Erastus Snow's Big House

Erastus Snow presided over Dixie's colonization for twenty-seven years, and this corner held his headquarters — a four-level adobe called the Big House, begun in 1867, that his wife Libby ran as lodging for the guests early St. George received. The town's history kept passing through it. On the last day of 1871, Brigham Young gathered the mission's leaders in the Big House and asked whether they could build a temple; hundreds of temple workers later boarded here. The house is gone — a downtown plaza of markers keeps the site.

What the plaque says

On this site in 1867, Erastus Snow began construction on a four-story, adobe home which later became known as the "Big House." Snow, an LDS apostle, was the presiding Mormon leader during the colonization of St. George. The "Big House" was an uncommonly large dwelling which served as lodging for many of the guests which visited early St. George. The structure had three stories and a basement, the southern expose of which was level with the ground. A balcony supported by pillars was attached to the west of the home and a low, rock wall overlayed with red sandstone bordered the sidewalk in from (where you are now standing). Though not extravagant or ornate, it was a comfortable, livable home that typified the style of many early St. George residences. Shortly after it was completed, Snow's wife Elizabeth (Libby) managed the "Big House" as a guest home for weary travelers. Nearly 80 visitors sat down to dinner here to celebrate Erastus' 50th birthday in 1868. Beginning in 1888, Snow's son Mahonri managed the "Big House" as a first class hotel for 25 years. In 1913, it was sold to Samuel Judd who continued the service but changed the name to the Dixie Hotel. St. George owes much of its establishment, growth and progress to Erastus Snow, whom people looked to for council and advice during his 27 years here. His "Big House" was known as the executive mansion of the Southern Utah Mission. It stood as a fine example of the craftsmanship and dedication of the early southern Utah pioneers.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm — 2.6 mi
  Real dinosaur footprints preserved in ancient sandstone
• Snow Canyon State Park — 7.0 mi
  Red and white sandstone cliffs with ancient lava flows
• Hurricane Canal Trail — 17 mi
  The hand-dug canal that built Hurricane, now a walking trail blasted into the Virgin River gorge
• Kolob Canyons — 32 mi
  The quiet, uncrowded back door to Zion National Park

More markers nearby

• Brigham Young Home — steps away
• Dixie Academy — steps away
• Pioneer Courthouse — steps away
• St. George Tabernacle — steps away