Huntsville Stores
Huntsville’s mercantile store built by Soren L. Petersen. The store, which is still standing, is located kitty–corner from the Huntsville Park-minus the top floor.
Note: This article is from the book “Remember My Valley” by LaVerna Burnett Newey, which was printed in 1977.
In the spring of 1869 a cooperative store was organized in Huntsville with about $700 worth of stock subscribed. William Halls was appointed business manager.
In 1878 the stockholders of the cooperative store were bought out by Christian Petersen who paid them 64.5% for their original stock investments.
This institution had had a prosperous existence for several years, during which at different times dividends had been paid amounting to 350% to stockholders. But changes of directors, placing inexperienced men to manage, jealousy, lack of confidence, etc., resulted in its dissolution.
D.D. McKay in his “memories of Huntsville” wrote of going to Christian Petersen’s store for 5 cents worth of sugar. “The matches were of the 8 day variety. There was also in plain view a little container with gold dust in it and a little scale to weight this precious form of exchange.”
Christian also owned a sawmill where he was later killed. Soren L. Petersen, who owned a small store in the west end of town, bought Christian’s property and built a two-story with dance hall on the upper level. After Soren’s death, the store was operated by his sons Adam, Alma, and Joseph L. Petersen.
Adam later bought a store in Eden and Joseph L. Petersen owned and operated the store in Huntsville. Joseph L., as he was called, was notary public, legal counselor, public speaker, and leader in town and church affairs.
About the 1930’s, Joseph L. moved to Ogden and sold his store to Edward Jesperson. When Mr. Jesperson died, his son-in-law Elton Knapp managed it for a few years until his early death.
In the spring of 1869 a cooperative store was organized in Huntsville with about $700 worth of stock subscribed. William Halls was appointed business manager.
In 1878 the stockholders of the cooperative store were bought out by Christian Petersen who paid them 64.5% for their original stock investments.
This institution had had a prosperous existence for several years, during which at different times dividends had been paid amounting to 350% to stockholders. But changes of directors, placing inexperienced men to manage, jealousy, lack of confidence, etc., resulted in its dissolution.
D.D. McKay in his “memories of Huntsville” wrote of going to Christian Petersen’s store for 5 cents worth of sugar. “The matches were of the 8 day variety. There was also in plain view a little container with gold dust in it and a little scale to weight this precious form of exchange.”
Christian also owned a sawmill where he was later killed. Soren L. Petersen, who owned a small store in the west end of town, bought Christian’s property and built a two-story with dance hall on the upper level. After Soren’s death, the store was operated by his sons Adam, Alma, and Joseph L. Petersen.
Adam later bought a store in Eden and Joseph L. Petersen owned and operated the store in Huntsville. Joseph L., as he was called, was notary public, legal counselor, public speaker, and leader in town and church affairs.
About the 1930’s, Joseph L. moved to Ogden and sold his store to Edward Jesperson. When Mr. Jesperson died, his son-in-law Elton Knapp managed it for a few years until his early death.
Inside Huntsville’s mercantile store.
Leons Mercantile, now occupying the historic store*, sells everything from anything in the food line to thread, bolts, real-estate, and gas.
When Leon Sorens[o]n removed the saggy second story of the building, he found many interesting items stored from days gone by. His daughter Lou Ann brought to the third grade Valley School’s annual museum several pairs of high-button shoes as well as the later high laced ones.
In the earliest days, many small stores sprouted in the Valley. People with an extra room stocked shelves with goods they had bought on infrequent visits to Ogden to sell to the local residents. Isabell Grow Jensen remembers of going to such a store as a child for a penny’s worth of candy. It was situated near Louis Wansgaard’s present home and was managed by a childless couple named Johnson. This couple owned the first “graphanola” (record player) in Huntsville and in the evening the young people congregated on the front veranda to listen to it.
Lars Hanson had a store near 6775 E. 100 S. Lars later left Huntsville and started what was known as the stockyards and meat-packing plant in Ogden.
Children of the early days loved the candy stores. Tom Slater had one on Second West. Later, George and Mary Madson, still living, operated a candy store on Main Street close to the Huntsville central business district.
There was a small hotel, pool hall, and later a restaurant and post office on the site of the present south (LDS) church parking lot. Chris Thurston, Carl Peterson, and Carol Renstrom Gesford were among the early remembered proprietors.
Among the more prominent stores recalled by oldsters was the building which formerly stood south of the present Wood’s Market. It was another two-story large building that also accommodated dances on the upper floor.
Fred and Wilhart Schade managed the store until about 1910 when they sold to C. C. Wangsgard. It was thereafter known as the Wangsgard Hall.
Louis Wangsgard, his son, now in his late 80’s, remembered of opening the store at 5:00 a.m. to accommodate the sheepherders going through town. They stayed open at night until all the lights in town were out.
This building was later purchased by the LDS Church and used as a recreational hall for picture shows and dances. It was torn down in 1954 to make room for a new church building.
The well-known Ben Wood’s Meat Market was a never-to-be-forgotten gathering place. Ben’s jovial spirit and accommodating ways drew Mormons and “Gentiles” to his establishment. It was told by some that during the depression years of the 1930’s, his stack of patrons’ unpaid bills bulged in his drawer and many a poor family might have starved had it not been for his generosity during those trying times. Other merchants in the Valley probably did the same.
About the turn of the century Ben had a slaughter house in the west end of town which furnished fresh meat daily for his flourishing meat market. His son Kay Woods is carrying on it the tradition of his father. According to Kay’s typical wry humor, he sells everything from sirloins and sandwiches to saddles.
The now empty building in the center of town labeled Allen Grocery was last operated by Mark and Loris Allen for a few short years. It was once a thriving confectionary in the 1930’s and 1950’s and owned and built by Clarence and Ruth Olsen. The Olsens loved having people around them so it was a pleasant and wholesome gathering place for the young people of the three towns. A date to a school or church dance or any town event was never quite complete without a visit to Olsen’s Confectionery. Excellent large hamburgers, sundaes, sodas, and floats were 10 to 20 cents each.
When the Olsens retired, Gunn McKay leased it for a while. But when the LDS Church urged the closing of unnecessary establishments on Sunday, Gunn, true to his faith and convictions, gave up his most thriving day of the week and also the business. His sacrifice turned into a blessing, for more lucrative opportunities opened up for him.
*The Sorensens operated the store for over 37 years. Later it was leased, still operating as a store until 2001. More recently it was used as the Ogden Valley Community Church, but now stands vacant.
When Leon Sorens[o]n removed the saggy second story of the building, he found many interesting items stored from days gone by. His daughter Lou Ann brought to the third grade Valley School’s annual museum several pairs of high-button shoes as well as the later high laced ones.
In the earliest days, many small stores sprouted in the Valley. People with an extra room stocked shelves with goods they had bought on infrequent visits to Ogden to sell to the local residents. Isabell Grow Jensen remembers of going to such a store as a child for a penny’s worth of candy. It was situated near Louis Wansgaard’s present home and was managed by a childless couple named Johnson. This couple owned the first “graphanola” (record player) in Huntsville and in the evening the young people congregated on the front veranda to listen to it.
Lars Hanson had a store near 6775 E. 100 S. Lars later left Huntsville and started what was known as the stockyards and meat-packing plant in Ogden.
Children of the early days loved the candy stores. Tom Slater had one on Second West. Later, George and Mary Madson, still living, operated a candy store on Main Street close to the Huntsville central business district.
There was a small hotel, pool hall, and later a restaurant and post office on the site of the present south (LDS) church parking lot. Chris Thurston, Carl Peterson, and Carol Renstrom Gesford were among the early remembered proprietors.
Among the more prominent stores recalled by oldsters was the building which formerly stood south of the present Wood’s Market. It was another two-story large building that also accommodated dances on the upper floor.
Fred and Wilhart Schade managed the store until about 1910 when they sold to C. C. Wangsgard. It was thereafter known as the Wangsgard Hall.
Louis Wangsgard, his son, now in his late 80’s, remembered of opening the store at 5:00 a.m. to accommodate the sheepherders going through town. They stayed open at night until all the lights in town were out.
This building was later purchased by the LDS Church and used as a recreational hall for picture shows and dances. It was torn down in 1954 to make room for a new church building.
The well-known Ben Wood’s Meat Market was a never-to-be-forgotten gathering place. Ben’s jovial spirit and accommodating ways drew Mormons and “Gentiles” to his establishment. It was told by some that during the depression years of the 1930’s, his stack of patrons’ unpaid bills bulged in his drawer and many a poor family might have starved had it not been for his generosity during those trying times. Other merchants in the Valley probably did the same.
About the turn of the century Ben had a slaughter house in the west end of town which furnished fresh meat daily for his flourishing meat market. His son Kay Woods is carrying on it the tradition of his father. According to Kay’s typical wry humor, he sells everything from sirloins and sandwiches to saddles.
The now empty building in the center of town labeled Allen Grocery was last operated by Mark and Loris Allen for a few short years. It was once a thriving confectionary in the 1930’s and 1950’s and owned and built by Clarence and Ruth Olsen. The Olsens loved having people around them so it was a pleasant and wholesome gathering place for the young people of the three towns. A date to a school or church dance or any town event was never quite complete without a visit to Olsen’s Confectionery. Excellent large hamburgers, sundaes, sodas, and floats were 10 to 20 cents each.
When the Olsens retired, Gunn McKay leased it for a while. But when the LDS Church urged the closing of unnecessary establishments on Sunday, Gunn, true to his faith and convictions, gave up his most thriving day of the week and also the business. His sacrifice turned into a blessing, for more lucrative opportunities opened up for him.
*The Sorensens operated the store for over 37 years. Later it was leased, still operating as a store until 2001. More recently it was used as the Ogden Valley Community Church, but now stands vacant.
This photo of Leon’s Market in Huntsville was taken by Doug Clawson in 1988 when he was 18 years old. He is the son of Jack and Eileen Clawson of Huntsville.
Photo courtesy of Jill Clawson Smith.
Leon's Market
Leon’s Market used to have a second story where many dances were held and many memories made. It was removed in the mid-1960s due to structural concerns.
While working for the Soil Conservation Service in Huntsville, Leon Sorensen purchased the building—the town’s general store—which, together with his wife Bonnie and their family, they operated for over 37 years. The phrase “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it” was never more apt than at “Leon’s Market.”
It was leased and operated as a store until 2001. More recently, it was the home of the Ogden Valley Community Church.
Leon’s Market used to have a second story where many dances were held and many memories made. It was removed in the mid-1960s due to structural concerns.
While working for the Soil Conservation Service in Huntsville, Leon Sorensen purchased the building—the town’s general store—which, together with his wife Bonnie and their family, they operated for over 37 years. The phrase “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it” was never more apt than at “Leon’s Market.”
It was leased and operated as a store until 2001. More recently, it was the home of the Ogden Valley Community Church.
