County
Washington
Year Built
1966
Architect
John S. Rowley
National Register?
The building has not been officially evaluated for the National Register and does not have a local historic designation. It is over 50 years old, which meets the usual age requirement, and would likely qualify because of its architecture and its connection to architect John S. Rowley.
Status
Endangered: Imminent
Status Explanation
The Washington County Administration Building is set to be demolished. Its current use is only temporary. The Washington County Justice Court moved in while the Boulevard Office Building at 111 East Tabernacle is being remodeled, and the U.S. District Court uses leased space there for certain civil trials and hearings. When the remodel is finished and the courts leave, the county plans to tear down the building. They have already started removing nearby parking and preparing the area for a new downtown civic campus. There is no announced demolition date yet, but unless preservation efforts succeed, demolition will follow once the building is vacated. The building does not have any formal preservation protections.
About the Threat
The main threat is demolition by the county once the courts leave the building. Washington County has moved its main offices to the new administration building at 111 East Tabernacle and considers the 1966 building outdated. The current use as a courthouse is only temporary during the remodel, not a permanent change. When the remodel is done, no public timeline has been given, but the building will be emptied, and the county plans to clear the lot for the new downtown civic campus. The county has already started removing nearby parking to prepare for this.
The building does not have any formal preservation protections. As the owner, Washington County can demolish it without a preservation review. High-quality mid-century modern buildings like this are very rare in Washington County and southern Utah, making it one of the last of its kind in the area. The risk is even greater because many local residents and officials do not see 1966 as historic, and mid-century modern architecture has not been valued for preservation here. This attitude makes it harder to build support for saving the building.
Access
Yes, for now. The building is being used as a temporary home for the Washington County Justice Court, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with access only through the north entrance. The U.S. District Court also uses leased space here for some civil trials and hearings, but there is no regular staff. After the courts leave when the Boulevard Building remodel is finished, the building will close to the public.
History
Yes, for now. The building is being used as a temporary home for the Washington County Justice Court, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with access only through the north entrance. The U.S. District Court also uses leased space here for some civil trials and hearings, but there is no regular staff. After the courts leave when the Boulevard Building remodel is finished, the building will close to the public.
What can be done? What was learned?
The most important immediate step is to seek a National Register eligibility evaluation before the courts leave the building. Since the building is over 50 years old, it would likely qualify. A formal eligibility decision from SHPO would document its significance. Community members can contact the Washington County Commission to express support for preserving the building and to advocate for an adaptive reuse study before demolition proceeds. The temporary courthouse use demonstrates that the building remains functional and serviceable. That argument, made by constituents and business community members who use the building, is the most credible counter to the county's demolition narrative. Potential adaptive reuse options, such as a cultural center, professional offices, a satellite government facility, or a community space, are worth developing into a concrete proposal to present to the commission before the demolition decision is finalized.
What is the timeline?
The timeline depends on when the remodel at the Boulevard Office Building at 111 East Tabernacle is finished. No end date has been announced yet. Once the remodel is complete and the courts move back, the building will be emptied, and demolition plans will proceed. It is important to watch Washington County Commission meetings for any decisions or budget approvals related to demolition or the building's future. The current temporary courthouse use gives a short window for preservation efforts and discussions about new uses before the building is vacated. This is the best chance for action right now.
What has been the public discussion?
The 2024 Most Endangered listing highlighted the building's architectural value and the risk of demolition, but as of May 2026, there has not been any major organized advocacy effort. The building is still being used as a temporary courthouse, which keeps it active and visible in the community and has slightly extended its use. There have been no public reports of the Washington County Commission discussing or voting on a demolition permit, timeline, or budget for clearing the site. The Washington County Historical Society has recorded the building's history.
Links to more information and articles.
Washington County Commission: https://www.washco.utah.gov/departments/commission/
Washington County Justice Court at 197 East Tabernacle (temporary): https://www.washco.utah.gov/departments/justice-court/
U.S. District Court civil hearings at 197 East Tabernacle: https://www.utd.uscourts.gov/st-george-courthouse
Washington County Historical Society — Administration Building: https://wchsutah.org/buildings/washco-admin-building.php
St. George News, January 6, 2021 — new administration building groundbreaking: https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2021/01/06/mgk-were-doing-this-for-future-generations-washington-county-breaks-ground-for-new-administrative-building/