At this site the first Company of Latter-day Saint settlers entered
Canada on the 1st of June 1887. They paused here where a
stone cairn marked the International Boundary. In a driving
rain, each member of the group of eight families added a
rock to the pile, and they all gave three cheers for their
new home and religious freedom.

In the United States there was at the time anti-mormon
activity such that some members of the church felt themselves
to be in danger. On the advice of Church leaders in Salt
Lake City, Utah, an exploring expedition the previous autumn
had located a new settlement site for them. Early in the spring
the President of the enterprise, Charles Ora Card, returned
with an advance party to establish the first colony at what
is now Cardston.

The main body of the group left northern Utah on the 3rd
April 1887. President Card met them near Helena, Montana,
to guide them home. After passing here, they continued
through a late snow storm, arriving at the site of Cardston
on the 3rd of June. With all 40 settlers assembled there,
that date was recognized as the founding of the community.

The monument originally constructed 1937 was restored by
the Cardston Alberta Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints to commemorate the Centennial of the Mormon
Pioneers entry into Canada and the founding of the town
of Cardston. It was dedicated on 3 June 1987.

(There are 8 large rocks on the top of the cairn
to represent the 8 families.)

Ghost Towns of Southern Alberta