St. George in Washington County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Dixie Academy
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, June 21, 2007
1. Dixie Academy Marker
Inscription.
Dixie Academy. . Across the street west, and 2 blocks south of here, stands the building originally known as the St. George Academy. After the turn of the century Southern Utah citizens realized a great need for higher education in this isolated corner of the state. The LDS Church determined to establish an academy in St. George. Leaders at church headquarters in Salt Lake City agreed to contribute $20,000 in cash if people of the St. George Stake would pay the remaining $35,000 in money, materials and labor. In keeping with long established tradition, the response of the citizens was enthusiastic, and people emptied their precious savings accounts and offered material and services. , The foundation of the structure was made of black volcanic stone. Because it was felt that the academy should be built of something that would add variety to the look of the public square, it was decided to use the delicate pink chinle sandstone from a quarry east of Washington, rather than the darker sandstone used for the Tabernacle and Woodward School. The heavy slabs were brought to St. George over rutted roads on the running gears of wagons. The rocks were cut into shape by the master stone masons who worked on the Tabernacle. The stone work, especially the entry arch and entablature above it, is the finest found anywhere. Citizens watched with deep satisfaction as their house of learning rose to completion and opened for classes in September of 1911. , People persisted in calling the new school the Dixie Academy. It became the forerunner of both Dixie High School and Dixie College, and continues today as a key community center.
Across the street west, and 2 blocks south of here, stands the building originally known as the St. George Academy. After the turn of the century Southern Utah citizens realized a great need for higher education in this isolated corner of the state. The LDS Church determined to establish an academy in St. George. Leaders at church headquarters in Salt Lake City agreed to contribute $20,000 in cash if people of the St. George Stake would pay the remaining $35,000 in money, materials and labor. In keeping with long established tradition, the response of the citizens was enthusiastic, and people emptied their precious savings accounts and offered material and services.
The foundation of the structure was made of black volcanic stone. Because it was felt that the academy should be built of something that would add variety to the look of the public square, it was decided to use the delicate pink chinle sandstone from a quarry east of Washington, rather than the darker sandstone used for the Tabernacle and Woodward School. The heavy slabs were brought to St. George over rutted roads on the running gears of wagons. The rocks were cut into shape by the master stone masons who worked on the Tabernacle. The stone work, especially the entry arch and entablature above it, is the finest found anywhere. Citizens watched with deep satisfaction
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as their house of learning rose to completion and opened for classes in September of 1911.
People persisted in calling the new school the Dixie Academy. It became the forerunner of both Dixie High School and Dixie College, and continues today as a key community center.
Erected 1994 by Sons of Utah Pioneers.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Utah Pioneers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1911.
Location. 37° 6.562′ N, 113° 34.977′ W. Marker is in St. George, Utah, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from St. George Boulevard. It is in park next to Zion’s Bank. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 E St George Boulevard, Saint George UT 84770, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,472 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.