For our monthly segment on an infamous Utahn we decided to deep dive into Orrin Porter Rockwell. Hero to some, the Mormon’s bodyguard to Joseph Smith, and epitome of the Wild, Wild West.
Porters birth date is still not quite know with a guess of June 28, 1813 or June 25, 1815. He was born in Belchertown, Hampshire County, Massachusetts to Orin and Sarah Rockwell. Died June 9, 1878 of natural causes in Salt Lake City, Utah and is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Believe it or not, Porters life did not consist solely of violent shoot-outs and he is not only remembered as a lawman. Rockwell was a noted guide and mountain man, and at one time operated the Hot Springs Hotel and Brewery in southern Salt Lake Valley. So we will let you decide, was he a hero… or a villain?
You can find pieces of statuary and plaques in honor of Porter around the state of Utah. Some of these include Lehi, Bluffdale, his home that was moved to Eureka, and his burial place.
Because Porter Rockwell’s history spans the country it’s a lot to write out. Take a listen to our episode and enjoy some great resources we found for history on Porter Rockwell:
Lehi, Utah city page.
Keith Veronese, Author of The Bad-Ass Mormon Gunslinger of the Wild West
Frank Kirkman Mountain Meadows Massacre Site
LDS Living Facts and stories you didn’t know about Porter Rockwell
Also former guest of the New Utah Podcast, Author David J. West, bases some of his books around Porter Rockwell!
Music By: Folk Hogan; Bootleggers Dance