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 Mormon Island - 240
N 38° 41.957 W 121° 07.654
10S E 662827 N 4285070
Mormon Island was a town that was established by some of the Mormons from the Mormon Battalion. The town is now under water at Folsom Lake but when lake levels are low the foundations can still be seen.
Waymark Code: WM62PY
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/22/2009
Views: 25
Early in 1848 W. Sidney S. Willis(es) and Wilford Hudson, members of the Mormon Battalion, set out from Sutter's Fort to hunt deer. Stopping on the South Fork of the American River, they found gold. They told their story on returning to the fort and soon about 150 Mormons and other miners flocked to the site, which was named "Mormon Island." This was the first major gold strike in California after James W. Marshall's discovery at Coloma. The population of the town in 1853 was more than 2500. It had four hotels, three dry goods stores, five general merchandise stores, and express office and many small shops. The first ball in Sacramento County was held here, December 25, 1849. A fire destroyed the town in 1856 and it was never rebuilt. Its site, one-half mile east of here, was inundated by Folsom Lake in 1955.
Marker Name: Mormon Island
Marker Number: 240
Marker Text:
Early in 1848 W. Sidney S. Willis(es) and Wilford Hudson, members of the Mormon Battalion, set out from Sutter's Fort to hunt deer. Stopping on the South Fork of the American River, they found gold. They told their story on returning to the fort and soon about 150 Mormons and other miners flocked to the site, which was named "Mormon Island." This was the first major gold strike in California after James W. Marshall's discovery at Coloma. The population of the town in 1853 was more than 2500. It had four hotels, three dry goods stores, five general merchandise stores, and express office and many small shops. The first ball in Sacramento County was held here, December 25, 1849. A fire destroyed the town in 1856 and it was never rebuilt. Its site, one-half mile east of here, was inundated by Folsom Lake in 1955.
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