Gondola proposal echoes 1907 plan

OGDEN — What goes around often comes around again — in this case almost 100 years later.

The proposed gondola/resort project in the mountains east of Ogden has generated much interest and controversy during 2006. However, a surprisingly similar proposal was planned in Ogden almost a century ago, in March of 1907, and reveals the current proposal to simply be a modern reincarnation of a very old idea.

"Ogden to have great resort: 'Heaven Heights' to be improved for summer amusement purposes. Salt Laker the prospector. Includes line of cable cars to connect with Ogden streetcar system. Details of big scheme," was the Deseret News headline from March 16, 1907.

"Utah can boast of many beautiful amusement resorts, but if present plans are carried, this state will have another, and one which will be an attraction for people all over the country," the news article stated.

Phil S. O'Mara, president of the Salt Lake Auditorium Association, was to create the resort and an expanded transportation system at an estimated cost of $175,000-$225,000.

"The resort will be the greatest in the western country," the story stated.

Obviously, the resort never materialized. But the plan was for a first-class hotel, scenic railway, shoot-the-chutes amusement ride, skating rink and other attractions in Malan's Basin.

The city's streetcar line would be extended to near the base of the mountain and then cable cars would travel to Malan's Peak and Malan's Basin and eventually all the way to Mount Ogden (then called "Observatory Peak").

Malan's is misspelled "Mahlan's" in the article and the elevation of the highest peak is incorrectly listed at 11,200 feet vs. the actual 9,572 feet, but the thrust of that original project is an early 20th century development of the same area in controversy today.

In 2006, Chris Peterson, owner of Malan's Basin, wants to work with Ogden city to create a resort project in the same area.

His plan includes a gondola not only to Malan's Basin (just under 7,000 feet), but also to the mountain saddle (approximately 9,000 feet) to connect with Snowbasin Ski Resort.

Lodging and associated buildings are also proposed inside Malan's Basin.

According to "A History of Weber County," by Richard C. Roberts and Richard W. Sadler, Bartholomew "Tim" Malan and his family constructed the original wagon road up Taylor Canyon to Malan's Peak/Basin (then called "Malan's Heights"), from 1892-1894.