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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.
about us.
St. George Pioneer Corner, composed of both the Pioneer Courthouse and the McQuarrie Memorial Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum, celebrates the history of early southern Utah. Photographs, artifacts, and stories communicate the narrative of those who lived in this beautiful and unique country.
Explore each of these options to more fully understand how this area developed and grew into the thriving metropolis it is today.