Central City in Merrick County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Mormon Trail
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012
1. The Mormon Trail Marker
For thousands of Mormons, the great pioneer trail along the north bank of the Platte which paralleled the river about a mile south of here was an avenue of escape from persecution and a roadway to a new life.
Brigham Young led the first mass migration over the Mormon Trail to the Great Salt Lake in 1847. The north bank of the Platte was chosen to avoid contact with the travelers on the heavily-used Oregon Trail that followed the south bank of the river from near Kearney westward. Among the expeditions which followed, were several so poor that pioneers walked and pulled handcarts.
The trail became one of the great roadways to the west, used by Mormons, military expeditions, gold seekers and settlers.
The completion of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1869 ended extensive use of the trail as the railroad tracks followed essentially this same route. Today, the Lincoln Highway (Highway 30) follows this great roadway to the west.
Erected by Historical Land Mark Council. (Marker Number 6.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers
this page online
Location. 41° 6.292′ N, 98° 1.21′ W. Marker is in Central City, Nebraska, in Merrick County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 30 and 15th Road, on the left when traveling west on U.S. 30. Marker is located at a roadside pullout backed by M Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Central City NE 68826, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lone Tree (here, next to this marker); 9-11 Memorial Clock (approx. 1.3 miles away); Heber Hord House (approx. 1.4 miles away); Chapman Cemetery GAR Marker (approx. 9.3 miles away).
Also see . . . Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. (Submitted on March 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012
2. The Mormon Trail Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 778 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
