Children and adults, alike, are invited as Old Town commemorates the 165th anniversary of the Mormon Battalion's arrival and historic contributions to San Diego. Thousands have found this to be a wonderful "living history" experience for the whole family.
Even after the "Mormons" had been driven from their homes by mobs and as they were preparing to travel west, then President Polk commissioned the U.S. Army to enlist a battalion of Mormons (about 500 men) for one year to serve as part of Col. Stephen Kearny's Army of the West during the Mexican War. The army officer who enlisted the Mormons named this unit "The Mormon Battalion." Leaving families behind to continue their flight westward, the men and women of the Mormon Battalion enlisted in the service of their country. They marched with very little food or supplies and built a wagon road across the daunting southwest desert to California. Arriving in San Diego on January 29, 1847, the Battalion quickly won the trust of the Californios through their willingness to serve. They taught the Californios how to dig deep wells, fire bricks, and use the bricks to line the wells, thereby providing much needed drinking water to San Diego. The Battalion also constructed the first U.S. Court House, right where a replica stands in Old Town today.
In commemoration of the service given by the Mormon Battalion to early San Diego, Old Town State Historic Park will be turned into an 1840 encampment, with hands-on family activities to include doll making, quilting, rope making, butter churning, historic displays, children's crafts, and other period demonstrations, including cannon and musket firings. Authentic songs, stories and music will entertain throughout the day. A gold panning activity can be enjoyed at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site at 2510 Juan St. Admission and all Battalion-related activities are FREE.
When/Where: Saturday, January 28th, 2012, 10:00am - 3:00pm, Old Town State Historic Park.
Why: Fun-filled, authentic period activities and events to explore and appreciate Old Town's rich history and the contributions to San Diego made by the Mormon Battalion.
Dianna Packard posted at 9:14 am on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
I took my grandchildren last year. They loved it!!
Sherri Knobloch posted at 2:20 pm on Wed, Jan 25, 2012.
This is a great event! I've have been to it before and plan on attending again. It's a FREE activity for the whole family and an interactive "hands-on" way for your 4th grader to learn early California history the fun way! Hey, maybe you can persuade your 4th grade teacher to give you extra credit for attending! It's always worth asking.
Kathy posted at 2:06 pm on Wed, Jan 25, 2012.
I have attended this historical, fun, family event for the past 8 years. What fun to spend the day "back in the 1800's." and learn a little bit about San Diego's history. Hope lots of people will join us.[beam]