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History of Kirtland, Ohio, USA
Journey back in time to Kirtland, Ohio, USA
Visit Kirtland, Ohio, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.Do You Have Kirtland Roots? Share MY Ancestral Story!

During most of the 1830s there were two gathering places for Latter-day Saints, one in western Missouri and the other in northeastern Ohio. Although more members gathered to the Missouri frontier, Kirtland, Ohio, was the principal administrative headquarters of the Church and the major base for directing missionary work from 1831 until early 1838.
Latter-day Saint growth in northeastern Ohio began not long after the Church was organized in 1830. The Church was introduced into Ohio in late October 1830 and within a month gained 135 new members, of whom about 35 lived in Kirtland township (see Lamanite Mission of 1830-1831). Joseph Smith and his family moved there early in 1831, and in the spring and early summer of that year, other Latter-day Saints, primarily from Ohio and New York, followed. Although the Prophet made two trips to Missouri and lived for a time in nearby Hiram, Ohio, from the summer of 1832 until 1838 the Kirtland area was his primary residence.
The larger part of the first wave of Latter-day Saint settlers in Kirtland moved to Missouri before the end of 1831. The major growth of the LDS population in Kirtland began in 1833. The number rose from approximately 100 in that year to 2,000 in 1838. During the decade preceding the Mormon immigration, the population of the township doubled, increasing from 481 in 1820 to 1,018 in 1830. During the ensuing seven years, primarily as a result of immigration of Latter-day Saints, the population tripled...
eom.byu.edu
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1854 - Kirtland
Kirtland, a post-township in the S. E. part of Lake co. Ohio. Population, 1508.
Kirtland, a post-village in the above township, on a branch of Chagrin river, 100 miles N. E. from Columbus. The Western Reserve Teachers' Seminary at this place has 120 pupils. This village was formerly the head quarters of the Mormons, and contained at one time near 3000 persons. Since their removal, many of the houses have gone to decay. The temple which they built here in 1835 is said to have cost $40,000.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
Kirtland, a post-township in the S. E. part of Lake co. Ohio. Population, 1508.
Kirtland, a post-village in the above township, on a branch of Chagrin river, 100 miles N. E. from Columbus. The Western Reserve Teachers' Seminary at this place has 120 pupils. This village was formerly the head quarters of the Mormons, and contained at one time near 3000 persons. Since their removal, many of the houses have gone to decay. The temple which they built here in 1835 is said to have cost $40,000.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
1895 - Kirtland
Kirt'land, a post-village of Lake co, O, in Kirtland township, on an affluent of Chagrin River, about 22 miles N.E. of Cleveland. It was formerly occupied by the Mormons, who built a temple here about 1836. It contains 3 churches, a high school, a flour-mill, &c. Pop, about 300; of the township, 1029.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Kirt'land, a post-village of Lake co, O, in Kirtland township, on an affluent of Chagrin River, about 22 miles N.E. of Cleveland. It was formerly occupied by the Mormons, who built a temple here about 1836. It contains 3 churches, a high school, a flour-mill, &c. Pop, about 300; of the township, 1029.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1916
Kirtland, a post-village of Lake co., Ohio, on an affluent of the Chagrin River, 22 miles NE. of Cleveland. It was formerly occupied by the Mormons, who built a temple here about 1836. Pop. about 100.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
Kirtland, a post-village of Lake co., Ohio, on an affluent of the Chagrin River, 22 miles NE. of Cleveland. It was formerly occupied by the Mormons, who built a temple here about 1836. Pop. about 100.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
Here's a list of places to visit and things to do in Kirtland:
Historic Kirtland: Start your visit with a trip back in time at Historic Kirtland, a collection of meticulously restored buildings from the early 19th century. This includes the Newel K. Whitney Store, John Johnson Inn, and the Kirtland Temple. You can take guided tours to learn about the early history of the Latter-day Saint movement and the role Kirtland played in it.
Kirtland Temple: This iconic building is a must-visit when you're in Kirtland. The Kirtland Temple is a beautiful and historic site that offers tours and insights into its significance in the history of the Latter-day Saint movement. The temple's architecture and history make it a captivating place to explore.
Penitentiary Glen Reservation: If you enjoy the outdoors, Penitentiary Glen Reservation is a fantastic spot for hiking, bird-watching, and picnicking. The park features scenic trails, a wildlife center, and the beautiful Penitentiary Glen Nature Center, where you can learn about the local flora and... Read MORE...
Historic Kirtland: Start your visit with a trip back in time at Historic Kirtland, a collection of meticulously restored buildings from the early 19th century. This includes the Newel K. Whitney Store, John Johnson Inn, and the Kirtland Temple. You can take guided tours to learn about the early history of the Latter-day Saint movement and the role Kirtland played in it.
Kirtland Temple: This iconic building is a must-visit when you're in Kirtland. The Kirtland Temple is a beautiful and historic site that offers tours and insights into its significance in the history of the Latter-day Saint movement. The temple's architecture and history make it a captivating place to explore.
Penitentiary Glen Reservation: If you enjoy the outdoors, Penitentiary Glen Reservation is a fantastic spot for hiking, bird-watching, and picnicking. The park features scenic trails, a wildlife center, and the beautiful Penitentiary Glen Nature Center, where you can learn about the local flora and... Read MORE...
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Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Kirtland, Ohio, USA
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