Nauvoo-Hancock-IL

Marie says I should tell more about what I do on the trips......

When we were in Keokuk, IA, Dad and I travelled to Nauvoo, IL. My grandmother (Dad's mom) - Blanche Ann Eid - was born there in the late 1800's.

Nauvoo was started as a Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) settlement by leader Joseph Smith. However, Joseph died [murdered while he was in a Carthage, IL, jail] and the Mormons left Nauvoo. They left for a new place (Utah) in 1846 under the direction of Brigham Young.

Many of the Mormons just left homes, etc., and joined a wagon train headed to the West. In time, the Mormon Church has regained much of the property in and around Nauvoo and it is now a tourist attraction and an important city for the Mormons. A new Temple has been built there within the past 5 years and the homes and businesses of early Mormon Nauvoo have been restored.

LDS is not the only religion practiced in Nauvoo. There is a large population of Catholics and a Catholic school as well. Of course there are Protestant churches too. My grandmother's family was not Mormon, but French Catholic. After the Mormons left, other settlers moved in.

"Main Street Nauvoo" [Mulholland Street] offers the Old Nauvoo Hotel that serves delicious meals. There are other businesses that cater to tourists and Mormons alike. We shopped in a Mormon book store, a kitchen/snack shop, a custard shop, and Dad went to an antique shop. There are many more, plus a public restroom! The Visitors Center is modern and gives a history of the LDS Church, history of Nauvoo, and info about today's LDS Church.

The area is also rich in grapes and vineyards. The oldest winery in the state of IL [Baxter's Winery] is located in Nauvoo. Dad and I went to Baxter's Winery and participated in a wine tasting. Of course, I purchased a couple bottles of wine! My Aunt Ruth Ort Sherrill's family owned and operated a vineyard in the Nauvoo area.

My interest lies mainly in the genealogy building or Family History Building operated by the LDS Church. As all genealogists know, the Mormons have compiled vast storehouses of family histories, and not just of Mormon believers. I was not able to look up any info, but will on some future trip.

Well, if you want to know more about the LDS Chrch, the Mormons, Nauvoo, etc, just Google it or check Wikipedia online!

BTW: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! to all you Dads out there! Especially Stan S., Darrell R., and Steve R.

Until next time...

Theresa