Historic Sites and Markers Along the Mormon and Other Great Western Trails

In preparation for a trip from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City for summer 2009, intent on visiting various sites along the Mormon Trail, I purchased this book. It is truly a mind boggling work which makes one wonder how it was accomplished. The book is slightly out of date as things have changed some since the 1988 publishing. For instance, Martin's Cove in Wyoming has gone through a major renovation not mentioned in the book. Yet Dr. Kimball visited the site in his time anyway, a tribute to his tenacity and love for the Trail. It should be noted that the author is a direct descendent of Heber C. Kimball, who was second in command to Brigham Young during the Mormon Vanguard Company march in 1847 from Winter Quarters (Omaha) to Salt Lake City. Dr. Kimball clearly possessed much of Heber Kimball's faith and intelligence. This book has been a tremendous help to my research in preparation for the 11 day trip. One may find most of these trail sites by using the internet, yet this book brings it all together and since it was written by Dr. Kimball, it is highly credible. Recommended to anyone interested in visiting sites along pioneer trails.

This excellent guide book identifies most of the historic markers located on a handful of western trails (though a few are as far east as Ohio) that a modern traveler today could stop and look at. There are 25 trails or trail segments listed: 9 of them deal with the Mormon Trail and its variants, 8 with the Oregon-California Trail and its variants, 2 with the Bridger-Overland Trail, 2 with the Santa Fe Trail, and the rest with lesser known trails. The emigration of the Mormons interests Kimball the most, and the fullest details concern those sites related to the Mormon experience. All sites and markers are carefully located with precise driving directions; those on private property (a decided minority) are so indicated, which is always helpful in books like this. Marker inscriptions are recorded, and historical background information is given for all 550 sites listed. The book is handsomely illustrated with many photographs, and maps of all the trails are also included, though they are general in form and not very specific. Kimball has done an excellent job, and the book is a major guide to western trails for today's traveler, especially the Mormon and Oregon-California Trails. Definitely worth acquiring.