Florence in Omaha in Douglas County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

MISSING

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 8, 2015

1. Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge Marker

Inscription. This Bridge is on the Mormon Pioneer Trail from Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Rocky Mountains. Driven from their homes by mobs, many of the dispossessed Mormon people crossed the Mississippi River on the ice in February, 1846. From these refugees five hundred volunteers for the Mexican War left here on the longest infantry march in recorded history.

Winter Quarters was established on the west bank of the Missouri River, and a ferry was operated at this site. Six hundred of these people - Nebraska's first white settlers - died here that winter.

April 5, 1847, Brigham Young and one hundred forty-seven others resumed the journey to select the trail and locate the place where the Mormon people could worship God in accordance with their religious belief. They reached the valley of the Great Salt Lake July 24 and founded Salt Lake City "in the top of the mountains." Thousands followed. They instituted modern irrigation and built an empire in the West.

Erected 1953 by Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association. (Marker Number 130.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

it is included in the Mormon Pioneer Trail, and the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1846.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 41° 20.238′ N, 95° 57.65′ W. Marker was in Omaha, Nebraska, in Douglas County. It was in Florence. It was at the intersection of 30th Street and Willit Street, on the left when traveling north on 30th Street. Marker located in park adjacent to The Bank of Florence. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Omaha NE 68112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Eastern Nebraska. It was also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Bank of Florence (here, next to this marker); A Little Town That Dreamed of Greatness (within shouting distance of this marker); From Indian Lands to the Golden Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Winter Quarters (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mormon Pioneer Trail / A Meeting House For The Saints (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Meeting House for the Saints (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Florence Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Road to Zion (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Omaha.

Another marker is no longer nearby.

Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge Marker (on right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 8, 2015

2. Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge Marker (on right)

The Bank of Florence

The Florence Mill (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Additional commentary.
1. Marker has been stolen
Plaque stolen per City Hall. Also stolen was the Bank plaque near entrance door.

— Submitted May 3, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2015, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,008 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2015, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.