The Morgan County Historical Society moves to new home

As of this year, the Historical Society is no longer located at the Morgan County Library. The Historians of the Morgan chapter, Cindy Kay and Tyler Clarke are excited to announce that the Morgan Union Pacific Depot on Commercial Street is reopening and the Historical Society will now be based there. With the help of library staff, everything was boxed up and the bookshelf collections were transported to the Depot throughout December. “The move was completed in late January 2024” Kay said. “Luckily, the weather was pretty mild that month.”

The goal of the Morgan County Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and present Morgan County’s history in meaningful and engaging ways. Their office is open to the public and everyone is welcome to browse their numerous collections of photos, yearbooks, government reports, and more. They are also happy to give tours through the newly renovated Train Depot or help with historical photographs, histories, or collections. The Historical Society is open Monday through Friday from 12-5 p.m. 

Kay has been living in Morgan for over 26 years and is a longtime realtor in Morgan County. Kay started working for the Historical Society in April of 2023 and she enjoys working with the patrons, the personal histories, the photos, and other collections. Clarke lives in Ogden, Utah, and has recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in history from Weber State University. Clarke has been working for the Historical Society since January 2022 and he enjoys showing Morgan County history in new and engaging ways. 

The Morgan Union Pacific Depot served a section of the Transcontinental Railroad and it was built in 1926 when a second rail line was laid through Morgan, Utah. Renowned architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed the building in the Spanish Colonial Revival Style with decorative brick under the windows and a red bar tile roof. The original cost to build the Depot was $13,601. The interior of the Depot has three major rooms: the public waiting room, the station agent's office, and the baggage area. Union Pacific stopped using the rail station in 1982 and it sat abandoned for around five years. In 1987, the railroad donated the building to Morgan City along with a lease on the land and it was used by the city for several purposes over the years.

In 2019, County Historian Linda Smith, along with the Morgan County Historical Society, procured a caboose from Union Pacific and installed it next to the rail station. “The railroad shaped the community of Morgan County, so it is fitting to have a caboose,” Kay said. In 2020-21, County Historian Rachael Turk applied for and received a grant, starting phase one for the renovation of the Morgan Depot. An ADA ramp, rails, and new stairways were put in. Wood floors were sanded and refinished and the interior/exterior walls and ceilings were painted, matching samples taken from the original paint. In 2023, Ty Bailey applied for and received a grant for phase two of the renovation project. In June of that year, The Historical Society and Morgan County signed a lease with Morgan City to move the Historical Society and repository to the newly renovated Depot, as well as a visitor center and gift shop. Work started for phase two in July of 2023 and included new electrical hardware and lighting, bookshelves and cabinets, basement storage, and shelving. The phase was completed at the end of the year and a new sign was recently installed outside on the West side of the building.

Exciting things will come following the grand reopening of the train depot. A train table featuring a replica of 1930s Commercial Street buildings is being built; it will include neon blade signs, Devil's Slide, the “M’’ mountain, and a working model train. The Hostlers Model Railroad Club helped design the table with carpenter Doug Schut, and they will be working to build the table onsite. Follow the Morgan Historical Society- Morgan, Utah on Facebook and visit the depot frequently to see the progress as the replica is built. 

In addition, on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., there will be a Front Street Festival on Commercial Street. Mark your calendars and join this exciting event. The festival will include music, food, craft activities for kids, a train ride, booths, food trucks, specials at all restaurants and shops on Commercial Street, and punchable train tickets that can be entered for a prize drawing. There will also be tours through the Depot and most of the historic buildings on Commercial Street. Furthermore, a ribbon cutting will be held when the Big Boy No. 4014 train comes through Morgan. The railroad hasn’t set a date yet, but it should be sometime in mid-June or July. 

“It has been a labor of love,” said Kay. “Many entities worked together to make the remodeling Depot happen for the community.” As such, the Historical Society would like to recognize Morgan Valley Preservation, Morgan City, Morgan County, Morgan County Library, Ty Bailey, Wanda Adams, Adams Construction, and the many subcontractors who made the project possible. Additionally, they would like to thank the many residents who helped move the furniture, books, shelves, file cabinets, and collections to the new building. λ