Images of Mormon Battalion Historic Site
Mormon Battalion Historic Site and its collection
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The Mormon Battalion Historic Site is located in Old Town, San Diego, California. It was constructed to honor the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who served in the United States Army's Mormon Battalion during the Mexican–American War of 1846–1848. This site provides a glimpse into a significant period in American history and the role of the LDS Church in it.
Formation and Journey of the Mormon Battalion
In 1846, a group largely composed of Mormons formed the Mormon Battalion in response to a call for midwesterners to bolster the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War. In July of that year, 496 men, 36 women, and 43 children embarked on a journey from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to assist the war efforts in California. This six-month, 2,000-mile journey was one of the longest marches in U.S. history. Unfortunately, 27 members of the group died due to illness and accidents. Most of the remaining women and children stayed in Pueblo, Colorado, while 335 men and four women continued on to San Diego under the command of Lt. Philip St. George Cooke.
Arrival and Contributions of the Mormon Battalion in San Diego
The Mormon Battalion arrived in San Diego on January 29, 1847. By this time, the fighting had ended, leaving the battalion without their original purpose. Instead, they found work in helping to secure San Diego. They engaged in various activities such as building a bakery, digging wells, blacksmithing, cart repair, whitewashing existing buildings, and brickmaking. They also built the first fired-brick structure in San Diego on the town plaza, facing San Diego Avenue. This building was originally designed to be a town hall and later became the first courthouse in San Diego.
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#8 Free museums in San Diego
#9 History & Anthropology in San Diego
#4 Historic houses in San Diego
#3 Religion museums in San Diego
#3 War museums in San Diego
#105 Free museums in California
#186 History & Anthropology in California
#139 Historic houses in California
#28 Religion museums in California
#26 War museums in California