Mountain Meadows

1-22 Pictures

Mountain Meadows Massacre Memorial

The Mountain Meadows Massacre took place in 1857 when LDS Pioneers from Cedar City and Parowan disguised themselves as indians and attacked the Fancher Wagon train of emigrants which was heading along the Spanish Trail for California. The estimated toll of the massacre ranges from 100 to 140.

The massacre occurred in two stages: On September 7th a group of Mormon pioneers and Paiutes attacked the wagon train. On September 11th, John D. Lee and Mormon settlers approached the wagon train claiming to have negotiated a treatise with the indians. While leading the Fancher party back to Cedar City, the LDS Settlers separated the Fancher Party into three small groups then killed them.

After the massacre, the Mormon settlers swore an oath of secrecy making it difficult to determine who was involved in the massacre. There is also a great deal of controversy over the role that Brigham Young played in the events.

For many years, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Utah state appeared to be trying to put the massacre behind them. Early memorials built on the site were routinely vandalized. State, church and local authorities were not open to building a memorial.

At the turn of the last century, opinions changed. Both Utah State and the LDS Church recognized that they needed to accept both the good and bad parts of the state's history. Utah State constructed a memorial overlooking the massacre site in 1990. The LDS Church built a memorial on the seige site, which was dedicated in 1999.

Just point and junk disappears with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Save $10 when you book online. Book Now.

Context: Places