It is near the location where the initial group of Mormon pioneers spent their first night in what was then Mexico's Salt Lake Valley, on July 22, 1847.

Under the leadership of Brigham Young, it was decided to move the church government and membership to the Great Basin, then in Mexican territory, where they hoped to practice their religion without persecution.

[2] This migration occurred during the US western expansion period, when groups of migrants, organized into wagon trains, commonly traveled along newly developed westward trails.

[4] On July 21, 1847, Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow went ahead of the scouting party, at that time in Emigration Canyon, and first entered Salt Lake Valley.

The following day they traveled north, to the future site downtown Salt Lake City setting up camp near 300 South and State Street.

Brigham Young and the remainder of the sick group did not enter the valley until July 24, 1847, which is commonly celebrated as Pioneer Day in Utah.