Something about Salt Lake City
On July 24, 1847, a group of Mormon pioneers founded Salt Lake City after journeying beyond U.S. borders to find a secluded area where they could practice their religion free from the hostilities they had faced elsewhere. In 1848, the settlers faced severe challenges: an unexpected late frost coupled with an unusual drought. Tragically, in late May 1848, swarms of crickets descended upon their fields, threatening to destroy much of the pioneers' potential food supply. For at least a month, the settlers battled these insects in what some referred to as the "Cricket War" of 1848.
In early June, large flocks of California gulls arrived in the valley, feasting on the crickets. The gulls would consume the insects, drink water, regurgitate the indigestible parts, and then return to eat more. Although the cricket infestation persisted for several more weeks, the gulls had consumed enough to mitigate the damage.
The deliverance from the 1848 cricket infestation left a significant mark on the collective memory of the pioneers. The "miracle of the gulls" led many early Utah inhabitants to revere these birds, prompting the swift implementation of directives and laws to punish anyone who harassed or killed gulls. Today, the gulls' contribution is commemorated by a statue located in Salt Lake City's Temple Square.
