Mormon Springs, Mississippi Explained

Official Name:Mormon Springs, Mississippi
Pushpin Map:Mississippi#USA
Pushpin Label:Mormon Springs
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Mississippi
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Monroe
Timezone:Central (CST)
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation Ft:266
Coordinates:33.8264°N -88.2956°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Area Code:662
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank Info:709363

Mormon Springs is an unincorporated community in Monroe County, Mississippi. Mormon Springs is located southwest of Gattman.

History

Mormon Springs is named for the nearby spring used to baptize local converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). On April 8, 1846, 43 people, led by John Brown, left Mormon Springs with the planned destination of the Salt Lake Valley.[1] Among the settlers was John Holladay and Hark Wales, one of the earliest African-American members of the LDS church.[2] The settlers became known as the "Mississippi Saints", and established one of the first settlements outside of Salt Lake City. This community became what is today Holladay, Utah.[3] The Mississippi Saints also became the first American settlers of San Bernardino, California.[3]

A post office operated under the name Mormon Springs from 1854 to 1860.[4]

A granite monument describes the history of Mormon Springs and the Mississippi Saints.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Boone . David F. . The Mississippi Saints: A Unique Odyssey of Southern Pioneers . rsc.byu.edu . 28 August 2023.
  2. Web site: Wales, Hark . exhibits.lib.utah.edu . 27 August 2023.
  3. Web site: The Mississippi Saints . www.churchofjesuschrist.org . 28 August 2023.
  4. Web site: Monroe County . Jim Forte Postal History . August 27, 2023.
  5. News: Spotlight on historic sites: Mormon Springs . 27 August 2023 . Church News . February 19, 2000.