Midway, Utah
Encyclopedia
Midway is a city in Wasatch County
, Utah
, United States
. It is located in the Heber Valley, approximately three miles west of Heber City and 28 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, on the opposite side of the Wasatch Mountains. The population was 3,845 at the 2010 census.
, were members of a fur-trapping 1824 brigade led by Étienne Provost
, a French-Canadian. The area was referred to as upper Provo, and is also the name of the river running south through the valley.
A wagon road was completed through Provo Canyon in 1858 which brought the first settlers to the area. Two small communities were established: Mound City and a lower settlement sometimes referred to as Smiths Grove. Mound City, was named for the many nearby limestone formations. Smiths Grove was first settled by the Robey, Epperson, Bronson, McCarroll, and Smith families.
Indian hostilities grew, and territorial governor, Brigham Young, encouraged settlers to build forts for protection. The two settlements built a fort, "midway" between the two communities. In the 1860s and 70s, a large number of Swiss immigrants arrived, including the Gertsch, Boss, Huber, Kohler, Probst, Zenger, Durtschi, Krebs, Murri, and Abegglen families. Descendants of some these families still live in Midway.
Midway was incorporated June 1, 1891; its industry based on livestock and farming. As the town grew, so did the need for building materials. In the early 1850s, sawmills were built, operated by Henry T. Coleman, John Watkins, and Moroni Blood. John H. Van Wagoner constructed the first commercial gristmill in 1861. Bonner Mercantile Store was the first retail store.
Schneitter's Hot Pots
(now The Homestead http://www.homesteadresort.com/) and Luke's Hot Pots (known as the Mountain Spa http://geoheat.oit.edu/directuse/all/dur0388.htm for 56 years, is being redeveloped as The Rock Cavern Thermal Springs Health & Wellness Resort). Both were established in the 1880s.
Civic improvements were made in the 1930s and 1940s, including a concrete sidewalk program started in 1938. The Midway Recreation Center, called the "Town Hall," was dedicated in June 1941, and is the center of many community events, including Swiss Days. In 2011, Town Hall received a seismic upgrade including reinforced walls, a new roof, and re-pointing of its pot-rock (tufa) exterior. At the same time the building received a new heating system, air conditioning, and a much needed exterior-trim paint job.
brings thousands of people to the town. The event was started in 1947, through the efforts of Luke's Hot Pots Resort owners, Joseph B. and Pauline S. Erwin and was originally called Harvest Days. They formed a club known as the "Midway Boosters," which is still active, and whose members promote city improvements and activities. In order to attract larger crowds to Midway, the idea of a Swiss theme was created by Orma W. Wallengren
(Claire Peterson) whose family owned and operated the Homestead, replacing the name and theme of Harvest Days with Swiss Days.
The community is also known for the large "hot-pot" or geo-thermal caldera
at the Homestead Resort. There is year-round scuba diving in the caldera's 90-95 degree water.
The Homestead is also the site of an 18-hole golf course designed by Bruce Summerhays
, Senior PGA Tour Pro
.
Midway stood in for the fictional town of Everwood, Colorado, in the closing scenes of the episode, "Foreverwood", the series finale of the TV show, Everwood
. Background shots overlooking the town were filmed from Memorial Hill, with the Wasatch Mountain Range
in the background.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.7 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 2,121 people, 687 households, and 550 families residing in the city. The population density
was 633.3 people per square mile ((/km²). There were 1,000 housing units at an average density of 298.6 per square mile (/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.22% White, 0.05% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races
, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.78% of the population.
There were 687 households out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% were married couples
living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.53.
In the city the population was spread out with 33.5% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 104.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $51,071, and the median income for a family was $55,809. Males had a median income of $40,870 versus $25,682 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $22,551. About 3.4% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
Wasatch County, Utah
Wasatch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. It was named for a Ute Indian word meaning mountain pass or low place in the high mountains. Its county seat and largest city is Heber City.The county is governed by a county council with an appointed county manager.Wasatch County is...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is located in the Heber Valley, approximately three miles west of Heber City and 28 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, on the opposite side of the Wasatch Mountains. The population was 3,845 at the 2010 census.
History
The first known European-Americans to visit the area, a valley just northeast of Mount TimpanogosMount Timpanogos
Mount Timpanogos, sometimes informally referred to as Timp, is the second highest mountain in Utah's Wasatch Range. Timpanogos rises to an elevation of 11,749 feet above sea level in the Uinta National Forest...
, were members of a fur-trapping 1824 brigade led by Étienne Provost
Étienne Provost
Étienne Provost was a French Canadian fur trader whose trapping and trading activities in the American southwest preceded Mexican independence...
, a French-Canadian. The area was referred to as upper Provo, and is also the name of the river running south through the valley.
A wagon road was completed through Provo Canyon in 1858 which brought the first settlers to the area. Two small communities were established: Mound City and a lower settlement sometimes referred to as Smiths Grove. Mound City, was named for the many nearby limestone formations. Smiths Grove was first settled by the Robey, Epperson, Bronson, McCarroll, and Smith families.
Indian hostilities grew, and territorial governor, Brigham Young, encouraged settlers to build forts for protection. The two settlements built a fort, "midway" between the two communities. In the 1860s and 70s, a large number of Swiss immigrants arrived, including the Gertsch, Boss, Huber, Kohler, Probst, Zenger, Durtschi, Krebs, Murri, and Abegglen families. Descendants of some these families still live in Midway.
Midway was incorporated June 1, 1891; its industry based on livestock and farming. As the town grew, so did the need for building materials. In the early 1850s, sawmills were built, operated by Henry T. Coleman, John Watkins, and Moroni Blood. John H. Van Wagoner constructed the first commercial gristmill in 1861. Bonner Mercantile Store was the first retail store.
Schneitter's Hot Pots
Homestead caldera
The Homestead Caldera, known locally as "The Crater" is a natural hot spring surrounded by a rock dome. It is located in Midway, Utah. It is a commercial location open year round to scuba divers and swimmers. Originally, it was accessed from a large natural opening at the top of the dome, but has...
(now The Homestead http://www.homesteadresort.com/) and Luke's Hot Pots (known as the Mountain Spa http://geoheat.oit.edu/directuse/all/dur0388.htm for 56 years, is being redeveloped as The Rock Cavern Thermal Springs Health & Wellness Resort). Both were established in the 1880s.
Civic improvements were made in the 1930s and 1940s, including a concrete sidewalk program started in 1938. The Midway Recreation Center, called the "Town Hall," was dedicated in June 1941, and is the center of many community events, including Swiss Days. In 2011, Town Hall received a seismic upgrade including reinforced walls, a new roof, and re-pointing of its pot-rock (tufa) exterior. At the same time the building received a new heating system, air conditioning, and a much needed exterior-trim paint job.
Swiss Days
Midway Swiss DaysSwiss Days
Swiss Days is the name of an annual festival that takes place in three American towns with Swiss heritage, Berne, Indiana, Midway, Utah, and Santa Clara, Utah.-External links:* * *...
brings thousands of people to the town. The event was started in 1947, through the efforts of Luke's Hot Pots Resort owners, Joseph B. and Pauline S. Erwin and was originally called Harvest Days. They formed a club known as the "Midway Boosters," which is still active, and whose members promote city improvements and activities. In order to attract larger crowds to Midway, the idea of a Swiss theme was created by Orma W. Wallengren
Orma W. Wallengren
Orma W. Wallengren, also known as Clair Whitaker and Clair Whitaker Peterson, was the author of the screenplay of Latter-day Saint films Johnny Lingo and Man's Search for Happiness...
(Claire Peterson) whose family owned and operated the Homestead, replacing the name and theme of Harvest Days with Swiss Days.
Notable facts
Midway was the site of the 2002 Olympics cross-country and biathlon events at Soldier Hollow.The community is also known for the large "hot-pot" or geo-thermal caldera
Homestead caldera
The Homestead Caldera, known locally as "The Crater" is a natural hot spring surrounded by a rock dome. It is located in Midway, Utah. It is a commercial location open year round to scuba divers and swimmers. Originally, it was accessed from a large natural opening at the top of the dome, but has...
at the Homestead Resort. There is year-round scuba diving in the caldera's 90-95 degree water.
The Homestead is also the site of an 18-hole golf course designed by Bruce Summerhays
Bruce Summerhays
Bruce Patton Summerhays is an American professional golfer. He is currently a mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tampa, Florida.-Career:...
, Senior PGA Tour Pro
Senior PGA Championship
The Senior PGA Championship is one of the five major championships in men's senior golf. It is administered by the Professional Golfers' Association of America and is recognized as a major championship by both the Champions Tour and the European Seniors Tour. It was formerly an unofficial money...
.
Midway stood in for the fictional town of Everwood, Colorado, in the closing scenes of the episode, "Foreverwood", the series finale of the TV show, Everwood
Everwood
Everwood is an American drama television series that initially aired in the United States on The WB. The series is set in the fictional small town of Everwood, Colorado, and was filmed in Ogden, South Salt Lake, and Draper, Utah, except the series pilot which was filmed in Canmore, Alberta,...
. Background shots overlooking the town were filmed from Memorial Hill, with the Wasatch Mountain Range
Wasatch Range
The Wasatch Range is a mountain range that stretches approximately from the Utah-Idaho border, south through central Utah in the western United States. It is generally considered the western edge of the greater Rocky Mountains, and the eastern edge of the Great Basin region...
in the background.
Geography
Midway is located at 40°30′52"N 111°28′38"W (40.514456, -111.477352).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.7 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,121 people, 687 households, and 550 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 633.3 people per square mile ((/km²). There were 1,000 housing units at an average density of 298.6 per square mile (/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.22% White, 0.05% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.78% of the population.
There were 687 households out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.53.
In the city the population was spread out with 33.5% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 104.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $51,071, and the median income for a family was $55,809. Males had a median income of $40,870 versus $25,682 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $22,551. About 3.4% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.