Bicentennial
PAINTINGS
Prior to the United States Bicentennial, William J. Critchlow III, an Ogden attorney with an interest in northern Utah history, obtained funds from the local Bicentennial Commission to contract local artists to create 63 paintings for the 1976 celebration. Twenty-three artists from throughout Utah participated in the project and are represented in the Bicentennial Art Collection at Weber State University. Former members of the art faculty of Weber State, Utah State, University of Utah, and Brigham Young University, along with a number of local professional and freelance artists were commissioned.
In 2023, the Weber State University Storytelling Festival, Utah’s Division of Arts and Museums, and Kaysville – Fruit Heights Museum of History and Art, have collaborated to share reproductions of some of the paintings, the history represented and connections to Kaysville and Fruit Heights area past. Sixteen artists and twenty-eight paintings from the original exhibit have been initially selected for inclusion here and in the 2023 Bicentennial Art Exhibit Guide.
In 2023, the Weber State University Storytelling Festival, Utah’s Division of Arts and Museums, and Kaysville – Fruit Heights Museum of History and Art, have collaborated to share reproductions of some of the paintings, the history represented and connections to Kaysville and Fruit Heights area past. Sixteen artists and twenty-eight paintings from the original exhibit have been initially selected for inclusion here and in the 2023 Bicentennial Art Exhibit Guide.
Ogden Origin of the Continental Oil Company
Ken Baxter, Artist
Founded in Ogden, Utah, in 1875, Continental Oil and Transportation used horse-drawn wagons to distribute kerosene, oil, coal, and other goods throughout Utah and the western United States. Its founder, Isaac E. Blake discovered that he could transport products in bulk by rail from the east and sell them cheaper than similar products coming from…
Ogden Tithing Yard
Lois S. Breeze, Artist
In the late 1800s, the tithing yard was one of the busiest places in the growing city of Ogden. Mormons were expected to pay one-tenth of their increase to be used to support the church and provide for the poor. collected at tithing houses and bishop’s storehouses, like the one depicted in this painting. In an economy that was short on…
Osborne Russell Meets a Wolverine
Farrell R. Collett, Artist
This painting depicts trapper Osborne Russell, approaching a wolverine that devoured and hidden a bighorn sheep he had shot the evening before. Russell wintered with a group of mountaineers, their families, and several Shoshone lodges. They likely camped somewhere along the Weber River between Weber Canyon and Kaysville. In his journal, Russell described…
Peter Skene Ogden Trapping Beaver
Harrison Groutage, Artist
Peter Skene Ogden joined the North West Company of fur trapping and trading at 17 years old. Ogden was sent to lead the Snake Country Expedition in 1821, eventually ending up in Utah. He was a well-known trapper and leader whose company expanded to more than 100 people. His job was to eradicate the…
Pioneer Logging Operation
Harrison Groutage, Artist
In 1872, David Eccles started a logging operation east of Ogden, near Monte Cristo, where he felled trees and hauled them down the mountain with oxen to a lumber yard. His experience of working in sawmills and logging operations in Oregon with his family was valuable in his new venture. Eccles became a powerful businessman after buying out…
Prisoners of War
Ken Baxter, Artist
Thousands of World War II prisoners were incarcerated in Utah camps. In 1944, approximately,000 Italian and 8,000 German prisoners of war were held at the Utah General Depot, now Ogden Defense Depot. Most prisoners worked on farms or as hospital clerks and received a small wage.
Other German and Italian prisoners were held at Bushnell Hospital in Brigham City, and Camp Hill Field, now Hill Airforce Base. Thousands of Japanese prisoners of war were imprisoned at the…
Trappers Winter Camp
B. Y. Andelin, Artist
Trapper Winter Camp showcases a settlement strategy that was commonly utilized by Rocky Mountain fur trappers in the in the 1820s to 1840s. Trappers often spent the winters with Native Americans around the Great Salt Lake and…
Utah International at Its Beginning
David M. Merrill, Artist
Pioneers who became leaders in northern Utah industry included the Wattis family. After trying their hand at farming, but soon started a freighting venture which led to a railroad construction job. Determination effort resulted in the formation of a giant corporation, Utah International Inc. which today has business worldwide. Utah International at Its Beginning…
Ogden Origin of the Continental Oil Company
Ken Baxter, Artist
Founded in Ogden, Utah, in 1875, Continental Oil and Transportation used horse-drawn wagons to distribute kerosene, oil, coal, and other goods throughout Utah and the western United States. Its founder, Isaac E. Blake discovered that he could transport products in bulk by rail from the east and sell them cheaper than similar products coming from…
Ogden Tithing Yard
Lois S. Breeze, Artist
In the late 1800s, the tithing yard was one of the busiest places in the growing city of Ogden. Mormons were expected to pay one-tenth of their increase to be used to support the church and provide for the poor. collected at tithing houses and bishop’s storehouses, like the one depicted in this painting. In an economy that was short on…
Osborne Russell Meets a Wolverine
Farrell R. Collett, Artist
This painting depicts trapper Osborne Russell, approaching a wolverine that devoured and hidden a bighorn sheep he had shot the evening before. Russell wintered with a group of mountaineers, their families, and several Shoshone lodges. They likely camped somewhere along the Weber River between Weber Canyon and Kaysville. In his journal, Russell described…
Peter Skene Ogden Trapping Beaver
Harrison Groutage, Artist
Peter Skene Ogden joined the North West Company of fur trapping and trading at 17 years old. Ogden was sent to lead the Snake Country Expedition in 1821, eventually ending up in Utah. He was a well-known trapper and leader whose company expanded to more than 100 people. His job was to eradicate the…
Pioneer Logging Operation
Harrison Groutage, Artist
In 1872, David Eccles started a logging operation east of Ogden, near Monte Cristo, where he felled trees and hauled them down the mountain with oxen to a lumber yard. His experience of working in sawmills and logging operations in Oregon with his family was valuable in his new venture. Eccles became a powerful businessman after buying out…
Prisoners of War
Ken Baxter, Artist
Thousands of World War II prisoners were incarcerated in Utah camps. In 1944, approximately,000 Italian and 8,000 German prisoners of war were held at the Utah General Depot, now Ogden Defense Depot. Most prisoners worked on farms or as hospital clerks and received a small wage.
Other German and Italian prisoners were held at Bushnell Hospital in Brigham City, and Camp Hill Field, now Hill Airforce Base. Thousands of Japanese prisoners of war were imprisoned at the…
Trappers Winter Camp
B. Y. Andelin, Artist
Trapper Winter Camp showcases a settlement strategy that was commonly utilized by Rocky Mountain fur trappers in the in the 1820s to 1840s. Trappers often spent the winters with Native Americans around the Great Salt Lake and…
Utah International at Its Beginning
David M. Merrill, Artist
Pioneers who became leaders in northern Utah industry included the Wattis family. After trying their hand at farming, but soon started a freighting venture which led to a railroad construction job. Determination effort resulted in the formation of a giant corporation, Utah International Inc. which today has business worldwide. Utah International at Its Beginning…