Brigham City’s Electric Interurban Railway

The Ogden Rapid Transit Company decided in 1910 to include an extension from the “Utah Hot Springs” (this was a hot springs, hotel, and other offerings that stood where the Allan Plant Company now stands) into Brigham City. This electric interurban railway system ran from 1910-1919.

In 1914, Marriner Eccles (son of David Eccles) orchestrated the combination of the Ogden Rapid Transit Company and the Logan Rapid Transit Company and the new “Ogden, Logan, and Idaho Railway” (OLI) began. The new company decided in 1915 that they would create a new, shorter route and they laid tracks that paralleled the Oregon Short Line railroad. This line passed through Brigham City along 500 West. The OLI became the Utah Idaho Central Railroad, or “UIC” in 1918. It appears that some locals referred to this route as the “Bamberger,” though the actual Bamberger line ran in the Salt Lake and Utah County areas and terminated in Ogden. Because the two lines were connected, though built by different companies, some may have felt that they were the same.

This new rail line eventually connected in Brigham City on October 27, 1915 near the intersection of 500 West and Forest St. The UIC built depots at their various stops and the one in Brigham City stood at this intersection. To keep the people of Willard connected to this new line, a portion of the old line was maintained as a “town spur” in Brigham City and went from the corner of 500 W and Forest Street, east to Main Street, and then turned south, continuing to “Fruitdale” about 2 ½ miles outside of Brigham City. Just a few months later, Brigham City began having meetings in an effort to improve its streets and sought to have the rails and power lines removed. On August 6 1919, the UIC received approval to discontinue and dismantle this street car line and it was subsequently removed.

The main line continued running for many years and gave Brigham City residents access to many cities in Cache Valley and then into Preston, Idaho going north or as far as Payson going south. The system was powered by an overhead caternary line that supplied electricity to the train though its roof trolley pole. The 1500-volt DC system could power the street car up to 50 mph between cities.

The depot for this system was located at 500 West and Forest and stood for many years. It is seen peeking out from the right of the photo of railroad car 502. The building was eventually incorporated into a larger warehouse before being removed to build Brigham City’s new fire station. Similar depots still stand with the Willard Depot being moved to Deweyville, the Hyrum Depot is now apartments, and the Mendon Depot is preserved.

The UIC made its last run on Feb. 15, 1947.

Interurban street car #16 heading south on Main Street in Brigham City. Destination is noted as Ogden with Hot Springs in the lower route window. Sometime after 1914 and prior to the tracks being removed in 1919.

The 502 with the UIC RR logo on the side. In front of the UIC building in Brigham City that stood on 500 West (notice the brick to distinguish from the Depot on 800 W)

Tracks near the intersection at 1100 South and Main in Brigham City

The tracks joining the new, shortened tracks from the south with the tracks going north. The "town spur" is noted that went east up Forest St. October 27, 1915. https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6mg7z1m

The brick portion of this building is the UIC Depot that stood on 500 West and Forest. It was eventually incorporated into a warehouse and then ultimately destroyed and the new fire station built.

UIC depot in Mendon. This building has been preserved.

Brigham City Fire Station, where the UIC Depot stood in a more recent photo

Construction of the track through downtown Brigham City, between Forest and 100 South

BENJ 4/7/1910

BENJ 9/1/1910

BENJ 10/27/1910

BENJ 7/15/1915

BENJ 8/11/1916