Nauvoo in Hancock County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mansion House
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012
1. Mansion House Marker
Completed in 1843, the Mansion House was the second Nauvoo residence of Joseph Smith and his wife Emma. A hotel wing was added and opened in late 1843. The hotel was leased to Ebenezer Robinson in January 1844. As part of the lease agreement, the Smith family maintained three rooms for their private residence.
Internal confusion and conflicts with surrounding communities grew as Nauvoo increased in size. Joseph traveled to Carthage, Illinois to answer charges related to the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor press. While in Carthage Joseph and his brother Hyrum were killed by an angry mob, on June 27, 1844. Their bodies were returned to the Mansion House where they laid in state until the burial.
Emma and her family continued to live in the Mansion House for a time, and she remained in Nayvoo until her death on April 30, 1879. By the 1890's the hotel wing had deteriorated and it was torn down. The foundation of the hotel wing can be seen on the east side of the Mansion House.
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 month for this entry is January 1844.
Location.
this page online
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: Joseph and Emma Smith's Mansion House (here, next to this marker); Nauvoo Survey Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith Family Homestead (within shouting distance of this marker); Bidamon Stable (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith Family Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph, Emma and Hyrum Smith (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith (about 300 feet away); Nauvoo House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nauvoo.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Homestead (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 in 2024.
Also see . . .
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012
2. Mansion House Marker
2. Joseph Smith. Wikipedia biography. (Submitted on December 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012
3. Mansion House
Photographed by William Warner Major?, c. 1842
4. Joseph Smith
1st President of the Church of Christ (later the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 958 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 17, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on December 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
