Adair Spring Marker

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Washington in Washington County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Adair Spring
Birthplace of Utah's Dixie
— Washington City, Utah —

Adair Spring Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Bill Kirchner, August 28, 2012

1. Adair Spring Marker

Inscription. In early 1857 Brigham Young called a group of Southerners on a cotton mission to southern Utah to raise cotton. Samuel Newton Adair, the leader of ten families, arrived at this spot Apr. 15, 1857, after leaving Payson, Utah on Mar. 3. They camped here a short time and then moved down near the Virgin River on what became known as the "Sand Plot." Apostle Amasa M. Lyman who was passing through the area recommended that they move back to the spring area which they did. Robert Dockery Covington arrived here May 5 or 6, 1857, with 28 more southern families. They left the Salt Lake area shortly after the L.D.S. Spring Conference held around Apr. 6. On May 6 or 7 a two day meeting was held at this sight under direction of Isaac C. Haight, President of the Parowan Stake. They sang, prayed and selected Robert D. Covington to be President of the L D S branch, and Harrison Pearce and James B. Regan as assistants. Wm. R. Slade and James D. McCullough were appointed Justices of the Peace, John Hawley and James Matthews as constables, G.R. Coley was stray pound keeper and Wm R. Slade, Geo Hawley and G. W. Spencer as school trustees. They named their city Washington. It was too late to plant wheat, so they prepared the ground for corn and went right to work making dams and ditches to water their crops. Their first homes were their wagon boxes, willow

By Bill Kirchner, August 28, 2012

2. Adair Spring Marker

and mud huts and dugouts dug in the bank east of this monument. Their new home soon was called "Dixie." Those who came in the spring of 1857 were:
Adair, George W. • Adair, John R. • Adair, Joseph • Adair, Newton (L.N.) • Adair, Samuel • Adair, Thomas • Clark, John W. • Coley, Gabriel Reynolds • Couch, John Jr. • Couch, John Sr. • Covington, Robert D. • Crawford, William H. • Dameron, William • Dodge, Enoch • Duggins, William (Dugas) • Fream, William • Freeman, John W. • Hatfield, Joseph (Hadfield) • Hawley, George • Hawley, John • Hawley, William • Holden, J. • Johnson, Alfred • Lloyd, Robert • Mangum, John • Mangum, William • Matheny, Sims B. • Mathew, James Nichols • McCullough, James D. • Pearce, Harrison • Price, John • Reagan, James B. • Rencher, Upsted • Rickey, James • Slade, William R. • Smith, Joseph • Smith, Thomas W. • Spencer, George W. • Sprouse, Balus (Spouse) • Thomas, Preston • Tyler, Oscar • Wilkins, James B. • Young, William J. and others.

Erected 1996 by Citizens of Washington City and the Washington City Historical Society.

Location. 37° 7.923′ N, 113° 30.386′ W. Marker is in Washington, Utah, in Washington County. Marker is on North 200 East 0.1 miles north of East Telegraph Street, on the right when traveling north. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington UT 84780, United States of America.

By Bill Kirchner, August 28, 2012

3. Adair Spring Marker

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Covington Mansion (about 700 feet away, in a direct line); Robert D. Covington House (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Robert D. Covington House (about 800 feet away); Utah’s Dixie Birthplace, Washington City (approx. 0.2 miles away); “Utah’s Dixie” Washington City (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Granary (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prominent Pioneer Men and Women Who Helped Settle Washington City (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thomas W. Smith's Corn Cracker & Grist Millstone (approx. 0.3 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Washington.

Credits. This page originally submitted on September 9, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 9, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.