William and Sarah Bonner House
110 Main Street
The prominent corner of 100 East and Main Street, long referred to as "Bonner’s Corner," holds a special place in Midway’s history. Once owned entirely by the Bonner family, all four properties at the intersection reflect their deep roots in the community. One of the most notable is the Gothic Revival-style home built in 1877 by English architect and builder John Watkins. This one-and-a-half-story brick residence, designed in the cross-wing style, is one of five Gothic Revival homes Watkins constructed in Midway—widely regarded as the most significant examples of the style in Utah.
The property also includes a historic barn and granary, both original to the site and typical of early Midway’s agricultural landscape.
The home was built for William Bonner, the son of pioneer George Bonner Sr., who gifted land to his sons, William and George Jr. so that they could establish homes for their families. William married Sarah Eliza Bronson in 1878 at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. A hardworking man, William wore many hats throughout his life—miner, farmer, rancher, and timber hauler for the nearby mines. He and his brother George operated several ventures together, including a shared farm, the Midway Social Hall, and the Bonner Mercantile. Eventually, the brothers amicably divided their partnership—William, who had four sons, took on the farming and ranching operations, while George, the father of daughters, retained the mercantile business.
Sarah Bonner was admired not only as the mother of their ten children, but also for her compassion and service. She was well-known for caring for the sick and contributed faithfully to the Mutual Improvement Association (MIA), the Relief Society, and the Sunday School.
The home later passed to their youngest son, Everice, and his wife, Lois Thacker Bonner, who raised their six children within its walls. In 2010, the Hardy Foundation purchased the home and undertook preservation efforts. By 2012, the red exterior paint was carefully removed, and the historic brickwork was repointed with new mortar, ensuring the home’s legacy as a cherished piece of Midway’s architectural and family history.
This home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
