Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Jon Boothe's Ogden home, a family museum, requires costly repairs due to flooding.
- Boothe's son, Clay, showcases a significant war memorabilia collection in the historic house.
- A GoFundMe campaign aims to fund repairs, preserving the home's legacy for future generations.
OGDEN — Nearly five-and-a-half years ago, Jon Boothe made a dream purchase — an early 1900s home where his great-grandparents once lived.
In January 2020, during an interview with KSL-TV, Boothe called the house near 34th Street and Adams Avenue the "Miracle on 34th Street" because of the serendipitous timing.
Since that time, Boothe has transformed the house, constructed in 1907, into something of a personal family museum, with old photos, clothing, and other antiques blanketing entire walls.
"I could seriously write a book about what's happened to me since I've been here," Boothe said during a new interview Sunday. "It's been an honor. It's been very special."
The house, which houses a sizable vintage G.I. Joe toy collection from Boothe's childhood, has also apparently had a profound impact on his 14-year-old son, Clay, who has spearheaded his collection of antique war memorabilia that now covers the entire second floor.
"I have stuff from the Civil War, World War I, World War II in here — so it just depends on what you look at," the teenager beamed.
One room, he said, is entirely dedicated to the Vietnam era — another time of personal significance.
"That means a lot for me," Clay said of the collection. "I personally want to go into the United States Marine Corps when I graduate because that's what my grandfather did."
Preserving all the history is one matter. Preserving it well into the future is another.
Jon Boothe said flooding under the home's cellar and footings potentially has shortened the lifespan of the property, and it needs some expensive repairs.
"It took some pretty extensive water damage," Jon Boothe said. "They say if we don't do anything, if we don't act, they give this house another 50 years."
Boothe would like to see the future of his family home extend far longer, and he recently began a GoFundMe* campaign to help offset the repair costs.
"What they want to try to do is restore and rebuild the original support beam here and put in additional support beams," Jon Boothe explained. "They want to come in and do a ventilation system because the humidity is high to save the original floors."
Jon Boothe said turning the house back into something meaningful for his family has been an unforgettable journey, and he'd love nothing more than to preserve the memories for another 118 years.
"The spirit here is great, the vibe here is great," he said. "This is the spot."
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
