Tour Ogden

If you have lived in the Ogden area for some time, you may have noticed a large Viking ship at 920 28^th street. This Viking ship has sat here for nearly 50 years and was handmade by the well known and loved Ogden Citizen, Frank Mjaatvedt.

Before I tell you the story behind the Viking ship, we need to go back in time to the year 1916 in Bergan, Norway. Frank was born here and immigrated to Utah through Ellis Island when he was young. Frank grew up an avid skier, ski jumper and mountain climber as was his Norwegian heritage.

Frank lived in Ogden, Utah most of his life, and experienced some of the most notable times in Ogden History. Frank was a paperboy on 25^th street during Prohibition and later was a clerk for the Pullman Railroad at the Union Station during World War II. Frank would later tell stories of when he would get paid to sneak bottles of whiskey in the newspapers he distributed to patrons.

Frank attended Ogden High School and Weber State College. Frank became increasingly interested in photography during this time and started taking photos of everything.

When WWII came, Frank could have avoided the draft because his position with the railroad was considered essential for war effort, but Frank was determined to be on the front lines and signed up.

Since Frank was not an American citizen, he joined the Norwegian Airforce which was operating out of Canada due to Nazi occupation in Norway. Frank snuck his camera into the Airforce and was later caught and suspected as a spy. When realized it was only a passion for photography, Frank was issued a permit to photograph for the Airforce.

Once Frank’s United States Citizenship papers were accepted, he transferred to the U.S. Army as a ski trooper for the 10^th Mountain Division (yes, he completed bootcamp and training twice!) Frank was then allowed to carry his photography permit to the U.S. Army. As a part of the 10^th Mountain Division, Frank fought fearlessly on Ski’s in the Italian Alps.

Frank was awarded the Bronze Star for capturing a group of German soldiers, which included an SS Colonel who carried a briefcase of maps and attack strategies that were of great value to the Allied war effort.

Frank took many incredible pictures while in combat and later donated these photos to libraries, political candidates and universities across the nation.

After coming home from war, he started a family while he managed the Crystal Springs Roller rink in Honeyville, Utah in the late 1950’s. His family were avid roller skaters and ice skaters and still are to this day. Frank then went on to manage the Elks club in Brigham City in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Throughout all of this, Frank continued to take thousands of pictures and his love for photography continued to grow.

In 1972, Frank opened a photography business, the “Little Norway Studio,” on 920 28^th street in Ogden, Utah. Frank specialized in weddings, portraits, events and just about anything you could imagine. He owned and operated the Studio for over 30 years, and became a well-known and loved citizen of Ogden.

Frank died in 2008 at 91 years of age, but the ship still stands tall at the front of his studio where it has for nearly 50 years. Frank’s story of immigration and love for his home country and the Utah community is a quintessential story of the American Dream. Most importantly though, Frank was a kind, loving person and cared more about his family than anything in the world. Frank had a drive for life and adventure and sure showed it through his full and colorful life.

Tour Ogden highlights this incredible story of one of Ogden’s amazing citizens with a story worthy of remembering. Today, the viking ship is starting to wear and may not have much longer at its home in front of Frank’s old studio. If you get a chance, take a drive by before it’s gone and honor this part of Ogden’s history!

Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Star-flecked