The Eden General Store

This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.

Nostalgia.. I love it. I have great memories of the "good old days."

Recently I had the opportunity to reflect on my youth and the joys I had in the beautiful Huntsville/Eden area. As a kid I would actually ride my bicycle from downtown Ogden to Pine View Dam to enjoy a day there or at Patio Springs. It was a long, arduous pull up that canyon before the days of ten-speed bikes, but it was a breeze to come home. Down hill all the way.

Last month, I returned to Huntsville and visited The Eden General Store on Central Square. Its history makes an enjoyable story I'd like to share.

In 1880, using woodworking techniques he learned from Brigham Young, Elija Wilbur went to Eden and built the store. The two-story building served as store, post office and dance hall. It quickly became the meeting place for Eden locals. Native Americans often visited to stock up on supplies for their summer journey into the mountains.

In 1894, using locally made brick, Elija built the beautiful three-story home that still stands just east of the store. Shortly after the Pineview Dam was erected in 1935, Phyllis Fuller was appointed postmaster. She held the position until her death in 1964. At that time, the owner closed the store and returned to ranching. The store sat empty until 1969, when Ben and Becky Toone purchased it. Since that time, Ben has restored the beauty of the building and the warmth of the old-fashioned, family business.

I loved wandering around the facility. Inside, I saw an old Frigidaire. I forgot that Frigidaire was a product of General Motors until I read the plaque on the side. There was a big stuffed head of a black bull that I remember previously hung on the wall of the Elks Club in downtown Ogden. There was a real old shoeshine stand sitting against the wall and beautiful murals painted by local artists Steve Sanger and Steve Johnson. The alder and marble bar and soda fountain came from the Kemmerer Hotel in Wyoming. And you can sit at the counter and order an iron port or a lemon phosphate or cherry coke.

Emily Fuller, Becky and Ben's daughter, is the buyer for the general store, and there are so many wonderful items on display and for sale.

The delightful turn of the century café serves up old-fashioned, home-baked goodness for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It's great fun to visit, shop, eat and reminisce at the Eden General Store.

This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank. I'm speaking on business.