Saint George, UT news and local guide

St. George was founded in 1861 as part of the Cotton Mission under the direction of the Latter-day Saint apostle Erastus Snow. When the Civil War broke out, Brigham Young, fearing the war would cut off the cotton supply, sped up plans to grow cotton in the warm country below the rim of the Great Basin. At the church's general conference in Salt Lake City on October 6, 1861, about 300 families were called to the Dixie mission, most learning of it only when their names were read from the pulpit, and nearly all made ready to leave within the month allowed. The families were chosen to give the settlements the right mix of farmers, masons, blacksmiths, businessmen, teachers and carpenters. The settlement was named for George A. Smith, an apostle of the church.

More about Saint George

In April 1877 the church completed the St. George Utah Temple, its third temple and the oldest still in active use. The St. George earthquake of 1992 destroyed three houses and damaged utilities, causing about $1 million in damage. In January 2005 prolonged heavy rain caused a 100-year flood on the Virgin and Santa Clara rivers throughout the region. Sources Wikipedia: St. George, Utah