SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A short-lived but thriving settlement of Church pioneers at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains virtually evaporated in 1857. But the San Bernardino County area — now known as the "Inland Empire" — is not shy about that part of its history.

Photo by Greg Hill

Utah visitors Richard and Doris Bunderson found monuments to their pioneer ancestor, Elder Charles C. Rich, in San Bernardino and were pleased he isn't forgotten here.

Monuments mark prominent locations of the LDS colonization in and around San Bernardino, and the San Bernardino County Museum offers an abundance of information and displays related to the colony settled by remnants of the Mormon Battalion and others in 1851.

The demise of the original Church colony was a result of President Brigham Young's call for colonists to return to Utah in the face of the advance on Salt Lake City of Johnston's Army. Most Church settlers in San Bernardino obeyed.

The museum is a suitable starting point for an exploration of the area, which again has a strong Church presence and a recently-dedicated temple in Redlands.

Near the museum entrance is a wall display recounting the history of the valley from its Native American and Mexican roots. A good portion of the display is dedicated to the role of the Church in San Bernardino's early development.

A large, colorful map declares "All Trails Lead to San Bernardino" and traces the migration of several Church groups that eventually ended up in the valley. Also on the wall are photos and descriptions of prominent leaders of the settlement including two apostles — Elder Amasa M. Lyman and Elder Charles C. Rich. It tells of their willingness to take on a debt of more than $77,000 dollars for the purchase of the San Bernardino Rancho for the LDS settlement.

Other museum displays include a covered wagon used by a family to travel from Utah to San Bernardino, and a large-wheeled transport vehicle used by members of the Church in a profitable lumber business in the San Bernardino Mountains that supplied building materials to the booming Los Angeles basin.

Photo by Greg Hill

Museum display includes a restored wagon used by one of the families traveling from Utah to San Bernardino in the 1850s.

The museum directs visitors to the locations of several points important in the colony's history, including the pioneer trail through the mountains, the Sycamore Grove where pioneers temporarily camped while waiting to procure land, and pioneer sites in San Bernardino.

A fort was built by the saints on the San Bernardino Rancho and the museum directs visitors to a county courthouse currently situated on that site. The courthouse and its grounds are dotted with monuments and plaques about Mormon history, including a monument to Elder Lyman and Elder Rich and another to all the early settlers.

Richard and Doris Bunderson of the Centerville 7th Ward, Centerville Utah South Stake, visited the site recently and were pleased to see the prominent recognition given to Brother Bunderson's great-great grandfather Elder Rich.

"This isn't just an entry in a diary anymore," he said as he read about his ancestor's involvement in the early history of San Bernardino.

E-mail: ghill@desnews.com

Photo by Greg Hill

Bronze plaque near the entrance to San Bernardino County Courthouse tells of early Mormon Pioneers.

Photo by Greg Hill

Modern San Bernardino County Museum includes extensive displays and information about area's Mormon Pioneer heritage.

Photo by Greg Hill

On display outside the San Bernardino County Museum is equipment that was used by early Church settlers in the area to transport timber out of the nearby San Bernardino Mountains. The lumber business was extremely profitable for the pioneers as they satisfied a demand for construction materials in the fast-growing Los Angeles area.