Scottsbluff in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Road to Zion
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 6, 2015
1. The Road to Zion Marker
From the late 1840s through the 1860s, an exodus of more than 70,000 Mormons passed by here on their way to their “New Zion” in Utah. Starting from Nauvoo, Illinois in February 1846, the first group of at least 13,000 Mormons crossed into Iowa to escape religious persecution, then spent the next winter in the area of present-day Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska.
In 1847, Brigham Young led an advance party of 143 men, 2 women, and 3 children along the Platte River. At Fort Bridger, Wyoming they departed from the Oregon Trail to head southwest to the Great Salt Lake. Thousands of other Mormons soon followed. Today, a marked 1,624-mile auto tour route closely parallels their historic trek.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Pioneer Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1846.
Location. 41° 50.595′ N, 103° 37.032′ W. Marker is in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, in Scotts Bluff County. Marker is at the intersection of S Beltline Hwy E and U.S. 26, on the right when traveling north on S Beltline
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Grand & Splendid Formation (here, next to this marker); Winters (here, next to this marker); Rebecca Winters (a few steps from this marker); Scottsbluff Army Air Field (approx. 2.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. 2.4 miles away); The Platte River Road (approx. 2.7 miles away); Pascual Huerta Memorial (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scottsbluff.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 6, 2015
2. The Road to Zion Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 6, 2015
3. The Road to Zion Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 6, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
