John Watkins

Who is John Watkins?

John Watkins was a practical architect and builder in London and Utah.

He was born in Maidstone, Kent, England. While living in London, he converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1852, and four years later he and his family emigrated to Salt Lake City, settling in Provo, Utah. While in Provo, Watkins worked on the Old Provo Tabernacle. In 1865, after marrying twice more, he moved to Midway, Utah, where he designed some of his best-known works. He also served for 17 years as an LDS Bishop until his death Christmas of 1902.

A number of his works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Watkins designed some LDS meetinghouses in Provo and Springville.

Works include:

George Bonner, Jr., House, 90 E. Main, Midway, Utah, NRHP-listed

George Bonner, Sr., House, 103 E. Main, Midway, Utah, NRHP-listed

William Bonner House, 110 E. Main, Midway, Utah, NRHP-listed

William Coleman House, 180 N. Center, Midway, Utah, NRHP-listed

John and Margaret Watkins House, 22 W. Hundred S, Midway, Utah, NRHP-listed

Watkins-Coleman House, 5 E. Main St., Midway, Utah, NRHP-listed