Gingerbread Parade - Participating Business Spotlight: St George Dinosaur Discovery Site

The mission of the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm (SGDS) is to research, preserve, interpret, and exhibit the fossil resources of the area and the story of this specific site for the benefit, education, and enjoyment of our valued communities and the scientific world. 

The history of the museum begins in 2000, when local optometrist, Dr. Sheldon Johnson, was leveling a hill on his property. After removing several feet of topsoil, he came across a thick sandstone layer. This layer was the “paleontological jackpot”: dinosaur footprints! Dr. Johnson and his wife, LaVerna, decided to share the tracks with the world, opening their farm to the public. Within a few months, trained paleontologists from around the state, plus hundreds of volunteers, helped uncover thousands of fossils. Utah Paleontologist, Jim Kirkland has said, “The St. George track site is not only the oldest Jurassic dinosaur site in Utah, and it is also the best basal Jurassic track site in western North America.” Together with scientists, businesses, and government officials on the local, state, and national levels, the Johnsons, and the DinosaurAH!torium Foundation raised enough funds to build a museum. In 2005, the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm opened its doors and has served over 500,000 visitors.

The DinosaurAH!torium Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. And in partnership with the City of St. George, manages and operates the museum and gift shop. Additionally, the foundation raises money by granting agencies and private donors for various exhibits and projects.

SGDS is located at 2180 E Riverside Drive and is listed as number 14 on our tour map. Local baker Chelsea Hardy has a really impressive Gingerbread House Creation on display here now. It is located near the entrance and it's so awesome. It will be on display till the morning of December 14th then it will become available for purchase during the Gingerbread Auction at the Holiday Market in Ancestor Square in downtown St. George, December 14th, 1:00-4:00 PM. All proceeds from the Gingerbread Auctions will benefit the St George Children's Museum. Entry to the Holiday Market is free and sponsored by Downtown Farmers Market.



All photos property of St George Dinosaur Discovery Site



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