Nauvoo, Illinois
by Becky Cardon Smith
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• Editors note: This is the first in a series of articles spotlighting things to see and do in and around Nauvoo Illinois.

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NAUVOO

As you stand on the streets of Nauvoo, either gazing out to the Mississippi River or looking up at the newly rebuilt temple, it isn’t hard to imagine how the Saints felt about their beautiful city. Though their first image of this new home was of a swampy area at a large bend of the Mississippi River, they named it “Nauvoo,” which in Hebrew means a “beautiful place.” Often referred to as the City of Joseph, Nauvoo became the headquarters for the Church after the Saints’ expulsion from Far West, Missouri. Church members were happy to finally be united in one area. They drained the swamps, built homes, and began construction on a house for the Lord. During the next seven years, from 1839 until 1846, Nauvoo emerged from its swampy beginning into a beautiful city. With over 2,500 homes, it became one of the largest cities in the state. Travelers stopped to visit and admire the growing community with its temple set magnificently on an eastern hilltop. But peace and happiness were ever elusive. All too soon, enemies from within and without the Church began new persecutions of the Saints, determined to destroy them once and for all. The Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed by a mob in nearby Carthage on June 27, 1844, and within two years Church members were forced to leave their beloved Nauvoo. It is estimated that prior to the departure of the Saints, the population of Nauvoo was about 12,000 - 19,000. Today there are about 1,100 Nauvoo residents, with an additional 400 missionaries and college students.

SITES TO SEE

Most of the sites are centrally located on the west side of Highway 96 between Hubbard Street and Water Street. It is best to drive to a group of homes, park and walk to see the homes in that area and then drive to the next group. You can walk the entire route, but on a humid day it can get very tiring. At many of the restored homes you will want to go in and listen to the tour (20-40 min.), but at others you may just want to walk or drive by. At some, you will want to stay longer for some hands-on activities. There are several places that are especially geared for children. The restored sites are open during the summer from Monday thru Saturday 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. (The sites close at 5:00 p.m. in the winter.) You will also notice that demonstrations, activities, and souvenir-related items are not provided on Sundays. 

·         Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center – Before going inside, notice the sunstone just in front of the main doors. It is one of the original sunstones from the first Nauvoo Temple. Inside you will see the large Christus statue and through the window you can see the Monument to Women Garden. Take time to see the displays, read the documents, and view the artifacts. The large relief map of Nauvoo in 1845 will help you visualize the city as it was. If you do not have a guidebook, be sure to pick up a free pamphlet on Nauvoo with a map showing the location of the restored sites. In the theater, you will enjoy watching a twenty-minute video entitled “Remembering Nauvoo.” Restrooms are located here. Allow an hour stay. Open Monday thru Saturday 8:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Winter hours are Monday thru Saturday 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. Notice that these hours are different from those for the restored homes. If time is short, view the homes until closing and then visit here. (During off-season hours, some of the sites are closed during lunch from 11:30 to 1:00.) For further information call 888-453-6434.

·         Monument to Women Garden – The beautiful gardens and inspiring monuments honor women in all stages and walks of life.

·         Carriage Ride – Take a free 30 minute horse-drawn carriage ride through the woods as you hear stories and learn more about pioneer life. During the summer, the carriage leaves from the northeast corner of the Historic Nauvoo visitors’ center every 30 minutes beginning at 9:30 a.m. The last ride is at 4:30 p.m. (Closed on Sunday.) Check inside the visitors’ center for the winter sleigh ride schedule.

·         Sarah Granger Kimball Home and Barn – This is one of the earliest existing homes in Nauvoo. Hiram and Sarah Kimball moved into this home after they were married in 1840. Several years later, with the temple under construction, Sarah organized a group of women who met at her home with the goal of sewing shirts for the workmen. The idea of women working together for a charitable cause would come to full fruition when the Female Relief Society was organized on March 17, 1842.

·         Family Living Center – This is a “must do” for children. They will learn about early pioneer life from the many hands-on activities. Children will enjoy making their own candlestick holder, dipping a candle for their holder, and helping to bake bread. Other activities include learning to make barrels, braid rope, weave, and quilt. Plan on staying at least an hour. Restrooms are located here. Demonstrations are not given on Sunday.

·         Pioneer Pastimes – Another “must do” for children. It is located under the pavilion next to the Family Living Center. Children can participate in a variety of pioneer games and supervised activities. Plan on staying at least an hour. Open only during the summer and closed on Sunday.

·         Cultural Hall – This was one of the largest buildings in Nauvoo and became the community and cultural center. It was used for Church meetings, funerals, court sessions, and business meetings. It also served as a Masonic Hall, police office, headquarters of the Nauvoo Legion, and even as a ballroom. Performances of “Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo” are held here. You may also enjoy the quilts displayed inside.

·         Scovil Bakery – Lucius Scovil built and operated a bakery here. Everyone gets a gingerbread cookie as you imagine what cooking in the 1840s must have been like.

·         Lyon Drug – This drug and variety store operated from 1843 until 1846. It was stocked with medicines, hardware items, boots, shoes, household items, books, and produce.

·         Stoddard Tin Shop – See the tools and products of a tinsmith in the 1840s. Brother Stoddard installed stoves in many of the homes, including Joseph’s Mansion House and Hyrum’s home.

·         Post Office & Mercantile – Stop and see what a post office in the 1840s looked like. It doubled as a mercantile store, complete with books, stationery, tools, and other supplies.

·         John Taylor Home – John Taylor, editor of the Times and Seasons newspaper and later the third President of the Church, lived here.

·         Printing Office – Beginning in 1845, this printing office published the Times and Seasons, the Nauvoo Neighbor, and other business and Church literature.

·         Browning Gun Shop – Jonathan Browning, a convert baptized in Quincy in 1840, moved his family to Nauvoo in 1843. This large family home and gun shop was completed in 1845. The family moved west with the Saints and settled in the Ogden area. Their family gun business grew into an international company that still operates today. Men and boys will especially enjoy the gun displays; notice William Clayton’s sword and pistol. The tour also includes a demonstration on how a gun barrel was made.  Discover why the process of rifling the barrel required strong arms. Bathrooms are located nearby.

·         Pendleton Log School – This log cabin was the home of Dr. Calvin Pendleton and his family. He was a schoolteacher, herbal doctor, and bone setter. The back portion of the home was used as a pioneer school.    

·         Lucy Mack Smith Home – Originally built for the Joseph Noble family, it later became the home of the Prophet’s mother. When the Saints were leaving Nauvoo, Lucy was in poor health and decided to stay until her health improved. She planned to join the Saints after they had settled in their new homeland. Lucy’s daughter moved in with her, but they had to leave Nauvoo when the mob activity became worse. Lucy later moved back to Nauvoo and lived the rest of her life with her daughter-in-law Emma Smith.

·         Brickyard – Learn the process of brick making, discover what a hacking shed is, and find out why only 350 homes were made with brick out of the nearly 2,500 homes built. Bricks were also used in the temple’s baptismal rooms. Children will enjoy watching the demonstrations and taking home a souvenir brick. (Depending on availability and limited to one per family.) Restrooms are located here. (Limited to discussion on Sunday.)

·         Patti Sessions’ Log Cabin – This is another cabin typical of the 1840s. Patti was a midwife who delivered hundreds of children.

·         Heber C. Kimball Home – The Kimball family moved to Nauvoo in 1839, first living in a small log home before moving into this home in 1845. Their stay in the new home was very short before they made the exodus out west with the other Saints. The home is furnished with many beautiful antiques, and was the first to be restored. Heber C. Kimball, one of the original Twelve Apostles and counselor to Brigham Young, was the grandfather of President Spencer W. Kimball.

·         Wilford Woodruff Home – Wilford Woodruff began construction on this home in 1841, after returning from a mission to England. The family moved into their new home in1844, but they were able to live here for less than 2 years. It is one of the better preserved of the brick homes and many of the furnishings inside actually belonged to this fourth President of the Church.

·         Riser Boot Shop – Stop in and see how boots and shoes were made in the 1840s.

·         Brigham Young Home – Brigham Young was a skilled craftsman and the home he built in 1843 reflects the quality of his work. The east wing served as an office and also became the headquarters of the Church after the Prophet was killed. It isn’t hard to imagine the planning that went on in this room for the long trek west. Brigham Young and his family left in February 1846.

·         Wagon & Blacksmith Shop – This shop was a beehive of activity as Church members were preparing to go west. Learn how the wagons were built, discover why most of the Saints walked, and find out why oxen were used instead of horses. Watch how a blacksmith forged a horseshoe and learn what a “prairie diamond” is. Children will enjoy the presentation and everyone will leave with a prairie ring. (No demonstrations or rings given on Sunday.)

·         Seventies Hall – Built for the quorums assigned to do missionary work, the main floor of this building was used as a chapel and for lectures. The second floor had offices for the seventies and also contained a library. After the Saints left Nauvoo, it was used as a Presbyterian Church, and later as a school. A museum is now located inside.

·         Trail of Hope – Parley Street was sometimes referred to as the street of tears when the mass exodus was underway. Wagons lined the street waiting for their turn to cross the Mississippi River. As you walk towards the river, read some of the entries from the journals of those who left their homes and traveled west. Read the words of Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Brigham Young, Martha Ann Smith as she bid farewell to her Grandmother, Bathsheba Smith as she tells of tidying the room before leaving, and of Zina Young who gave birth in a wagon. All of the women need to read one of my favorite excerpts from Louisa Barns Pratt (you’ll have to read it to find out why)!

·         Mississippi Barge – A replica showing what a flatboat looked like as it took the covered wagons across the river. Located at the end of the Trail of Hope, next to the Mississippi River.

·         Pioneer Exodus Memorial –Also located at the end of the Trail of Hope and next to the Mississippi River. It is very moving to see the names of so many Saints who died before they reached the Salt Lake Valley. Be sure to check for any of your family ancestors on the wall.

·         Land and Records Center – If you have an ancestor who lived in or around the Nauvoo area, be sure to bring information such as a full name, birth date etc. The missionaries in the center will help you locate information, including family histories, personal diary entries, and property locations. Bathrooms are located inside.

·         Orson Hyde Home – Brother Hyde was baptized in Kirtland, called as one of the original Apostles, and dedicated the Holy Land. He also gave the dedicatory prayer at the public dedication of the Nauvoo Temple. The Hyde home stands at the northwest corner of Hyde and Hotchkiss Streets but is not available for tours.

·         Sidney Rigdon Home – Sidney joined the Church in Kirtland, Ohio and served as the Prophet’s first counselor. He was also imprisoned in Liberty Jail with Joseph and others. Unfortunately, Sidney left the Church though he offered to serve as its leader after the Prophet was martyred. The Rigdon home is located on Main Street between Parley and Water Streets (white frame building) but is not available for tours.

·         Porter Rockwell Home Site – A marker showing the location where the Rockwell home once stood is at the southwest corner of Munson and Partridge Streets. Orrin “Porter” Rockwell formed a lifelong friendship with the 7 year older Joseph Smith while living in Palmyra. Porter was an early convert and was baptized on April 6, 1830, the day the Church was officially organized (HC 1:79). After the Prophet was martyred, Porter went west with the Saints and died of natural causes in Salt Lake City at the age of 65.

·         The Groves – Take some time to walk through the groves and read the markers referring to the many wonderful meetings that were held here. You will find this beautiful shaded area west of the temple on Wells Street. (Across the street and just south of the tennis courts.) 

Next week – Other significant sites to see in Nauvoo, especially two former homes of the Prophet Joseph Smith now owned by the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS).

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