Editing Midway, Utah

{{short description|City in Utah, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}

{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Midway, Utah
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|motto                    =
|image_skyline            = File:Midway Town Hall.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Town Hall
|image_map                = Wasatch County Utah incorporated and unincorporated areas Midway highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 260px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Wasatch County, Utah|Wasatch County]] and the state of [[Utah]]
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Utah]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[County (United States)|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Wasatch County, Utah|Wasatch]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|established_title        = Settled
|established_date         = 1859
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_49.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 14.37
|area_land_km2            = 14.37
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 5.55
|area_land_sq_mi          = 5.55
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 6003
|population_density_km2   = 367.33
|population_density_sq_mi = 951.35
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
|utc_offset               = -7
|timezone_DST             = MDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -6
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 5653
|coordinates              = {{coord|40|30|52|N|111|28|38|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 84049
|area_code                = [[Area code 435|435]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 49-49820<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2411101<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411101}}</ref>
|website                  = {{Official website|http://www.midwaycityut.org/}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Midway''' is a city in northwestern [[Wasatch County, Utah]], United States. It is located in the Heber Valley, approximately {{convert|3|mi}} west of [[Heber City, Utah|Heber City]] and {{convert|28|mi}} southeast of [[Salt Lake City]], on the opposite side of the [[Wasatch Mountains]]. The population was 6,003 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].

==History==
The first known European-Americans to visit the area were members of a fur-trapping brigade led by [[Étienne Provost]], a French-Canadian trapper, in 1824. This expedition explored the region, which was then known as Upper Provo, a name derived from the [[Provo River]] that flows through the valley. While these early visitors did not establish permanent settlements, their journey marked the beginning of exploration in the area.

In the mid-1850s, settlers began to push into the Heber Valley, encouraged by reports from loggers in the nearby mountains who noted the fertile land. Settlers of Utah Valley pushed the [[Utah Territory|territorial government]] to create a road up the Provo Canyon, a proposal favored by territorial governor [[Brigham Young]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.heberut.gov/229/History |title=History &#124; Heber City, UT }}</ref>  In 1858, the construction of a road through Provo Canyon provided easier access to the valley, allowing for further settlement. Despite early attempts in 1855 and 1857, harsh winters forced settlers to temporarily abandon the area. Permanent settlement was only achieved in 1858-59, when settlers established several small communities in the valley, two of which were west of the Provo River. These were known as the "upper settlement" and "lower settlement" on the Snake Creek River. The upper settlement was also called Mound City, named for the nearby limestone formations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Raty |first1=Leslie S. |title=A History of Wasatch County |url=https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6059&context=etd |website=scholarsarchive.byu.edu |publisher=Brigham Young University |access-date=December 2, 2024}}</ref>

In the 1860s, the upper and lower settlement merged to become Midway, so named because it was the site of Fort Midway, halfway between the two. Though local history claims Midway's creation was prompted by the [[Black Hawk War (1865–1872)|Black Hawk War]], a post office named Midway was in operation at least as early as 1864, before the Black Hawk War began.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=UT&county=Wasatch|title=Wasatch County|publisher=Jim Forte Postal History|access-date=18 Oct 2015}}</ref> The site of Fort Midway is now the town square.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Springer |first1=Jerry R. |title=City History |url=https://www.midwaycityut.org/visit/city-history/ |website=The City of Midway, Utah |access-date=December 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sa9SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=c38DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2503%2C5092871|title=You name it - there's a town for it|last=Van Atta|first=Dale|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|location=Salt Lake City|page=W6|date=22 Jan 1977|access-date=18 Oct 2015|via=[[Google News]]}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 3.3&nbsp;square miles (8.7&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all land. The region in which Midway sits is known as the [[Wasatch Back]]. Midway is bisected from north to south by [[Snake Creek (Provo River tributary)|Snake Creek]], which includes the Midway Fish Hatchery just before the creek joins the middle section of the [[Provo River]] above [[Deer Creek Reservoir]].

===Climate===
This [[climate|climatic]] region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Midway has a [[humid continental climate]], abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=909724&cityname=Midway%2C+Utah%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Midway, Utah]</ref>

===Geology===
The [[Wasatch Fault]] runs underneath Midway, including the main fault line west of the town and the Bald Mountain Fault,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://geodata.geology.utah.gov/pages/view.php?ref=25123&k=&search=&offset=8879&order_by=resourcetype&sort=DESC&archive=0#Header | title=UGS GeoData Archive System }}</ref> which runs through the valley as well. Fault activity is responsible for some of the formations in the mountains around Midway, as well as the characteristic limestone ("potrock") mounds and the prevalence of hot springs in the area.

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
|1870= 378
|1880= 718
|1890= 769
|1900= 939
|1910= 1003
|1920= 805
|1930= 745
|1940= 801
|1950= 711
|1960= 713
|1970= 804
|1980= 1194
|1990= 1554
|2000= 2121
|2010= 3845
|2020= 6003
|estyear=2022
|estimate=6217
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
As of the 2010 census Midway had a population of 3,845. The ethnic and racial makeup of the population was 92.6% non-Hispanic White, 0.2% African-American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% reporting two or more races and 5.5% Hispanic.<ref>[https://www.census.gov 2010 census report for Midway, Utah]</ref>

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> 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 ({{#expr: ((1/2.59)*633.3) round 1 }}/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 1,000 housing units at an average density of 298.6 per square mile ({{#expr: ((1/2.59)*298.6) round 1 }}/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 97.22% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.05% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.38% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.19% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.19% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.38% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.60% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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.

==Arts and culture==
[[File:10k s8-1c0aa18c-7943345f.webp|thumb|alt=A country cottage with wrap-over roofing, surrounded by green meadow in a mountain town.|The Hobbit House]]

Midway's architecture is notable for its Swiss influence, and some subdivisions require new houses to include a certain percentage of Swiss features. Architect [[John Watkins (architect)|John Watkins]] lived in Midway, and several of his works remain extant, including the [[Watkins–Coleman House]]. The John H. and Agnes Buehler House, built in 1893, is known as the "Hobbit house" or "mushroom house".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://history.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/NR_Wasatch-County_Buehler-House.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://preservationutah.stqry.app/en/story/39404 |title=Preservation Utah Tours }}</ref>

Midway [[Swiss Days]] was founded in 1947 in order to attract crowds to Midway. The Swiss theme was created by [[Orma W. Wallengren]], whose family owned a local resort.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

Artistic events include Art Around the Square, and the Midway Arts Center.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://artaroundthesquare.com/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.highvalleyarts.org/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://midwayartscenter.org/}}</ref>

Soldier Hollow features the Utah Ice Castles, cross-country skiing, and a tubing hill.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://icecastles.com/utah/ |title=Utah – Ice Castles }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://utaholympiclegacy.org/location/soldier-hollow/ | title=Soldier Hollow Nordic Center }}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[Wasatch Mountain State Park]] on [[Snake Creek (Provo River tributary)|Snake Creek]] is located in north Midway.

[[Homestead caldera]] is a resort with a geo-thermal pool that features year-round scuba diving in the caldera's warm water.<ref>{{cite web |title=Homestead Caldera |url=https://www.ourbreathingplanet.com/homestead-caldera/ |website=Our Breathing Planet |date=April 25, 2017 |access-date=16 October 2022}}</ref>

==Government==
Midway is governed by a five-person city council. The members of the city council as of December 2024 are Lisa Orme, Craig Simons, Jeff Drury, Kevin Payne, and JC Simonsen.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.midwaycityut.org/government/mayor-city-council/ |title=Mayor & City Council }}</ref>

==Media==
[[File:Midway, Utah (5).jpg|thumb|North Center Street]]

In the film ''[[127 Hours]]'', the scene where Ralston and two girls drop into a hidden pool<ref>{{cite web |title=127 Hours - The Dive |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RAtHtNFRDQ |website=YouTube | date=January 13, 2011 |access-date=16 October 2022}}</ref> was filmed at [[Homestead caldera]] at the Homestead Resort.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Means |first1=Sean |title='127 Hours': Grim reality, captured in a Granite Warehouse slot canyon |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=50649422&itype=CMSID |access-date=16 October 2022 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Arthur V. Watkins]]
* [[John Watkins (architect)|John Watkins]]
* [[Dean Hughes]]
* [[Mike Massey]]
* [[Mike Kohler]]

==See also==
{{portal|Utah}}
* [[List of cities in Utah]]

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==Further reading==
* (1994) [https://web.archive.org/web/20221103115750/https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/m/MIDWAY.shtml "Midway"] article in the [https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/ ''Utah History Encyclopedia.''] The article was written by Jerry R. Springer and the Encyclopedia was published by the University of Utah Press. ISBN 9780874804256. Archived from [https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/m/MIDWAY.shtml the original] on November 3, 2022, and retrieved on September 27, 2024.

==External links==
{{commons category|Midway, Utah}}
* {{official website|http://midwaycityut.org}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Midway
|North     = [[Park City, Utah|Park City]]
|Northeast = [[Hideout, Utah|Hideout]], [[Kamas, Utah|Kamas]]<br/>[[Francis, Utah|Francis]]
|East      = [[Heber City, Utah|Heber City]]
|Southeast = [[Daniel, Utah|Daniel]]
|South     = [[Charleston, Utah|Charleston]]
|Southwest = [[Highland, Utah|Highland]] / ''[[Wasatch Mountain State Park]]''<br/>[[Cedar Hills, Utah|Cedar Hills]]<br/>[[Pleasant Grove, Utah|Pleasant Grove]]<br/>[[Lindon, Utah|Lindon]]
|West      = [[Draper, Utah|Draper]]<br/>[[Alpine, Utah|Alpine]] / ''[[Wasatch Mountain State Park]]''
|Northwest = [[Cottonwood Heights, Utah|Cottonwood Heights]], [[Alta, Utah|Alta]]<br/>[[Sandy, Utah|Sandy]]
}}

{{Wasatch County, Utah}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Utah]]
[[Category:Cities in Wasatch County, Utah]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1859]]
[[Category:Swiss-American culture in Utah]]
[[Category:1859 establishments in Utah Territory]]