Established by 2,500 pioneers from
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) as they were making their way westward to the Rocky Mountains, Cutler's Park was briefly the headquarters camp of the church. It was created in August 1846 and covered the area surrounding what is now the intersection of Mormon Bridge Road and Young Street in
Omaha, Nebraska. Cutler's Park proved to be Nebraska's first and briefest planned community. Although it was made up of only tents and wagons arranged in orderly squares, it had a governing council with various committees, an emergency brigade, and even a town square. A monument has been erected to commemorate this historic site. Cutler's Park was named in honor of
Alpheus Cutler, who founded the site. Cutler was an early leader in the
Latter Day Saint movement, who was later known for being one of the master builders of the
Nauvoo Temple and for establishing his own branch of
Mormonism known as the
Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite). After local Native nations the
Omaha and
Oto tribes complained the Mormons were in the wrong location, the church pioneers were told to move by the
Indian agent who permitted their stay. Cutler's Park was located 3½ miles west-southwest of the original area they were allotted for their encampment. It was completely vacated by December 1846, with every resident moving back to that location located on tableland next to the Missouri River. There, the church established
Winter Quarters, which lasted until 1848 when church members continued onto
Salt Lake City, Utah. It was completely vacated by December 1846, eight years before the
Nebraska Territory came into existence.
The town of Florence in the
Nebraska Territory, was established on the site of Winter Quarters, making use of what had been left when it was abandoned. == Commemoration ==