Springers and Nokes
In January 2021, David and Kayla Springer unexpectedly met Travis and Lisa Nokes while on a retreat in Mexico. They soon discovered they both had connections to Midway, Utah. The Nokes lived and worked there, and David’s great-great-great grandfather, Jeremiah Robey Springer, was one of the original settlers. David has always dreamed of living in Midway, and after speaking with the Nokes, he began the process of purchasing the Springer Farms. Since Travis and Lisa own businesses in real estate, architectural design, and construction, it was a perfect fit for the Springer’s to enlist their help. As they worked together on potential ideas for the land, a strong friendship was formed between the four of them. There was a shared ideal among them to turn this land into something special that honored David’s ancestors and the beautiful rural community of Midway in a way that reverenced the past as it moves into the future.
The Old Farm House
After bringing in another general contractor, building inspector, and structural engineer, it was clear that saving the original Farmhouse wasn’t feasible. The wood framing was so deteriorated it no longer touched the old, crumbling pot rock foundation on one side of the home. After much deliberation, the decision was made to take the home down and replace it with a replica, reusing the original materials.
Over four weeks, they carefully took the old windows, doors, brick, and siding from the home. They discovered that the back and side walls of the home were built of stacked, hand-hewn timbers. They were told by some local historians that these timbers were likely from Fort Midway, the very first structure built in the area. When Fort Midway was pulled down in the 1890’s, many local families took the timbers and used them to expand their homes. After removing much of the building materials by hand, the Springer’s prepared to remove the rest with the assistance of heavy machinery, a job that would typically take only a few hours to complete, but with consideration of the old timbers, it took a couple of days. Each timber was carefully and individually removed and set aside where they waited to become part of the new building. As the day approached for the backhoe to take the home down, Travis was surprised by the unusual level of emotional difficulty he was facing at this point in the process. On March 29, 2022, he wrote this journal entry:
“For the past 20+ years, I have been helping customers design and build homes, buy and sell homes, and update and renovate homes. I’m now doing something that I’ve never done before. We are taking this old home down. This home was built in the 1890’s by the Springer family. Today will be the day that this tired old home finishes its work on earth. I woke up very early this morning […] much more emotional than expected, thinking about this home and the process of today.
[…] I’ve been so focused on the logistical process of taking the home down, that I hadn’t given myself a chance to think about the emotional process or implications. I thought of the excitement for the family as the home was first built and the preparations that were made to move into it when it was finally finished. The family probably envisioned all the wonderful things that would happen in the home. They probably worried about how they would pay for it. I thought about the safety and “cover from the storm” that this home has provided. The Christmas mornings, the sound of little feet coming up and down the front steps to and from school. The 4th of July celebrations, and all of the dishes done and problems solved at the kitchen sink. All the nights parents stared at the bedroom ceiling, worried and wondering about their kids. […] I am very grateful to it for the service it has provided and the memories that still will live on in the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids in the Springer family.”
The New Farmhouse and Springer Farms
The new Farmhouse’s footprint and basic structure are as close to the original Farmhouse as possible. The old timbers that first stood as part of Fort Midway, and then used to give structure to the Springer home, now stand in a place of Prominence supporting the front patio. Some of the original windows are inside the main floor of the Farmhouse, and the soffit of the front porch is constructed from the old wood siding. The overall goal of this project was to create a building that looks like it has stood, belonging in downtown Midway, for 100+ years. The main floor of the Farmhouse will house a home decor store: Haven Haus Co., owned by local residents Jack and Diane Nelson. The top floor will serve as a two-bedroom nightly rental, hopefully as an extension of Midway homes when more room is needed for guests and family. The vision at Springer Farms is to provide space for businesses and services needed by the people of Midway. To meet these needs, the Nokes and Springer’s plan to build three additional buildings over the next three years, adding nine retail units and 17 nightly rentals. Locally owned businesses projected to join Springer Farms in 2024 are Folk and Fable Books and a nail salon, Lueur Salon.
Springer Farms’ goal is to preserve the charm of Midway as they create a space for this close-knit, supportive community to gather and strengthen bonds with friends and family. They are excited about the future of Springer Farms and what it will offer the Midway community over the next 120 years.
