SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the designation of the Mountain Meadows Massacre site in Washington County as a national historic landmark.
The site is the location where approximately 120 people were killed by a mob comprised of the Iron County district of the Utah Territorial Militia and some local Indians.
The massacre took place on September 11, 1857 with the slaughter of an immigrant party from Arkansas during a time of hysteria in Utah among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who feared the U.S. government might invade to take control of the territory.
Several children were spared by the mob.
A memorial stands at the site that was constructed and dedicated in 1999 with financing and cooperation of the LDS Church and the Mountain Meadows Association.
The controversial event has been a subject of debate by historians and families of survivors for several decades.
The Mountain Meadows site is one 14 historic U.S. designations announced by Salazar on Thursday.
“Each of these landmarks represents a chapter in the story of America, from archaeological sites dating back more than two millennia to historic train depots, homes of famous artists, and buildings designed by some of our greatest architects,” said Secretary Salazar. “By designating these sites as national landmarks, we help meet the goals of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to establish a conservation ethic for the 21st century and reconnect people, especially young people, to our nation’s historic, cultural, and natural heritage.”
The site is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the nomination to the National Parks Service was initiated by church officials.
The designation does not place any federal regulations upon the Church.
Assistant Church Historian and Recorder Richard E. Turley Jr., told ABC 4 News the historical designation as a good thing.
"This is the result of a multi-year collaboration between the Church, the Mountain Meadows associations and the federal government," said Turley. "We have nothing but appreciation for all those whose efforts made this possible."
Turley said it's important to remember what happened at the site, even for members of the Church.
"It was a terrible and significant thing that happened in U.S. and Church history, and it's important to honor those whose lives were taken so senselessly," said Turley.
----Some information from: U.S. Dept. of the Interior.
