The Retired Rambler: C-Span Visits Ogden; What They Find Will Astound You

Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell at C-Span press conference

OK, maybe not astound, but that seems to be how you are supposed to write internet headlines these days.

But, seriously, C-Span is visiting Ogden to do a series of stories to be shown via Comcast May 3 and 4. It's part of their C-Span City Tours, an effort to profile small and mid-size cities around the country.

The kickoff press conference today (Monday) In Union Station's grand hall was a fitting start -- much of Ogden's history, economy and culture was developed around the railroad and Union Station. It all radiates out from here.

Union Station Archivist Lee Witten
ready to video record the conference

Mayor Mike Caldwell showed up sans bike shorts to welcome the crew, which will be collecting and taping stories through the week. Union Station Foundation Board Chair Leon Jones said they'd find plenty of grist to mill along "what is surely the most notorious street in all of Utah," 25th Street, right outside the station's front door.

Board Vice-chair Julie Lewis said the station was the funnel through which came "inventors, geniuses, outlaws and crazy people" to Ogden to make their mark for good or ill.

C-Span reporter Ashley Hill said the team will be doing stories on Utah Constructors, the World War II Prisoners of War and the Transcontinental Railroad. They're talking to professors at Weber State University about their work on the Cuban Missile Crisis, homelessness and politics in Utah. Of course they're talking to Val Holley about his most recent book about the town.

Union Station Director Roberta Beverly talks about
the station's long history

They're also interviewing (uh-HUM!) me, for some fun stories out of Ogden's always-weird past. I'm sure I can think of one. Or two. Or three.

So they're going to be around, in clearly marked vehicles, filming and taping and asking questions. I don't need to ask you to be nice to them because Utahns are always nice to everyone.