Old Town in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The 500 Volunteer Soldiers of the Mormon Battalion

1840 - 1848

Photographed by Sean C Bath, February 10, 2023

1. The 500 Volunteer Soldiers of the Mormon Battalion Marker

Inscription. In the midst of preparations for their exodus to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, the Mormon pioneers were asked by the United States government to enlist a battalion of 500 volunteers for service in the war with Mexico. These troops started from western Iowa in July, 1846, and arrived in San Diego January 29, 1847. Completing the longest infantry march in history, this expedition helped win the war, prepared the way for colonization of the southwest, opened new trade routes, and strengthened distant national boundaries.

Erected 1969 by National Society of the Sons of Utah Pioneers.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, Mexican-American. A significant historical date for this entry is January 29, 2000.

Location. 32° 45.432′ N, 117° 11.648′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in Old Town. It can be reached from Presidio Drive. Marker is located at the top of the hill west of Presidio Drive in Presidio Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Diego CA 92110, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

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marker is in California’s Peninsular 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 walking distance of this marker: Services of the Mormon Battalion (here, next to this marker); Mormon Battalion (here, next to this marker); The Mormon Battalion at San Diego (here, next to this marker); Fort Stockton (a few steps from this marker); Women of the Mormon Battalion (a few steps from this marker); The Old Presidio Historic Trail (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Old Presidio Historic Trail (about 700 feet away); Sylvester Pattie (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015

2. The 500 Volunteer Soldiers of the Mormon Battalion Marker

Marker is at lower right in photo.

Mormon Battalion Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 30, 2015

3. Mormon Battalion Memorial

Photographed by Michael Kindig, March 1, 2002

4. Mormon Battalion Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 965 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 31, 2023, by Sean C Bath of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on April 8, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on January 27, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.