St. George Memorial Plaza

This consists of 10 individual monuments and plaques installed in the City-owned Plaza located on the corner of St. George Boulevard and Main Street in downtown St. George, Utah. Each plaque is mounted on a large native sandstone base, and depicts various homes and sites in the downtown area of historic significance.

This is S.U.P. Marker #72, for other markers in the series visit this page.  Other markers in the series located here in the St George Memorial Plaza are:

• 72 – St. George Memorial Plaza
• 72.01 – And the Desert Shall Blossom
• 72.02 – Gardeners’ Club Hall
• 72.03 – St. George Social Hall “Opera House”
• 72.04 – Brigham Young Home
• 72.05 – Pioneer Courthouse
• 72.06 – Erastus Snow’s Big House
• 72.07 – Dixie Academy
• 72.08 – St. George Temple
• 72.09 – St. George Tabernacle
• 72.10 – Woodward School

Brigham Young Home

Brigham Young was prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 30 years. During those three decades he directed the establishment of more than 300 communities throughout the American West. It was “Brother Brigham,” as he was affectionately known, who sent the original company of settlers to St. George in 1861 to help establish the “Cotton Mission.” His plan was to make the Latter-day Saints more self sufficient by establishing communities in the south where cotton, grapes and other crops could be produced.

The settlers struggled desperately during the early years as they attempted to grow crops in alkaline soil with less than eight inches of annual rainfall. It was Brigham’s custom to visit the settlements once a year to preach and uplift the Saints. During his visits to St. George he laid plans for the construction of the Tabernacle and Temple, which became public work projects that helped tide the settlers over during a period of dire poverty.

Brigham decided early on to establish a winter home in St. George. But first a telegraph line from Salt Lake City would have to be built so that he could communicate with Church Headquarters and conduct business from Dixie. In 1871, he purchased a home one block north and one block west of here. The back portion of the house was already standing. It had been built by James Chesney in 1869. Brigham retained the original home and added the spacious two-story front section in 1873.

At the age of 69, Brigham began spending winters in St. George, living in the home three to five months of the year until his death in 1877. This trend of wintering in Dixie is one which northerners have enjoyed ever since. He came here to take advantage of the mild winters, to nurse his rheumatism and to free himself from the pressure of his duties as Church president. The home now belongs to the LDS Church and has been refurnished as one of it historical landmarks. It stands as a symbol of the Pioneers’ success in creating a prosperous and civilized life in a desolate and isolated place.

This is S.U.P. Marker #72.04, for other markers in the series visit this page.  Other markers in the series located here in the St George Memorial Plaza are:

• 72 – St. George Memorial Plaza
• 72.01 – And the Desert Shall Blossom
• 72.02 – Gardeners’ Club Hall
• 72.03 – St. George Social Hall “Opera House”
• 72.04 – Brigham Young Home
• 72.05 – Pioneer Courthouse
• 72.06 – Erastus Snow’s Big House
• 72.07 – Dixie Academy
• 72.08 – St. George Temple
• 72.09 – St. George Tabernacle
• 72.10 – Woodward School

Pioneer Courthouse

The seat of county government was originally established at Fort Harmony from 1856 to 1859. It was then moved to the city of Washington until 1863 when St. George became the county seat. By 1866, work had begun on the Washington County Courthouse, a large and stately building with a balcony and cupola.

The beautifully restored building still stands across the street north, and one block east of here. Construction on the courthouse proceeded concurrently with construction of the Tabernacle one block south of here. The same craftsmen who worked on the Tabernacle also worked on the courthouse which was completed in 1870.

This building was originally to be built of dressed sandstone rock, but due to the great number of men required to raise the walls of the Tabernacle, the plan was changed to lime and brick which were manufactured locally. The three basement rooms were used as a jail, the first floor was arranged as county government offices, and the second floor had a large assembly room which was used not only as a courtroom, but for government functions, civic group meetings, political gatherings, socials, dances, and school classrooms.

A walk through the pioneer courthouse reveals 18-inch thick interior walls, some panes of original glass alongside the entrance doors, beautiful chandeliers, original paintings of Zion Canyon and Grand Canyon on the upstairs walls, and an early-day security vault.

The fact that the courthouse is still a key center of activity in downtown St. George is a testament to the quality of workmanship that existed among Dixie’s early master builders.

This is S.U.P. Marker #72.05, for other markers in the series visit this page.  Other markers in the series located here in the St George Memorial Plaza are:

• 72 – St. George Memorial Plaza
• 72.01 – And the Desert Shall Blossom
• 72.02 – Gardeners’ Club Hall
• 72.03 – St. George Social Hall “Opera House”
• 72.04 – Brigham Young Home
• 72.05 – Pioneer Courthouse
• 72.06 – Erastus Snow’s Big House
• 72.07 – Dixie Academy
• 72.08 – St. George Temple
• 72.09 – St. George Tabernacle
• 72.10 – Woodward School

Woodward School

When the first settlers arrived in St. George late in 1861, school was held in a wagon box, a tent, a willow shack, or whatever shelter could be improvised. By 1864, the first of four ward school houses was completed. It was not until nearly the end of the 1800s that work on a large, substantial school began. Woodward School, located one block south and one block west of here, was completed in 1901.

The school was built on a black volcanic rock foundation, and its walls are of red sandstone from the same quarry that furnished the stone for the Tabernacle. The building, housing 12 classrooms and a basement, cost $35,000 to build. It was paid for principally out of tax revenues, yet, as was the case with so many on the early Dixie building projects, it also benefited from substantial contributions of local citizens. The name Woodward School was given to the building in honor of George Woodward, one of the trustees who had devoted his time and means to make the dream of better education facilities a reality in St. George. It is said that he gave $3,600 of his own money toward its construction – a truly large sum of money for that day.

Since the school opened its doors to students in September of 1901, it has served generation after generation of young learners. Today it remains an imposing, handsome, and usable structure – another example of the early settlers’ ability to build for the future.

This is S.U.P. Marker #72.10, for other markers in the series visit this page.  Other markers in the series located here in the St George Memorial Plaza are:

• 72 – St. George Memorial Plaza
• 72.01 – And the Desert Shall Blossom
• 72.02 – Gardeners’ Club Hall
• 72.03 – St. George Social Hall “Opera House”
• 72.04 – Brigham Young Home
• 72.05 – Pioneer Courthouse
• 72.06 – Erastus Snow’s Big House
• 72.07 – Dixie Academy
• 72.08 – St. George Temple
• 72.09 – St. George Tabernacle
• 72.10 – Woodward School

Erastus Snow’s Big House

On this site in 1867, Erastus Snow began construction on a four-story, adobe home which later became known as the “Big House.” Snow, an LDS apostle, was the presiding Mormon leader during the colonization of St. George. The “Big House” was an uncommonly large dwelling which served as lodging for many of the guests that visited St. George. The structure had three stories and a basement, the southern exposure of which was level with the ground. A balcony supported by pillars was attached to the west of the home and a low, rock wall overlaid with red sandstone bordered the sidewalk in from (where you are now standing). Though not extravagant or ornate, it was a comfortable, livable home that typified the style of many early St. George residences.

Shortly after it was completed, Snow’s wife Elizabeth (Libby) managed the “Big House” as a guest home for weary travelers. Nearly 80 visitors sat down to dinner here to celebrate Erastus’ 50th birthday in 1868. Beginning in 1888, Snow’s son Mahonri managed the “Big House” as a first class hotel for 25 years. In 1913, it was sold to Samuel Judd who continued the service but changed the name to the Dixie Hotel.

St. George owes much of its establishment, growth and progress to Erastus Snow, whom people looked to for counsel and advice during his 27 years here. His “Big House” was known as the executive mansion of the Southern Utah Mission. It stood as a fine example of the craftsmanship and dedication of the early southern Utah Pioneers.”

This is S.U.P. Marker #72.06, for other markers in the series visit this page.  Other markers in the series located here in the St George Memorial Plaza are:

• 72 – St. George Memorial Plaza
• 72.01 – And the Desert Shall Blossom
• 72.02 – Gardeners’ Club Hall
• 72.03 – St. George Social Hall “Opera House”
• 72.04 – Brigham Young Home
• 72.05 – Pioneer Courthouse
• 72.06 – Erastus Snow’s Big House
• 72.07 – Dixie Academy
• 72.08 – St. George Temple
• 72.09 – St. George Tabernacle
• 72.10 – Woodward School

St. George Social Hall “Opera House”

At a time when colonizers of the Dixie Cotton Mission were struggling to survive, their leaders placed a high priority on culture. The Mormon prophet Joseph Smith taught that “Man is that he might have joy.” His successor Brigham Young interpreted this “joy” to be participation in and enjoyment of the cultural arts. The first locally produced drama was presented in a bowery made of tumble weed just nine months after the city’s birth. The historical Social Hall, or Opera House, was built in 1875 at the corner of Main and Diagonal Streets (one block north of here). It began as a wine cellar built by the Gardener’s Club where sacramental wine was stored. A 23×56 foot room was built above the cellar which became the stage and wings section, and a 35×50 foot addition to the west became the audience seating area. For nearly 50 years this was the center of social and cultural life in Dixie.

The building featured a mechanized floor which could be lowered several inches at the east end, allowing everyone an unobstructed view of the stage. With a seating capacity of 400, this was a delightful venue for local dramatic clubs as well as outside players. Opera and other musical entertainments were held there, as well as dances on the movable floor.

During the early part of this century, the stage of the St. George Stake Academy, as well as movie theaters began to replace the activities of the Opera House. The building was eventually sold to U&I Sugar Company and used as offices and storage for sugar beet seed.

Presently, the building is being restored as the central feature of the Pioneer Center for the Arts.

Related Posts:

• Utah Social Halls, Opera Houses, and Amusement Halls

This is S.U.P. Marker #72.03, for other markers in the series visit this page.  Other markers in the series located here in the St George Memorial Plaza are:

• 72 – St. George Memorial Plaza
• 72.01 – And the Desert Shall Blossom
• 72.02 – Gardeners’ Club Hall
• 72.03 – St. George Social Hall “Opera House”
• 72.04 – Brigham Young Home
• 72.05 – Pioneer Courthouse
• 72.06 – Erastus Snow’s Big House
• 72.07 – Dixie Academy
• 72.08 – St. George Temple
• 72.09 – St. George Tabernacle
• 72.10 – Woodward School