About Jon and the Wells Fargo Silver Reef Museum
Hello, Silver Reef fans! I'm Jon Alvey, a teenage history enthusiast from the Ogden area who is especially interested in the history of Silver Reef. I first found out about Silver Reef while doing a research project for Wikipedia in 2009, and since then, my interest in Silver Reef has expanded into a passion. As I was doing research one day, I discovered that Silver Reef had a museum, the Wells Fargo Silver Reef Museum. I was able to visit the museum in the summer of 2011, and I'm planning on going back again soon. Silver Reef has a very rich history behind it, and I feel as though this history should be preserved through the reconstruction and preservation of old Silver Reef. Now that you know a little about me, let's discuss the Wells Fargo Silver Reef Museum.
The Wells Fargo Silver Reef Museum is located in the oldest Wells Fargo & Company Express office in existence. This particular office was constructed in 1877 and contains two separate rooms with side rooms in each of the two main rooms. The Woolley, Lund & Judd Mercantile occupied the south half of the building, while Wells Fargo & Company occupied the north half of the office. The Wells Fargo side operated as both a stage stop and a bank. Visitors to the museum can still see the old strongbox, safe, and bank vault, and can walk into the bank vault.
The museum features several items telling the story of not only Silver Reef, but of the Old West, as well. On display in the northern half of the building are several items of the time period, some of which were found in Silver Reef. Also on display are historical images and elk horns said to be from the Elkhorn Saloon, which operated in Silver Reef from about 1877 to the mid-late 1890s. In the next room over are fossils and rock samples taken from the area and several ore processing items that were typically found in the mills in Silver Reef. At the western end of the room, the original door for the Silver Reef jail is on display, as are historical images of Silver Reef.
The half which housed the Woolley, Lund & Judd Mercantile is used as both an art gallery and a gift shop. The gift shop sells Silver Reef-related post cards, jewelry, "Native American Paiute" Rock Art, and much more. The art gallery displays art work by Jerry Anderson and other local artists. A small building behind the museum houses models of old Silver Reef, Silver Reef's mills, and Silver Reef's Catholic Church. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day except Wednesday. The museum is located at 1903 Wells Fargo Road, and can be contacted at 435-879-2254 or by email at silverreef@infowest.com.
The Wells Fargo & Company Express office is Silver Reef's only original building. The original Rice building, located just south of the Wells Fargo office, burned down, and was reconstructed in 1991. The Cosmopolitan Restaurant, located north of the Wells Fargo office, was reconstructed in the 1990s and is currently not operating; however, efforts to reopen the restaurant are underway. The many foundations that line the streets of Silver Reef tell the story of an old mining town that has survived through all these years. Two cemeteries, a Catholic and a Protestant cemetery, are also located in town.
Next time, we'll discuss the history of Silver Reef. Stay tuned!
The Wells Fargo Silver Reef Museum is located in the oldest Wells Fargo & Company Express office in existence. This particular office was constructed in 1877 and contains two separate rooms with side rooms in each of the two main rooms. The Woolley, Lund & Judd Mercantile occupied the south half of the building, while Wells Fargo & Company occupied the north half of the office. The Wells Fargo side operated as both a stage stop and a bank. Visitors to the museum can still see the old strongbox, safe, and bank vault, and can walk into the bank vault.
The museum features several items telling the story of not only Silver Reef, but of the Old West, as well. On display in the northern half of the building are several items of the time period, some of which were found in Silver Reef. Also on display are historical images and elk horns said to be from the Elkhorn Saloon, which operated in Silver Reef from about 1877 to the mid-late 1890s. In the next room over are fossils and rock samples taken from the area and several ore processing items that were typically found in the mills in Silver Reef. At the western end of the room, the original door for the Silver Reef jail is on display, as are historical images of Silver Reef.
The half which housed the Woolley, Lund & Judd Mercantile is used as both an art gallery and a gift shop. The gift shop sells Silver Reef-related post cards, jewelry, "Native American Paiute" Rock Art, and much more. The art gallery displays art work by Jerry Anderson and other local artists. A small building behind the museum houses models of old Silver Reef, Silver Reef's mills, and Silver Reef's Catholic Church. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day except Wednesday. The museum is located at 1903 Wells Fargo Road, and can be contacted at 435-879-2254 or by email at silverreef@infowest.com.
The Wells Fargo & Company Express office is Silver Reef's only original building. The original Rice building, located just south of the Wells Fargo office, burned down, and was reconstructed in 1991. The Cosmopolitan Restaurant, located north of the Wells Fargo office, was reconstructed in the 1990s and is currently not operating; however, efforts to reopen the restaurant are underway. The many foundations that line the streets of Silver Reef tell the story of an old mining town that has survived through all these years. Two cemeteries, a Catholic and a Protestant cemetery, are also located in town.
Next time, we'll discuss the history of Silver Reef. Stay tuned!
posted by Random Scientist Inc. at
5:47 PM
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