Nestled in Utah’s Wasatch Back, the city of Midway is a picture of mountain serenity—white-steepled churches, tidy homes, tree-lined streets, and warm mineral springs that shimmer beneath alpine peaks. But long before it became a destination of charm and recreation, Midway began as a rugged fort—a place of gathering, defense, and determination.
In 1859, pioneers, seeking farmland and fresh water, built homes along Snake Creek in what is now the northwest part of Heber Valley. Over the next decade, hardship and hope wove two scattered settlements together—communities that joined forces for safety and survival, eventually forming the heart of the Midway we know today.
A Fort Between Two Settlements
The first settlers arrived along Snake Creek in the late 1850s. The area’s bubbling hot springs, fertile meadows, and nearby forests made it ideal for both farming and livestock. The upper settlement, sometimes referred to as Mound City, was located approximately two miles upstream from the Provo River, named for the mineral mounds formed by hot springs.
A lower settlement, known as Smith’s Grove, developed a mile and a half south of modern Midway, where John H. Van Wagoner built one of the valley’s first gristmills.
At first, the two communities thrived independently. But as tensions rose with local Indigenous tribes in the 1860s, settlers were advised to consolidate for safety. Rather than fortify two separate enclaves, they decided to meet halfway—literally and symbolically.
In 1866, under the leadership of Sidney H. Epperson, about seventy-five families gathered on the chosen site—midway between the two earlier settlements—and began building the Midway Fort.
The fort’s walls were made of timber and adobe, enclosing rows of small dwellings. Within its walls were gardens, livestock pens, and a communal well. That act of unity—two settlements becoming one—gave birth to Midway’s enduring name.
The Midway fort site, circa 1870, where two pioneer settlements joined forces for safety and community.
Today, a monument near town hall marks the location of the fort that gave Midway its name.
Faces of the Fort
The names of Midway’s early settlers now read like a roll call of grit and endurance—men and women who carved a home out of the mountain soil.
Jeremiah Robey was among the first to build along Snake Creek in 1859. Working with David Wood and Edwin Johnson, he planted the valley’s first grain crop. Their success proved that crops could thrive in this high-altitude valley—a revelation that drew more families.
John H. Van Wagoner, builder of the lower settlement’s gristmill, became vital to the community’s food supply. His mill provided flour for both settlers and travelers, helping sustain the fort’s population through harsh winters.
Moroni Blood ran an early sawmill and helped produce lime, brick, and “pot rock”—the porous white limestone created by Midway’s mineral springs. His efforts not only built homes but also defined the town’s visual identity.
And Sidney H. Epperson, both leader and peacemaker, guided the community through the transition from isolation to cooperation. His influence ensured the fort wasn’t merely a wall of wood and clay, but a living experiment in unity.
Swiss Roots and a Shared Vision
By the 1860s and ’70s, new settlers arrived—immigrants from Switzerland who brought Alpine traditions and a spirit of community that blended beautifully with the pioneer ethic. Families named Abplanalp, Gertsch, Huber, Kohler, Probst, Zenger, Durtschi, and Abegglen made their homes near the fort.
The Swiss recognized something of home in Midway’s mountain meadows and cool air. Their cultural influence is still felt today—in the town’s architecture, cuisine, and festivals. Together, early American settlers and Swiss immigrants forged a shared identity rooted in cooperation and craftsmanship.
When danger passed and the fort’s defensive walls were no longer needed, families dismantled the timber structures and reused the materials to build new homes, barns, and churches. Out of necessity and thrift, they laid the foundations for a town.
The Tools of Grit
Frontier life in Midway required sheer endurance. Winters were long and snowy; every structure, road, and fence had to be made by hand. Families harvested logs from the canyons, hauled limestone from the springs, and dug irrigation channels through rocky soil.
Agriculture sustained the community—wheat, barley, and alfalfa fields stretched along Snake Creek. Sheep and cattle grazed the valley floor.
By the 1880s, settlers began utilizing the area’s geothermal waters not only for farming but also for therapeutic purposes and recreation. Simon Schneitter, an industrious Swiss immigrant, opened Schneitter’s Hot Pots, a small bathing resort that would grow into today’s Homestead Resort. Nearby, Luke’s Hot Pots became another popular attraction—now known as the Mountain Spa.
Their vision marked the beginning of Midway’s hospitality tradition—turning natural wonders into opportunities for gathering and renewal.
From Fort to Flourishing Town
By 1891, Midway was incorporated as a town, marking its transformation from a defensive fort into a thriving agricultural and cultural hub.
Sawmills, gristmills, and blacksmith shops buzzed with activity. A new schoolhouse and church were built, followed by general stores, telegraph service, and electricity. The fort’s physical walls were gone—but its spirit of cooperation lived on.
Today, the Midway Fort’s original site is commemorated by a historic marker near Town Hall. Around it, homes, parks, and storefronts testify to generations of progress built on shared effort.
A Legacy of Togetherness
Midway’s history is more than a series of dates; it’s a story of connection. The settlers of Snake Creek and Smith’s Grove could have remained two isolated clusters—but instead, they chose unity.
That decision to meet “midway” forged not only a fort but a philosophy: that community is built through cooperation.
Today, that spirit endures in Midway’s festivals, architecture, and small-town generosity. The Swiss Days Festival celebrates the cultural blend that shaped the town, while the mineral springs continue to nourish both body and spirit.
In the laughter of children at Town Square, in the enduring “pot rock” homes along Main Street, in the mountain air that still smells of woodsmoke and wild sage—you can feel the heart of the fort that started it all.
Learn more: hebervalleyheritage.com
References
“Midway Fort Families,” Heber Valley Heritage Archives & Special Collections, hebervalleyheritage.com.
“History Of Midway City,” Midway City Official Site, midwaycityut.gov.
“Midway Fort Families,” Heber Valley Heritage Archives & Special Collections.
“Midway,” Utah History Encyclopedia, Utah Education Network (uen.org).
“History of Midway,” Go Heber Valley, gohebervalley.com.
“Midway Fort Families,” Heber Valley Heritage Archives & Special Collections.
“Midway,” Utah History Encyclopedia, Utah Education Network.
“Midway Fort Marker,” Jacob Barlow, Utah Historical Sites Blog, jacobbarlow.com.
