Nauvoo National Historic Landmark

Site previously known as Parley Street River Landing, where the Mormon pioneers departed Nauvoo in 1

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Parley Street, Nauvoo, Illinois 62354

Significance:

In 1839, Joseph Smith and his faithful fled Missouri, whose governor had ordered the Latter-day Saints to leave or be exterminated. They found refuge in Illinois, where an advance group of Saints had prepared a new town site. There, in a horseshoe bend of the Mississippi River, they built Nauvoo, the new home of the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Designation:

National Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

MANAGED BY:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Amenities

7 listed

Benches/Seating, Boat Ramp, Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Parking - Boat Trailer, Scenic View/Photo Spot

Nauvoo National Historic District - Nauvoo, Illinois
In the spring of 1839, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established a new settlement on the banks of the Mississippi River in Illinois. The town was named Nauvoo - reportedly from a Hebrew word meaning beautiful place.

Nauvoo was the Mormon headquarters for seven years during which time the church flourished, and the settlement quickly became one of the largest cities in Illinois. Hostility, suspicion and trouble increased in direct proportion to the community's growth and success, and the Mormons were forced to flee their homes during the winter and spring of 1846. On April 24, 1846, Newel Knight, who departed with the spring exodus, lamented:

"We all halted & took a farewell view of our delightful City. . . . We allso beheld the magnificent Temple rearing its lofty tower towards the heavens . . . we allso took a farewell look of our Comfortable homes we had labored so hard to rear for the Comfort of our families . . . my heart did swell within me."

Site Information

Location (Parley Street, Nauvoo, Illinois 62354)

Available Facilities 
This site contains 1,100 acres of authentically restored homes and shops, including Brigham Young's home. The historic district in the town of Nauvoo contains streets, 18 restored houses, shops, and a visitor center.

Several different entities manage the restored homes and provide a variety of things to do within the Nauvoo Historic District. 

Safety Considerations

Community of Christ Church: In Nauvoo, manages several original structures including Joseph Smith's home and his gravesite.

More Site Information

Exhibit Audio Description available

Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail