The Rockville Historic District is locally significant as an excellent representation of an intact agricultural town in Washington County and southwestern Utah. The period of significance is 1884-1976, which extends between the time of the earliest contributing building in the district, the Terry Petty House at 19 W. Main St. (1884), to 1977 when the town adopted zoning to preserve its agricultural character (1977). The 1977 zoning had considerable effect to subdue interest in business location in Rockville at a time when the tourism economy in St. George and Springdale was increasing exponentially. That zoning remains in place today and is a prominent reason why Rockville largely retains its rural character. The themes identified in this nomination associated with the historical development of the district are: Early Settlement and Subsistence Farming, 1862-1908; Mukuntuweap to Zion National Park and Tourism, 1909-1965; Retaining Agricultural Roots, 1966-1975; and, Recent History, 1975-Present (outside the period of significance but included for context). Under Criterion A in the Area of Agriculture, the district is significant for its critical role as a reliable agricultural center of Washington County and southwest Utah for over 100 years. The essential water systems that historically provided irrigation for the agricultural industry remain intact, with some still in working condition. Two resources have been previously listed in the NRHP. The Deseret Telegraph and Post Office (1864) at 91 W. Main Street was listed in 1972 (NRIS #72001263). The Rockville Bridge, located at about 150 S. Bridge Rd., was completed in 1924 and listed in the NRHP in 1995 (NRIS #95000982). Overall, the district, which includes the majority of the town plat, retains the historic rural and agricultural essence and appearance of early Rockville despite the town’s location on the main highway to a major National Park.
