1891 Map of St. George

About this map

Settlements and pioneer outposts anchor this late nineteenth-century reconnaissance of southwestern Utah, centered on the growing community of St. George. The map captures the region before the modern national park system was fully established, noting the early footprint of the Zion National Monument and the extensive Dixie National Forest. The landscape is characterized by its distinct geologic transitions, from the Escalante Desert in the north to the formidable Hurricane Cliff and the Beaver Dam Mountains in the south. Several mining-era locations and small agricultural hamlets are documented, including Iron City, Silver Reef, and Heberville. The presence of the Shebit Indian Reservation along Santa Clara Creek reflects the complex social and territorial layout of Washington County during this reprint of the 1891 survey. High elevations like the Pine Valley Mountains and Hawkins Peak provide a topographical frame for the river-fed valleys where towns like Cedar City and Virgin City were first established.