Naegle Winery, Spring Street (State Route 15), Toquerville

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS UTAH,27-TOQVI,1-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

This is probably the only remnant of southern Utah's flourishing wine industry of the late and PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: 1. Original and subsequent owners: John Nebeker, Probate Judge to John C. Naegle (June 20, Estate of John C. Naegle to Mary Louise Naegle (September 5, Susan V. Naegle to Archie P. Spilsbury (November 30, Spilsbury Land and Livestock Company 2. Date of erection: c. 3. Architect: Unknown 4. Builder, suppliers, etc.: John C. Naegle. 5. Notes on original plan and construction of building: Upper portion was a polygamist residence, with a large wine cellar and distillery underneath. Exterior substantially as existing. B.

Historical Events and Persons Associated with the Building: Among the early settlers of the Virgin River Basin were Swiss vine dressers, who planted grapes in the early It soon became evident that there was more grape production than the people could consume or sell. The obvious solution was to make them into wine, which was what they proceeded to do with the approval of Brigham Young. It was his intention that the wine be used for sacramental purposes, with the surplus sold to the "Gentiles." on. H NAEGLE WINERY HABS No. U-65 (Page 2) John C. Naegle, an immigrant from southern Germany skilled in winemaking, was called by Brigham Young to go to Toquerville to teach the people the correct method of making wine.

He and Ulrich Bryner were granted a license by the County Court in to operate a distillery there. Naegle built a large two story rock house to contain his polygamous family, with a basement cellar and distillery "large enough to drive into with a span of horses and wagon and turn around." He then began making wine for church sacraments,, and with the grape pumice and peaches he made brandy of highest quality. He was assisted by his half brother, Conrad Kleinman, who later moved to Mesa City, Arizona. Their product was known as "Nails' Best". in his cellar were many casks that held 500 gallons. He shipped to ZCMI (in Salt Lake City), in 40 gallon barrels. Considerable wines were sent to the mines and to Salt Lake City.

Unfortunately, some of the wines were of very poor quality, much of it being paid as tithing to the Church and too often the "Lord's Tenth" was the poorest quality. The reputation of the wines suffered, and the demand fell off. Moreover, too many of the producers drank their own product, which finally led the Mormon Church to discontinue its use for sacramental purposes and to ban the industry. Its manufacture persisted for a long time, but finally died of its own accord on the competitive market. The Naegle house was converted into a fig cannery in and and electric stoves and running water were installed. Later it was used to house a peach grading and de-fuzzing plant. It is now used for storage of grain, hay and farm machinery. C. Sources of Information: a.

Primary and unpublished sources: Abstracts of Title, Toquerville, Utah, Washington County Courthouse. Toquerville Townsite Survey, Blocks 1-6 Plat, Washington County Courthouse, St. George, Utah. b.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS UTAH,27-TOQVI,1-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Under Dixie's Sun. t NAEGLE WINERY HABS No. U-65 (Page 3) Larson, Andrew Karl. I Was Called to Dixie. The Deseret News Press, Mortenson, A.R. Utah's Dixie, The Cotton Mission, Utah State Historical Society Quarterly, Volume XXIX, Number 3, July, Prepared by John L. Giusti, AIA July 25, t UTAH NAEGLE WINERY HABS No. U-65 (Page 4) PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1. Architectural interest: This is a unique type of polygamous house combined with an industrial use; the roofline is unusual. 2. Condition of fabric: Stonework and roof good. Wood- work in poor condition. B. Description of Exterior: 1. Over-all dimensions: A simple rectangular form, 65' x encloses two stories and a basement. 2. Foundations: Red sandstone. 3.

Wall construction, finish and color: Red sandstone quoins and water table. Sandstone and volcanic rock coursed rubble walls. 4. Structural system, framing: Masonry walls - wood floor and roof framing. 5. Porches: Porch no longer exists. 6. Chimneys: None remain. 7. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: Five single door openings at first floor. One double door entrance opening. A single door opening above entrance. A double cart door at the north end of the basement. Door openings paneled but doors removed and openings boarded up. b. Windows and shutters: Window openings boarded up. 8. Roof: a. Shape, covering: Hip of changing pitch, (low-steep- low) with new white composition shingles. b. Cornice, eaves: Cornice moulding has unusually long, shaped dentils. t 27 - To $ V| NAEGLE WINERY HABS No.

U-65 (Page 5) Description of Interior: 1. Floor plans: Basement - One large space with two rows of wood columns. Upper floors have only the skeleton studs and joists in a completely open two story space. Local sources suggest that this area was never completed and the studs show no evidence that lath and plaster was ever attached. 2. Flooring: First floor now concrete. Basement - earth. 3. Wall and ceiling finish: None. D. Site and Surroundings: 1. Orientation: Faces slightly north of east to Spring Street (Utah Highway 2. Landscaping and walks, enclosures: Crowded by roads on three sides with a fence very near along the west side. Prepared by Paul Goeldner, AIA Supervisory Architect Utah Project August 24, *