Annorah Boden and the Boden House
- Ken Bott
- Feb 10
- 2 min read
Annorah Coleman Boden was a prominent citizen in early Brigham City for many years. She was known for her early hotel (The Boden House) and for her candy (“Grandma Boden’s Candy” or “Boden Stick Candy.”)
Annorah and her husband, James, joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in southern Wales in 1848. Two of their older daughters left for Utah before them. In 1868, Annorah was pregnant with the couple’s 11th child (though one child had already died) and was going to follow behind her husband and sons to Utah but heard of polygamy and decided that she and her daughters would also go. She gave birth to her son near Sweetwater, Wyoming, though he died after a couple of weeks and was buried in Echo Canyon. James became ill and died the day after reaching Salt Lake.
Annorah decided to come to Brigham City where he two older daughters, who had made the trek earlier, were living. It was difficult for the family to start with very little but they worked hard and were able to make a small home on property between Forest Street and 100 South on 200 West. While doing various jobs to bring in money, someone who knew Annorah from Wales remembered that she had worked in confections and encouraged her to make her candy. Annorah had brought candy flavors and coloring from Wales and she commenced the work that would stay in the family for generations.
Annorah also noted that there was a need for a place for travelers to stay. With the completion of the railroad, Annorah took her cooking and hospitality skills and opened the “Boden House.” For 31 years, Annorah made candy and ran the hotel which was known for its excellent food. Some people would stay at the house for weeks and even months. Two gentlemen, one of whom was Owen “Blind Man” Jones, lived there until their deaths.
Annorah’s second son, Heber Coleman Boden, became the Fire Chief in Brigham City in 1892 was the Marshal of the Day when Brigham City celebrated Utah's statehood in 1896. On Jan. 1, 1900, Heber was inaugurated as Brigham City’s 10th mayor. In September of 1900, the roads of Brigham City were renamed based on their distance from Main and Forest and the Boden House’s address was changed from Farming Street (though the Sanborn Maps called it “Fanning Street”) to 200 West.
Annorah passed away in 1899 and the Boden House continued in the family for several more years. It was eventually used as apartments and, later, was deemed unsafe and demolished in 1992 after 123 years.
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