The formation of southern Utah is fascinating. The Virgin River Anasazi were St. George's first residents, occupying the area for over twelve hundred years. They left behind rock art and the ruins of their homes. Their disappearance from the area and the abandonment of their homes and works of art is still a mystery today. The Paiutes arrived shortly thereafter and have lived there ever since, using the area as a hunting ground for deer, rabbits and other animals. The Paiute also grew crops along riverbeds, including corn, wheat, and melons. In 1776, the Dominguez-Escalante party became the first recorded European-Americans to visit the area. Fur trappers and government research groups followed. The first permanent settlers who made their way to what is known as St. George, Utah, crossed a harsh and hospitable land that none of them expected to give them so much trouble. In 1854, settlers were sent by Brigham Young, the president of the Mormon church. There were explorers who were sent out first to try to establish an early relationship with the Paiutes Indians. The most famous of these early explorers was a man named Jacob Hamblin. It was he who helped establish more peace and bonds with the local Indians and who would help subsequent settlers who would come to live and thrive in the harsh new land they set out to colonize. The first settlers that were sent were in fact the names of the settlers chosen in this way were randomly placed in a top hat and drawn to see who went. Over three hundred and nine families were called to colonize and establish what was then called The Dixie Cotton Mission. Even though the early settlers succeeded in growing cotton, it was very difficult trying to maintain... middle of paper... one of the 100 safest places in America. In conclusion, the southern Utah area has a long and rich culture and history that would intrigue anyone. Works Cited Alder, Douglas D. A Century of Dixie State College of Utah, Dixie State College, c2011. Arrington, Leonard J. St, George Tabernacle and Temple: The Builders, St. George: Dixie College, c1993.Cannon Brian Q. Utah in the Twentieth Century. Edited by Jessie L. Embry. Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, c2009.Comeaux, Malcolm L. “Attempts to Establish and Alter a Western Boundary.” Association of American Geographers, 2006-2009: 254-271. Lyman, Edward Leo. Southern Paiute relationships with their Dixie Mormon neighbors. St. George, Utah; Dixie State College of Utah, c2010.Wilson, William Albert. Dixie Folklore: Past and Present. St. George, Utah: Dixie State College of Utah, 2005.