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

Forever Dixie

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, February 23, 2025

1. Forever Dixie Marker

Inscription. St. George Town Square is central to the story of education in Utah's Dixie-a nickname, a term of endearment and identity - so named because Washington County was considered ideal for growing cotton and other warm-weather crops. Town Square was anchored by the Dixie Academy Building on the SE corner and Woodward School which opened its doors on the NW corner in 1901. After their arrival in 1861, St. George pioneers were still in temporary quarters on the Encampment Mall where their first school was held in a tent. Within two years, there were four neighborhood schools, later replaced by Woodward School, a two-story stone building for grades 1-10. In time, Woodward became a junior high school drawing students in grades 7-10 from nearby feeder schools. Before Dixie Academy was permanently established and graduated its first class in 1911, high school students attended St. George Stake Academy in the basement of the St. George Tabernacle. Later the academy became a 2-year college but also retained its high school standing for those in grades 11-12. To address the needs of students, additional buildings, since razed, were constructed.

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In 1933, Dixie Junior College became a state school and in 1963 moved to the 700 East campus, to become Dixie State College in 2000, then Dixie State University in 2012. The Dixie Academy building was also known as Dixie Normal College and housed Dixie High School until 1966.

The 2024 monument restoration was a "service above self" project of the Rotary Club of St. George and the City of St. George with funds generously donated by alumni and friends of Dixie College.

Erected by Rotary Club of St. George.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 37° 6.404′ N, 113° 35.01′ W. Marker is in St. George, Utah, in Washington County. It is on South Main Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 86 S Main Street, Saint George UT 84770, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

in the Mountain West,

and

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, February 23, 2025

2. Forever Dixie Marker

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: Dixie Academy (a few steps from this marker); Tabernacle (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. George Stake Tabernacle (about 400 feet away); Erastus Fairbanks Snow (about 400 feet away); Daniel D. McArthur (about 400 feet away); Robert Gardner, Jr. (about 500 feet away); Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (about 600 feet away); The Electric Theatre (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. George.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 46 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.