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Nauvoo
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P.O. Box 426
Nauvoo, IL 62354
217-453-2512
Its first name was Quashquema, a Fox Indian word meaning "peaceful place." Its
current name is Nauvoo, a Hebrew word for "beautiful place" or "pleasant land."
This historic town is the backdrop for Nauvoo State Park, on the banks of the
Mississippi River in western Illinois' Hancock County.
The 148-acre park, on the south edge of Nauvoo along Illinois Route 96, includes
a 13-acre lake with a mile-long shoreline. In addition to fishing, boating,
camping and hiking, people return to these serene surroundings for the park's
recreational features, its annual grape festival, and to soak up the area's
history.
History
Once a Fox Indian village of 400 to 500 lodges, the site of Nauvoo was
relinquished by a treaty in 1824 for 200 sacks of corn. Sixty years later,
Hancock County's first post office was established here under the name of Venus.
By 1834, the name had changed again, to Commerce, and later Commerce City, by
some eastern land speculators.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), known as
Mormons, settled here in 1839 in hopes of escaping religious persecution. After
changing the name to Nauvoo, they incorporated the town and received a special
charter from the Illinois Legislature.
Missionaries such as Brigham Young converted thousands in England and elsewhere,
causing people to migrate to the area. The town grew as business and industry
flourished. By 1844, its population surpassed Chicago's and Nauvoo became
Illinois' largest city.
With the boom came an increase in criminal activity. Sentiment toward the
Mormons was not favorable during this period, since many people blamed them for
the lawlessness. Ironically, lawlessness figured prominently in 1844 when LDS
Founder Joseph Smith was shot and killed in the Hancock County jail in Carthage
while he was supposed to be under protective custody.
The religious differences that caused the Mormons to settle in Nauvoo also
caused them to leave. In 1846, they were driven from Illinois and, under Brigham
Young, the majority left for Utah. Others migrated to Texas and Michigan. A few,
including the family of Joseph Smith, remained in Nauvoo and formed the
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS).
The Mormon Temple
Joseph Smith began building a temple in the early 1840s. It was four stories
high, measured 128 by 88 feet, and featured an 82-foot octagonal tower. Church
Elder William Weeks served as architect and directed the work of dozens of
skilled craftsmen. Although incomplete, services were first held in the temple
in 1844. Because of Smith's assassination that same year, the temple was never
finished. Despite this fact, it was said to have been the finest building in the
west at the time, with the cost of materials estimated to have been $1 million.
An arsonist set fire to the temple in 1848. Three years later, it was completely
destroyed by a tornado. Stone from the temple has been incorporated into other
Nauvoo buildings, but one original architectural feature can be seen in Nauvoo.
A decorative cap to one of the temple's pilasters is displayed inside a covered
cage to protect it from direct sunlight and rain. Called a "sunstone" because it
depicts a sun with a radiant face, the two-piece, 2.5-ton limestone carving was
one of 30 such stones that adorned the columns. The pilasters also featured the
same number of "moonstones" and "starstones," and some of these are still in
existence. However, the sunstone displayed at Nauvoo is one of only two known to
exist. It is owned by the State, on loan to the LDS Church, and displayed at the
original temple site. The other was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution in
1989.
Today both the LDS and RLDS churches have visitor centers plus restored homes
and shops adjacent to the park that are open throughout the year.
Icarians
Nauvoo went from being the state's largest city in 1844 to becoming all but a
ghost town in the three years following the Mormon exodus. In 1849 a small group
of French and German immigrants to the United States heard of the vacant city
and decided to settle in Nauvoo. Their leader was a French political figure,
Etienne Cabet, who wrote several books including the story of a utopian
community, A Voyage into Icaria. The book gave members of this communistic
colony the name "Icarians."
The colony broke up a few years later when the group found its communal way of
life unworkable. Before the Icarians split up, however, they introduced grape
growing and wine making to the area. While most of the local vineyards have
disappeared, the first vineyard planted in Nauvoo still exists on park property
and is maintained by park personnel. Many of the former wine cellars are now
vacant, although one is used in the manufacture of Nauvoo's Roquefort-type blue
cheese, which has received international awards.
Plant and Animal Life
A 4-acre plot of land adjacent to the site superintendent's residence has been
converted into a natural area. Four kinds of prairie grasses and approximately
10 kinds of prairie flowers are grown here. If you're visiting here in the
spring, you may find the area burnt to a crisp -- that's because the grasses
must be burned periodically to help the prairie renew itself.
Deer, skunk, opossum and raccoon are among the animals that call Nauvoo State
Park home. Cardinals and gold finches find this spot on the Mississippi a
perfect place to nest, as do geese and ducks. The welcome mat is especially out
for wood ducks, who will nest just about anywhere. Look for their boxes 15 to 20
feet up in the trees around Lake Horton and in the posted and protected area
across from the park's extreme south edge.
Museum
A house built by Mormons in the 1840s, remodeled by Icarians, and later owned by
the Rheinberger family serves as the Nauvoo State Park Museum. The restored home
features a wine cellar and a press room, and has the only Nauvoo wine cellar
open to the public. This also is the location of Nauvoo's first vineyard, which
has been producing grapes since the mid-1800s. The museum itself exhibits
artifacts from all periods of Nauvoo's history, from Native American occupation
to the introduction of Nauvoo Blue Cheese in the 1930s. The museum is staffed by
the Nauvoo Historical Society and is open 1-5 afternoons from May 1 through
October 15.
Fishing and Boating
Lake Horton, a 13-acre manmade fishing lake, is stocked for anglers wanting to
catch largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill. Although there are no boat
docks or boat rentals, a primitive boat launch is available. Only electric
trolling motors are allowed.
Camping
Nauvoo State Park offers 150 camping spaces, equally divided between Class A and
Class B areas. A youth group area is centrally located in the park. Don't forget
to ask for permission -- all campers must obtain a permit for overnight camping
from the park office, and any group of 25 or more must get advance permission
before entering the park.
Trails
The park's main trail, Locust Lane at 1.5 miles, shows off some of the park's
best features. As the trail winds around the lake and through timbered areas,
hikers can see and hear a variety of birds. There's also a three-eighths-mile
loop from the camping area that's accessible to senior citizens and to those in
wheelchairs. A short trail connects the main picnic and playground area to the
dam, and there's also a short, one-way jaunt to Gilligan's Island on Lake
Horton.
Picnic and Playground Areas
If picnicking is in your plans while visiting Nauvoo State Park, you're in luck.
The park features two picnic and playground areas totaling 20 acres. In addition
to playground equipment for kids, you'll find tables, stoves and two shelter
houses, one equipped with modern toilet facilities. A ball diamond and two
parking lots round out the list of amenities.
Grape Bowl, Sod Stage and South Areas
The Nauvoo Grape Festival, held annually over Labor Day weekend in the Grape
Bowl and Sod Stage area directly west of Lake Horton, coincides with the
ripening of the grapes. The festival includes an hour-long program depicting
Nauvoo's history. A pageant, which for more than 50 years has paid tribute to
two Nauvoo industries, observes an old French rite called "The Wedding of the
Wine and Cheese." The festival's carnivals, entertainment tents, arts and crafts
exhibits, flea markets, buckskinners, and car shows are held at the South Area,
just south of the ball diamond.
Winter Sports
Sledding is permitted on the slopes adjacent to the dam of Lake Horton.
Cross-country skiing is allowed along the trails when snow cover is adequate,
but snowmobiling is not. Please note that the modern rest rooms are closed
during winter months as is the museum.
Directions
From Chicago area take I80 west to I74. Take I74 south to Rte 34. Take Rte 34
West to Rte 67. Take Rte 67 South to Rte 136. Take Rte 136 west to Rte 96. Take
Rte 96 north 12 miles to Nauvoo State Park.
From Springfield take Rte 97 west and north to Rte 136. Take Rte 136 west to Rte
96. Take Rte 96 north 12 miles to Nauvoo State Park.
From the East St. Louis, Alton area take Rte 67 north to Rte 136. Take Rte 136
west to Rte 96. Take Rte 96 north 12 miles to Nauvoo State Park.
 * While groups
of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's facilities, they are
required to register in advance with the site office to avoid crowding or
scheduling conflicts.
* At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors.
* Pets must be kept on leashes at all times.
* Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call
ahead to the park office before you make your trip.
* We hope you enjoy your stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only
footprints.
* For more information on tourism in Illinois, call the Illinois Department of
Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism at 1-800-2Connect.
* Telecommunication Device for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Natural Resources
Information (217) 782-9175 for TDD only Relay Number 800-526-0844.
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