Rexburg was founded on March 11, 1883, by Thomas E. Ricks, Henry Flamm, Francis C. Gunnell, Fred Smith, William F. Rigby, Daniel Walters, Thomas E. Ricks, Jr., Lorenzo Thorpe, Brigham Ricks, Heber Ricks, Leonard Jones, Willard Ricks, James M. Cook, and surveyor Andrew S. Anderson. Their pioneer call was to go into the Snake River country, found settlements, care for the Indians, stand upon an equal footing, cooperate in making improvements, gain influence among all men, and strengthen the cords of the Stakes of Zion, as given by John Taylor, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith.