Post on 28-Dec-2015
The Mormon Experience in Omaha
The Winter Quarters
The Mormon Deal Mormons wanted to
worship in peace U.S. Govt promised they
could have a large piece of land west of the Wasatch Mts in Utah
1 req., they had to survey a route to the west & send their reports back
They led & opened a route to the west for everyone to follow Brigham Young
The Mormon Trail Young left Nauvoo, IL on 4
February 1846 The trail followed paths
that trappers had made Groups were made up of
10 to 100 families led by a “captain”
Groups could cover 25-30 miles a day, (10-15 if pulling a hand cart)
Knowing that others would follow, groups planted food & left markers for water
The route is very similar to I-80
The Mormon Trail The route was approx
1,032 miles (Omaha to Salt Lake City)
6,000 died (illness/accidents)
Each member of the group was req. to help out
No travel on Sundays 1846 – 1848 route in use During the Winter months,
Mormons camped in North Omaha (30th & State Streets)
This area was known as the “Winter Quarters”
Modes of Transportation
The Mormons meet Peter Sarpy
The Mormons crossed the Missouri River at Bellevue and met w/ Peter Sarpy, the American Fur Trading Representative
Sarpy couldn’t help them-he sent them to the area of Florence
The Indians up there made a deal w/ the Mormons
The deal was they would show the Mormons how to grow winter crops and get fish
In exchange, the Mormons gave the Indians a cut of whatever they grew or caught
Bellevue Marina, Bellevue, NebraskaHwy 370
*Fontenell Forest Reserve Area
Model of the Winter Quarters
Looking from the North
Typical Log Cabin
The Pioneer Cemetery
Cemetery Viewing Window
The SacrificeEarly pioneer family who buried 1 of his nine children in Omaha
Buried all 9 of his children to include his wife by the time he got to SLC.
The Mormon Trail Center Located at 33rd & State
streets It’s Free! Great displays! Extra Credit Opportunity!
Other Mormon Settlements in the Missouri Valley
Kanesville, Iowa
The Mormon Temple - Omaha