Your hub for southern utah historical information.
The Washington County Historical Society (WCHS) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and historical resources of Washington County, Utah. WCHS serves the community from the Pioneer Courthouse under a cooperative agreement with St. George City, which owns and maintains the historic public building. The Pioneer Courthouse and the Daughters of Utah Pioneers McQuarrie Museum next door are downtown landmarks on Pioneer Corner at 100 East St. George Boulevard.
The Pioneer Courthouse is abuzz five days a week with guided building tours, lectures, musical programs, and changing displays that bring history to life. WCHS offers virtual tours of the courthouse and historic downtown St. George for armchair visitors and those who want to explore at their own pace. Adventurous history buffs can participate in seasonal tours that carpool from the Pioneer Courthouse to historical locations throughout Washington County.
Researchers will find a wealth of information about Washington County in our extensive online history collection. The myriad people, places, buildings, events, foods, arts, and folkways that make up our colorful local history are chronicled at wchsut.org.
1983
Incorporated on April 25, 1983.
Visit the Pioneer Courthouse
Come and take a tour of the courthouse. Find a scheduled event for things like lectures, field trips, and more.
Visit the McQuarrie Museum
The McQuarrie Memorial Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum showcase things like relics, photos, and historical artifacts from early settlers.
Browse our Archived Records
WCHS has gathered and archived thousands of historic records and photographs regarding people, places, and things. Dive into history here!
Make a Donation
Monetary donations help us gather and publish histories and photos of early people, places, and buildings.
Get Involved
All members are volunteers, donating their time and efforts to preserve and present the legacy of the area.
Help us continue to gather, restore, and present this historical information.
Four distinct eras constitute the early story of this area
Early Explorers
Two of the early explorers to the area were Franciscan Catholic Priests. In 1776, Father Atanasio Dominguez and Father Silvestre Velez de Escalante traversed this wild country in their pursuit of a trail to reach the Pacific Ocean.
Shivwits Band of Paiutes
Scattered throughout the region of southern Utah were several tribes of Native Americans. The members of these tribes taught early settlers the means of survival when food was so scarce.
Indian Missionaries
Some of the first settlers were called to be the first missionaries to the Indians. Men like John Lee, Jacob Hamblin, Thomas Brown, William Henefer, August Hardy, and many more.
Early Settlement
After the Indian Missionaries, the first sizable group of settlers arrived in the region in 1857 assigned to settle the town of Washington with the goal of growing cotton.
Learn more about the area’s history!
Get In Touch
The St. George Pioneer Corner is a hub for information regarding the history of southern Utah. Here you can gain access to photos, events, tours, and activities of the local area.
Contact us Form
Contact Info
Pioneer Courthouse
97 E St George Blvd,
St George, UT 84770
Quick Contact
Email: mail@washcouthistory.org
Call Us: (435) 216-7928
Hours
11:00 AM – 03:00 PM
Monday – Saturday
(closed Wednesday)