WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Washington County, Utah)
THE DAVID & WILHELMINA CANNON SEGO LILY STATUE
A Project to Create a Statue Honoring Pioneer Women
THE PROJECT
The project is to create a life-sized bronze sculpture to honor the sacrifices and hardships that the originalsettlers faced when they arrived in December, 1861 to establish a city that would become St. George. The
life-sized bronze sculpture piece tells the story of Wilhelmina Cannon, one of many women who felt the
hardships were almost too difficult to bear. Her story is based on a talk given by her great grandson,
Stephen D. Schmutz, and other documents held by the Washington County Historical Society.
Willie, as she was called, during one of her toughest days complained to her husband, David H. Cannon, "There
is just no beauty in this forsaken land. If you could just show me one thing of beauty I would be happy to remain
here and face these difficult living challenges". Her plan at that point was to return to Salt Lake City where
they had left a home and surroundings more fitting to the lifestyle to which she was accustomed having been
educated in the East. The next day as David returned from the fields he noticed a beautiful Sego Lily in full
bloom. He hurried down the hill where it lay and picked some of the beautiful blooms. On his way back up the
hill, he slipped and severely injured his leg. Some coworkers found him and took him home to Willie
Seeing his badly injured leg and overcome by the beautiful Sego Lilies that he had brought her, the outlook and
purpose of her future completely changed. Like so many other of the women she now became totally committed
to the task at hand.
The two-figure life-sized bronze shows David presenting her with the flowers and her reaction to his gift. Famed
sculptor Jerry Anderson will take about 9 months to complete the project. The process consists of researching
the subject and coming up with a plan. Then the figures are sculpted in clay and refined until every detail is
complete. Then a mold is made of the clay statues and bronze metal is cast into the mold. The individual parts
are welded together and the final touches are added. A base and bronze explanatory plaque are produced before
final installation. The project should take about 9 months to complete and be done in time for the dedication of
the new St. George city hall.
PROJECT STATUS
Contact has been made with the various city, county and state officials, as well as some private citizens.All are very supportive and anxious to see the project completed.
Arrangements have been made with the city of St. George to place the statue at the new City Hall currently
under construction at 100 South Main Street. That is on the property originally platted to David H. Cannon
and Angus M. Cannon.
The Washington County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has agreed to accept and
handle the donations. They have opened a dedicated bank account and are now accepting donations.
Noted sculptor, Jerry Anderson, has been engaged and has started work on this life-sized statue. The clay
statues of David H. Cannon and Wilhelmina Cannon have been completed. We have made a good start on
receiving donations and are working toward having enough to start the bronzing process. Once started, that
process with take 4 to 5 months to complete during which the remaineder of the funds need to be collected.
For information and TO DONATE, click here.
PHOTOS
 Initial sketch of the statue |
 Life size clay statue of David Cannon |
Statue to be located in the plaza of the new St. George City Hall expected to be completed in mid-2025
REFERENCES
A Monument to Honor Pioneer WomenThe Sego Lily Story
The "Death Valley Days" episode about the Sego Lily story
SPONSORS
