Near Preston in Franklin County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Change and Conflict
Massacre at Bear River
— A Clash of Cultures —
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 21, 2017
1. Change and Conflict Marker
The delicate balance in which the Shoshone managed food resources for thousands of years was drastically altered by colonization. By the mid-1800s, the Oregon and California Trails brought thousands of pioneers and gold-seeking miners through the center of Shoshone ancestral lands. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) were colonized north from the Salt Lake Valley and settled in the fertile Cache Valley on the Utah-Idaho border. In establishing their settlements, they plowed up the grasslands that provided precious seeds that were used as a food source by the Shoshone, and destroyed plants that fed buffalo, deer and other game animals. The lack of understanding between these two cultures and the shortage of resources caused conflict over land, water, food and other issues. As a contemporary Shoshone man remarked, "The Shoshone welcomed the settlers and tried to be hospitable, but didn't realize what they had in mind. They retaliated when injustices were done them, when their very survival was threatened, when their traditional way of life was made impossible." (Marker Number 3.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Wars, US Indian.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Shoshone Bear River Winter Home (here, next to this marker); California Volunteers March to the Bear River (a few steps from this marker); Attack at Bia Ogoi (a few steps from this marker); A Battle Becomes a Massacre (within shouting distance of this marker); The Earth Will Remember (within shouting distance of this marker); The Shoshone (within shouting distance of this marker); Utah & Northern Railway (approx. 0.8 miles away); Bear River Massacre (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Preston.
More about this marker. The Bear River Massacre Interpretive Site is located on a hilltop overlooking the site of the massacre.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 21, 2017
2. Change and Conflict Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 404 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
