Tales from Two-Bit Street and Beyond - Part I: Ghostly Legends from Ogden’s Historic 25th Street

by Drienie Hattingh

“Two-Bit Street, Part I, is a delight… a collection of short stories that bring life to the creepy past of Ogden’s Historic 25th Street.” Stan Trollip, International Best-selling mystery author- A Carrion Death and Death of the Mantis. “Historic 25th Street is a living character in this anthology. We see it in its violent youth, and its resurrection as a historic center of a vibrant present. You’ll feel like you know this street, no matter where you life. And if you haven’t been there, you’re going to want to make the pilgrimage, to see it in person.” Susan Squires, New York best-selling paranormal author- Da Vinci Time Travel Series. So you might want to ask Are these tales true, or are they fabrications of the authors’ fertile imaginations? Well, why don’t you decide for yourself? Read the scary, sometimes horrifying stories, then stroll down Ogden’s Historic 25th Street. Take in the sights and the sounds, especially the sounds. Read the inscriptions on the historical buildings and while doing this, keep in mind that all these stories took place in these buildings, or below. Immerge yourself in it all and then decide…

Genres: Short Stories, Horror

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Yaaresse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up in an area rich in ghost stories. Our elementary school library had huge section of local material -- and this long before cable TV made ghost hunting a craze -- and I scared the bejesus out of myself with these books every autumn.

I heard of Tales from Two-Bit Street and Beyond from a newspaper, so when I saw it on the counter of a local store, I splurged.

Ogden, Utah's 25th Street, or Two-Bit Street if one is trying to sound trendy, has a colorful, sordid past. Al Capone famously said that Ogden was "too rough a town" for him based on what he witnessed on 25th Street during his brief stay. In the last decade, the city has put much energy and resources into renovation and rehabilitation, creating a delightful downtown that boasts art galleries, boutiques, and cafes. Some towns try to forget their checkered pasts; Ogden has chosen to embrace it, but at arm's length, the way one might embrace a relative who has a reputation as a pickpocket.

This book contains eleven stories that take place on or around 25th Street. The authors are regional, and most are members of the Utah League of Writers. Many of the stories reference some historical fact or news article from the early 1900s used as a launching pad for the current tale. These are very short stories, almost vignettes.

Not every story is a winner; they are either too heavy-handed with the name-dropping and wedging in of local trivia or the characters aren't well-developed. The majority could use better pacing, a critical element in a ghost story.

Of the eleven, I most enjoyed the following:
1. "Tunnel Vision" by Lynda West Scott -- A first person account by the young minion for a local crime boss whose disciplining of an underling gets out of hand. Takes place in the infamous (alleged) underground tunnels. (Lynda West Scott also contributed "Working Girl" to this collection, a monologue from the ghost of a prostitute making peace with the past and present that contains wonderful -- and plot appropriate -- detail about the area.)
2. "Room 1102" by Rod Cohen -- A down-on-their-luck couple decide to treat themselves to a romantic weekend at the historic Ben Lomond Hotel, but does the wife have a sinister motive? I've stayed at the Ben Lomond, so could appreciate some of the details in this story. The writing style was a bit stilted in the beginning, but the ending was deliciously creepy.
3. "Night Train" by Kera Erickson -- In spite of the damnable done-to-death present tense, this was one of the better plotted stories. It gets off to a slow start (usually death in a short story), but I got reeled into the time slip. Beware overly friendly strangers who know "shortcuts."

Conclusion: A fun read for Halloween, but not a particularly scary or well-crafted collection on the whole. Still, local authors deserve some love, so I'm glad I bought it. Lynda West Scott is the true gem among these authors, and I'm hoping she has other work out there somewhere. I'm basing my rating on the strength of the stories listed above, that the book is well laid-out and includes some terrific photos of the area, and that the contributions are from local authors.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun local ghost story book. Not every story was a favorite, but there was definitely a spooky atmosphere that matches the street after which the book is named. It's always fun to read something where you have actually been to the site and can feel the ambience.

Merged review:

An enjoyable read, especially as I live in the area and know the locations where the stories take place. I tell ghost stories on that street and it was interesting to see how these authors "flesh out" the bizarre occurrences that have happened to people on 25th Street.

[Kristina Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

These were all fantastic stories! I very much enjoyed every single one and applaud the authors for their great work. I recommend this book.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this collection better than the first. The history portrayed in the stories was overall more specific and 25th Street became a character in its own right. Instead of random ghosts, readers will meet real individuals who once had businesses and notoriety on “Two-Bit Street.” Recognizable buildings and businesses are the scenes for these stories. The Rose Rooms (now the club Alleged), Two-Bit Street Café, Moore’s Barbershop, Union Station, Electric Avenue and the London Ice Cream Parlor (really a front for a brothel), The Ben Lomond Hotel, they’re all there. One story references the Broom Hotel, now torn down, but was once a luxury place to stay while visiting or passing through.

Some of the stories felt sloppy—details contradicted each other (Has the woman been widowed for 17 years or 20?) or just didn’t make sense (Who is the man seeking, Mei Ling or her daughter? Why was he on the fourth floor of the Ben Lomond Hotel when he saw her?). Others relied on insta-love to support the narrative, which is a major pet-peeve of mine. Others might not mind it so much.

However, the book is a fun and solid addition to the history and lore of Ogden’s Historic 25th Street. It’s a bit more mature than the first volume, so while I’d happily put volume 1 in the hands of junior high readers, I’d save this one for high school.

• Moderate language
• Sexual situations include references to prostitution, abortion, and unwed pregnancy. In one story, a man is seduced by a ghost and mentions that he will need to change his pants, leaving the reader to inference why.
• Violence is barely evident in this volume. Readers are told how certain characters met their deaths, but it’s all very tame.
• Characters drink socially

[Daleb. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I let mother read this one first and she said she didn't even finish it lolol she didn't like it that much.
I guess she's just not a short story horror/scare 'em/mystery person.
I started reading this, off and on, last Sunday afternoon, and ended up finishing it between about 1 or 2 in the morning ;oP
Again, 13 short stories, from about a dozen local authors, all set in and around Historic 25th Street, in Ogden Utah (it was known as Two Bit street in it's wild and wooly, early western boom town, Bars, Opium Dens & Brothels everywhere, railroad days, in the midst of Mormon Latter-Day Saint country). Two Bits, Four Bits, Six Bits A Dollar! All For (insert school name here), Stand Up And Holler! That cheer from high school is the Only reason why I know what Two Bits is! lololol
While I'm not overly familiar with all the places/shops/businesses there, it is a spot I've walked up, down, and around many times, since I came to this city in Oct./Nov. of '04'. I like how they've refurbished/renovated the whole street in the last 10yrs too.
As a second in the series, I did notice an increase in the quality of these stories. While I did like the first book, it was obvious, or at least appeared, that that the authors were rather new or inexperienced at this...they were new at ghost/horror/scare stories but all have published works in their names.
I can't wait 'til the library finally gets the next two books in this series (Tales from Two Bit Street part 2 and Tales from the Wasatch front)so I can read those too.
xoDaleB.xo

[julie morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good ghost stories

I live in a house built in the 1800's. It has withstood human and nature alike and we have found items from this era in the framework. I believe in ghost and that buildings tell stories. I never once thought that our town may have ghost that walk the sidewAlks along with us. The cemeteries after dark are pretty active but would be kind of interesting to actually witness the same activities as two-hour street

[Angela Fairchild · Rating 3 out of 5]

this reminded me of a collection of high school writing assignments. Intersting idea. I can't imagine enjoying it at all if I didn't live in the city it's based on.
I was expecting more of the ghost stories that fill our urban legends.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for Christmas from my brother-in-law. I really enjoy good ghost stories. This one fit the bill.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read full of ghost stories