Wilmington in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Wilmington Pioneer Wagon Train Seaport

Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 21, 2026

1. Wilmington Pioneer Wagon Train Seaport Marker

Inscription.
1858 Phineas Banning built Wilmington Port on Marshlands called Goosetown, purchased from Dominguez family. 1862 nearby Mormon Island was named for Mormon Civil War Volunteers assigned by Gen. Richard C. Drum to live on the 30 acre island and build barges, tugs & lighters. Trade agreements were made with Brigham Young & settlers of the Utah Territory. From this seaport, wagon trains & stage coaches transported freight & passengers to the colonized Western Frontier until 1869, the advent of the railroad.

Erected 1981 by Daughters of Utah Pioneers. (Marker Number 415.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 33° 45.983′ N, 118° 15.83′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Wilmington. It can be reached from the intersection of West Water Street and South Fries Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 136 W Water St, Wilmington CA 90744, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Blood (approx. 0.4 miles away); Powder Magazine at the Drum Barracks

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(approx. 1.3 miles away); Drum Barracks (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Drum Barracks (approx. 1.3 miles away); S.S. Catalina (approx. 1.3 miles away); Memory Chapel (approx. 1.4 miles away); Banning Residence Museum (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Banning Residence Museum (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 21, 2026

2. Wilmington Pioneer Wagon Train Seaport Marker

Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 21, 2026

3. Wilmington Pioneer Wagon Train Seaport Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2026, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 40 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 21, 2026, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.