Main Street’s sparkling spirit: The life and lore of Carrie Hodgson

2005-27-18: Interior of Hodgson Jewelry store, ca. 1904-1914. Charles Hodgson stands behind a case, a woman in a white hat stands off to the left, and Kate and Mary Byrnes stand in the center near Hodgson. Photo: courtesy of the Park City Historical Society & Museum.

PARK CITY, Utah — Before page 6, there was Park Record’s page 5. Reporting on dinner parties, luncheons, out-of-town visitors, and more everyday life minutiae may seem odd now. Still, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, information and entertainment were relatively limited. Often featured in these social pages was a legendary character about town, Mrs. Carrie Vivian Hodgson, referred to by the Park Record as C.V. Hodgson.

Born Oct. 21, 1875, in Momence, Ill., to Frederick and Jennie Van Veghten, Carrie was an only child. In 1900, she married Charles Hodgson in (Spokane, Wash., or Hastings, Neb., there are different reports), and the couple reportedly arrived in Park City in 1904. Although her husband, C.W. Hodgson, wrote to the Park Record in 1953 about his experience with the Daly-West Mine Explosion back in 1902, “I was quite new in Park City at that time, having opened up in Park City on Saint Patrick’s Day, 1902.”

The couple lived at and ran Hodgson Jewelry store, located at 363 Main Street, which is now the Burns Cowboy Shop. The building itself is registered as a Historic Site from the Mature Mining Era (1894-1930). Whether the store opened in 1902 or 1904, the building was estimated to have been built between 1886 and 1929. Knowing what we know now, we can narrow that down by at least 25 years.

Infamously known about town, the Park Record referred to Hodgson as “our popular lady jeweler” in a 1942 article regarding “the misfortune to slip on an icy sidewalk near the Memorial building resulting in the fracture of her left wrist.” Beyond reporting on fractures, she was listed in the social pages for visiting relatives in the Chicago area, having relatives visit Park City, hosting dinner parties, attending dinner parties, surprise costume parties, and even taking a drive in Salt Lake City with a male companion.

Local historian and author Dalton Gackle wrote in his Full of Character article, “Originally, Carrie ran the store with her husband Charles. Almost everyone in town knew her and loved her – everyone except her husband, anyway. In defiance of societal expectations of women in the 1910s, Carrie divorced Charles, kept the store, and began a life of legendary romance with some of Park City’s bachelors while maintaining a highly regarded reputation in her business and social circles.”

Unfortunately for us, the social pages back then weren’t as savage as they are now, so no juicy gossip was found regarding the divorce.

Following the divorce, “Charley” Hodgson moved on and eventually settled with a wife and family in Fort Collins, Colo. and would come back to Park City to visit friends.

Ahead of her time, Hodgson was known to wear pants, smoke cigars, seek the company of men (and allegedly women) outside her marriage, and lead an independent life running at least one business. She also purchased the old, dilapidated Berry Bros. livery in 1924, “[the] small building to be converted into ten garages.”

Beyond her bustling business and social life appearing in the paper, Hodgson was “appointed government meteorologist for Park City and vicinity” relying on the Farmer’s Almanac. local time inspector, even visiting Los Angeles in 1935 by invitation of the Union Pacific for an annual convention.

“She was always a lover of horses and at one time had three beautiful pinto horses. She raised two of them herself and bought the first pinto from a well-known Park City man Paddy Heenan. The barn was located on Swede Alley Mrs. Hodgson enjoyed spending time around the Park City area riding one of her fine horses,” noted her obituary.

She ran the store until 1964 and endured break-ins and vandalism. On Aug. 24, 1968, at the impressive age of 92, Carrie Hodgson died from natural causes in a Salt Lake City hospital. She is buried in the Park City Cemetery.

“Until the last four years Mrs. Hodgson was behind the counter at the jewelry store for many years and was a familiar and friendly sight at the watchmakers repair bench in the corner of the large north window of the store. Many Park City families have baby rings which she gave at their births Mrs C. V. Hodgson was a beloved friend to many.”

Many remember Mrs. Hodgson and deposited anecdotes and stories that can be read in Park City Museum’s Facebook post below. Rumor has it that she still dwells in her home and business of 363 Main Street, no doubt enjoying all the hubbub and keeping an eye on her beloved corner of Park City.