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
Very few Northwestern Shoshoni survived a battle here that turned into a massacre by Col. P.E. Connors 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: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • 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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Idaho’s Bear River Country. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Utah & Northern Railway (here, next to this marker); Bear River Massacre Monument
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Battle of Bear River (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Bear River Massacre. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 16, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
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.
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.
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.
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 February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2011, by Vincent Cascio of Logan, Utah. This page has been viewed 2,823 times since then and 53 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.
