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62-706: The Virgin River Gorge, located between St. George, Utah , and Beaver Dam, Arizona , is a long canyon carved out by the Virgin River in northwest Arizona . The Virgin River created the topography of both Zion National Park and the Virgin River Gorge. Interstate 15 runs through the canyon and crosses the Virgin River several times. The Virgin River Gorge section of Interstate 15 is one of

124-529: A council-manager form of government, with five representatives elected at-large . The mayor, also elected at-large, also serves as a member on the City Council. The Council hires a city manager to deal with regular operations. As of January 2021 , the mayor of St. George is Michele Randall. The city manager is John Willis. Council members are Jimmy Hughes, Dannielle Larkin, Natalie Larsen, Michelle Tanner and Steve Kemp. City Council meetings are held on

186-517: A group of Latter Day Saints on a 2000-mile march to Missouri and back to Ohio. This trip, known as Zion's Camp , was intended to bring aid to suffering members of the church in Missouri. Smith served as a missionary to the eastern United States, traveling and preaching during the summers of 1835, 1836, and 1837, while attending school each winter. Smith was ordained a seventy in the priesthood on March 1, 1835, by Joseph Smith. On April 26, 1839,

248-710: A large army, and were a threat to the Indians as well as the Mormons. Riding in a wagon afterwards, John D. Lee said he warned Smith that the Indians would likely attack emigrant trains, and that Mormons were anxious to avenge the blood of the prophets, and according to Lee, Smith seemed pleased, and said "he had had a long talk with Major Haight on the same subject." Isaac C. Haight , Cedar City stake president, and second in military command under Dame, met with Smith again on August 21. Haight told Smith he had heard reports that 600 troops were already approaching Cedar City from

310-735: A monthly magazine covering a variety of local content, and View on Southern Utah is a magazine offering a variety of content for the southern Utah, southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona area. Like other major cities in Utah, St. George is in the Salt Lake City market, so it has only one television station licensed to the city, KMYU , a MyNetworkTV affiliate. It is carried in HD on Dish Network and DirecTV, as well as on Comcast Ch. 643 in Salt Lake City, and on Ch. 20 on local cable, TDS Communications, formerly Baja Broadband. KMYU (known as My Utah TV)

372-658: A public water-conservation garden displaying both native and exotic flora suited for the local climate; three local skate parks; Legacy Regional Park and fairgrounds is just east of the city in Hurricane. The St. George area has several public recreation centers; the St. George Rec Center; Washington City Rec Center and the Sand Hollow Aquatics Center. St. George is fast-becoming a popular rock climbing and mountain biking destination. The city of St. George has

434-464: A significant number of vacation homes for people who primarily live in colder areas. The City of St. George sponsors art shows and concerts at Vernon Worthen Park. The Southwest Symphony Orchestra and Southern Utah Heritage Choir are located in St. George. The up-and-coming Downtown Arts District features "Art Around the Corner" offering outdoor sculptures and statues depicting cultural themes from around

496-414: Is 89 °F (32 °C) set on July 15, 1970, and July 3, 2013. Nighttime freezes are common during the winter due to radiational cooling. Both the record low temperature of −11 °F (−24 °C) and record low maximum temperature of 17 °F (−8 °C) were set on January 22, 1937; the record low temperature occurred again on January 26, 1937, both during the record cold month of January 1937 across

558-612: Is difficult to source for St. George the following applies for Utah as a whole SkyWest Airlines is headquartered in St. George, and is the primary airline provider at the city's regional airport. Walmart has a distribution center just outside the city and Family Dollar recently opened a distribution center in the Fort Pierce Industrial Park for the southwest region of the United States. The Washington County School District main offices are based in

620-622: Is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, except for a markedly drier period from April through June, which occurs after the Pacific storm season ends, but before the southwest monsoon begins, usually in mid-July. Precipitation mostly comes from the Pacific Ocean from late fall through early spring. The storm track usually lifts north of the city by mid-April. The monsoon brings localized and often intense thunderstorms from early July through mid-September. The greatest rainfall in 24 hours

682-411: Is sister station to KUTV-DT , and is operated out of KUTV's offices in Salt Lake City, although the station has a news bureau with a reporter and photographer based in St. George. Also in St. George are the offices of Cedar City, Utah –licensed KCSG Channel 14, a MeTV affiliate, which broadcasts local news. The city also receives local TV channels from Salt Lake City with broadcast translators in

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744-691: Is situated near a geological transition zone where the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin converge. The Beaver Dam Mountains /Utah Hill lie to the west, the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and Pine Valley Mountains to the north, the western edge of the Colorado Plateau and Zion National Park to the east, and the Arizona Strip to the south. The Virgin River , the Santa Clara River and

806-410: The 2010 census , there were 72,897 people, 27,552 households, and 13,042 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,135 people per square mile. There were 32,089 housing units at an average density of _ per square mile. The city's racial makeup was 87.2% White , 0.7% African-American , 1.5% Native American , 0.8% Asian , 1.0% Pacific Islander , and 8.9% from other races . 12.8% of

868-603: The Boston Red Sox a pitcher, and then ended up managing the now retired Zion Pioneerzz for its inaugural 1999 season (1999). St. George has hosted Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events including the 2021 Ironman 70.3 World Championships. In May 2021, the Ironman World Championship hosted by the city due to the COVID-19 and the original venue, Kona, being unable to host. This was the first time that

930-750: The Ironman World Championship has been hosted outside of Hawai'i. The St. George parks division manages over 20 city parks and nearly 60 miles of paved urban trails interlinking neighborhoods, communities, parks and open space. The city also has over a dozen award-winning golf courses making the area a Southwestern golfing mecca. Major parks and sites include the Canyons Softball Complex; Little Valley Softball Complex; Pioneer Park; Tonaquint Nature Center; nationally recognized Snake Hollow bike park; Thunder Junction All Abilities dinosaur theme park; Red Hills Desert Garden -

992-665: The Pine Valley Mountains , which mark the southern boundary of the Great Basin . St. George lies slightly northwest of the Colorado Plateau , which ends at the Hurricane Fault . The city is 118 miles (190 km) northeast of Las Vegas , Nevada , and 300 miles (480 km) south-southwest of Salt Lake City , Utah , on Interstate 15 . The population was 95,342 at the 2020 census , with

1054-574: The Salt Lake Valley as a Mormon pioneer with the first company of settlers in 1847. In the winter of 1850, Smith led a company of volunteers to establish a colony in what is now Iron County . The company consisted of 118 individuals and about 30 families; they settled near the Little Salt Lake (today also called Parowan Lake) . They arrived at Center Creek, 265 miles from Salt Lake City , on January 13, 1851. Under direction from

1116-693: The Western Athletic Conference . Former DSU athletes include Corey Dillon , Anton Palepoi , Reno Mahe , and Scott Brumfield , who all later played in the NFL and Marcus Banks , Lionel Hollins , Keon Clark , and Mo Baker were Dixie players who later played in the NBA. Utah Tech athletes are called Trailblazers (formerly The Rebels and Red Storm), and former Trailblazers Bradley Thompson and Brandon Lyon later played in major league baseball while Bruce Hurst of Dixie High School later played for

1178-512: The "Indian farm" there, a regular stopover on the Old Spanish Trail . Like many other 19th-century Mormon leaders, Smith practiced plural marriage . Known for his somewhat bombastic speaking style, Smith once said, "We breathe the free air, we have the best looking men and handsomest women, and if [non-Mormons] envy us our position, well they may, for they are a poor, narrow-minded, pinch-backed race of men, who chain themselves down to

1240-578: The 21-year-old George A. Smith was ordained an apostle and became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve . Future church president Wilford Woodruff was ordained an apostle on the same day. The two men replaced former apostles Thomas B. Marsh , who had left the church, and Orson Hyde , who had been disfellowshipped and removed from his position. After Joseph Smith's death and the assumption of church leadership by Brigham Young , George A. Smith traveled to

1302-478: The East, and that if the rumors were true, Haight would have to act without waiting for instructions from Salt Lake City. Smith agreed, and "admired his grit". Smith later said he was uncomfortable, perhaps "on account of my extreme timidity", because some of the militia members were eager that "their enemies might come and give them a chance to fight and take vengeance for the cruelties that had been inflicted upon us in

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1364-548: The General Assembly of the State of Deseret , the group organized the political entity of Iron County and elected Smith as chief justice. During the winter of 1850–51, the settlers constructed a fort enclosing homes, a meeting house, a school, and a watch tower. They named their community Parowan . Smith taught school during the first winter, and later served as a member of Utah's territorial legislature . In 1868, Smith

1426-465: The Legion was simply a private, one Parowan resident understood that part of the purpose of his trip was to represent the church leadership and to organize the regiment, inspect the troops, and provide instructions. During the tour, Smith gave military speeches and counseled Mormons that they should prepare to "touch fire to their homes, and hide themselves in the mountains, and to defend their country to

1488-663: The Smith party were several Native chiefs of the southern Utah Territory. On August 25, 1857, Smith's group camped next to the Fancher–Baker party, headed the opposite direction, at Corn Creek, now Kanosh . Smith later said he had no knowledge of the Baker–Fancher party prior to meeting them on the trail. When the Baker–Fancher party inquired about places to stop for water and grazing, Hamblin directed them to Mountain Meadows, near

1550-401: The St. George area. The Las Vegas NBC affiliate, KSNV-DT , has a local translator owned by Cherry Creek Radio, KVBT-LP channel 41, on which some of its programming airs two hours later than the same programming broadcast on Salt Lake City NBC affiliate KSL-TV . George A. Smith Smith was a prominent leader in the settlement of many communities in southern Utah, and played a role in

1612-643: The States", such as the Haun's Mill massacre , where 18 Mormons were killed in 1838 in a skirmish with the Missouri militia during the Mormon War . On the way back to Salt Lake City, Smith was accompanied by a party including Jacob Hamblin of Santa Clara, a newly appointed Mormon missionary to the Natives in the region who also ran a federally funded "Indian farm" next to Mountain Meadows. Also traveling north with

1674-405: The United States. Today, the St. George region is well known for its year-round outdoor recreation and proximity to several state parks , Zion National Park and The Grand Canyon . Utah Tech University is located in St. George and is an NCAA Division I institution. St. George was founded as part of the cotton mission in 1861 under the direction of Latter Day Saint apostle Erastus Snow. At

1736-543: The Virgin River Gorge, and called it Necessary Evil . St. George, Utah St. George or Saint George is a city in and the county seat of Washington County , Utah , United States. Located in southwestern Utah on the Arizona border, it is the principal city of the St. George Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The city lies in the northeasternmost part of the Mojave Desert , immediately south of

1798-716: The Western United States. The city has abundant sunshine year-round and averages about 300 sunny days per year, with an average 8.80 inches (224 mm) of precipitation annually. The wettest "rain year" has been from July 2004 to June 2005 with at least 15.66 inches (398 mm) (some days were missing) and the driest from July 1973 to June 1974 with 3.89 inches (98.8 mm). Record breaking widespread flooding occurred during January 2005 when area creeks and rivers far exceeded their banks and washed out homes and some neighborhoods. The wettest month has been January 1993, when 4.74 inches (120 mm) fell. Precipitation

1860-490: The Yucca Flats/ Nevada Test Site northwest of Las Vegas. Winds routinely carried the fallout of these tests directly through the St. George and southern Utah area. Marked increases in the frequency of cancer in the population, not limited to leukemia, lymphoma, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, bone cancer, brain tumors, and gastrointestinal tract cancers, were reported from the mid-1950s until

1922-453: The area's non-native vegetation, such as the Mexican fan palm trees. As of the 2015, the largest self-reported ancestry groups in St. George are: As of the 2020 census , there were 95,342 people, 37,515 households, and _ families residing in the city. The population density was _ people per square mile. There were 39,933 housing units at an average density of _ per square mile. As of

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1984-405: The average family size was 3.21. In the city, the age distribution of the population showed 28.4% under the age of 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males. The median income for a household in

2046-519: The average window fluctuating between late April and early October. There are approximately 60 mornings where the low temperature drops to the freezing mark, with the historical average window between November 12 and March 14. The highest temperature statewide was 118 °F (48 °C), which was recorded in south St. George, near the Arizona border on July 4, 2007, breaking the previous record-holder, at 117 °F (47 °C), also set in St. George on July 5, 1985. The record high minimum temperature

2108-718: The chain of events preceding the Mountain Meadows Massacre on September 11, 1857. The city of St. George, Utah , may have been named after him. George A. Smith was born in Potsdam , St. Lawrence County, New York , the son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman, and was brought up in the Congregational Church . His first cousin was Joseph Smith , the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. In September 1832, at age 15, George A. Smith

2170-481: The city was $ 36,505, and the median income for a family was $ 41,788. Males had a median income of $ 31,106 versus $ 20,861 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 17,022. About 7.4% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over. Approximately 78.0% of St. George's residents identify as religious; below are statistics as of 2014 : Whilst specific data for irreligion

2232-828: The city's rapid modern expansion; others carry the names of geographical features or unincorporated communities which have been annexed by St. George. St. George's arid climate is significantly warmer on average than the rest of the state, and more closely resembles nearby Las Vegas. The climate is cold arid ( BWk ). St. George has long, hot summers and relatively mild winters. The monthly average temperature ranges from 42.1 °F (5.6 °C) in December to 87.8 °F (31.0 °C) in July. On average, there are 60 afternoons with high temperatures over 100 °F (38 °C), with an average window of June 29 through August 13, and 122 days with high temperatures over 90 °F (32 °C) with

2294-415: The city, making it the third heaviest snowfall in the city's history. Also significant about the storm was how low temperatures dropped and remained that way for several days with daytime highs failing to reach the freezing mark, and one night time low temperature of 1 °F (−17 °C), recorded at the airport, was the coldest in the city in over 100 years. The cold spell killed or severely damaged much of

2356-432: The city. The Cafe Rio restaurant chain was started in St. George in 1997, though is now headquartered in Salt Lake City. The local economy is largely based on tourism, manufacturing, and new home construction. Over a dozen golf courses offering year-round golfing, and various world-recognized events also make for large contributors to the city's economy. The city is a popular retirement destination and also hosts

2418-602: The communities the right number of farmers, masons, blacksmiths, businessmen, educators, carpenters, as needed. The settlement was named after George A. Smith , an LDS Church apostle. In April 1877, the LDS Church completed the St. George Utah Temple . It was the church's third temple and is the oldest still in active use. The 1992 St. George earthquake destroyed three houses as well as above- and below-ground utilities, causing about US$ 1 million in damage. St. George

2480-409: The early 1980s. In 1980, American popular weekly magazine People reported that from about 220 cast and crew who filmed in a 1956 movie, The Conqueror , on location near St. George, 91 had come down with cancer, and 50 had died of cancer. Of these, 46 had died of cancer by 1980. Among the cancer deaths were John Wayne , Pedro Armendáriz and Susan Hayward , the stars of the film. However,

2542-519: The fallout may have received doses to the thyroid of radioiodine as high as 120 to 440 rads" (1.2 to 4.4 Gy). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 77.151 square miles (199.82 km ), of which 77.148 square miles (199.81 km ) is land and 0.003 square miles (0.0078 km ) (0.72%) is water. St. George lies in a desert valley, with most of the city lying below 3,000 feet (900 m). It

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2604-503: The fear and tension in these communities, and influenced the decision to attack and destroy the Baker–Fancher emigrant train near Mountain Meadows, Utah. Leaving on August 3, 1857, Smith arrived at Parowan, Utah on August 8, 1857, and on August 15, he set off on a tour of the local military district manned by the Utah militia known as the Nauvoo Legion, led by stake president -Colonel William H. Dame . Although Smith's rank in

2666-878: The first and third Thursdays of each month at the City Council Chambers. The U.S. Federal Courthouse, Washington County Justice Court, Juvenile Court and the Fifth District Courthouse are downtown. The city of St. George is a part of the Washington County School District . The city's middle schools are located near or adjacent to the like-named high schools. St. George public high schools (10th-12th grade): The Salt Lake Tribune , Deseret News , Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun are also widely distributed in St. George and offer home delivery. Other publications include St. George Magazine ,

2728-479: The general church conference in Salt Lake City on October 6th, 1861, about three hundred families were "called" to the Dixie mission to promote the cotton industry. Most of the people knew nothing of this expedition until their names were read from the pulpit; but in nearly every case, they responded with good will, and made ready to leave within the month's time allotted to them. The families were selected so as to ensure

2790-528: The home to two minor-league independent baseball teams. The first, the St. George Pioneerzz (originally the Zion Pioneerzz) who played in the independent Western Baseball League from 1999 to 2001, winning the league championship in 2000. A new franchise, managed by former major league player Darell Evans, was awarded to St. George in 2007. The team, the St. George Roadrunners , played in the independent Golden Baseball League before being taken over by

2852-537: The law of monogamy, and live all their days under the dominion of one wife. They ought to be ashamed of such conduct, and the still fouler channel which flows from their practices; and it is not to be wondered at that they should envy those who so much better understand the social relations." In addition to his first wife Bathsheba, Smith married Lucy Smith, Nancy Clement, Sarah Ann Libby, Hannah Maria Libby , Zilpha Stark, and Susan E. West. His wives bore him 20 children, 11 of whom were still living when Smith died. Smith

2914-657: The league and moved to Henderson, Nevada , in 2010. St. George area high schools—Crimson Cliffs, Dixie, Desert Hills, Pine View, and Snow Canyon—all play in 4A state competition as part of 4A Region 9 with nearby Hurricane High School in Hurricane and Cedar high school in Cedar City . Utah Tech University participates in the NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference . In January 2019, Dixie State announced they were reclassifying to NCAA Division I and joining

2976-407: The lifetime odds of developing cancer for men in the U.S. population are 43 percent and the odds of dying of cancer are 23 percent (38 percent and 19 percent, respectively, for women). This places the cancer mortality rate for the 220 primary cast and crew quite near the expected average. A 1962 United States Atomic Energy Commission report found children living in St. George, Utah, at the time of

3038-633: The most expensive parts of interstate highway ever constructed. Due to the winding of the canyon, the highway within is also noted for its tricky driving conditions. The canyons climate is standard for the Mojave Desert with hot summers and mild winters. Flora and fauna in the canyon are also typical of the Mojave. The canyon is popular among rock climbers , hikers , and campers . In 1997, American rock climber Chris Sharma climbed America's first-ever 8c+  (5.14c) graded sport climbing route, in

3100-540: The outbreak of the American Civil War , Brigham Young accelerated the colonization effort: Fearing that the war would take away the cotton supply, he began plans for raising enough in this southwestern country to supply the needs of his people. Enough favorable reports had come to him from this warm region below the rim of the Great Basin, that he was convinced cotton could be raised successfully here. At

3162-496: The overall MSA having an estimated population of 180,279. St. George is the fifth largest city in Utah and most populous city in the state outside of the Wasatch Front . The city was settled in 1861 as a cotton mission, earning it the nickname " Dixie ". While the crop never became a successful commodity, the area steadily grew in population. Between 2000 and 2005, St. George emerged as the fastest growing metropolitan area in

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3224-582: The population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of the 2000 census , there were 49,728 people, 17,367 households, and 13,042 families residing in the city. The population density was 771.2 people per square mile (297.7/km ). There were 21,083 housing units at an average density of 327.4 per square mile (126.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 92.27% White , 0.24% African-American , 1.64% Native American , 0.57% Asian , 0.59% Pacific Islander , 2.87% from other races , and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.72% of

3286-414: The population. There were 17,367 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.6% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years old or older. The average household size was 2.81 individuals and

3348-488: The seasonal Fort Pearce Wash flow through the St. George valley and converge near the western base of Webb Hill near the city center. The city uses street numbers rather than names, such as "East 100 South". Exceptions have been made for streets with curves or those not fitting into the traditional grid system. Some roads have names along with numerals, such as "400 East" which is also known as "Flood Street". Some neighborhoods are large housing developments created during

3410-559: The very last extremity." Smith instructed church members to stockpile grain, and not to sell it to emigrants or use it for animal feed. In addition to Parowan, Smith's tour included visits to Cedar City and Santa Clara . The group stopped at Mountain Meadows to eat dinner on August 20 with a group of resident missionaries. Smith addressed a group of Indians in Santa Clara, counseling them that "the Americans" were approaching with

3472-601: The world, and hosts the annual St. George Arts Festival each spring. Other major events include the St. George Parade of Homes; the Dixie Roundup Rodeo; St. George Marathon ; St. George Ironman triathlon ; and the Huntsman World Senior Games . The Red Cliffs Mall is an indoor shopping mall , built in 1990. There are additional commercial districts on River Road, St. George Boulevard, and Bluff Street. The St. George community has been

3534-415: Was 2.40 inches (61 mm) on August 31, 1909. The St. George valley occasionally receives wet or slushy snowfall in the winter, but what accumulates usually melts off by the mid-to-late morning; the normal seasonal snowfall is 1.4 inches (3.6 cm). The earliest snowfall was measured on October 29, 1971, and the latest on April 11, 1927. The record single-day snowfall is 10.0 inches (25 cm) which

3596-464: Was baptized into the Church of Christ , eight months after his parents had been baptized. The following year, John Smith and his family moved to Kirtland, Ohio , the church's new headquarters. There George met his cousin, Joseph, for the first time. In 1838, he moved with his parents and a large body of church members to the state of Missouri . In the spring of 1834, the 16-year-old Smith accompanied

3658-541: Was called to replace Heber C. Kimball as First Counselor in the First Presidency to church president Young. Smith served in this position until his death in 1875. Smith's first wife, Bathsheba W. Smith , served as general president of the church's Relief Society from 1901 to 1910. A son, John Henry Smith , also served as an apostle and member of the First Presidency. George A. Smith's grandson and namesake, George Albert Smith , also became an apostle and later

3720-408: Was set on January 5, 1974. With the city having elevations ranging from 2,500 to about 3,500 feet (760 to about 1,070 m), some areas such as Diamond Valley and Winchester Hills will typically receive more snowfall and colder temperatures than the rest of the lower valley. The most recent major snow event was on December 8, 2013, when between 6.0 and 8.0 inches (15 and 20 cm) virtually shut down

3782-575: Was the church's eighth president. Smith was the eighth official Church Historian and General Church Recorder of the LDS Church from 1854 to 1871. In 1873 he was appointed and sustained as Trustee-in-Trust for the church, an office he held until his death. During the hurried series of actions Young and LDS Church leaders initiated on learning of the imminent arrival of U.S. troops into Utah Territory in 1857-8, Smith left Salt Lake City to visit southern Utah communities. Scholars have asserted that Smith's tour, speeches, and personal actions contributed to

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3844-493: Was the location of the 1997 United States Academic Decathlon national finals. In January 2005, a 100-year flood occurred throughout the region, due to prolonged heavy rainfall overflowing both the Virgin River and Santa Clara river. One person was killed and 28 homes were destroyed by the Santa Clara River. In the early 1950s, St. George received the brunt of the fallout of above-ground nuclear testing at

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