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

The Winter Quarters

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