Near Preston in Franklin County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Bear River Massacre

Photographed By Vincent Cascio, July 8, 2011

1. Bear River Massacre Marker

Inscription. Very few Northwestern Shoshoni survived a battle here that turned into a massacre by Col. P.E. Connor’s California Volunteers.

In 1863, Conner and his force set out from Salt Lake City on a cold January campaign in response to friction between the Indians and white travelers. They found more than 400 Shoshoni settled in a winter camp on Battle Creek. When Connor struck at daybreak on January 29, the Shoshoni suffered a massacre unrivaled in Western history.

Erected by Idaho Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 216.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is January 29, 1863.

Location. 42° 8.452′ N, 111° 54.672′ W. Marker is near Preston, Idaho, in Franklin County. Marker is on U.S. 91 just south of Hot Spring Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Preston ID 83263, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Utah & Northern Railway (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Bear River (a few steps from this marker); Bear River Massacre Monument

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(a few steps from this marker); A Battle Becomes a Massacre (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Earth Will Remember (approx. 0.8 miles away); Attack at Bia Ogoi (approx. 0.8 miles away); California Volunteers March to the Bear River (approx. 0.8 miles away); Change and Conflict (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Preston.

Also see . . . Bear River Massacre. Utah History to Go entry (Submitted on August 8, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Utah & Northern Railway Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 21, 2017

2. Utah & Northern Railway Marker

The Bear River Massacre marker is on the left, the other marker related to the Utah & Northern Railway. The stone monument is for the Bear River Massacre.

Bear River Massacre Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Vincent Cascio, July 8, 2011

3. Bear River Massacre Monument

This monument has two Daughters Of the Utah Pioneers markers on it. Those markers are shown on their own pages. See Other Nearby Markers list above to find them.

Bear River Massacre National Historic Monument Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Vincent Cascio, July 8, 2011

4. Bear River Massacre National Historic Monument Plaque

“Bear River Massacre Site has been designated a National Historic Landmark. This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of The United States Of America. 1990 National Park Service United States Department of the Interior.” This plaque is on the nearby Bear River Massacre Monument shown in Photograph No. 2.

Bear River Massacre image. Click for full size.

Photographed By 2, Unknown

5. Bear River Massacre

A painting of the Bear River Massacre in the Preston, Idaho Post Office on 55 E Oneida Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2011, by Vincent Cascio of Logan, Utah. This page has been viewed 2,137 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on January 29, 2021, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. Photos: 1. submitted on July 10, 2011, by Vincent Cascio of Logan, Utah. 2. submitted on July 17, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3, 4. submitted on July 10, 2011, by Vincent Cascio of Logan, Utah. 5. submitted on October 21, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.