The First Statewide Pioneer Day Celebration

In July 1857 the Latter-day Saints climbed to Silver Lake, high in Big Cottonwood Canyon, to mark ten years in the valley — some 2,500 people with wagons, livestock, six brass bands, and a howitzer to fire salutes, flags flying from the peaks. It was the grandest party the young territory had thrown. Then, at noon on the 24th, riders arrived twenty days out of the States with hard news: a U.S. Army was marching on Utah. The celebration broke up, and the territory turned to face what became the Utah War.

What the plaque says

Headed by Brigham Young, the company reaching here July 23d numbered 2,587 persons, with 464 carriages & wagons, 1,028 horses & mules, and 332 oxen & cows. A program of addresses, six brass bands, singing, athletic events, drills by six companies of militia, and dancing, was punctuated by salutes from a brass howitzer. U. S. flags were flown from two highest peaks and two highest trees, the flag tree in front of Brigham Young's campsite being 70 feet N. W. of here. At noon July 24, Judson Stoddard and A. O. Smoot, 20 days from the States, with Elias Smith and O. P. Rockwell, arrived with news of the advance of Johnston's army against the "Mormons". The company returned in orderly formation on July 25th.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Brighton Resort — 0.4 mi
  The Salt Lake Valley's longtime local ski hill — big snow, lots of night skiing, and high-speed quads to everything.
• Solitude Mountain Resort — 0.8 mi
  The uncrowded, Alterra-owned resort at the head of Big Cottonwood Canyon, with Honeycomb Canyon's bowls and a quiet village base.
• Alta Ski Area — 3.2 mi
  One of America's oldest and snowiest ski areas — ski-only, fiercely independent, and built on an old silver camp.
• Snowbird — 4.0 mi
  The aerial-tram resort of Little Cottonwood Canyon, with steep terrain, deep snow, and one of the longest seasons in the country.

More markers nearby

• William Stuart Brighton — steps away
• St. Mary's of the Assumption (3) Markers — 5.3 mi
• Park City Community Church — 5.4 mi
• Grappa Restaurant Building — 5.4 mi