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Carthage Jail, Illinois

George And Audrey DeLange
July 26-29, 2001

Google Map To Carthage Jail Visitor Center

The old jail in the town of Carthage, Illinois, seat of Hancock County, was the site of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith on June 27, 1844, by a mob of approximately 150 men. The story of the murder and martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith is well written in books and on other web pages so we will only show the pictures and a give a brief description of the Carthage Jail.
The jail was built in 1839. Constructed of native red limestone, the two-story rectangular gable-front building measures twenty-nine by thirty-five feet. Like other county jails in Illinois, Carthage Jail was built to incarcerate petty thieves and debtors and to serve as a temporary holding place for violent criminals. It housed a debtor's room in the northwest corner of the first floor, and a dungeon, or "criminal cell" on the second floor, north side. There was also a living area for the jailer's family that included a kitchen, a dining room, and bedrooms.

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If you plan to fly in to visit Nauvoo; it is suggested to fly in to the Quad City International Airport in Moline, Rock Island, IL 61265. Then to take a rental car to Nauvoo, Illinois. You could then stay in the Nauvoo Area.
How To Drive There From The Quad City International Airport:
From the Quad City International Airport Moline, IL 61265 Head southeast toward US-6 E 0.7 mile. Continue straight onto US-6 W 0.1 mile. Take the exit onto I-280 E/I-74 E toward Peoria/Chicago 9.0 mile. Take the exit onto I-74 E toward Peoria 31.7 mile. Take exit 46A to merge onto US-34 W toward Monmouth 21.6 mile. Take the US-34 W exit toward Burlington 0.4 mile. Turn right at US-34 W 23.4 mile. Turn left at 700E/Carman Rd/State Route 522. Then continue to follow State Route 522 9.6 miles. Then turn right at IL-96 S for 21.6 mile & you are there. The route should be a trip of less than 2 1/2 hours in length.
Then from Nauvoo, head south on N Wells St toward Mulholland St. Then take the 1st right onto Mulholland St 276 feet. Then take a slight left at N Co Rd 0/N Durphy St/IL-96 S & continue to follow IL-96 S 12.4 miles. Continue onto Keokuk St/US-136 E. Continue to follow US-136 E 10.9 miles. Turn right at N Fayette St 456 feet. Take the 1st left onto Walnut St. and you should be there.
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Statue Of Joseph And Hyrum Smith At The Visitor Entrance	The Front Entrance Of Carthage Jail


Inside The Visitors Center We All Sit Down For	Elder Rawley To Teach Us The History Of Carthage Jail!

Elder Rawley's Favorite Picture Of Joseph Teaching Painting BY T. Gorka c. 1930	"The Last Farewell" Valoy Eaton Joseph Saying Farewell As He Leaves For Carthage

Dining Area	Prisoners Could Buy Meals

Kitchen With Bed That Jailor Probably Used	Typical Meal Fare

Lower Floor Debtors Room	Jailor's Upper Bed Room Where The Church Leaders Were Staying

Door Mob Shot Through And Entered Note Bullet Hole	Window Joseph Dropped Out Of To His Death

Small Area At Top Of Stairs Outside The Door The Mob Shot Through	View Outside The Window Joseph Dropped Through IF Only The Tree Could Speak?

George Outside Of Window Joseph Fell Through	Audrey Outside Of Window Joseph Fell Through

Small Heating Stove In Cell Area	The Cell, Where The Bad Prisoners Were Kept

Elder Rawley Explaining More Carthage History	Entrance, Jail On Left Visitor Center On Right