Burlington in Racine County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mormons in Early Wisconsin
Photographed By Paul F, July 1, 2010
1. Mormons in Early Wisconsin Marker
Among those contributing to the nation’s westward expansion in the nineteenth century and to Wisconsin’s early development were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). In 1835, Moses Smith helped establish Burlington and in 1837 organized Wisconsin’s first Mormon congregation. His cabin stood across the river from here. Mormons helped develop communities in southwest and western Wisconsin (Jenkynsville in 1837, Blanchardville in 1842, and near La Crosse in 1844-1845), where they mined lead ore and farmed, and at sites along the Black River (1841-1844), where they harvested pine and floated it down the Mississippi River to build the Mormon Temple in Nauvoo, Illinois. Oliver Cowdery, second only to Joseph Smith in the church’s early history, was a lawyer and newspaper editor in Elkhorn. After Smith’s 1844 murder in Illinois, Wisconsin Mormons either joined the migration to Utah or formed separatist churches here. Few remained after 1850; then by 1875 Mormons re-established a growing presence in Wisconsin.
Erected 1992 by Wisconsin State Historical Society. (Marker Number 307.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in
this page online
Location. 42° 40.943′ N, 88° 16.605′ W. Marker is in Burlington, Wisconsin, in Racine County. Marker can be reached from Milwaukee Street, 0.1 miles west of Congress Street. Marker is located in Echo Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Burlington WI 53105, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lake Ivanhoe: An African American-Founded Community (approx. 7.8 miles away); East Troy Railroad (approx. 9.8 miles away); Old Muskego (approx. 9.9 miles away); Historic Railroad Depot (approx. 10 miles away); Wisconsin Power & Light Building (approx. 10 miles away); The Old Mill Race (approx. 10.1 miles away); Main Street Historic District (approx. 10.2 miles away); Maple Park (approx. 10.2 miles away).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . Mormons in Wisconsin: A Closer View of the Early Settlements (1835-1875). Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints web page with a much more complete summary of the early Mormon settlements in
Photographed By Paul F, July 1, 2010
2. Mormons in Early Wisconsin Marker
Looking west toward river.
Photographed By Paul F, July 1, 2010
3. Mormons in Early Wisconsin Marker
Another view looking west toward river.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,469 times since then and 103 times this year. Last updated on June 1, 2017, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 9, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
