"In 1846 one of the nation's great planned migrations moved through northern Omaha, establishing in the process its winter camp and staging area. over 3,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon pioneers) occupied this site, known as Winter Quarters. Today several landmarks and monuments - including the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery, Winter Quarters monument, Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge, and Mormon Mill --- tell the history of Winter Quarters.

The Mormon Trail Center is located across the street from the cemetery, with daily tours from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Visitors may watch a short audiovisual presentation about the history of the Mormon Pioneers."
Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters, a brochure
by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Click here for map to the Trail Center

Those early Latter-day Saints "crossed southern Iowa and settled temporarily on both sides of the Missouri River. The Mormon Battalion, who completed the longest infantry march in U.S. history, left from the site of the Grand Encampment six miles southeast of Kanesville in July 1846. After the first groups of pioneers left Winter Quarters (now Florence, Nebraska) for the Great Salt Lake Valley in 1847-48, Kanesville (now Council Bluffs, Iowa) became the headquarters of the Church in the Midwest. In December 1847, 200 men under the direction of Henry W. Miller constructed a large log structure in less than three weeks. It was built to accommodate about 1,000 people. Here Brigham Young was sustained as the second President of the Church on 27 December 1847. Kanesville became a major outfitting place as pioneers continued to move west. The tabernacle deteriorated and was eventually dismantled. The replica, built in 1996, stands near the original site.

Today visitors can tour the visitor's center and tabernacle, and see audiovisual presentations of the historical exhibits.
Historic Kanesville Tabernacle at Council Bluffs, a brochure
by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Click here for map to the Kanesville Tabernacle