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Midway is a city in Wasatch County, Utah, United States. It is located in the Heber Valley, approximately 3 miles west of Heber City and 28 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, on the opposite side of the Wasatch Mountains. The population was 2,121 at the 2000 census and was estimated at 3,474 in 2007.

History

The first Anglo-Americans to visit the area just Northeast of Mount Timpanogos were members of a fur-trapping 1824 brigade led by Etienne Provost. The valley was referred to as upper Provo, which is the river running south through the valley that still bears the name of that explorer.

A wagon road was completed through Provo Canyon in 1858 that brought the first settlers to the area. Two small communities were established. Mound City was named because of the many nearby limestone formations. Robey, Epperson, Bronson, McCarroll, and Smith families were the first to settle here.

Indian hostilities grew and territory governor, Brigham Young, encouraged settlers to build forts for protection. The two settlements built a fort halfway, or mid-way, between the two communities, which is the beginning of the modern town named Midway. In the 1860s and 70s a large number of Swiss families arrived. They came with names such as Gertsch, Boss, Huber, Kohler, Probst, Zenger, Durtschi, and Abegglen, where some of the families can still be found in Midway today. Midway became incorporated June 1, 1891.

Midway's industry was based on livestock and farming, but as the town grew so did the need for building materials. In the early 1850s sawmills were built with three main operators who were 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 ) and Luke's Hot Pots (which was known at the Mountain Spa  for 56 years and which is currently being redeveloped as The Rock Cavern Thermal Springs Health & Wellness Resort) were both established in the 1880s.

Civic improvements were made in the 1930s and 1940s, which included a concrete sidewalk program that began in 1938. The Midway Recreation Center, which is called the "Town Hall," was dedicated in June 1941 and is now the center of many community events including Swiss Days.

Agriculture is still a significant industry, though recreation has fast become an important aspect.

See http://midwaycityut.org/history.htm

Swiss Days

Midway Swiss Days brings thousands of people to the tiny town, though it was originally called Harvest Days and was established in 1947 through the efforts of Luke's Hot Pots Resort owners Joseph B. and Pauline S. Erwin. The club became known as the Midway Boosters and continues today to play a role in many city improvements and activities. A notable addition to the food court was "Swiss Navajo Tacos" in the mid-1990s.

Other Notable Facts

Midway was the site of the 2002 Olympic cross-country and bi-athlon events at Soldier Hollow. Midway is also known for the large "hot-pot" or geo-thermal caldera, a part of the Homestead Resort and golf-course, hosts year-round scuba diving. The water of the caldera is 90-95 degrees, year round. Midway is host to the Heber Valley's golf courses, and boasts the 18-hole Homestead golf-course designed by Bruce Summerhays, a Senior PGA Tour Pro.

Geography

Midway is located at 40°30′52″N 111°28′38″W / 40.51444°N 111.47722°W / 40.51444; -111.47722 (40.514456, -111.477352).

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.

Demographics

As of the census 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 (244.5/km²). There were 1,000 housing units at an average density of 298.6/sq mi (115.3/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.

Classifieds in Midway