition, The Child Culture Club raised $500 to start a blood bank at the local hospital.

Today, Ogden commemorates its part in World War II and the home front through oral history projects, exhibits, publications, public outreach, remembrance ceremonies, and its World War II Memorial.