Florence, Nebraska, is located on the Missouri River, about 275 miles west of Iowa City. Florence served as the primary outfitting location for the Latter-day Saints from 1859 to 1863. All 10 handcart companies from 1856 to 1860 passed through Florence, and the last ones began the handcart journey here. Florence was the last major stopping point on the trail before the final thousand miles to the Salt Lake Valley.

Three handcart companies of 1856 reached Florence in August, several weeks behind schedule. Many people in these companies decided not to continue their journey west that season. However, most of them continued the journey, leaving with James Willie on August 17 or with Edward Martin about 10 days later. The Hodgetts and Hunt wagon companies left soon after the Martin handcart company.

Today Florence is part of Omaha, Nebraska. The Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters includes exhibits that tell the story of the handcart experience of 1856.

Historic Sites

Interactive Map: Mormon Handcart Trail

Points of Interest