This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
While it has been a bit difficult to find, the St. George Visitor Center inside the BLM offices always provided great information, as well as book and map sales.
Starting appropriately enough on Pioneer Day this Monday, the facility has been moved to the historic Pioneer Courthouse on 97 E. St. George Blvd., in the core of the growing city's downtown area.
The historic structure opened in 1870 and served as the focal point of county administrative services for more than a century. In recent years, the facility hosted the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce.
The City of St. George and Dixie Arizona Strip Interpretive Association are moving their services to the old courthouse starting Monday.
They will provide information about the area, including BLM, Forest Service, Utah State Parks and National Park information throughout the entire southern Utah, northern Arizona and southern Nevada area.
In addition, books, gifts and souvenirs will be available for purchase.
"Dixie Arizona Strip Interpretive Association is excited to expand its 20-year mission of providing interpretive support to public lands agencies in the region to include local attractions in and around St. George," said Kenneth Sizemore, Executive Director. "This new partnership promotes our ability to demonstrate that the region is where you and the West intersect."
The building's second floor, which was once a courtroom, will be used to host activities, including the interpretive group's popular brown bag lecture series, civic meetings and historic St. George Live courtroom reenactments with Judge McFarlane played by local volunteer actors.
Opening ceremonies are scheduled Monday from 9 a.m. until noon. Featured performers include the The Southern Utah Heritage Choir, Color Country Chorus, Red Sand Bluegrass Band, and George Staheli Memorial Band. St. George Live characters will visit with attendees. A ribbon cutting will take place at 10:30 a.m., with remarks from Mayor Jon Pike. Lemonade and molasses cookies will be offered.
— Tom Wharton