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Show NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) Utah WordPerfect Format OMBNo. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 8 Page 1 Schneitter Hotel, Midway, Wasatch County, Utah and summer hotel by the big hot pot." 5 It seems likely, then, that the Schneitters started developing the resort and constructing the hotel in 1886 but did not have it completed and fully operational until 1891. Gazetteers or business directories of the period support that conclusion, since it was not until the 1892-93 edition that Schneitter's "Hotel and Saloon" were listed. Though several hot pot resorts were developed in the Midway area in the late nineteenth century, only two enjoyed long-term success Luke's Hot Pots and Schneitter's Hot Pots. Luke's was established in 1888 by Andrew Luke and John Busby and is still in operation today as the Mountain Spa Resort. Schneitter's, built between 1886 and 1891, remained in family ownership until 1952. Though both Simon and Simon J. have been credited as the resort's founder, it seems that Simon J. was the principal force behind the enterprise. His name is listed in early newspaper articles, advertisements, and gazetteers as the proprietor. The Schneitters created swimming pools by drilling into the base of the large hot pot and piping the water to the pools. Other attractions at the resort included horse racing, music, and food, in addition to the hotel accommodations. Resort owners figured out early on that soaking in hot pools developed healthy appetites. As one early resort-goer put it, "A fellow goes into the hot pots and when he comes out, he can eat a house and lot." By all accounts, fried chicken dinners seem to have been the favorite at Schneitters. Simon and Maria Schneitter were immigrants from Switzerland, who came to Utah in 1863 after joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormon church) in their native land. They settled in the Midway area in 1864 where a number of other Swiss immigrants had established themselves. The Schneitters set about clearing the land and farming, though Simon was a watchmaker by trade. The hot springs and "pots" were geological novelties in the area. The largest hot pot was two hundred feet in diameter and one hundred feet high. One of the largest hot pots was located on Schneitter's property. People from surrounding towns, especially those from the nearby mining town of Park City, would travel to Midway to see the hot pots and bathe in the pools. The idea of building a resort to accommodate them occurred to several local residents, including the Schneitters. Soon after the hotel and resort were completed, the Schneitters began out to various operators. They included Thomas Monks, William W. Ritter, Kurellor. The age and health of Simon and Maria may have been one of the Maria (b. 1821) died in 1893, and Simon (b. 1828) died in 1900. Simon J. leasing it and Peter reasons. (b. 1860) X See continuation sheet 5Wasatch Wave, June 9, 1891. 6For a full description of the various hot pot resorts, see How Beautiful Upon the Mountains, pp. 591-596. 7"Territorial Happenings," Wasatch Wave. August 18, 1891. |
