Nauvoo-A Brief History

The first settlers in this beautiful horse-shoe bend of the Mississippi river where Native Americans. Though many tribes passed through the area, the Sauk and Fox where the first to settle in the area. The settlement was called Quashquema, named in honor of the Native American chief who headed the settlement numbering nearly 500 lodges. In the summer of 1805, the US Government established an agricultural school and trading post at what is today Nauvoo. In 1824, retired U.S. Army Captain James White purchased the property from the government (and negotiated a treaty with the Native Americans) and began the first permanent settlement in the area.

By 1832 the settlement was known as Venus and had a population of 62. In 1834 the name of the settlement was changed to Commerce (to reflect the settlers optomistic view of the future) and the population was 100. But the Panic of 1837 practically wiped out the little village, leaving only a few inhabitants by the time the Mormons came to the city.

In 1839, the Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) were in search of a new home. Having been driven out of Missouri as a result of Gov. Lilburn Boggs “Extermination Order” the Mormons were American religious refugees. Though given refuge by the citizens of Quincy Illinois, the Mormons knew that they needed a home of their own. Eventually Mormon leaders came into contact with a land speculator named Isaac Galland. Galland had gained control of much of the land of Commerce, IL and offered to sell it to the Mormons. When Joseph Smith Jr. (prophet and president of the church) was released from jail in the Spring of 1839, he entered into an agreement with Galland and eventually the church purchased all of the land on the peninsula. On May 10, 1839, Smith and his family moved into “the homestead” and the Mormon settlement of Nauvoo began in earnest. By 1844, Nauvoo had a population of over 12,000 people. It was the second largest city in Illinois (next to Chicago) and it had a liberal city charter that authorized a city university, and a city militia. The Nauvoo militia was one of the largest standing armies in the country.

 Smith's consolidation of power (he was president of the church, mayor of the city, and commander of the legion), made many in the surrounding communities very nervous and a hatred began to build between the Mormons and their neighbors. This hatred led to Smith being murdered in the Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844 and to the entire Mormon population being driven out of Nauvoo in the Spring of 1846.

In 1849 the Icarians, a French Utopian community led by Etienne Cabet, settled in Nauvoo, their experiment in communism lasted until the financial crisis of 1857, when the Icarian property was sold off to pay the debts of their creditors. The Icarians greatest contribution to Nauvoo history is undoubtedly the work of Emile Baxter. Baxter came to Nauvoo in 1855 to join the Icarians. He eventually founded Baxter's Winery. Baxter's Winery is still in operation today, the oldest winery in the state of Illinois.

After the Mormons and Icarians left town, things really quieted down. Nauvoo became known for its wine and blue cheese. Its history was largely forgotten by those not living in the area. Things began to change in 1954 when Dr. J. Leroy Kimball bought the Nauvoo home of his Great-Grandfather Heber C. Kimball. Originally, Kimball bought the home with the intention of restoring it and using it as a vacation home. But, as word of Kimball's project spread, people began to stop by and ask for tours of the old home. A renewal in the interest of Nauvoo's history had begun and in 1962 Nauvoo Restoration Inc. was founded with the purpose of restoring Nauvoo's historic sites.  Today Nauvoo has over 40 restored homes and historic sites open to the public, free of charge.

Nauvoo's tourism received another boost in 2002 when the Nauvoo Temple was rebuilt and rededicated. Currently, this town of 1,100 receives over 100,000 visitors every year.