St. George in Washington County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Utah-Idaho Sugar Company
Former site of the
— c.1934-1979 —
Sugar beets were planted in the fall in the Bloomington and Washington Fields. Due to the mild winter climate in Utah's Dixie, the crop could stay in the ground over winter. In the spring, the beet stalks would sprout and grow several feet high and then fall over. The plants would be harvested and hauled by horse-drawn wagons to the factory where they would undergo a process to remove the seed and sort it into different sizes and varieties, then be stored in large sacks in the adjacent warehouses.
This block was vacated after 1979 and became home to mice and pigeons and an eyesore to the community. Through the vision, generosity, and hard work of the community and city officials, the ultimate dream to restore the grounds as part of St. George's Historic District was realized, beginning with the Opera House (1995), the Art Museum, Adobe Building and Plaza (1997), and ending with the St. George Social Hall(1998).
side note
These plaques are dedicated to our community and its generous donors who have given of their time and personal resources in promoting the arts and preserving our history in Southern Utah.
List of donors:
Residents of Washington County
Russell C. and Joyce M. Taylor
George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation
Sun Capital Bank
US Bank
Washington County Historical Society
Erected by Washington County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1979.
Location. 37° 6.7′ N, 113° 34.959′ W. Marker is in St. George, Utah, in Washington County. Marker is on East 200 North, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 47 East 200 North, Saint George UT 84770, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. George Opera House (a few steps from this marker); The Jones Adobe Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron Pile Driver (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pioneer Museum (about 500 feet away); The Sandstone Building (about 600 feet away); The Jail House (about 600 feet away); The Dixie Pioneers (about 600 feet away); The Stone Quarries (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. George.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 545 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 6, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.