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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We have placed some advertising on our pages to help us to continue publishing our web pages. We have links to Priceline.Com on our pages, since we know that they can provide good deals for air travel, hotels, and rental cars; if you wish to actually visit the places on our pages. 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 at Cathage Jail. We also have links to Altrec.com on our pages, since we know that they can provide good deals for travel gear, outdoor gear, and outdoor clothing; which you might need when visiting some of the places on our pages. Of course, what LDS person doesn't appreciate Mountain House and Nitro-Pak for home food storage, and quick meals; when traveling in the outdoors! We appreciate your visits to our advertisers!
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| Statue Of Joseph And Hyrum. Smith At The Visitor Entrance. | The Front Entrance. Of Carthage Jail. |
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| Inside The Visitors Center. We All Sit Down For. | Elder Rawley To Teach Us. The History Of Carthage Jail! |
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| 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. |
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| Dining Area. | Prisoners Could Buy Meals ! |
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| Kitchen With Bed That Jailor Probably Used. | Typical Meal Fare. |
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| Lower Floor Debtors Room. | Jailor's Upper Bed Room. Where The Church Leaders Were Staying. |
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| Door Mob Shot Through. And Entered. Note Bullet Hole. | Window Joseph Dropped Out Of. To His Death. |
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| 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? |
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| George DeLange. Outside Of Window. Joseph Fell Through. | Audrey DeLange. Outside Of Window Joseph Fell Through |
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| Small Heating Stove In Cell Area. | The Cell, Where The Bad DeLange. Prisoners Were Kept. |
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| Elder Rawley Explaining More Carthage History. | Entrance, Jail On Left. Visitor Center On Right. |
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| Christ. | Joseph. | Hyrum. |
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| StairWay To Upper Room. | View Outside. | Another View. |
