Kirtland in Lake County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mormon Community

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 22, 2019

1. Mormon Community Marker

Inscription. Kirtland in the 1830s became an early gathering place and headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which had been organized under divine inspiration by Joseph Smith in western New York in 1830. Here the Mormons, as they are known outside the faith, created a religious community and introduced doctrinal concepts, organizational programs, and social practices that have been central to the religion ever since. The Kirtland Temple, dedicated in 1836, was the spiritual center of the faith. Internal dissension and external persecution arose largely from the distinctive features of the religion and weakened the Mormon community in Kirtland. In 1838, the majority of the Mormons here followed Smith westward to Missouri, Illinois, and eventually Utah.

Erected 2003 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 21-43.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 41° 37.704′ N, 81° 21.569′ W. Marker is in Kirtland, Ohio, in Lake County. It is on Kirtland Chardon Road 0.1 miles south of Chillicothe Road (Ohio Route 615), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7800 Kirtland Chardon Rd, Willoughby OH 44094, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Cleveland,

on the Lake Erie Shore,

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kirtland Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Baptisms on the East Branch of the Chagrin River (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tannery (about 500 feet away); Site of the Whitney and Gilbert Livery Stable

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 22, 2019

2. Mormon Community Marker

(about 600 feet away); Site of the Whitney Red Store (about 700 feet away); Faith, Family, Community, and Industry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kirtland Temple (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Kirtland Temple (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kirtland.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Kirtland Temple (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Historic Kirtland Visitors Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 22, 2019

3. Historic Kirtland Visitors Center

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints operates a museum-village here, open 9 to 9 Monday through Saturday and 1 to 9 on Sundays. The marker is at the entrance to the parking lot.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 528 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 25, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.