Mormon Places

As pioneers headed west on the Mormon Trail, some settled near the crossing of the West Nishnabotna River. They established Old Macedonia in 1846 to serve the needs of pioneers traveling west. The Pioneer Trail Museum features a replica handcart, oxen yoke, pictures, and other items related to the pioneers and Mormon Trail.

Fort Laramie once stood sentinel over the Oregon, California, and Mormon emigration trails; was a stop on the Pony Express route; and served as a staging ground for both peaceful and hostile dealings with Plains Indians. Its association with important figures, including Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, and historic events makes Fort Laramie an icon of the American West.

Following a day's journey from Fort Laramie, emigrants spent the night at Register Cliff , which rises one hundred feet above the North Platte River valley. The soft, chalky limestone rock made it easy for emigrants to inscribe their names into the cliff before continuing on their journey. The earliest signatures date to the late 1820s when trappers and fur traders passed through the area.

Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site , also called the Guernsey Ruts, is located where the geography of the area forced the Oregon Trail to change course. At this point, the Trail was blocked from continuing along the North Platte River by a steep ridge of sandstone rock. It had to go up and over the ridge in order to continue heading west.

Take a short hike in Capitol Gorge to see the historic Pioneer Register where early explorers and pioneers carved their names into the cliff wall. It is illegal to deface, vandalize, or add your own name to the Register.

Imagine homesteading this area with your family. Would more children make it easier? Elijah Cutler Behunin, his wife Tabitha Jane, and their 13 children lived in this cabin and the alcove above for just one year.

The Prairie Trails Museum features an excellent Mormon Trail exhibit about William Clayton and the Mormon Anthem "Come, Come, Ye Saints." In addition, it provides numerous other exhibits, including an intact, rescued log cabin built in 1853; horse-drawn farm artifacts, early settler’s tools, and farm machines (some are over 100 years old); and exhibits about Corydon's history.

The Archway is a unique trail-themed building that spans the emigrant trails, now part of Interstate 80. The facility tells this story of 170 years of westward movement with detailed displays, family activities, education programs, and more.

Take a guided tour of this restored jail house and explore why it was the site of one of the pivotal events in the history of the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. It was here in June of 1844 that an armed mob stormed the jail and killed Joseph and Hyrum Smith as they awaited trial.