The Mormon Battalion Historic Site is a historic site in Old Town, San Diego, California, in honor of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who served in the United States Army's Mormon Battalion during the Mexican–American War of 1846–1848. The battalion was stationed in Old Town in 1847, and they built wells and a courthouse on the site. In the 1960s, the Mormon Church opened a visitor center to commemorate their historical ties to San Diego. A new visitor center was dedicated on January 30, 2010
If you're on the hunt for free things to do in San Diego this weekend, why not check out the Mormon Battalion Historic Site? On 1846, five hundred men voluntarily enlisted into the Battalion, accompanied by eighty women and children and marched around thousand miles across seven different states before entering Mexico. This march helped the cession of the southern states from Mexico's control.
Today, visitors can visit the monument for free to learn more about that incredible and historic journey. Everyone is also welcome to try on replicated period clothing, try to make a brick by hand, and pan for gold. Occasionally visitors will report hearing phantom whispers and footsteps moving along with them at the site.
Some locals believe soldiers who perished on the journey now rest at the tribute site and like to follow people as they go through the tour.
