The Mountain Meadows Massacre Site National Historic Monument is located just off State Route 18 between Enterprise and St. George, Utah. The monument is spread across four different sites: a memorial to the women, children and wounded; a memorial to the men and older boys; the overlook memorial and memorial wall; and the gravesite memorial. You’ll have to drive between sites.
So what happened at Mountain Meadows? This site was where a horrific tragedy occurred in September of 1857. Around 140 people, most of them families from Arkansas, were camped in this valley en route to California and new opportunities. The camp was attacked by Mormon militiamen and Paiute Indians they had recruited. Over a 5 day siege the attackers killed at least 10 men, before waving a white flag of truce and entering the encampment.
The militiamen deceived the emigrants into surrendering weapons and property, and separated them into 3 groups before marching them out from camp. They then proceeded to massacre the remaining immigrants, including women and children. Only 17 small children were not killed. The dead were left without burial until 2 years later when the US Army buried the victim’s scattered remains.
This truly horrific massacre can be remembered today by visiting the memorials. The main area features the gravesite memorial and a short walking path. Here is where the remains of many of the emigrants are buried in a mass grave.
Be sure to also visit the overlook memorial where a short trail leads to a memorial wall and a good view of the valley where the massacre occurred.
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