Near Caledonia in Monroe County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Mormon Springs
From this site, on April 8, 1846, the first Saints left for their trek west under the direction of John Brown. They were the first to establish a religious colony in the West since the Spanish priests of 1769. Several members of this group, known as the Mississippi Mormons, were also among the advance scout party who first entered the Salt Lake valley in Utah on July 22, 1847. By the time Brigham Young entered the valley on July 24, 1847, they had already planted potatoes, beans and buckwheat. True to their Southern tradition, these faithful Saints had also planted a turnip patch.
Many of these early converts were marvelous frontiersmen, resourceful colonizers and shrewd traders. Because of their abilities, nearly all of them were eventually called to lead Mormon colonies to Colorado, Utah, California, Oregon and other areas of the West. They were valiant in their love of God, their prophet and their religion.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1830.
Location. 33° 49.617′ N, 88° 17.704′ W. Marker is near Caledonia, Mississippi, in Monroe County. Marker is on Wolfe Road, 0.3 miles north of Wolfe Circle, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40612 Wolfe Rd, Caledonia MS 39740, 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. Wise's Gap 1816 (approx. 5˝ miles away); Howell Cemetery (approx. 8˝ miles away); Center Point Church (approx. 9 miles away); Athens (approx. 9 miles away); Splunge Free Will Baptist Church (approx. 9.2 miles away); The Ogden House (approx. 10.6 miles away in Alabama); Birth of Sulligent (approx. 10.6 miles away in Alabama); Unity Cemetery (approx. 10.8 miles away).
Also see . . . The Mississippi Saints: A Unique Odyssey of Southern Pioneers. Several factors made the Mississippi Saints unique among the Latter-day Saint immigrants, including the way the company originated and was initially organized, how the company changed over the history of its travel, and what the company ultimately accomplished. (David F. Boone, Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center) (Submitted on April 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 42 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.