Paris in Edgar County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Zion's Camp March

Through Edgar County

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

1. Zion's Camp March Marker

(Click any of these photos to see the details.)

Inscription. In 1834, Joseph Smith, prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), together with about 200 LDS Volunteers from Kirtland, Ohio, marched to assist threatened church members in Jackson County, Missouri. Called “Zion’s Camp,” this armed group crossed the Wabash River into Edgar County on May 24, encamped near the river, and after observing the Sabbath passed through Paris on May 26, causing uneasiness among local residents who misunderstood their purpose. The trek of “Zion’s Camp” provided Brigham Young and other LDS leaders with a model for organizing their later exodus from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Utah in 1846.

Erected 2000 by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and The Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1847.

Location. 39° 36.688′ N, 87° 41.765′ W. Marker is in Paris, Illinois, in Edgar County.

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It is on North Central Avenue south of East Wood Street, on the left when traveling south. Mrker is located on the South/West corner of the Edgar County Courthouse lawn in Paris, Illinois. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Paris IL 61944, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois

and in the Wabash Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Abraham Lincoln - Eighth Judicial District (within shouting distance of this marker); Millstones Long in the Service of Pioneers (within shouting distance of this marker); American Revolution War Memorial - Edgar County Illinois (within shouting distance of this marker); The France Hotel (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tom Sunkel (approx. 1½ miles away);

Looking North - - Obverse Side of Zion's Camp March Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

2. Looking North - - Obverse Side of Zion's Camp March Marker

Korean War Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Edgar County World Wars I and II Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Paris Illinois (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paris.

Also see . . .
1. Zion's Camp: Story of Endurance. Deseret News website entry (Submitted on August 4, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Zion's Camp. Three Peaks website entry:
On this link is a list of the names of the men, women, and, children that was part of the "Zion's Camp March"... (Submitted on October 16, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

Long Range View - - Zion's Camp March Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

3. Long Range View - - Zion's Camp March Marker

(For this photo you need to - - Click photo to "SEE" the details.) The marker can be seen in the extreem background - at the lower left of the photo. It is to the left of the red car...

The Courthouse of Edgar County was built in 1891 . . . image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

4. The Courthouse of Edgar County was built in 1891 . . .

Due to the full growth trees around the courthouse -and- the Super-Size of the Courthouse it is difficult to photograph the structure in one photo. (What photos that will follow are the best efforts.)

West Lawn - Water Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

5. West Lawn - Water Fountain

Few Steps Away - - Geodetic Survey "Bench Mark" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

6. Few Steps Away - - Geodetic Survey "Bench Mark"

Edgar County Courthouse at Zion's Camp March Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

7. Edgar County Courthouse at Zion's Camp March Marker

Left View - - Edgar County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

8. Left View - - Edgar County Courthouse

Right View - - Edgar County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

9. Right View - - Edgar County Courthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,908 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 16, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 5, 6. submitted on October 18, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 16, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.