Fort Bridger in Uinta County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

The Road to Zion

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015

1. The Road to Zion Marker

Captions: (upper right) Many Mormon emigrants wrote diaries to describe their experiences. Appleton Harmon wrote his journal in 1847.; (bottom left) After arriving, the Mormon pioneers set up communities and ferry crossings along the trail to assist later wagon trains going to and from Utah.; ( bottom right) From 1856-60, many European converts walked more than 1,200 miles to Salt Lake City pushing and pulling handcarts (right) loaded with 500 pounds of supplies After 1860, the Mormon church sponsored oxen-drawn wagons to bring emigrants to the "New Zion".

Inscription. 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. From 1856-60, many European converts walked more than 1,200 miles to Salt Lake City pushing and pulling handcarts (right) loaded with 500 pounds of supplies After 1860, the Mormon church sponsored oxen-drawn wagons to bring emigrants to the "New Zion".

Erected by U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Pioneer Trail series list.

Location. 41° 19.118′

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N, 110° 23.571′ W. Marker is in Fort Bridger, Wyoming, in Uinta County. Marker can be reached from Business Route 80 near Main Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Bridger WY 82933, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bridger's Stockade (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Guardhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Commissary (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mormon Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Digging Up the Past (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The "New" Guardhouse & Sentry Box (about 300 feet away); Infantry Barracks (Museum) (about 300 feet away); Women at the Trading Post (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Bridger.

More about this marker. This marker is located on the grounds of Fort Bridger State Park.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015

2. The Road to Zion Marker

The Oregon/California/Mormon Trail is on the right.

A post near the "Road to Zion" marker marking the Oregon/California/Mormon/Pony Express Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015

3. A post near the "Road to Zion" marker marking the Oregon/California/Mormon/Pony Express Trail

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on November 15, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.