Wyoming, Nebraska
The Town
Wyoming, Nebraska, a beautifully situated town on the west bank of the Missouri River, was platted in 1856 by Jacob Dawson. The town center was located at the top of the bluffs, 0.6 mile southeast of this marker. Though buildings have vanished, the spirit of the town may still be felt by visiting it. From this marker, go south 0.3 miles and turn east onto the Market Street, running through the center of Wyoming. Sites such as Marker Street, Public Square, Cemetery Road, and Mormon Tent City can still be observed or imagined. Buildings long gone, included two, three-story limestone Warehouses which were filled with supplies for Mormon emigrants. The Wharf or Levee is still visible at the bottom of the bluffs.
The town grew slowly at first until members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons) established their Outfitting Place in Wyoming, Nebraska, for a three-year period (1864-1866); then the town prospered. Mormon emigrants from Europe usually traveled by sailboats, railroads,, then riverboats to Wyoming where they made preparation to go west by wagon train. Sixteen ‘Church Trains’ were driven from Utah to Wyoming and back, 2000 miles, to transport poor European Mormon emigrants to their Zion in the ‘Tops of the Mountains.’ In addition, nine independent Mormon Wagon Trains journeyed from Wyoming, making a total of 25 wagon trains with about 7,000 emigrants who prepared for and started their trek west from Wyoming.