Liberty Wells in Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

First Encampment in the Salt Lake Valley

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 19, 2025

1. First Encampment in the Salt Lake Valley Marker

Inscription. On July 22, 1847, the main body of the Mormon Pioneer Company, along with a few of the Mormon Battalion sick detachment and some of the Mississippi Saints, camped near this location. After leaving Emigration Canyon, the group traveled in a southwesterly direction along the south side of Emigration Creek. Near where Emigration and Parley's Creeks come close together, they camped. Thomas Bullock, the company clerk, recorded in his journal, "...We descended a gentle sloping table land to a lower level where the Soil and grass improved in appearance... The Wheat Grass grows 6 or 7 feet high, many different kinds of grass appear, some being 10 or 12 feet high-after wading through thick grass for some distance, we found a place bare enough for a Camping ground, the grass being only knee deep, but very thick; we camped on the banks of a beautiful little stream [Parley's Creek] which was surrounded by very tall grass..."

Orson Pratt and his exploring expedition, who entered the valley earlier that morning, joined the camp in the evening. A council was held and the decision made to move the next day to a site they had chosen

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to plant crops, on City Creek two miles to the north. Brigham Young, whose small party was delayed because of illness, did not enter the valley until July 24, going directly to the camp on City Creek.

When surveyed, the area of the first encampment became part of the "Big Field" farming plat. Among those with farms here was Wilford Woodruff, whose two houses still stand a half block north of this site. Beginning in the 1890s, the area was platted and subdivided for residential development. Parley's Creek still flows through the neighborhood in an underground conduit.

Erected 1997 by Daughters of Utah Pioneers. (Marker Number 509.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 22, 1847.

Location. 40° 44.001′ N, 111° 52.636′ W. Marker is in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It is in Liberty Wells. It is on 500 East, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1704 500 E, Salt Lake City UT 84115, United

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 19, 2025

2. First Encampment in the Salt Lake Valley Marker

States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front

and in Greater Salt Lake.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and on the Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Others Who Came (here, next to this marker); How the Park Came to Be (here, next to this marker); First Encampment Park (a few steps from this marker); Wilford Woodruff Farm 1850 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wilford Woodruff Farmhouse (about 400 feet away); Kearns - St. Ann’s Orphanage (approx. 0.6 miles away); Herman L. Franks (approx. 0.6 miles away); Chase Mill (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salt Lake City.

Additional keywords. The marker is located in First Encampment Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 27, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.