We're Proud of Former Resident, Oct. 13, 2013 A 25TH STREET TELL-ALL Author says Ogden's notorious reputation more about politics than prostitutes By BECKY WRIGHT Standard-Examiner staff Historic 25th Street is one of Ogden's most popular destinations, known for its art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, farmers market and family- friendly festivals. It's trendy and welcoming. Years ago, it was called "Two-Bit Street," known for its bars and brothels. Women who valued their good reputation stayed away, and there was a famous story that gangster Al Capone declared the street too tough even for him. But historian Val Holley — whose "25th Street Confidential: Drama, Decadence, and Dissipation Along Ogden's Rowdiest Road" is scheduled for release Oct. 15 from the University of Utah Press — says the street's reputation grew more from politics than prostitution. "Everyone in Ogden assumed 25th Street was notorious, and the rest of the state has judged Ogden largely on 25th Street's awful reputation," he said. "But let's face it — Ogden has never been that big a city, and even at its most notorious, I can't imagine Ogden had more houses of prostitution, saloons and gambling halls than Salt Lake City. "So how could Salt Lake have turned around and pointed a finger?" To be clear, Holley, who grew up in the area but now lives in Washington, D.C., doesn't dispute the existence of vice on 25th Street. "I don't think women were likely to be on 25th Street unless escorted by a man, and even then I think it was very rare," he said. "There are accounts of vagrants hanging out in front of saloons, or on the boardwalk by Union Station, with rude comments for women who passed by.... It was not a comfortable place for women to be." 209 TOP: Rudolph Kuchler (second from left) stands in front of his family cigar store at 348 25th St. Kuchler fought to defeat Prohibition in the early 1900s. Photo courtesy Utah State Historical Society