Everything Everywhere Daily · Sunday, July 26, 2026
The Mormon migration, planned to start in the spring of 1846, began two months early due to strained relations. An advance party established camps and prepared resources near Omaha, Nebraska, known as Winter Quarters, where many migrants suffered from poor conditions and disease, leading to over 600 deaths before spring. A second group, led by Brigham Young, established the Mormon Trail across the plains, opting for a more dangerous desert route to avoid non-Mormon travelers.
“The reason for the early departure was that relations with the locals had gotten so strained that they could no longer stay.”
“Many of the migrants suffered in poor housing and did not have enough food.”
“Combined with the terrible winter conditions in late 1846 and early 1847, many members of the group got scurvy or malaria.”
“Over 600 people died before the arrival of spring.”
“This new route became known as the Mormon Trail.”