Pioneer Courthouse
Old Washington County Courthouse
97 E St George Blvd, St. George 84770
Year Built
1876
Architect
Local Craftsmen
National Register
Yes, 1970
How was it saved?
The Pioneer Courthouse has entered a new chapter as a restored, occupied, and publicly accessible civic space. In January 2026, Washington County formally resumed ownership of the building and designated it as the headquarters of United We Pledge, a Utah-based nonprofit focused on civics and history education. The long-term lease ensures sustained use, stewardship, and public engagement—addressing the vacancy and maintenance concerns that previously placed the building at risk.
Following the transfer, remaining foundation stabilization work was completed, building on earlier preservation efforts by St. George City. Interior work carefully revealed original historic materials—including wood floors, adobe, rafters, and beams—under the guidance of engineers to ensure safety while preserving historic integrity. The courthouse now functions as a “living classroom,” with educational rooms, event space, gathering areas, and limited retail and food service, restoring the building’s long-standing role as a community hub.
History
Completed in 1876 (with construction beginning earlier in the 1870s), the Old Washington County Courthouse served as the county’s primary courthouse until 1960. The two-story red brick structure features unusually thick masonry walls, a basalt-and-sandstone foundation, and a pyramidal-hipped roof topped by a prominent wood cupola.
The first floor housed county offices, while the large second-floor room functioned as a courtroom, classroom, and public meeting hall—hosting everything from civic proceedings to plays and dances. Three jail cells were located in the basement. After county functions moved in 1960, the building was saved from demolition when St. George City purchased it in 1970. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 22, 1970, and underwent a significant renovation in 1986.
Over the decades, the courthouse housed the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce, the Dixie/Arizona Strip Interpretive Association, and later the Washington County Historical Society. In recent years, the lack of a permanent tenant contributed to deferred maintenance and concern over the eroding sandstone foundation—leading to its inclusion on Preservation Utah’s 2024 Most Endangered Buildings and Places List.