HERE IT IS!

Did you know that the first known people who lived in Washington County were the Anasazi Indians? They were called
the ancient ones and came here around 200 B.C. and then suddenly left the area in about 1200 A.D. No one knows why
they suddenly took off, but they did leave their dwellings, rock-art and other evidence of their 1,000 year existence in the
southwest areas.

The next group to live in this area were the Paiute Indians. They were here from about 1100 and 1200 A.D.to the present. They lived in relatively small tribes with their own leaders. They survived by foraging for seeds, roots, berries and nuts.
They also hunted for deer, rabbits, mountain sheep and other animals. They raised corn, wheat melons, squash and
some other vegetables along the banks of the rivers.

The first known contact of the Europeans and the Paiutes were with the Spanish
They met with other trappers and pioneers occasionally, but had the area mostly
to themselves until the Mormon Pioneers settled in this area in 1861.

Although early settlers came to Washington County as early as 1852, it was not
considered a permanent settlement until 1861. Brigham Young, the Mormon leader,
sent a group of pioneers from the Salt Lake Valley down to this area to grow cotton
and wine grapes and to harvest silk. The weather was much milder in this
southwestern corner of Utah and they believed these crops could be grown here. They called the area, Utah's Dixie.
Today the cotton fields are gone, the wineries are closed and the silk industry has given way to modern, more prosperous
businesses.

Washington County's population today is over 100,000 and approximately 50,000 in St George City. The population is expected
to increase to about 105,000 by 2005 and to about 177,000 by 2020.

People have settled here for various reasons, but mostly they come for the climate, the scenic beauty, the family atmosphere,
Dixie State College and the job opportunities. St George, the largest city, is also the county seat. It is nestled in a picturesque
valley surrounded by impressive red sandstone cliffs.

Washington County is located along Interstate I-15 in the most southwestern corner of Utah. It is 2,422 square miles in size.
It is the start-off point to some of the most beautiful areas in the world. Zion's National Park, Bryce Canyon, Snow Canyon
State Park, Brian Head Mountain and ski resort are all a short drive from St. George. There are sand dunes, mountains and
lakes for all sorts of outdoor recreation. You can enjoy a lot of scenic walking, biking and hiking trails in all of Washington County.

It is 2,880 feet above sea level with peaks over 10,000 feet on Pine Valley Mountain. The area typically has over 300 days of
sunshine a year. The temperature varies from a low in January of 40.3 to a high of 102+ in July.

People come to the St. George area to visit because there are a lot of things to do and see. They can hike and bike in many
very beautiful areas. Many come to play golf on ten golf courses in the St. George area. We have a large convention center and
many people come to attend these conventions. The City hosts many activities and festivals such as the Art Festival in April, the
St. George Marathon and Senior Olympics in October. The Tuachan Amphitheatre, located in a beautiful red rock canyon, has
outdoor and indoor theaters where they host wonderful musical plays all summer long. St. George hosts many sporting events
such as softball in their new softball playing complex. There is a lot going on in St. George all year round.

FUN THINGS TO DO IN
ST. GEORGE/WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH

You could go to FIESTA FUN FAMILY FUN CENTER (171 E 1160 South, St George - 628-1818)

There is a lot to do there. They have a little kids play center and arcade games, too. You could practice
your batting at their batting cages, or practice your golf at their mini 18-hole golf course.

You could go swimming.....

at the Sand Hollow Aquatic Center (1144 Lava Flow Drive - 634-5938)
or the St George City Pool (250 E 700 South - 634-5867) is fun during the summer months.

You could play tennis......

at the new Tonaquint Tennis Center on Dixie Drive.

You'll find a lot to do at the City Recreation Center.

The Recreation Center is for you and your family! They have 4 Racquetball Courts, a Fitness Center,
Multi-Purpose Gymnasium, plus the main Gym, Hobby and Craft Center, and 2 Game Rooms.
Drop in and have some fun. Bring some friends or the whole family. They have Air Hockey, Ping Pong,
Skeeball, Foosball, Shuffleboard, Pool, Bumper Pool, Wallyball, Racquetball, Volleyball, Basketball,
Video Games, Sega, Arts & Crafts, Board Games and more.

Do you like to skate or skateboard? It's a city skateboard park and is located just in back
of Fiesta Fun Center.

How about seeing dinosaur tracks? They are awesome.

“This is the most significant dinosaur tracksite in western North America.”
Dr. James Kirkland, Utah State Paleontologist

In late February 2000, Sheldon Johnson was leveling a hill on his farm property in St. George, Utah
when he came across dinosaur tracks preserved as natural fossil casts on the underside of a thick layer of sandstone.
That sandstone layer was part of a lake shore that dates back approximately 200 million years ago and formed
when an ancient lake covered the land just north and east of St. George Utah. When a large block tipped out of
the bucket of Dr. Johnson’s track hoe, he had no idea that he had just uncovered the first trace of an incredible
fossil treasure trove –one of the most important discoveries in the history of paleontological research in Lower Jurassic rocks.

After several years of research and continual discovery, the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm has evolved into a world-class dinosaur site that includes the rare combination of fossilized bones and footprints of dinosaurs and many other ancient animals. When you visit, you will:

• Walk through a ‘snapshot’ of a lake ecosystem from Early Jurassic time and observe fish, plants, and animal traces made by invertebrates and vertebrates.
• See over 2000 tracks made by at least several kinds of dinosaurs, ancient crocodylians, fish, and many other animals.

See the world’s largest collection of ‘swim tracks’ made by dinosaurs swimming in ancient “Lake Dixie”.

See one of only two fossil tracks in the entire world made by a sitting theropod dinosaur.

See the largest single track block in any museum in the world. This block, weighing 55,000 lbs., has eight dinosaur trackways across its surface.

The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm is a must-see for anyone interested in dinosaurs, geology and the ancient Jurassic world.

And/orYou could see over 200 species of animals at our new Wildlife Museum...

The Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum is a new world class facility of over 25,000 sq. ft.
allowing visitors to experience over 200 species of wildlife throughout the world in their natural habitat. Nearly a quarter mile of mountain
pathway winds its way through the plains of Africa, the forests of North America, and the mountains of Asia.

Would you like to know what kinds of animals live here?
Tonaquint Park Nature Center is an oasis of nature in the heart of St. George. The ripple of
Santa Clara Creek, the rustle of cattails and the screech of a red-tailed hawk are experiences to discover at St. George's best kept secret.
Located at 1851 South Dixie Drive, just west of Southgate Golf Course. Tonaquint Nature Center offers outdoor education programs for all ages.

We have the coolest sand hills only ten minutes from St George....

Take Snow Canyon Parkway from Bluff Street to Snow Canyon State Park.
You'll have to pay a $5.00 fee, but you can stay all day. While you are there
you can go on a fun hike and climb of the huge red rocks.






If it is cloudy and not so warm...you could go to the movies, see a play, or go bowling at the Sunset West Bowling Center.
(674-4455). It's always fun. Check to see what's going on in the Where its @ Section of The Spectrum Newspaper
every Friday.

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If you need to know the facts about the population, and other demographic stuff click here....

Do you want to know more about the area? Click here for our area guide.....

Do you know how St George got its name? Click here to find out...

What kind of dinosaurs lived here? Click here to learn about them....

See if you can solve this "complete the word" puzzle. Click here....

 

Site Map

St George Area Chamber of Commerce
97 E St George Blvd, St George, UT 84770
Phone: 435-628-1658