The Homestead

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012

1. The Homestead Marker

Inscription.
This two-story, two-room log block house was located on the original 135 acres purchased from local farmer Hugh White and may date to 1803. Joseph Smith moved here in the spring of 1839 with his wife Emma; sons Joseph III, Frederick Granger Williams, and Alexander; and adopted daughter Julia. With the addition of a large room on the north side of the structure in 1840 this home became, for a time, the center of community life in Nauvoo. According to Joseph III, "Father's home in Nauvoo was generally overrun with visitors. There was scarcely a Sunday in ordinary weather that the house and yard were not crowded — the yard with teams and the house with callers."

In 1858 a two-story addition was added to the west side of the house by Joseph Smith III and he lived here with his family until 1866. Joseph III served as justice of the peace during part of that time. While living here he also became president and profit of the Reorganized Church, a position he held from 1860 to 1914.

Erected 2003 by Community of Christ.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Pioneer Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 32.425′ N, 91° 23.508′ W. Marker was in Nauvoo, Illinois, in Hancock County. It was on South Main Street south of Water Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 935 South Main Street, Nauvoo IL 62354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Central Illinois.

It was also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: Smith Family Homestead (here, next to this marker); Bidamon Stable (a few steps from this marker); Nauvoo Survey Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph, Emma and Hyrum Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Nauvoo House (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith Family Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph and Emma Smith's Mansion House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nauvoo.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Nauvoo House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. Marker was replaced by this marker, which was placed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Also see . . .

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012

2. The Homestead Marker

Joseph Smith Homestead and Mansion House. The Church of Jesus Christ of the latter-Day Saints Historic Sites entry. (Submitted on December 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The Homestead image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012

3. The Homestead

Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 793 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 17, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.