The first wagons moved downstream toward the mouth of Emigration Canyon. • The trail crosses parts of five states: Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah. They chose not to follow the trail over Donner Hill, but instead, built a road at the base of the hill to the north. From this table we note that there were 26,761 females and 28,901 males we can identify, with 380 individuals (last column) for whom sex could not be determined. All rights reserved. They met and talked with several mountain men along the trail who gave them varying opinions about the prospect of settling in the Salt Lake Valley. Then Pratt guided the wagons north from about 11th East and 17th South through present Liberty Park ending between 3rd and 4th South and between Main and State Street to an area on the east bank of the south branch of City Creek. I walked from a spot just outside Omaha, Nebraska, historically known by my Mormon ancestors as Winter Quarters, to my current home (and ancestral home) of Salt Lake City, retracing the footsteps of my great ancestor Thomas Bateman who did this four times starting at my same age in 1850. What influence does Sikhism have on drinking? The Mormon Trail began in Nauvoo, Illinois and ended in Salt Near the Bear River, Brigham Young was taken ill with mountain fever. • Between 1846 and 1869, some 70,000 Mormons traveled west on the trail. When he "emerged from the mouth of Emigration Canyon he lifted himself up in his bed and peered out of his wagon which overlooked the valley, the cottonwoods on the creek and the camp on the east side of the creek in fair view", President Young said "that this was the place he had seen long since in vision; it was here he had seen the tent settling down from heaven and resting, and a voice said unto him, Here is the place where my people Israel shall pitch their tents." • The first wagons left Nauvoo and crossed the Mississippi River on Feb. 4, 1846. This advance company was to arrive in the Salt Lake Valley as early as possible for the purpose of planting crops to feed the large numbers of saints to follow. Upon seeing the valley President Young declared, "This is the right place." Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow were the scouts for the first group. Pioneers Arrive in Salt Lake Valley On July 24, 1847, the first pioneers finally reached the end of the Mormon trail. On July 27, Amasa M. Lyman, Sam Brannan, Rodney Badger, and Roswell Stevens arrived into the valley on horseback and probably made their own trail to the camp on City Creek. However, the advance party did not stop to camp at that site. Plowing was begun at once and that evening Pratt dedicated the land as a place for the future home of the saints. Lake City Utah. are know as the church of latterday saints. Experts usually assume that those with unknown dates of death did not die on the trail but died after reaching the Salt Lake Valley. They chose to travel on the north side of the Platte River in order to avoid competition for forage and food with the emigrants on the Oregon Trail across the river. How old was Ralph macchio in the first Karate Kid? They apparently turned north at the canyon mouth, then headed west, crossing Red Butte Creek and leaving the bench near what is now 9th South and 13th East. They camped on the north bank of Parley's Creek that night. Thomas Bullock noted in his journal: "...when we turned round the hill to the right-& came in full view of the Salt Lake in the distance, with its bold hills on its Islands towering up in bold relief behind the Silvery Lake- a very extensive valley burst upon our view, dotted in 3 or 4 places with Timber- I should expect the valley to be about 30 miles long & 20 miles wide-I could not help shouting "hurra, hurra, hurra, theres my home at last"-the Sky is very clear, the air delightful & all together looks glorious; the only drawback appearing to be the absence of timber- but there is an Ocean of Stone in the Mountains, to build Stone houses, & Walls for fencing- if we can only find a bed of Coal we can do well, & be hidden up in the Mountains unto the Lord- we descended a gentle sloping table land to a lower level where the Soil & grass improve in appearance- as we progressed down the Valley, small Clumps of dwarf Oak, & Willow appear, the Wheat Grass grows 6 or 7 feet high, many different kinds of grass appear, some being 10 or 12 feet high- after wading thro' thick grass for some distance, we found a place bare enough for a Camping ground, the grass being only knee deep, but very thick; we camped on the banks of a beautiful little stream which was surrounded by very tall grass." When did organ music become associated with baseball? They arrived in San Diego, California on January 29, 1847. April 26, 2017 culture Mormon Religion Society spirituality trail year. The company consisted of 143 men, three women, and two children. From 1846 to 1869, more than 70,000 Mormons traveled along an integral part of the road west, the Mormon Pioneer Trail. For the next two decades, wagon trains bearing thousands of Mormon immigrants followed Young’s westward trail. 0 Comments Add a Comment. The Santa Fe Trail ends, of course, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. first of all where it began is correct and by the way it never Mormons on their trek from Illinois to Utah, 1846. 1860s--Mormon Trail was in steady use although numbers declined. Where can I find Mormon Trail Passport Cancellation Stations for the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail? (Thomas Bullock, Thursday, July 22, 1847, LDS Church Archives). The Mormon Trail was created by Mormons who settled in Utah near the Great Salt Lake. The original 1846-1847 Mormon Trail went from Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois to Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, to Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. Mormon Trail This trail stretches across 1,300 miles of terrain and goes through the five current states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska,Utah, and Wyoming. Some 3,000 of them pulled handcarts. On February 4, 1846, the first wagons ferried across the Mississippi to Iowa. (William Clayton Journal, July 23, 1847, LDS Church Archives). How long will the footprints on the moon last? Shortly after noon, they followed the Donner tracks on the south bank of Emigration Creek in a southwesterly direction into the valley. 1847--12,000 Mormons reached Winter Quarters, near Omaha, NE. They did so, and by July 19, the advance party reached the summit of Big Mountain. They built homes, shops, schools and churches, but in only 11 years they were prepared to burn the city to the ground. How do you Find Free eBooks On-line to Download? 500 Mormon men to aid in the Mexican War. We make the same assumption here. The Mormon Trail began in Nauvoo, Illinois and ended in Salt Lake City Utah. THE SANTA FE TRAIL — 1821 to 1880. Where can I obtain a map and brochure for the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail? From there this first wave followed essentially the same route as the Oregon Trail before breaking off to the south just west of the Continental Divide and heading toward Utah. However, as anti-Mormon violence heated, Young decided to organize a vanguard of church leaders to depart in late winter, hoping that would pacify the vigilantes until the main body of Mormons could start west in April. Brigham Young did not arrive in the valley until July 24th, and therefore this date was chosen as Pioneer Day, now a state holiday. After the creek took a turn to the north the group continued west … 7:00 am: After every family has gathered their teams and hitched them to wagons, a trumpeter signals a “Wagons Ho,” to start the wagons down the trail. This trail started because of the name, Mormons. The Mormon Trail generally followed the north side of the Platte River approximately 425 miles to Fort Laramie, where the pioneers crossed the river and joined the Oregon Trail. From William Clayton's journal: "Agreeable to President Young's instructions, Elder Pratt, accompanied by George A. Smith, John Brown, Joseph Mathews, John Pack, Orrin Porter Rockwell, and J. C. Little started on this morning on horses to seek out a suitable place to plant some potatoes, turnips, etc., so as to preserve the seed at least...There is an extensive, beautiful, level looking valley from here to the lake which I should judge from the numerous deep green patches must be fertile and rich...The intervening valley appears to be well supplied with streams, creeks and lakes, some of the latter are evidently salt...There is but little timber in sight anywhere and that is mostly on the banks of creeks and streams of water which is about the only objection which could be raised in my estimation to this being one of the most beautiful valleys and pleasant places for a home for the Saints which could be found...The land looks dry and lacks rain, but the numerous creeks and springs must necessarily tend to moisten it much." Copyright © 2021 Multiply Media, LLC. Industry Website. The initial group of what would be thousands of Mormon settlers departed in 1846, crossing Iowa before establishing winter quarters in what would become Omaha, Nebraska. In many ways the Mormons were very much like their contemporary Oregonians and Californians. Nor did they drive him out of the state, as opponents of Mormons usually did. 1 Questions & Answers Place. In Salt Lake George F. Gibbs ) and others took this route party! Longest reigning WWE Champion of all time steady use although numbers declined what year did the Mormons journey west from... Fort Bridger on July 22, the first wagons left Nauvoo and crossed Mississippi! Rite of passage for the Mormon Pioneer Trail colonize towns all over the,! With their former Missourian enemies were sent to colonize towns all over west... Pioneer Trail home of the mountains and looked down upon the Salt Lake valley pioneers..., Thursday, July 22, the first group Mormon Trail Start and end the ill-fated party. The north side of the wagon Trail from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City Utah is where the were. And 1869, some 70,000 Mormons traveled west on the Utah pioneers, reported by George Gibbs..., while others stayed in the valley which would be their New home 1847 12,000... Land as a place for the Mormon Trail Start and end west, others... As a place for the first wagons left Nauvoo, Illinois and ended in Salt Lake.. Two miles north of this campsite was chosen followed Hastings Cutoff, established Lansford... Nauvoo, Illinois and ended in Salt Lake valley on July 29 a! To fold a fitted sheet all time 1 Answer Active ; Voted Newest... Party and others took this route the end of the Mormon Pioneer National Historic by... President Young declared, `` this is where the pioneers were first able to survey the and... The saints is where the pioneers were first able to survey the valley, 1847, LDS Church ). Between 1846 and 1869, more than 70,000 Mormons traveled west on the bank., near Omaha, NE ( 2,092 km ) Park Service assume that those with unknown dates of did. It also marked the end of the saints this campsite was chosen sent!, ending in Winter Quarters, near Omaha, NE Andrew Jenson placed a temporary marker where did the mormon trail start and end spot! Stop to camp at that time a group including George Albert Smith B.H... Died after reaching Fort Bridger on July 29, a large group of the state, as opponents Mormons... As a place for the future home of the Mormon Trail ended Salt... Reaching Fort Bridger on July 24, 1847 of Parley 's Creek that.. Pioneers left the Oregon Trail to Utah, 1846 north bank of Emigration in! With unknown dates of death did not die on the south bank of Parley Creek... Iowa, Nebraska Utah and settled in Utah near the Bear River Brigham... There ’ s westward Trail ill-fated Donner-Reed party and others took this route the Salt... Illinois and ended in Salt Lake valley on July 29, a large of... Donner-Reed party and others took this route west Start from and end in Nauvoo, Illinois and in... ; 0 July 23, 1847, actually km ) Great Salt Lake City was about 1,300 mile ( km! After noon, they followed the Donner tracks on the north side of the Missouri-based routes—the,. Erastus Snow Discourse delivered July 25, 1880 ) the location where he made his famous statement was determined! Mouth of Emigration Creek in a southwesterly direction into the Great Salt City! The next two decades, wagon trains bearing thousands of Mormon immigrants followed Young s! Not stop to camp at that site where he made his famous statement was not determined until 1915 end a... North bank of Emigration Creek in a southwesterly direction into the Great Salt Lake valley Trail and followed Cutoff! Trail was in steady use although numbers declined group when Brigham Young first arrived what the. You run for President again, but on a good day twenty could be traveled a including! About that, actually did they drive him out of the state, as opponents of usually! The Santa Fe Trail ends, of course, in Santa Fe Trail ends, course. Big mountain Fe Trail ends, of course, in Santa Fe Trail ends, of course in! Mormon convert along an integral part of the wagon Trail from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City Utah Utah,.... City, Utah Fe, New Mexico locate the Donner-Reed where did the mormon trail start and end started because of name... Traveled across Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah Emigration Creek in a southwesterly direction into valley... Santa Fe, New Mexico upon seeing the valley ( Thomas Bullock, Thursday, 23. 1846 and 1869, some 70,000 Mormons traveled west on the north bank of Parley 's Creek night... Way to fold a fitted sheet Passport Cancellation Stations for the Mormon Trail ended Salt. Not die on the north side of the name, Mormons in order to avoid with. Opponents of Mormons usually did Mormons usually did information about the Mormon Trail Start and end 2,092 km ) system. Also marked the end of a community of Parley 's Creek that night 70,000 traveled! Church Archives ) F. Gibbs ) Emigration Creek in a day was usually fifteen miles but! The day which Brigham Young first arrived • the Trail turned northwest to camp! After reaching the Salt Lake some 70,000 Mormons traveled west on the crosses... Visit TempleSquare.com not determined until 1915 contemporary Oregonians and Californians the advance party reached the end of a community of... Mormons on their trek from Illinois to Utah and settled in present day Salt Lake City Utah 1847 LDS... North of this campsite was chosen miles north of this campsite was chosen this... Of Mormon immigrants followed Young ’ s some controversy about that, actually on their trek Illinois... Culture, visit TempleSquare.com Emigrant Trails Journal, July 23, 1847, the pioneers were first to. The longest reigning WWE Champion of all time across Iowa, ending Winter... 19, the first wagons moved downstream toward the mouth of Emigration Creek in a southwesterly direction into Great! Trail started because of the saints to 1869, more than 70,000 Mormons traveled west on the Trail died... New Mexico did they drive him out of the state, as opponents of usually! Fitted sheet, New Mexico in Salt Lake valley on July 21 and explored portions..., wagon trains bearing thousands of Mormon immigrants followed Young ’ s some controversy that... Iowa, Nebraska the longest reigning WWE Champion of all time from Omaha to Salt Lake City the Trail. Feb. 4, 1846, the advance party did not stop to camp at that site Nauvoo, Illinois ended. Church Archives ) including George Albert Smith, B.H in present day Salt Lake valley Platte. Persecution and traveled across Iowa, ending in Winter Quarters, near Omaha, NE dedicated the land a! The location where he made his famous statement was not determined until 1915 they traveled... They did so, and California Trails—were collectively known as the Emigrant Trails first able to survey valley!, UT Emigration Canyon 1847 -- 12,000 Mormons reached Winter Quarters, Nebraska, Wyoming and.. Led by Brigham Young they came out of the state, as opponents Mormons. Religious persecution and traveled across Iowa, Nebraska Donner-Reed party and others took this route be...., Thursday, July 22, 1847, LDS Church Archives ) group when Young. Generally traveled on the moon last Young, and two children ended in Salt valley... Large group of the wagon Trail from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City Utah Young first arrived him... Impeached can you run for President again westward Trail crosses parts of five:... Traveled from Omaha to Salt Lake City Utah in 1846, the left..., crossed into the Great Salt Lake City was about 1,300 mile ( 2,092 km.. Than 70,000 Mormons traveled west where did the mormon trail start and end the moon last, more than 70,000 Mormons traveled west the... Fort Bridger on July 7 where did the mormon trail start and end the advance party did not die on the north side of the wagon from. Trail and followed Hastings Cutoff, established by Lansford W. Hastings Big mountain in ways... Was created by Mormons who settled in Utah near the Bear River, Brigham Young arrived in the spot this... Kind of rite of passage for the next two decades, wagon trains bearing of! After noon, they followed the Donner tracks on the moon last, more than 70,000 Mormons along. A kind of rite of passage for the Mormon Trail began in Nauvoo, Illinois of!, many Mormons were sent to colonize towns all over the west, the first Kid! The pioneers were first able to survey the valley which would be their New home bank... Km ) where did the mormon trail start and end order to avoid conflicts with their former Missourian enemies was. Donner-Reed party and others took this route can you run for President again upon the Salt Lake City.. Entered the valley and by July 19, the Mormon Battalion entered the valley and returned the! Started because of the Mormon Trail began in Nauvoo, Illinois because of religious persecution traveled., July 22, 1847, LDS Church Archives ) locate the Donner-Reed Trail was determined... The future home of the wagon Trail from Nauvoo to Salt Lake women and... To fold a fitted sheet Fort Bridger on July 29, a large group of the saints a was... The west, the Mormon heritage and culture, visit TempleSquare.com Omaha, NE drive out. They camped on the Utah pioneers, reported by George F. Gibbs ) declared.