Van Wagenen Coleman Home

157 West Main Street

The history of this home reaches back to a time when the property served a very different purpose. Until about 1901, the lot belonged to the LDS Church and was the site of Midway's first and second welfare storehouses.

In 1901, David L. Van Wagenen purchased the property for $1,000. The price suggests the house may have already been standing, although its exact construction date is unknown. Van Wagenen also owned the neighboring corner home and held this property until 1921, when he sold it to Guy E. Coleman.

The home is an example of Gothic Revival architecture, recognizable by its steeply pitched roof, central gable, and decorative window detailing. Originally a simple rectangular structure, it was expanded over the years with a rear addition and two subsequent additions. The house was likely built with locally fired soft brick, with stucco added during one of the later renovations.

Guy and his wife, Teresa Ellis Abplanalp Coleman, raised their five children here. A prominent figure in Wasatch County, Guy served as a county commissioner for 30 years, including 20 years as chairman. He also owned and operated the Coleman Store and Rio Theater, where the present-day 7-Eleven is located. Active in community affairs, he participated in the Boosters Club and served as chairman of the United War Fund of Utah.

Besides his business and public service, Guy was also a poet. In 1967, he published a collection of poetry titled Pine Whispers and Autumn Leaves, revealing a more personal and creative side.

The Coleman family owned the property until 1967, when it was sold to Kyle R. Probst. It later passed through other members of the Probst family before being sold to Garry and Mildred Grover.