The Mormon Trail

The westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century is a tapestry woven with threads of ambition, hardship, and the pursuit of freedom. Among the most compelling narratives within this grand historical movement is the story of the Mormon Trail, a testament to the unwavering faith and resilience of a people seeking refuge and the opportunity to build a new Zion in the American West. This arduous path, etched across the vast landscapes of the Great Plains and the formidable Rocky Mountains, stands as a symbol of perseverance, community, and the enduring human spirit.

The Mormon Trail wasn’t a single, monolithic route. Instead, it comprised a network of paths forged by the relentless westward movement of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as Mormons. These trails crisscrossed the territories that would eventually become the states of Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming, leaving an indelible mark upon the land. The legacy of the Mormon Trail is a story of migration, settlement, and the establishment of a unique cultural identity in the heart of the American West.

Driven by religious persecution and the desire for self-determination, the Mormons embarked on this epic journey, seeking a sanctuary far from the reach of those who opposed their beliefs. While established trails existed, the Mormons often charted their own courses, either paralleling or intersecting with these well-trodden paths. This inclination towards alternative routes was perhaps born out of the deep-seated distrust and animosity that existed between them and the non-Mormon population, often referred to as "Gentiles." The history of the Mormon Trail is intertwined with stories of conflict, prejudice, and the constant struggle for survival in a harsh and unforgiving environment.

The early interactions between the Mormons and other travelers along the trails were often fraught with suspicion and apprehension. Accounts from the period suggest that some perceived the Mormons with the same wariness as they did the Native American tribes who inhabited the region. This perception, fueled by accusations of Mormon depredations disguised as Indian attacks, further complicated their westward passage and solidified the need for the Mormon Trail.

Despite these challenges, the Mormon migration continued, with thousands making the trek westward each year. Historical analysis suggests that the Mormons may have utilized routes south of the Platte River more frequently than those to the north, although the precise paths varied depending on the point of origin and the time of travel. The initial years of the migration saw a significant number of Mormons wintering in Florence and Council Bluffs, Iowa, before continuing their journey westward along the northern trail that followed the Platte River valley.

The influx of converts from England added another layer of complexity to the Mormon Trail system. These individuals typically arrived in the United States via two primary routes, disembarking at ports that connected to rail or steamboat lines leading to St. Louis and Independence, Missouri. From these Missouri River towns, they would then embark on the overland journey to Salt Lake City.

St. Louis, with its well-established rail network, initially served as a crucial point of arrival. Steamboats provided regular service up the Missouri River to Independence, a major outfitting center for westward-bound travelers. As railroads extended further west, towns like St. Joseph, Missouri, and Atchison, Kansas, became the new eastern termini for Mormon pilgrims arriving from England. These converts often traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana, before making their way up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to these outfitting points. The great migration of Missouri Mormons, compounded this influx.

As the migration progressed, the early Mormon pioneers were responsible for forging many of the initial trails across the plains. Later groups, however, often relied on established routes. The convergence of these various paths made it challenging to pinpoint the precise location of the "real" Mormon Trail, as numerous branches and alternative routes existed, eventually merging with the Oregon Trail as they approached the mountains.

Some groups even ventured south along the Santa Fe Trail before turning north towards their destination in present-day New Mexico. Even those who traveled via Omaha did not strictly adhere to the established California Trail along the north side of the Platte River. Thousands opted for routes north of the Elkhorn or Loups Rivers, eventually joining the Oregon Trail in Wyoming. Others followed the south bank of the Platte River, connecting with the Oregon Trail near Fort Kearny.

The Mormon Trails that originated in northern Kansas and southern Nebraska typically began in towns like Independence and St. Joseph, Missouri, as well as Leavenworth and Atchison, Kansas. Some groups crossed the Missouri River at Brownsville and Nebraska City, adding to the intricate web of routes that characterized the Mormon Trail.

Tracing these various routes requires identifying the most direct and efficient paths to a common point on the Platte River near Fort Kearny. For instance, those who diverged northward from the Santa Fe Trail after passing the point where the Oregon Trail crossed the Kansas River near Topeka followed a route that led them through Wabaunsee and Geary Counties, eventually crossing the Kansas River midway between Fort Riley and Junction City.

From there, they traveled north, passing near Ogden and following the west side of the Big Blue River past Garrison’s Crossing and Randolph. After crossing Fancy Creek near Randolph, they continued northward across the prairies to the Little Blue River near Waterville, joining another branch that had diverged from the Oregon Trail in Pottawatomie County. This branch crossed Vermillion Creek and headed west towards the junction of the Blue River, passing below Waterville and continuing northwest into Washington County. A spring near a sandstone wall on Ash Creek, south of present-day Washington, Kansas, became known as "Mormon Springs," where many travelers carved their names.

This trail entered Nebraska east of Jefferson County, following a ridge down to Rose Creek Valley, where the Mormons built a log bridge. Settlers arriving in 1862 found remnants of this bridge and used the trail for supplies. Some accounts also suggest that Mormons crossed the Kansas River near Manhattan and joined the trail near Waterville. Another Mormon Trail allegedly followed the Republican River on the north side from Junction City, past Clay Center, Clyde, Scandia, and Republic City, eventually heading north across the prairies of Nuckolls County to the Little Blue River in Adams County, Nebraska, where it converged with the Oregon Trail.

After crossing Rose Creek, the main branch continued north and west, entering Thayer County and joining the Oregon Trail near Hebron on the Little Blue River. In later years, Mormons departing from Atchison, Kansas, and St. Joseph, Missouri, primarily used the established trails connecting to the Oregon Trail. "Mormon Grove" near Atchison was a popular camping spot during the 1850s and 1860s, where thousands paused before venturing into what was then known as the "Great American Desert."

The Mormon migration represents a unique chapter in American history, marked by religious persecution, unwavering faith, and the arduous journey to establish a new life in the West. From 1846 to 1869, roughly 70,000 Mormons traveled the Mormon Trail to escape religious persecution. The Pioneer Company of 1846-1847 established a route from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah, covering about 1,300 miles. They constructed new ferries and bridges and placed markers for others to follow.

The Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail was established in 1978. The trail is managed as a cooperative effort among private landowners, trail associations, state and local agencies, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service. Though much of the trail is no longer visible, long stretches can still be seen in Wyoming, and several sites still exist that can be visited. Some of these include the Nauvoo Temple in Illinois, the Carthage Jail in Illinois, the Florence Mill in Nebraska, one of the last remaining structures built at Winter Quarters by the 5,000 plus Mormons who spent a cold, dreary winter after their exodus from Nauvoo; Devil’s Gate and Register Cliff in Wyoming, and more.

Between 1846 and 1869, some 70,000 Mormons traveled west on the trail. Some 3,000 of them pulled handcarts. The trail crossed parts of five states: Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah. Brigham Young’s 1847 Vanguard company took the longest Mormon wagon train trip. The group traveled from Winter Quarters, Nebraska, to the Salt Lake Valley in about three months and one week.

Beehives were among the first items transported to the Salt Lake Valley, along with seeds and tools carried in the wagons. At least 13 apiaries began the journey across the Plains. The most common causes of death on the trail were trail accidents, diseases and accidental shootings.

Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow joined the scouting party and were the first Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley. July 24 celebrates the day Brigham Young arrived with the main party. Young looked over the barren desert and declared, “This is the right place.” The Mormon pioneers were illegal immigrants. When they entered Salt Lake Valley, it was part of Mexico, and no one had asked permission.

Handcarts were the least typical way of arriving in the valley. Ten total handcart companies migrated between 1856 and 1860, bringing around 3,000 Mormons, about 5% percent of the overall migration.