Historical Markers and War Memorials in Hancock County, Illinois
Carthage is the county seat for Hancock County
Adjacent to Hancock County, Illinois
Adams County(82) ► Henderson County(4) ► McDonough County(15) ► Schuyler County(10) ► Lee County, Iowa(49) ► Clark County, Missouri(12) ► Lewis County, Missouri(6) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
"One of your sledge hammer speeches will effect wonders," declared the man who invited Lincoln to attend the district convention held in Augusta on August 25, 1858. Putting aside concerns that it might be overcrowding his agenda for the senate . . . — — Map (db m181415) HM
Abraham Lincoln probably stayed at the Hamilton House when he came to Carthage in 1839 to serve as the defendant's counsel in the Fraim murder trial. There are no other known Lincoln court cases in Hancock County. But he did handle . . . — — Map (db m57867) HM
Alexander Sympson knew Lincoln when they were small boys in Kentucky. Like Lincoln, he moved to Illinois in the 1830's, and arrived in Carthage in early 1844, just as contention with the Mormons was peaking. In 1858 Sympson was the most . . . — — Map (db m57869) HM
Agricultural life has defined the very essence of Hancock County from the earliest days of its Anglo-American settlement. Lincoln, however, seemed indifferent to agriculture. Once he left his father's home, Lincoln never farmed again. . . . — — Map (db m57876) HM
Hancock County was off the beaten track for Abraham Lincoln. County residents were more familiar with his senatorial opponent, Stephen A. Douglas. In October 1858, Lincoln addressed an enthusiastic audience on the Carthage square. . . . — — Map (db m57871) HM
Abraham Lincoln defended himself against political attacks during much of the speech he delivered here on the courthouse grounds on October 22, 1858. Stephen A. Douglas, who had spoken here eleven days earlier, had accused Lincoln of . . . — — Map (db m57878) HM
Abraham Lincoln lost a murder case here in April, 1839 A drunken Irish deckhand, William Fraim, killed a shipmate while their steamboat was docked at Frederick on the Illinois River in Schuyler County. When the shipmate blew cigar smoke . . . — — Map (db m57865) HM
This building was constructed by N. P. McKee and the Hancock Masonic Lodge in 1887. It was designed by Geo. W. Payne, a nationally renowned architect, with a large arched window and pyramid-shaped roof. in 1924 the building was purchased by . . . — — Map (db m57866) HM
In the old Carthage jail, which stands one block south of here, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Prophet and Patriarch of the Mormon Church, were killed by a mob on June 27, 1844. Two years later the Mormons withdrew from Illinois, where they had settled in . . . — — Map (db m57872) HM
Forty acres of land were acquired by the Catholic church in the early 1830's from land in the Military Tract, which had been set aside for the veteran survivors of the War of 1812. Title to this land on the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast . . . — — Map (db m181443) HM
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Dedicated to the men and women of Hancock County, who serve and have served our country.
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."
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WWI and WWII
Korean War
Vietnam War
The Middle East . . . — — Map (db m244034) WM
The Great River Road runs through Hamilton, a true Mississippi River town.
Steamboats and Picnics
The rolling hills and timber lining the shores of the river attracted early settlers to what was to become the city of Hamilton. What a . . . — — Map (db m244035) HM
The fertile prairies of Illinois attracted the attention of French trader Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette as they explored the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers in 1673. France claimed this region until 1763 when he surrendered it to Great . . . — — Map (db m55419) HM
In 1673 the areas of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers were explored by Frenchmen Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette. Their voyages resulted in French claims on the area until 1763 when, by the Treaty of Paris, France ceded the land to . . . — — Map (db m55418) HM
Abraham Lincoln came into LaHarpe from the west, riding in a phaeton borrowed from Daniel Bainter. There were some dissenters along his parade route. He spoke at the Methodist Episcopal Church, the so-called "Little Church Around the Corner," . . . — — Map (db m181448) HM
On October 23, 1858, while campaigning for election to the U.S. Senate, Abraham Lincoln was a guest in this home, then occupied by Calvin E. King. — — Map (db m181446) HM
In memory of
Royce Oatman Family in LaHarpe
1832-1842
Four of seven children were born here: Lucy, Lorenzo, Olive and Royce Jr. In 1851, six members were massacred by Indians in Arizona. Olive, and sister Mary Ann, were captured. Lorenzo . . . — — Map (db m181447) HM
Stephen and Hannah Markham were neighbors of the Weeks family and leaders in the Nauvoo community. In 1844 they invited Eliza R. Snow to live in their home. Here in an unfinished attic room, Eliza wrote her last poem before moving from Nauvoo. . . . — — Map (db m244542) HM
In 1846, about 13,500 Mormon pioneers fled Nauvoo, Illinois, in search of religious freedom. They departed in phases to prepare the way for those who would follow. Their journey started by crossing the Mississippi River. They traveled about 1,300 . . . — — Map (db m244071) HM
Pool 19 contains 30,466 acres of aquatic habitat. The mucky river bottom varies from a composition of silt and clay mix to cobble gravel. Aquatic mammal life in the Pool depends on a range of essential elements such as nutrients, algae, plankton, . . . — — Map (db m244299) HM
Lewis Bidamon, second husband of Emma Smith, built this structure during the 1860s from the foundation stone of the Nauvoo House. Bidamon owned a carriage “manufactory.” He, and his brothers John and Christian had conducted a number of . . . — — Map (db m55436) HM
This is one of seven shops where the Blacksmith & Wainwright was an important part of the growth & development of Nauvoo. Here they made a variety of tools. The Webb Brothers, Shupe Brothers & many others worked together to accomplish the great task . . . — — Map (db m244072) HM
The City of Nauvoo was known as "Commerce" in the 1830s. Located on the westernmost edge of the American Frontier at the time and nestled on the Mississippi River, Nauvoo boomed and prospered as a center of commerce.
Transporting Goods . . . — — Map (db m244025) HM
Edward and Anne Hunter moved into this home in 1842. They added a kitchen sometime after 1843, after Edward became a bishop in Nauvoo's 5th Ward. Here in the Hunter home, Joseph Smith dictated to a scribe instructions on proxy baptism and keeping . . . — — Map (db m244380) HM
Near here, the Mormon exodus to the Rocky Mountains began on February 4, 1846 in seven years, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormons, had built Nauvoo to a size comparable to Chicago, with . . . — — Map (db m55440) HM
On the anniversary of the 200th year celebration of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, this monument of His prophets Joseph Smith and Brigham Young has been . . . — — Map (db m55439) HM
In 1839 the Mormons, or Latter Day Saints, settled at Nauvoo and made it their chief city. During their residence its population reached 15,000. After long friction with non-Mormons the Mormons were expelled in 1846. Three years later French . . . — — Map (db m55444) HM
In 1839 the Mormons, or Latter Day Saints, settled at Nauvoo and made it their chief city. During their residence its population reached 15,000. After long friction with non-Mormons the Mormons were expelled in 1846. Three years later French . . . — — Map (db m244018) HM
Site of Quashquema Indian Village
First White Settlement
By Captain James White 1824
Venus
First Post Office
In Hancock County established 1830
Town of Commerce
1834
Nauvoo 1839
City . . . — — Map (db m244017) HM
Nauvoo was the Latter-day Saints' home for seven years. But they faced increasing conflict with their neighbors. Church leaders planned to leave Nauvoo in the spring of 1846. Latter-day Saints gathered supplies, built wagons, and organized into . . . — — Map (db m244060) HM
Joseph and Emma Smith and their children moved into this home in August 1843. They moved from the home just behind you and to your right.
A hotel wing was added to this home soon after they moved in, allowing them to provide lodging for their . . . — — Map (db m243983) HM
Joseph, Sr., and Lucy Mack Smith, parents of the prophet Joseph and the patriarch Hyrum. Descended from industrious and religious New England families. From the beginning of the restoration, they consistently filled supportive roles in establishing . . . — — Map (db m244533) HM
This is a reconstruction of Joseph Smith's red brick store, built on the site of the original structure. Joseph opened the store to the public on January 5, 1842. At the time, this area was one of Nauvoo's main business districts.
Joseph and . . . — — Map (db m243980) HM
The founder of the restoration. His wife and his brother possessed an enduring love and devotion toward each other.
Joseph once described the bond between himself and Hyrum as "Love that is stronger than death."
Joseph and Emma's marriage . . . — — Map (db m244534) HM
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Lincoln was in the Illinois House of Representatives when the controversial Nauvoo City Charter was granted in 1840.
Although Lincoln did not have the opportunity to view Nauvoo's panoramic vista in person, as a former . . . — — Map (db m244027) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m55435) HM
Nauvoo
Has Been Designated A
Registered National Historic Landmark
Under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935 this site possesses National significance in commemorating the history of the United . . . — — Map (db m244020) HM
In 1841 church members were commanded to build two houses, a house for the Lord (the Nauvoo Temple) and a house for man to be known as the Nauvoo House. It was to be a delightful habitation for man, and a resting-place for the weary traveler. . . . — — Map (db m55433) HM
(Remodeled as the Riverside Mansion)
In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ commanded the Latter-day Saints to build two houses in Nauvoo. One was a temple - the house of the Lord. The other was the Nauvoo House - " a resting . . . — — Map (db m244527) HM
This is the site of the original survey stone for Nauvoo, the "city beautiful," founded by church members in 1839 after they were forced to leave Missouri. All streets of the city were platted from this point. The two widest streets in Nauvoo at the . . . — — Map (db m68890) HM
Nauvoo was once the site of a Sauk and Fox village. After the Indians moved west of the Mississippi, promoters attempted to develop town sites here but the marshy bottom lands attracted few settlers.
In 1839, the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith . . . — — Map (db m55432) HM
Like other Illinois cities, Nauvoo was divided into administrative units called wards. Latter-day Saints today still use the term to describe the physical and ecclesiastical boundaries of congregations.
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·Knight Street . . . — — Map (db m244382) HM
The original Red Brick Store opened for business on January 5, 1842, with Joseph Smith as owner and proprietor. The main floor was a general store. At the back on this floor, Bishop Newell K. Whitney had an office where people could pay their bills . . . — — Map (db m55437) HM
The Smith Family Cemetery is the final resting place of Joseph Smith, his wife Emma, and brother Hyrum, Lucy Mack and Joseph Smith Sr., and many other family members and friends.
After Joseph and Hyrum were assassinated at the Carthage jail on . . . — — Map (db m244536) HM
When the Latter-day Saints came to this area, this home was one of the only structures here. It was smaller then, only a two-story log building with a summer kitchen, also made of logs.
The property was purchased in May 1839. Emma and Joseph . . . — — Map (db m244470) HM
Geological History
The Mississippi River drains two-thirds of the United States. With the advance and decline of ice ages, the course of the river has changed many times. Submerged limestone stretched nearly bluff to bluff, resulting in a . . . — — Map (db m244303) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m55434) HM
A communal society of French Icarians was established at Nauvoo in 1849. Led by Etienne Cabet, a French political theorist, the Icarians believed that all property must be held communally. The community was incorporated by the Illinois General . . . — — Map (db m55442) HM
On June 24, 1844, Joseph and Hyrum Smith set out for Carthage accompanied by John Taylor, Williard Richards and others to answer false charges. They left Nauvoo traveling a road that ran directly from Nauvoo to Carthage, a distance of 16 miles. It . . . — — Map (db m244074) HM
The Mississippi River is one of the best places in the country to see different bird species. According to the Audubon Society, 325 different bird species utilize the Mississippi Flyway as a migratory corridor. This flyway is particularly beneficial . . . — — Map (db m244302) HM
On the morning of June 24, 1844, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum left their families, homes, and fellow Saints for the last time. Traveling on horseback, they paused on this bluff. Joseph looked admiringly at the unfinished temple and the city of . . . — — Map (db m55443) HM
1846 began the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo. Leaving behind their homes, beautiful city, family and friends who they quite possibly would never see again in this life. As they journeyed west, they recorded their feelings and experiences in personal . . . — — Map (db m243986) HM
Regeneration began in 2015
In the 1840s, this hill was home to a small group of trees called the West Grove. Latter-day Saints gathered in the grove to learn gospel truths from the Prophet Joseph Smith and other Church leaders. After the . . . — — Map (db m244378) HM
William and Caroline Allen Weeks met in Quincy, Illinois, and were married June 17, 1839. They moved to this home and partial lot in Nauvoo in the spring of 1841. Joseph Smith selected William's designs for the Nauvoo Temple. Under inspired . . . — — Map (db m244075) HM
William Gheen bought this acre lot before moving with his family from their large farm in Pennsylvania. While in Nauvoo, Esther Gheen joined the Female Relief Society, and William was ordained a high priest. He died in 1845 shortly after returning . . . — — Map (db m243984) HM
The exact location of the home on this half-acre lot is no longer known, but both William and Elizabeth Jones contributed to building the Nauvoo Temple while living here. William Jones was a highly skilled stonecutter and carved the first plinth, or . . . — — Map (db m244541) HM
Here once stood the thriving community of Green Plains. Established in the early 1830s, the settlement straddled four Hancock County townships and included log homes, a store, a blacksmith shop, a post office, and several cemeteries. Levi Williams, . . . — — Map (db m243818) HM
This marker is dedicated to the members of the US military who served at Fort Edwards from its construction in 1816 until the close of operations in 1824. — — Map (db m243904) HM
To commemorate
the establishment of
Fort Edwards
built by
Maj. Zachary Taylor
3rd U.S. Infantry
September, 1814
Abandoned July, 1824 — — Map (db m243906) HM
Much of the nation's history has unfolded along the Mississippi River. During the War of 1812, this location provided a commanding view of the river, and was the site of strategically important forts.
The First Defense
The region's first . . . — — Map (db m243903) HM
This clock dedicated in honor of the volunteers on the Main Street Project.
With special mention made of John Bavery & Dave Brownlee — — Map (db m243908) HM
With the faith and courage of their forefathers who made
possible the freedom of these United States
The Boy Scouts of America
dedicate this copy of the
Statue of Liberty as a pledge of everlasting fidelity and
loyalty 40th . . . — — Map (db m243911) HM
Did service for the City of Warsaw from 1926 until 2004. Manufactured by the Ludlow Valve Co.. The fire plug was located at the foot of the North 4th Str. Hill. The original cost in 1926 was $52.50. The list on the replacement was $950.00. — — Map (db m243909) HM
