Thebes in Alexander County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Thebes Courthouse

1848

Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 1, 2025

1. Old Thebes Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Placed on the
National Register
of
Historic Places

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 37° 13.172′ N, 89° 27.595′ W. Marker is in Thebes, Illinois, in Alexander County. It is at the intersection of Oak Street and 5th Street, on the left when traveling west on Oak Street. Marker is at the rear (east) entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 504 Oak St, Thebes IL 62990, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little Egypt.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles

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of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Thebes Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Original Pier Block (a few steps from this marker); Steamboats on the Mississippi River (approx. half a mile away); Lewis and Clark in Illinois (approx. half a mile away); Welcome to Illinois (approx. 6 miles away); The 20th Illinois Regiment (approx. 6.1 miles away in Missouri); Saving Fort D (approx. 6.1 miles away in Missouri). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thebes.

Regarding Old Thebes Courthouse. Excerpt from the National Register nomination:

In September 1845, L.I. Lightner was appointed to draw plans and ascertain the probable cost of the courthouse. Lightner was appointed agent for erection of the building and later became the first judge to hold court in the courthouse.

Lightner contracted with Ernstt Barkhausen to construct the courthouse for $4,400.…The courthouse was completed in 1848 and served as the county seat until 1860 when the location of the county jail and county courthouse was moved to Cairo.

Also see . . .
1. Thebes Historical Courthouse (official website).

Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 1, 2025

2. Old Thebes Courthouse Marker

Marker is to the left of the door. This is the rear entrance

The historic courthouse is usually open for tours (by appointment) from Spring to Fall. On occasion, events are held there. (Submitted on February 1, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

2. Thebes Courthouse on Wikipedia. (Submitted on February 1, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 1, 2025

3. Old Thebes Courthouse Marker

supplementary plaque

Thebes Courthouse image. Click for more information.

via NPS, 1971

4. Thebes Courthouse

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
Click for more information.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 8, 2020

5. Old Thebes Courthouse Marker

Front (riverside) view of the courthouse. The marker is at the rear entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 461 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 1, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 4. submitted on April 2, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on April 1, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.