Nauvoo was once the home of three men who changed American History, and their homes are open for tours.
1. Brigham Young. The great colonizer. In 1846 he led over 10,000 people west to a new home in what would become the state of Utah. For the next 30 years, he organized hundreds of settlements in what is now Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada and Wyoming. Brigham Young changed the face of the American West.
2. Jonathan Browning. "The name of Browning has become synonymous with fine firearms. Jonathan
invented one of the first repeating rifles and his descendants
revolutionized the art of gunsmithing by inventing automatic shotguns,
rifles and machine guns." His son, John Moses Browning is credited with 128 gun patents. Some of the Brownings' original guns are on display in the home.
3. Joseph Smith Jr. Founder of the Church of Jesus Christ or Latter-day Saints (and the Community of Christ) now a world-wide faith of over 14 million people. A discussion of American religious history has to include Joseph Smith. If for no other reason than there would be no Mormons, no Nauvoo, and no Brigham Young without Joseph Smith Jr.
The Brigham Young and Jonathan Browning homes are open for free tours. There is a $3.00 per person free to tour the Joseph Smith homes.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Free Souvenirs!
If you're a family on a budget like we are, "free" is a good thing. As we've said, most of the shops and homes offer free tours, but some shops also offer free souvenirs. Here's a listing.
1. Webb Brothers' Blacksmith Shop--free "prairie diamond ring" for each person in the family.
2. Scovil Bakery--free gingerbread cookie.
3. Brickyard--free souvenir Old Nauvoo brick. Made in Nauvoo.
4. Family Living Center--Make your own Jump-rope (Limit 1 per family); Dip your own candles (1 per person, seasonal); Sample homemade bread (all free activities).
1. Webb Brothers' Blacksmith Shop--free "prairie diamond ring" for each person in the family.
2. Scovil Bakery--free gingerbread cookie.
3. Brickyard--free souvenir Old Nauvoo brick. Made in Nauvoo.
4. Family Living Center--Make your own Jump-rope (Limit 1 per family); Dip your own candles (1 per person, seasonal); Sample homemade bread (all free activities).
Must See's
If you can't spend a full day in Nauvoo and you just want to hit the highlights, we reccomend the following as "must see's".
1. Stop by the LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Visitor Center for a quick overview of the history of the village. You can pick up a free map of the historic sites and get tickets for the free wagon rides. They have two wagon rides. The first is a "Carriage Ride to Inspiration Point." This wagon ride takes you north of the visitor center on a 45 minute wagon ride through the woods A narrator provides historic information along the way. The second wagon ride, "Wagon Tour of Old Nauvoo" is a narrated, 1-hour ride through the historic sites south of the visitors center. Both tours are fun and did we mention, they're FREE. Even though the rides are free you still need tickets and on busy days tickets can run out early.
2. Scovil Bakery. This quaint little bakery is one of our favorite places to stop. Not only do they explain how they made bread and cakes in the 1840's, but every visitor get's a small gingerbread cookie, and they are DELICIOUS. Here's the recipe if you want to make them at home.
3. Webb Brothers' Blacksmith Shop. This shop is arguably the best demonstration in town. The first half of the shop is the "Wainwright". There you will watch a demonstration on how wagon wheels were made and you will learn about what it took a pioneer to go west in the 1840's. The second half of the shop is the blacksmith shop. There you will watch as the blacksmith forges a miniature horse-shoe. Everyone one who visits the Blacksmith shop gets a free "Prairie-Diamond Ring" and one lucky winner will get the horse-shoe.
4. Heber C. Kimball Home. This was the first home ever restored in Nauvoo. It was restored by Heber's great-grandson, J. Leroy Kimball. Originally restored as a vacation home by Dr. Kimball, his work renewed interest in Nauvoo history and eventually led to the formation of Nauvoo Restoration Inc., the company responsible for restoring many of the homes in Nauvoo. The Kimball home is one of the largest and most beautiful of the restored homes open for tours.
5. Joseph Smith's Red Brick Store. This is a working general store that sells souvenirs as well as other items that would have been for sale in Nauvoo in the 1840's. Stop by and browse the store and before you leave, purchase an ice-cold bottle of Red Brick Store Root Beer! And if all of this traveling is wearing you down, purchase a bag of their old-fashioned Horehound Candy. Horehound candy is an acquired taste, but the Horehound herb was used by Native Americans and Pioneers to treat colds and sore throats.
Though you really can't go wrong with any of the restored shops and homes in Nauvoo, these are our family's recommendations for anyone short on time. All of the tours are free of charge. Tours typically last about 30 minutes, except for the blacksmith shop, you'll want to allow 45 minutes there.
1. Stop by the LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Visitor Center for a quick overview of the history of the village. You can pick up a free map of the historic sites and get tickets for the free wagon rides. They have two wagon rides. The first is a "Carriage Ride to Inspiration Point." This wagon ride takes you north of the visitor center on a 45 minute wagon ride through the woods A narrator provides historic information along the way. The second wagon ride, "Wagon Tour of Old Nauvoo" is a narrated, 1-hour ride through the historic sites south of the visitors center. Both tours are fun and did we mention, they're FREE. Even though the rides are free you still need tickets and on busy days tickets can run out early.
2. Scovil Bakery. This quaint little bakery is one of our favorite places to stop. Not only do they explain how they made bread and cakes in the 1840's, but every visitor get's a small gingerbread cookie, and they are DELICIOUS. Here's the recipe if you want to make them at home.
3. Webb Brothers' Blacksmith Shop. This shop is arguably the best demonstration in town. The first half of the shop is the "Wainwright". There you will watch a demonstration on how wagon wheels were made and you will learn about what it took a pioneer to go west in the 1840's. The second half of the shop is the blacksmith shop. There you will watch as the blacksmith forges a miniature horse-shoe. Everyone one who visits the Blacksmith shop gets a free "Prairie-Diamond Ring" and one lucky winner will get the horse-shoe.
4. Heber C. Kimball Home. This was the first home ever restored in Nauvoo. It was restored by Heber's great-grandson, J. Leroy Kimball. Originally restored as a vacation home by Dr. Kimball, his work renewed interest in Nauvoo history and eventually led to the formation of Nauvoo Restoration Inc., the company responsible for restoring many of the homes in Nauvoo. The Kimball home is one of the largest and most beautiful of the restored homes open for tours.
5. Joseph Smith's Red Brick Store. This is a working general store that sells souvenirs as well as other items that would have been for sale in Nauvoo in the 1840's. Stop by and browse the store and before you leave, purchase an ice-cold bottle of Red Brick Store Root Beer! And if all of this traveling is wearing you down, purchase a bag of their old-fashioned Horehound Candy. Horehound candy is an acquired taste, but the Horehound herb was used by Native Americans and Pioneers to treat colds and sore throats.
Though you really can't go wrong with any of the restored shops and homes in Nauvoo, these are our family's recommendations for anyone short on time. All of the tours are free of charge. Tours typically last about 30 minutes, except for the blacksmith shop, you'll want to allow 45 minutes there.
Monday, July 2, 2012
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.
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.
OFFICIAL LINKS
Nauvoo Tourism Office
Nauvoo Chamber of Commerce
City of Nauvoo Website
http://www.historicnauvoo.net/--Provides information on most of the historic sites/activities in Nauvoo. Website is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Joseph Smith Historic Site--Provides information of historic sites owned by the Community of Christ. (Formerly known as The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)
Nauvoo Tourism Office
Nauvoo Chamber of Commerce
City of Nauvoo Website
http://www.historicnauvoo.net/--Provides information on most of the historic sites/activities in Nauvoo. Website is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Joseph Smith Historic Site--Provides information of historic sites owned by the Community of Christ. (Formerly known as The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)
Located on a beautiful bend of the Mississippi River, Nauvoo is a peaceful village full of history, fun experiences, and great food. Best of all most of the activities in Nauvoo are FREE (some sites even give free souvenirs) This blog will clue you into some of our family's favorite places as well as provide links to official websites that will help you plan your adventures.
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