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

Water - Lifeblood of the Desert

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, February 23, 2025

1. Water - Lifeblood of the Desert Marker

Inscription. Water is a critical resource in this desert region. When the original 300 families entered the St. George Valley in the late fall of 1861, they had little more than two small springs, East and West, to rely on. From the day those indomitable pioneers set foot in this valley until the day they died, their lives were spent in search of, obtaining, and wisely managing the use of water. The original settlers dug ditches to conduct water from the two city springs to the individual city lots. - Making the Desert Bloom, 1991

This bronze statue depicts a hearty pioneer with a shovel directing water into the irrigation system.

Artist - Jerry Anderson

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 37° 6.238′ N, 113° 33.907′ W. Marker is in St. George, Utah, in Washington County. It can be reached from East 300 North. Located in the Heritage Cove just east of the Utah Tech University Gardner Student Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 975 E 300 North, Saint George UT 84770, United

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States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Color Country. It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

and on the Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Dixie Spirit (here, next to this marker); Creating a City (here, next to this marker); University Growth (a few steps from this marker); Black Ridge and Sugarloaf (a few steps from this marker); Struggle to Thrive (a few steps from this marker); Poetry and Music (a few steps from this marker); Dixie Pioneers (a few steps from this marker); Manifest Destiny (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. George.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, February 23, 2025

2. Water - Lifeblood of the Desert Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 102 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 24, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.