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Major Tourist Sites
Carthage has a number of tourist "Must-see sites" including:
The Old Jail
The Kibbe Museum
The Courthouse
Carthage Lake
Check out these and others further down this page.
ENJOY CARTHAGE!
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NEW!
Check here for quick reference info if you are visiting Carthage!
Located in western Illinois, just a few miles east of the Mississippi, Carthage is the county seat of Hancock County. This charming community has a rich historical story that interweaves with the Mormon Church. Other historical sites associated with Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Joseph Smith and local Indian tribes make the area a great place to visit. Carthage has a bright future that includes a safe and quiet place to live and work with a growing economy that revolves around agriculture and manufacturing. The area is rich in the recreational activities as well.
The easiest way to get a feel for the wonderful town of Carthage
is to see its Tourism brochure. Plus, you can click
on any of the small images below to view the larger image if you want.
If you need help finding Carthage, look at our Map.
Carthage is the home of The Old Carthage Jail and Visitor's Center,
the historic Hancock County Courthouse, Kibbe Museum, Carthage Lake,
WOW Park, an old fashioned downtown Square with a variety of shops, many recreational activities, and several special events year 'round.
Here's a sampling of some of these sites..
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The "Old Jail" and Visitor's
Center
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Perhaps Carthage’s most famous attraction is the Carthage Jail, which was the site where the Mormon leader, Joseph Smith, and his brother, Hyrum, were killed by an angry mob on June 27, 1844. Their action resulted in the Mormons abandoning nearby Nauvoo on their famous trek west that led to the founding of Salt Lake City, Utah. More details of the mob action can be found here, courtesy of the LDS Church.
Today, the "old jail" is one of the most well preserved historic buildings in Carthage. It was constructed of native yellow limestone in 1839 - 1841. It was used as the county jail until 1886 when a new jail was built on the town square. In 1938 the building was restored to its present condition by Joseph McRae.
In 1963 an additional building of the same type of stone was constructed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Here, visitors are received in air-conditioned comfort, and the story of the Mormon Church is related. Tours are free of charge and available year round. Information (217/357-2989) Additional info about this site and others in nearby Nauvoo at http://www.HistoricNauvoo.net.
HOURS:
Summer: Mon-Sat, 8am-9pm. Sun, 11am-7pm
Winter: Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm. Sun, 12:30pm-5pm
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Front of Old Jail
Smith brothers
at Old Jail
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Hancock County Courthouse
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Courthouse Dome
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The Hancock County Courthouse, located in the center of the Carthage Square, is a beautiful and historic structure worth visiting. It is the third courthouse to serve Hancock County, with the cornerstone being laid on July 30, 1907. With twelve offices, two courtrooms, jury rooms, and a large rotunda, the courthouse is functional as well as striking. Large stained glass windows, mosaic tile, and painted murals highlight the inside of the building. Still an active seat for lawyers, judges, county offices and board meetings, the Courthouse is an integral part of the city and considered one of the most beautiful in the state of Illinois.
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| Dr. Alice L. Kibbe (pronounced Kib' bee) donated her home, personal collections and a Wild Life Preserve to the City of Carthage for use as a museum and park. A fascinating display of historic artifacts and clothing, as well as several Lincoln pieces, are presented in the museum throughout the year. The Kibbe Museum is located at 306 Walnut Street. Open from 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday thru Saturday and 1:00pm – 4:00pm Sundays from May 1 through October 31. Open 1:00pm – 4:00pm MWFSS from November 1 – April 30. You can schedule special tours by calling (217) 357-0043 or 357-2065. |
Museum Display
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Recreation
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Carthage Lake
This picture shows the large Carthage Lake from near the spillway. For more on recreation in Carthage, click here.
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The Carthage Park District offers a complete array of sports and recreation facilities, including a municipal swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, one of the area's sportiest nine-hole golf courses, lighted baseball fields, fishing as well as hiking, and jogging. The Park District also provides campsites with electrical hookups, shelter houses, fireplaces, and playground equipment. In the summer, call (217) 357-3625 for information.
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WOW Park
World of Wonders Playground is an interactive 10,000 square foot wooden playground with slides, mazes, swings, dragons, and a pirate ship to entice your children's imagination. A covered shelter is available for picnicking. This park was the result of a large public effort, requiring thousands of hours of manpower and many, many dedicated volunteers. You can find the park south of the Courthouse Square at the corner of Adams Street and Locust Street. |
WOW Park
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Major Events
Carthage residents enjoy socializing. Here
is a small sample of annual events that are sponsored by local
groups and/or individuals. Take a look at the calendar
of events for dates you should keep track of.
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July 4th Parade
Fireworks
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July 4th Celebration
July 4th Celebration events are centered on the historic Courthouse Square. A morning breakfast kicks off the festivities, followed by parade, kids' games, farmer’s market / flea market, entertainment, dancing, many food vendors, and other activities. Most years the Carthage Clipper Volunteer Fire Department will entertain young and old with a water fight. The kids in July just seem to enjoy getting wet! A spectacular fireworks display tops off the celebration.
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Christmas Open House
Every year, Carthage merchants open their doors for the Carthage Open House on the Thursday evening following Thanksgiving. From 4:00 pm till 9:00 pm, the square looks like a throw-back to Saturday nights of the past: Families by the hundreds stroll around, carolers roam, merchants have special foods prepared for free tasting, and community groups perform. The Christmas decorations, carriage rides, bears, reindeer, Santa, and elves make the evening a very enjoyable one for all. The picture to the left is one sample of the evening's entertainment: The local Bell Choir, for example, has performed on the first floor of the Courthouse, as seen here from the third floor in the rotunda.
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Bell Choir in the
Courthouse
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For other ideas on things to do in the area, check out the Barns of Hancock County, a driving tour of historic barns, or consider a visit to nearby historic Nauvoo, IL. Visit the website of the Quincy Area Visitors Bureau for a listing of other nearby attractions.
Other popular tourist attractions in this part of the country include Branson, MO, Hannibal, MO, and many others.
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