St. George museum presents the story of how Utah pioneers found enough water to survive

Stock image | Photo by Angelo D'Amico/iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — A famous line from “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is often used – and misquoted. In the original poem, the sailor is on a ship sitting idle on a calm ocean when he bemoans that there is “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.”

But the hardy pioneers who settled this part of Utah had an opposite problem, one that will be discussed at a Daughters of the Utah Pioneers McQuarrie Memorial Museum presentation on Saturday: “Water, water, where? We need a bit to drink.”

Where could the settlers find the water needed for survival in this high desert? Water was not only needed for drinking but also cooking, washing and growing necessary crops. There wasn’t much rain, the heat could be extreme and tools and equipment were simple and sparse. What did those resourceful, hardworking pioneers do?

Saturday’s presentation will explore and explain how these undaunted settlers managed to find and move the water they needed.

The speaker will be Craig Booth, a family practice doctor for more than 40 years in St. George and a long-time member of the Water Conservancy Board. Booth’s knowledge of the area and interest in the history of St. George, coupled with his engaging presentation make this an enlightening event.

The presentation will offer attendees a greater appreciation for the accomplishments of our pioneer ancestors, as well as a renewed gratitude for the water that flows from our faucets.

Event details

  • What: Daughters of the Utah Pioneers McQuarrie Memorial Museum third weekend event.
  • When: Saturday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m.
  • Where: 145 N. 100 East, St. George.
  • Admission: Entrance to the museum is free and open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Sunday and Wednesday.
  • Additional details: Visit the McQuarrie Memorial Museum website or call 435-628-7274.

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3 Comments

  • tazzman October 16, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    Well it’s obvious how the pioneers found enough water to survive. They had a pipeline to Powell.

    • Redbud October 16, 2018 at 5:57 pm

      There’s Wawrter in the Wawrsh in Wawrshington, down by the crick. (Say that with the Southern Utah accent, 5 times fast.)

  • KR567 October 16, 2018 at 11:28 pm

    a 10 cents a gallon gas tax will solve the problem

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