Mormon Trail (1847-1868)
Highlights of the journey to Zion
Objective
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Students will investigate aspects of the
Mormon Trail.
General Facts about
the Mormon Trail
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The Mormon Trail is its own trail only in Iowa and parts of Utah.
Mostly it follows the Oregon Trail and California Trail routes.
The Mormon Trail extends 1,300 miles in Iowa, Nebraska,
Wyoming, Utah.
Congress designated it the Mormon Pioneer National Historic
Trail in 1970s.
The Trail functioned from 1846-1868 — 23 years.
The Trail is not single file; its is a braided rope of trails.
Ave. covered wagon travel time to Utah from Missouri River was
10-12 weeks.
Wagons often traveled 2-4 abreast, not single file.
Most wagons were pulled by oxen, and averaged 12-14 miles
per day.
Most Mormon Trail travelers walked rather than ride in the
wagons.
Rough estimates are that some 6,000 Mormons died during
migrations to Utah.
Where does the Mormon Trail Begin?
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In the 19th century, most Mormon converts
came from Great Britain (about 55,000) and
Scandinavia (about 25,000). There were also
many other converts who came from Europe.
For most thought the Mormon Trail began in
Iowa.
The Trail went through 4 states: Iowa,
Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah.
Methods of Travel
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Covered wagons pulled by oxen.
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The wagon would be loaded with everything they
needed to make the journey and start their new life in
the Great Basin.
Most walked alongside the wagon.
Ship- The Brooklyn was a ship that was
chartered by Sam Brannan under the direction
of LDS leadership. It was to sail around South
America and land in San Francisco.
Handcarts- Used by poor Mormon immigrants.
Why use handcarts?
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Severe economic conditions
 Grasshopper investations
and drought reduced
payment to the
Perpetual Emigrating
Fund (PEF)
 In 1855, large number of
European immigrants
depleted the PEF
 Desire to bring more LDS
immigrants to Zion
Letter from BY to F. D. Richards
September 30, 1855
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“I have been thinking about how we
should operate another year. We cannot
afford to purchase wagons and teams as
in times past, I am consequently thrown
back upon my old plan – to make
handcarts, and let the emigration foot it . .
. They can come just as quick, if not
quicker and cheaper.”
Facts about Handcarts
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Used from 1856-1860
Only a total of ten handcart companies
There were about 3,000 of the 70,000 LDS
immigrants who crossed the Plains (18471868) by handcart, or 4.3%.
Normally five people or a family were
assigned a handcart and each individual was
limited to seventeen pounds of luggage
Replaced by Church trains in 1861
General Facts about
the Mormon Trail
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For vast majority, the trek was hard and taxing but not tragic
or awful.
An average of 14 LDS companies crossed the trail each year.
An est. 10,000 LDS wagons crossed the Mormon Trail to
Utah.
An estimated 70,000 Mormons traveled the Mormon Trail to
Utah.
By comparison, 300,000 emigrants went to California and
Oregon.
Ten handcart companies brought some 2,700 Mormons to
Utah.
Voyages Liverpool to New Orleans averaged 54 days, to NYC
38 days
Voyages Liverpool to NYC by steamer averaged 11 days.
A church sponsored Perpetual Emigrating Fund provided loans
and credits that assisted thousands to afford the sea and land
journey to Utah.
Some Uncommon Aspects of the
Mormon Trail by Dr. T. Edgar Lyon
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A religiously motivated migration
Economic status of the participants
Mormons did not employ professional guides
Non-Frontiersmen were quickly transformed into pioneers
A migration of families
The Mormon trail was a two-way road
The magnanimous aspect of the Mormon migration
The organization of the Mormon wagon trains
Respect for life and death
The Mormon migration was the movement of a community
Mormon Trail Quiz
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About how many hundred miles long was the Mormon Trail?
How many (within 10,000) Saints came to Utah on the Mormon Trail by
1869?
By Comparison, how many people went to Oregon and California on the
overland trails?
About how many Mormons died during their journeys to Zion?
How many pioneers came to Utah using handcarts? How many
companies?
How many died in the Martin and Willie handcart companies?
How long was the ocean voyage by sail from Liverpool to New Orleans?
How long was the ocean voyage by sail from Liverpool to New York?
How long did the ocean voyage take from Liverpool to NY by steamer?
Why was New Orleans dropped as the arrival point for LDS charter ships
from Liverpool after 1854?
Once immigrants reached outfitting points, how did they obtain wagons
and teams?
About how many weeks was the typical Mormon Trail wagon trip?
In thousands, about how many Mormon wagon companies used the
Mormon Trail (1847-1869)?