Nauvoo in Hancock County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Exodus to Greatness
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012
1. Exodus to Greatness Marker
Near here, the Mormon exodus to the Rocky Mountains began on February 4, 1846 in seven years, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormons, had built Nauvoo to a size comparable to Chicago, with approximately 11,000 population. Fleeing enemies, these refugees crossed the Mississippi River with their wagons on flatboats, except for a few says when they crossed on ice.
Under Brigham Young, they crossed Iowa to the Missouri River. On its west bank, they endured the winter of 1846-47 at Winter quarters in tents, dugouts, and log huts.
The trek from there began with the departure of Brigham Young's first company on April 7, 1847, reaching Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847.
Seeking freedom to worship God as they believed, more than 50,000 Mormon Pioneers, mostly with ox-drawn wagons of handcarts, crossed the plains to the Rocky Mountains before the completion of the transcontinental railroad May 10, 1869.
With Salt Lake City as their base, the Latter-day Saints under Brigham Young who died in 1877, founded more than 350 communities in the Rocky Mountains.
this page online
Erected 1978 by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Pioneer Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1852.
Location. 40° 32.578′ N, 91° 24.014′ W. Marker is in Nauvoo, Illinois, in Hancock County. Marker is at the intersection of Water Street and Parley Street, on the right when traveling west on Water Street. Marker is at the Missississpi River at the far west end of Water and Parley Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 175 Water St, Nauvoo IL 62354, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Eyes Westward (within shouting distance of this marker); Red Brick Store (approx. 0.4 miles away); Nauvoo Survey Stone (approx. half a mile away); The Homestead (approx. half a mile away); Mansion House (approx. half a mile away); Bidamon Stable (approx. half a mile away); Nauvoo House (approx. half a mile away); Nauvoo, Illinois (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nauvoo.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012
2. Exodus to Greatness Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 534 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 17, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
