The Restoration in Images

Winter quarters was a rest stop for the saints, and the temporary headquarters of the church.  The Saints traveled on the north side of the Platt river, now referred to as the Mormon Trail,  while the Oregon trail followed the south bank of the river.   Brigham Young wanted to avoid the already resource-pressed Oregon trail.  The fact that many of the ruffians who had driven them from their homes in Missouri and Illinois were traveling the Oregon trail was also a factor in this choice.