Wintering
Latter-day Saints had been driven from their homes in
Nauvoo, Illinois by mobs. Forced to leave on relatively short notice, they were unable to bring many useful supplies. Influential non-member
Thomas L. Kane, seeking to convince the
Latter-day Saints' leaders to establish a volunteer military group (later known as the
Mormon Battalion), received permission from the
federal government for the group to encamp in
Omaha Tribe lands, including the site of
Cutler's Park. Conditions at the settlement remained primitive the first month, with pioneers living in tents while the men put up hay, found water and managed the cattle. Due to arguments among the Oto and Omaha tribes over use of the land, the
Latter-day Saints moved their camp three miles east to a site overlooking the Missouri River. The settlers needed a mill to grind corn, wheat, and rye to create cornmeal and flour products. Constructed next to Turkey Creek, later called Mill Creek, which flowed into the
Missouri River, the original structure was started in the fall of 1846. It was completed by the spring of 1847 at the cost of $3,000.
Brigham Young sold this mill to John Neff, who left it when he also moved to
Salt Lake City. Later settlers renovated and used the mill for years. Evidence of the original construction techniques has been found in the surviving
Florence Mill. The area that was once Winter Quarters became part of the community of
Florence, which then became part of
North Omaha. The pioneer community is remembered with several attractions, including the
Mormon Pioneer Cemetery,
Cutler's Park,
Mormon Trail Center and the
Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge. The
Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple was dedicated there on Sunday, April 22nd, 2001. ==See also==