Why Buy Property on Midway's Main Street?
by Robin M Johnson
The Hardy Foundation
was started in 1996 by a family who lives in Boise, Idaho. A.Kay Hardy and her
father Earl M Hardy started the foundation to preserve and conserve properties
both in Boise, Idaho and in Midway, Utah. Here is a link to a brief description
of the non-profit organization.
The Hardy Foundation’s
interest in Midway has its roots in their pioneer heritage. Earl Hardy’s great
grandfather and Kay’s great, great grandfather is Midway’s own John Watkins,
builder of four red brick pioneer homes located on Midway’s Main Street.
Watkins immigrated to America from England. He traveled to Utah with the Martin
Handcart Company in 1856.
Watkins eventually
settled in Midway for a number of years before moving to Provo. He brought with
him skills in the English Gothic Revival style of architecture. Watkins once
served as an architect for Queen Victoria. Between 1868 and 1878 he built six
homes in Midway. The first was built from 1868 to 1869 at 5 East Main Street as
a home for his family. Lethe Coleman Tatge was the last family member to live
in the home. The house has been empty since her passing in 1986.
In 1876 Watkins was commissioned by George Bonner’s
two oldest sons, George, Jr, and William, to build a home for their father at
103 East Main Street. In 1877 the brothers were making wedding plans and
decided to commission Watkins to build two more homes at 110 East and 90 East
across the street. Watkins finished the homes in time for the double wedding of
George’s two sons in January of 1878. The brothers were married in the front
parlor of their father’s home. Following the celebration they walked their
brides across the street to their new and completely furnished homes.
The Hardy Foundation
began buying property in Midway as early as 1996. Today they own ten properties in Midway. Nine are homes, one is a business. Their holdings include two of the homes Watkins
built on Main Street, the original John Watkins home at 5 East, and the William
Bonner home at 110 East. Some of the
properties were purchased because of a connection to Watkins, the main purpose for
purchasing these and other Midway properties is to protect Midway’s historic pioneer
heritage particularly on Main Street.
For more information follow the link below to
the Utah Heritage Foundation (UHF) website. UHF gave their Heritage Award to the
Hardy Foundation for their work in rehabilitating close to a dozen properties
in Midway. This page includes a biographical sketch written about the Hardy Foundation when given the Heritage Award.
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