Mormon Battalion Museum

Having been driven by mobs from their homes in Illinois, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as “Mormons” sought assistance from the government for their migration to the west.  The U. S. Government responded with President James Polk requesting they assemble an army to march as part of the Army of the West during the Mexican-American War from Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas to San Diego.  This march is one of the longest in the history of the U. S. Army, totaling over 2,000 miles, and arriving in San Diego on January 29, 1847.

At the war’s end, the members of the Mormon Battalion stayed on and performed garrison duties, making friends with the Californios and bringing a community together through their service.  They fired some of the first bricks in California and used the bricks to line deeper wells, providing healthy drinking water to the Pueblo of San Diego.  The Battalion also constructed our first U. S. Courthouse, where a replica stands in Old Town today.

Mormon Battalion Historic Site

4.8

Based on 2099 reviews

review us on

Sheralyn Belyeu

20:30 07 Mar 22

Great interactive experience! After the tour we walked across the road to the oldest synagogue in San Diego and hiked... up a trail for a beautiful view of the sun setting behind the historical district. This is a popular destination for school groups studying California state history, and I can see why. There’s even free parking at the Mormon Battalion center or behind the Historical Park. Very worthwhile.read more

Bryan Baron

18:24 28 Feb 22

I love the way this museum teaches you about this historical event. It's a fun and interactive process where they take... you through multiple rooms and make you feel like you personally experienced a part of the trek to San Diego.My kids especially enjoyed panning for gold at the end.read more

elizabeth evans

04:13 28 Feb 22

This was an Amazing Interactive historical experience. And it was free! If you are ever in Old Town San Diego don't... Miss. It would be especially great for kids 12 and underread more

Joseph Mason

19:06 29 Jan 22

If you have interest in California's history, or one of the most influential battalions in the Country then this is... definitely the place to go. They have missionaries to answer questions, and it feels very nice and peaceful here. The Mormon battalion is definitely a must, for places to go.read more

Aaron Wright

18:57 23 Jan 22

The multimedia presentation was great. I learned a lot and the kids had fun.It works be nice if the presentation... wasn't so rigid. The kids really wanted to try on the soldier things.read more

Lara D

02:55 22 Jan 22

This was a wonderful place to visit... and it is free (even the parking). The tour was fun and kept our kids... entertained as well as taught us some history. I would definitely recommend a visit here!read more

Kiki M

05:11 17 Jan 22

I really enjoyed this tour! I didn’t know what to expect, but I was definitely blown away by what I experienced. Really... informative and cute and makes you feel good after going through. I’m not Mormon but I feel like the messaging is still very relatable!read more

Gina DeCorla

21:59 09 Jan 22

I really loved visiting this place! The interactive tour was a lot of fun and the missionaries are friendly. It's a... cool way to learn about a historical event and it's completely free! I even tried to donate afterwards, but they wouldn't accept my money!read more

Sheri Pacitto

03:31 22 Oct 21

Interesting museum of the crossing of the Mormon people from Illinois to San Diego in the 1800’s. Free and open to the... public daily. Docents dressed in period garb. Gold panning for children in back courtyard. Free parking in lot behind the building or on the street.read more

Lewis Gunter

03:44 18 Oct 21

Way better than expected. I That's expecting a few rooms full of memorabilia and facts. Instead it was an interactive,... 40 minute tour that kept the kids engaged and entertained. Very very well done.read more

Amy Tryon

18:07 16 Oct 21

This was a really neat learning experience. They make learning about the Mormon Battalion fun. There is a guided tour... with videos and themed rooms. When the tour is done, look at artifacts, find relatives who were part of the battalion, and get an old timey picture taken. The missionary tour guides were really nice. The outside courtyard has gold panning as well as a play well you can practice raising the bucket, a washboard and pump for water, and a replica of brick making. Highly recommended tour! We had fun learning about history.read more

Jason Ogden

20:36 18 Sep 21

Kids love it. Adults enjoy too. We always take people here when we they visit. Great history and free! Check it out.

Pirozhock S Kotom

23:14 16 Sep 21

This is the best part of San Diego historical park for sure. It’s not just the museum, they entertain and educate you.... The tour is super awesome and interactive. Missionaries are super nice and fun, the historical stuff is super interesting. Even if you don’t care for religious matter, this museum is absolutely fantastic. Love it and highly recommended to everyone!read more

Randall Franks

16:36 24 Aug 21

Interactive history is what is intriguing about this historical site! It's almost like being there with the Mormon... Battalion in Mexican Territory in 1846-47. This historical site is authentic, well managed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and entertaining for young and old alike. It is well worth your time! While you're in the neighborhood, why not visit the magnificent San Diego Temple! You can't miss it!read more

Brianna Mendez

22:37 12 Aug 21

I have been here several times with different groups of people and everyone has loved it. The information is presented... in a fun, creative way. Definitely worth a visit.read more

Chelsea Selk

15:02 10 Aug 21

This is a very unique and fun place to visit. I learned a lot and my kids loved the whole experience. There are a lot... of fun little activities to do once you finish the tour. Such a great free activity to do when in San Diego!read more

Grant Hwang

23:42 07 Aug 21

Wow, truly impressed. History buffs will enjoy this, so will kids. It’s all completely free. As you can imagine there... will be some talk about their religion, but it isn’t pushy or weird. It was enough to emphasize the overall story of the tour. Highly recommended, it is a Hollywood level production.read more

Robert Anderson

01:45 29 Jul 21

Great historic tour ~45 minutes makes for a fulfilling family activity. Most Latter-day Saints would likely know about... this place but for non-members it's a more casual historic tour rather than religious proselyting.The updates they've made to the experience made this one of my kids' favorite activities during this trip!read more

Dason Hatch

00:56 12 Jul 21

Great experience for my family. Brought 4 kids under 10 years and had a great time. Missionaries there are really nice... and helpfulread more

Ramona Diego

00:48 02 Jul 21

We took our granddaughter and she loved it. The tour guides are dressed in history costumes. The guides are great... and know their information. The building is very clean. Public bathrooms are available. You can have a free picture taken. There's even a place for kids to pan for gold and wash clothes with an old fashioned washboard. It's a wonderful place.read more

Suzanne Stephens

04:03 25 Jun 21

This is a hidden gem in Old Town. I highly recommend it! Very interesting presentation on how the Mormons came to San... Diego and were involved in the building of Old Town. Great for the whole family. No charge. Won't even take donations. You can pan for gold at the end.read more

Jon Claeton

07:30 19 Jun 21

I didn’t know what to expect. I was stuck in San Diego with my mother after watching my second child graduate from Boot... Camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot.We had several hours to kill, just waiting for planes. I saw the sign underneath a rather impressive collection of architecture and history expertly arranged an built into the hills of San Diego.I knew that the tour was going to be a combination of history and religious evangelism. These wonderfully nice people still surprised me.We arrived halfway through the Spanish tour whereupon a blue eyed latter-day Saints sister recited, by script, in perfect Spanish, a preview of the tour we were about to undertake.It’s not really a tour.It is an interactive, three part,(audience, sister tour guides, and interactive historical characters in wall paintings straight out of Harry Potter) historical/spiritual message.The set dressings are surprisingly realistic given the setting. We know that these are props however, the props are REALLY good!Like “actual kit or better” good.( I’m a little bit of a history buff and I have some long years in set design)The explanations and actual physical props from the US military in that time are spot on accurate from an equipment point of view.The history side is better than expected. However, this is still a mission. So expect a spiritual side.At this point I have to tell you, it’s actually an astoundingly positive thing. I wasn’t expecting that.At the beginning of this they bring up a focusing (at least for me)themeThroughout tribulation, “We chose to be happy” outlined the Latter Day Saints contributions to both California and to the United States of America.It was nice to see people who were proud of their faith outlining exactly how that same faith helped frame the west.Thank you for an entertaining and informational afternoon.PS: There are many who look at this place as a straight on religious conversion center. You might be right.But, at least these people speak from the heart as to what they believeread more

Elizabeth Lee

00:08 15 Jun 21

Nice recreational park perfect for soccer, running, and any other outdoor and water sport. There's a ton of parking... for cars with trailers, but few for car only. Parking is free.Gets really busy on the weekends and the weekdays are light attendance.read more

Kyle Smith

16:16 03 Jun 21

Awesome to learn about the heritage of the Latter Day Saints as theycrossed the plains in the later 1800s. Fun place,... very interactive. Prefect among of time, just 45 to 50 minutes.read more

Lisa Ro

16:17 02 Jun 21

Our whole family had a fantastic time learning about the history of the Mormon Battalion and how their efforts paved... the way for future historical events. The kids especially liked panning for gold and taking home fools good. It was a fun hour and be sure to make a reservation.read more

Marissa Skinner

03:54 25 May 21

Fantastic experience! Highly recommend for people of all religious backgrounds. Make reservations in advance to ensure... you get in! Super interactive tour. Our two year old even was entertained during the tour and LOVED panning for gold at the end.read more

Dave Kelly

19:16 14 May 21

Awesome and free tour! Very well done. Highly recommended. Great for kids and adults.

Lilly Cano

06:34 10 May 21

Highly recommend. If you can spare the 40 minutes tour, you will love it. Lots of valuable history information.... Everyone is welcoming and friendly.read more

Jason Blazzard

13:40 09 May 21

way more if an experience than I expected. great for families

Denny Bird

00:54 09 May 21

Loved visiting here! Very fun and interactive, and it's free!

Hector T

05:49 07 May 21

I love this interactive museum. A favorite of our family. Well put together.

Lisbeth Sierra

23:17 23 Apr 21

It was my first time going there like a year ago for girls camp and I really liked it 👍🏻

Valeria

00:37 08 Apr 21

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS AQUARIUM! It was my first time visiting it and I had a blast. I really enjoyed seeing all the... sea animals. My favorite was the Atlantic Giant Octopus and the Kelp forest was beautiful! There is plenty of parking. They also have small tide pools where you can touch anenomies, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and SHARK EGGS! Oh and the outside view, WOW. My breath was taken away. Overall, 10/10, this place is perfect for kids and all who love the ocean.read more

Alicia Gomez

16:52 15 Oct 20

Wonderful experience!! Even if you aren’t apart of the LDS church, it’s a great time. Lots of history and the... missionaries are just so outstanding. We go here every time we visit SD.read more

Angelina Howard

04:12 13 Oct 20

This place is awesome and is great to go visit at least once!

Chris Smith

22:11 21 Jul 20

I love learning about history and I particularly enjoy history as it relates to my people whether it be US history or... the history of my faith. This is very cool and well put together. We weren't able to go inside because of the pandemic but I've been in previously and it was extremely interesting and well presented. Even from the outside, it was clear that improvements and refinements had been made since my last visit. I'm excited to go inside again the next time I get to SDread more

Yvonne Rini

20:20 04 May 20

A fun free activity for the he whole family. It's lds, but the volunteers are not pushy and do not try to sell you on... converting, so don't let that scary you. Parking is fairly easy and I there is a lot in backread more

Sonny Hall

20:41 25 Feb 20

Such a neat experience! Very fun, interactive guided tour and was one of the highlights of our trip (10 yr old, 8 yr... old & 6 yr old)! The kids even got to pan for gold and keep their favorite piece! Highly recommend checking this out if you're in the area!read more

Dandi Wright

07:37 10 Feb 20

The tour was not only informative, but funny, entertaining and interactive. My kids 7 years to 18 years all enjoyed it.... They take a picture of your group at the end and give you a free copy too! Panning for gold was one of my kids favorite activities at the end.read more

Kevin

13:48 08 Feb 20

Awesome place to check out!! Great place for free internment! If you are pressed for time rearrange your schedule... because there is a lot to see and do.We had heard about the Mormon Battalion from a friend of ours and they said it was great and they were totally right!!Just walking up to the entrance looking at the cool old looking building and the covered wagon out front and the beautiful statue you start to see how much time was put into the building.Next you walk in and are welcomed by friendly people and you can look around a little bit and then go right into a very well lead and interactive tour. We have 3 kids under the age of 8 and they all we able to stay interested during the tour and the gold mining at the end put the tour over the top!read more

Ray Banks

00:16 08 Jan 20

Highly recommended for couples and families! Free tour through multiple rooms that is both engaging and... interactive!They have exits from every room in case you need to duck out early - and honestly we were planning to do that - but then we got so into it that we didn’t want to!At the end they even had a free photo booth that prints out the photo. The whole experience was really cool and I highly recommend it!If you stay for the whole tour it’s about 40 min.read more

Raymond Ellis

00:49 29 Dec 19

I really enjoyed the tour of the site. This was a unique tour. It was a guided tour with two docents (one was in... training, her 1st day). The tour consisted of a number of audio visual movies in which the docents interacted with the characters to tell the story of the Mormon battalion. It's was really cool how they did it. You could really tell how enthusiastic and proud the tour guides were of the members of the Mormon battalion!read more

Malavika Hegde

18:19 11 Dec 19

This place is so nice and entertaining, best part is... it’s FREE! Once i got there, I was asked to wait till the rest... of the group gathers. Once there were enough people, the tour began. It was highly entertaining and fun. They go into the history of the Mormon battalion using projector movies and also they have designed each room to look realistically like the place the Mormon battalion would have resided. They had real guns, clothes etc. in the end they give you a free black and white picture as souvenir. I definitely recommend this place.read more

Next Reviews

VISIT WEBSITE

Map & Directions

;