Illinois

Take a guided tour of this restored jail house and explore why it was the site of one of the pivotal events in the history of the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. It was here in June of 1844 that an armed mob stormed the jail and killed Joseph and Hyrum Smith as they awaited trial.

At the end of Parley Street in Nauvoo is a boat launch for the Mississippi River. In 1846, this was the main landing used by emigrants to ferry across the river when they were forced to leave Nauvoo. The first group, the Mormon Pioneers, crossed in February and were later surprised when hundreds more joined them after a cold spell by walking across the ice of the frozen river.