Historical group proposes to certify Pisgah in National Park Service

Union County Board of Supervisors Monday was receptive of a proposal to include Mount Pisgah in the National Parks Service trails division. No formal action was taken.

Jane Briley, a Union County historian and member of the Iowa Mormon Trail Association, informed the county of the idea to include Mount Pisgah in the certification program which would enhance the area’s publicity and promotion through the National Parks Service.

Joseph Smith, a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had many of his followers living in Nauvoo, Illinois. But unrest between the Mormons and others in Nauvoo over business and politics influenced the Mormons to leave. On Feb. 4, 1846, the first Mormons left in wagons ferried across the Mississippi River to Iowa. On March 1 some 500 Mormon wagons left which was the beginning of the move of thousands of Mormons across Iowa eventually to present day Salt Lake City, Utah. What is known as the Mormon Trail, from Illinois to Salt Lake City, is already recognized by the National Parks Service.

Knowing supplies would be needed along the way, Mormons built places were those on the trail could restock and rest. One stop was named Mount Pisgah located northeast of Afton and west of U.S. Highway 169.

During the five years of the trail, Briley said research estimates at least 2,000 people were at Mount Pisgah at a given time and more than 20,000 passed through.

Angelica Sanchez-Clark, who works with the trails part of the National Parks Service, said the certification of Mount Pisgah, doesn’t change anything.

“We are trail administrators; we don’t own or manage any of the lands. Anything we do on the ground is to research promote, sign and educate is done through partnerships (like historical groups),” she said.

Mount Pisgah is already an established public site. The trails service would enhance its publicity through the parks service.

“It helps to elevate Mount Pisgah for people who may not or don’t know about it outside of those who already go,” she said.

Briley said the property the Mount Pisgah monument sets is owned by Latter Day Saints Church. About 1.5 acres around the monument is owned by Union County. An adjacent property is owned by the Bob Brown family. He died late last year.

Sanchez-Clark does not see a problem with the formal agreement with the church since the area already has public access. Briley said she will contact the Brown family.