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A NAUVOO WALK DOWN HISTORY LANE
Prepared by Kevin V. Hunt Summers 1975 and 2024
NAUVOO RESTORATION
1975 TO 2024
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A NAUVOO WALK DOWN HISTORY LANE
Prepared by Kevin V. Hunt
Copyright 2024 by Kevin V. Hunt
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION
“According to the 1840 US Census, Nauvoo, Illinois had a population of 2,700 people, while Chicago had a population of 4,470.
In October 1843, The Nauvoo Neighbor reported that “Nauvoo is the great emporium of the West, the center of all centers … [with[ a population of 15,000 souls congregated from the four quarters of the globe.”
An Illinois state Census in 1845 showed 11,000 people living within the city of Nauvoo.
Nauvoo was the home of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the seven-year period from 1839 to 1846.
Under the inspired leadership of the Prophet, Joseph Smith, the Nauvoo community thrived – as “The Cornerstone of Zion” (Joseph’s term). (Quoting Urban Scale Richmond”). The City was laid out according to Joseph’s revealed “Plan of Zion” which he had used in Kirtland and Missouri – with city blocks laid out in 4-acre grid – with houses on the corners and with gardens and out-buildings behind the homes.
BYU Studies estimate that there were 11,000 people in Nauvoo in 1845. Most historians concur that by 1846, the population of Nauvoo, had grown to become the largest city in Illinois at the time.”
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Taking a stroll down the streets of Old Nauvoo, one can get the feeling that Nauvoo was made up entirely of beautiful orange/red brick structures. In reality, there were, of course, many brick structures and these home have survived better than homes of other construction materials. Not all homes were brick, however.
Some notable and substantial frame structures have survived – including
With the exception of the Sarah Granger Kimball home, most of these homes were likely constructed by Joseph Coolidge. “Almost all of the rest of the nearly 100 buildings for which some record exists were built of brick or stone.” (Source: Urban Scale Richmond Virginia Blogspot).
The Church News” of 4 June 1988 stated, that “Nauvoo had 300 brick homes, 2,000 hand-hewn log cabins, 200-300 one and two story frame homes and “a noble marble edifice” [the Temple] (quoting Thomas Kane – military friend to the Mormon people).
The brick homes obviously have a better chance of survival over years – just because of their nature and sustainability. Only a few of the frame homes (as noted above) have survived the test of time. In modern times, the Joseph Smith Homestead remains intact (from 1823) and the adjacent Homestead cabin, the Pendleton home and school, the Patty Sessions and the William Field log homes have been reconstructed.
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Milestones of Historic Nauvoo Restoration
1893: RLDS Apostle Alexander Hale Smith (son of the prophet Joseph) urges RLDS church to “take advantage of every opportunity to get a foot hold [in Nauvoo] again.”
1903: Carthage Jail purchased by LDS Church President Joseph F. Smith (son of Hyrum Smith) and missionaries begin serving there.
1908 to 1919: RLDS Church purchased Smith Family Cemetery, Nauvoo House, Mansion House, the Joseph Smith Homestead, Joseph’s Red Brick Store foundation. The RLDS Church began tours of the Smith properties in 1918.
1909: RLDS Church purchased the Nauvoo House.
1915: Joseph Smith Homestead deeded to RLDS Church
1918: RLDS Church restored Mansion House
1928: RLDS Church exhumes, examines, and re-buries bodies of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in their current marked locations.
1935: Nauvoo designated as Registered National Landmark August 21.
1937: State of Iowa includes Nauvoo on the “Mormon Trail” historical register. - part of a national historic trails system. 12 Miles of the road along the Mississippi River – from Nauvoo to Keokuk, Iowa, are a part of the National Great River Road.
1937: First Nauvoo Temple tract purchased by Wilford Wood.
1938: Carthage Jail is restored.
1938: Wilford Wood purchases “Times and Seasons” building and also the John Taylor home. Tours begin by missionary couples. Building later sold to LDS Church January 3, 1953.
1953: RLDS Church raised the Joseph Smith Homestead structure, and a new foundation was built under it.
1954: Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball purchased Heber C. Kimball home and renovated it over the next six years.
1954: Wilford Wood purchased the Nauvoo Cultural Hall and 12 surrounding acres, but the sale was cancelled at the request of the former owner.
1957: RLDS Church reopens the Mansion House for tours following extensive restoration. Around this time, began tours of Joseph Smith Historic sites through a small center at the Bidamon Stable.
1960: Heber C. Kimball home dedicated July 3, 1960, by Apostle Spencer W. Kimball
1962: By 1962, all Temple lots had been purchased by the LDS Church (10 transactions over 25 years)
1962: Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. was formed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, July 27, 1962. Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball called as first President of Nauvoo Restoration and he served to 1987. Worked based upon four steps to authentic restoration: historical research, archeology, reconstruction, and decoration.
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1964: LDS Church [again] purchases Masonic Hall and 100 acres around it – through Nauvoo Restoration, Inc.
1964 to 1971 NRI purchases 1,000 acres of historic property “on the flats” in Nauvoo
1969: Church purchased land for future Visitors’ Center
1969: Wilford Woodruff Home – was the first restored home in Nauvoo
1970: Joseph Smith Livery Stable was excavated at Hyde and Water Streets. Determined that it could hold 25 horses.
1971: RLDS excavated area around Joseph Smith Homestead and located the foundation of the “Summer Kitchen” (log home)
1971: September 4, 1971 – LDS Visitors’ Center was dedicated
1972: RLDS excavates site of former Joseph Smith Red Brick Storer. Archeological digging revealed plaster fragments showing the rich redf/orange color used today in the building interior. Also located original location of first “Time and Seasons” building (NE corner of Water and Bain Streets)
1973: May 25, 1973, The Brigham Young Home, Jonathon Browning Home and Gun Shop, 70’s Hall, and the Webb Blacksmith Shop were all dedicated by Apostle Spencer W. Kimball,
1973-1974: Joseph Smith Summer Kitchen restored by RLDS Church. RLDS begins interpretive program there for school and youth groups. Program continues for 50 years.
1975: Archeological digging around Scovill Bakery, Cultural Hall, Riser Boot Shop
1976: “City of Joseph” Pageant performances begin and runs to 2004
1978: Nauvoo Post Office (part of John Taylor complex) was restored.
1978: Monument to Women Memorial Garden dedicated 1 July.
1979: Nauvoo becomes 1,000th stake of the LDS church on 18 February.
1980: RLDS Church dedicated the rebuilt Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store, Joseph Smith Historic Site Visitors Center was dedicated.
1982: Dedication of 16 Historic Sites by Pres. Gordon B. HInckley, dedication of excavated Nauvoo Temple site. Dedicated sites included the Masonic Hall (Cultural Hall), Scovil Bakery, Lyon Drug and Variety Store, Times and Seasons Building, and the Erastus Snow-Nathaniel Ashby Duplex.
1987: January – Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball retired from NRI. Elder Loren C. Dunn became new NRI president.
1988: Log building at Smith Gravesite was reconstructed by RLDS. Graves of Joseph and Hyrum were once located under this structure.
1989: Carthage Jail re-dedication following renovation – June 27, 1989 – by President Gorden B. Hinckley. Restoration of Riser Boot and Shoe Shop, Stoddard Tin Shop, Pendleton Cabin, Lyon Drug and Variety Store. Times and Seasons building refurbished with addition of another printing press of that era. The Visitors’ Center was remodeled.
1990: Elder Loren C. Dunn ends era as President of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc.
1994: BYU begins BYU Semester at Nauvoo held in the Joseph Smith Academy. The college history immersion program extended to 2006.
1998: Church purchases St. Mary’s 1876 Priory and 1957 girls barding school that occupied the front of the former temple site (allowing beautiful river view from Temple)
1999: President Gordon B. Hinckley announces on 4 April the coming re-construction of the Nauvoo Temple
2002: Nauvoo Temple Rebuilt – Dedication June 27, 2002, by President Gordon B. Hinckley
2002: 60 Housing units built and opened for Temple Workers
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2004: The Nauvoo Pageant begins – to commemorate the 200th birthday of Joseph Smith
2011: Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. was dissolved, and the Church’s Historic Sites Committee took over general responsibilities.
2012: 50th-anniversary year of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., the name was changed to Nauvoo Facilities Management (NFM)
2012: 50th-anniversary year of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., the name was changed to Nauvoo Facilities Management (NFM)
2012: 50th anniversary year of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., the name was changed to Nauvoo Facilities Management (NFM)2014: First phase of the Church’s 3-phase 25-year plan to improve the historic Nauvoo site by 2039, which marks the bicentennial of when the city was founded by Latter-day Saints.
2014: The British Pageant begins performances in Nauvoo
2020: Edward Hunter home is rebuilt – after deliberate destruction of the original.
2021: “Temple District” is created and dedicated May 29, 2021 by Elder Quentin L. Cook). The Temple District included:
2021 – Renovated Orson and Marinda Hyde Home – dedicated by Elder Quentin L. Cook
2023: Church announces plans to construct a new “Temple Visitors’ Center” in the grassy lot in front of the Temple and Catholic properties.
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2024: March 5th The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints negotiated a major property acquisition from the Community of Christ. The purchase included the Joseph Smith Homestead, the Joseph Smith Log Cabin, The Joseph and Emma Smith Mansion House, the Nauvoo House, the Lewis Bidamon Stable, the Community of Christ Visitors’ Center, the Sidney Rigdon Home, The First Hotel, The Jonathan Wright Home, the William Marks Home and other Nauvoo properties and Historic documents. Community of Christ Tours to these facilities closed on March 5th.
2024: March 25th – All former Community of Christ properties purchased by the LDS Church on March 5th, opened for public tours with LDS missionary guides.
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DR. J. LE ROY KIMBALL – FOUNDER OF
NAUVOO RESTORATION, Inc. and the man who restored much of old Nauvoo - R9
MAY 11TH – Monday
May 11th – Monday – We went early to the Visitors’ Center and saw a slide presentation prepared by President Kimball. This was about the restoration of Nauvoo. He has been responsible for all that has been done here. He started “Nauvoo Restoration, Inc.”.
December 8, 1901 – October 18, 1992
MAY 16th, SATURDAY
This has been an exciting week here in Nauvoo. I have kept spent a lot of time
studying the script for the Visitors’ Center and all of the restored home. There are several homes open to the public, among these are ar the Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff, Lucy Mack Smith, Jonathan Browning, John Taylor and the Winslow Farr Home. Also among the retored homes are the Blacksmith Shop, the Times abnd Seasions building, and the 70’’s Hall. We have to know about the people who lived in each of these homes and about the furniture in them.
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DR. J. LEROY KIMBALL
Obituary
Published: Oct 21, 1992, 12:00 a.m. MDT By Deseret News
Few people have done as much to preserve history in a tangible way as Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball, a Salt Lake physician who died this week at the age of 90. His name and Nauvoo, Ill., a city that was founded in the late 1830s by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are closely linked. Dr. Kimball, a great-grandson of early Mormon leader Heber C. Kimball, was president of Nauvoo Restoration Inc., a nonprofit corporation, from 1962 to 1987. The organization did extensive acquiring, salvaging and authentically restoring of structures in the city.
Dr. Kimball restored the home of his great-grandfather, Heber C. Kimball
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Kimball Obituary Continued:
Most of the work grew out of Dr. Kimball's personal interest in what little was left of the once impressive city, abandoned by persecuted church members under duress in 1846. He became interested in Nauvoo in 1925 when he visited the area while attending medical school in Chicago.
At that time he saw and decided to buy the Heber C. Kimball home. But not until 1954 was he finally able to purchase the home. Originally, he intended simply to restore the home as a second residence for his family. Restoration work was completed in 1960, and 15,000 people visited the home that year.
The intense public interest in the restoration of the Kimball home led to the forming of Nauvoo Restoration Inc. In the years that followed, many purchases of land were made, including the Nauvoo Temple lot.
Under Dr. Kimball's direction, many other homes and facilities were restored, including the Seventies Hall, the Masonic Hall, the Brigham Young home, the Johnathan Browning home, the Times and Seasons building, and a printing and blacksmith shop.
Not only have the buildings been restored, but they are used as a kind of living history, as guides conduct tours and demonstrate the crafts once accomplished within those walls.
For his untiring efforts to restore what was once known as "Nauvoo the Beautiful," Dr. Kimball was the recipient of awards from a number of historical organizations.
A specialist in internal medicine and cardiovascular disorders, Dr. Kimball practiced medicine in Salt Lake City for more than 40 years.
Dr. Kimball once said that the restoration of Nauvoo was the fulfillment of a dream. More than just a dream, his legacy is a historical preservation that is one of the finest in America.
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HISTORIC HOMES RESTORED AND OPEN TO PUBLIC TOURS IN 1975
The Heber C. and Vilate Kimball Home
The Wilford and Phoebe Woodruff Home
The Brigham and Mary Ann Young Home
The Joseph Noble/Lucy Mack Smith Home
The Webb Blacksmith and Wainwright Shop
The Jonathan Browning Home and Gun Shop
The 70’s Hall
The John & Lenora Taylor Home and Print Shop
The Carthage Jail
Brigham Young and Heber C . Kimball Homes Open for tours in 1975
Note from the Author: Kevin V. Hunt
I have had the unique oprtunity and blessing to experience historic Nauvoo at various times and in several different circumstances through the years.
My first Nauvoo experience happened in 1975 when I was serving on my “young mission”. I served in Nauvoo for the final 6 months of that mission. I loved the experience. It was truly wonderful and exciting in every way. I served then as a site guide in the eight restored homes.
My wife and I brought the nine children to Nauvoo and were cast members two different summers in the “City of Joseph” musical production. We found other opportunities to come to Nauvoo for other excursions.
Then in 2024, my wife and I were assigned to Nauvoo for an 18-month “Senior Mission” for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints3. And once again, we are historic site guides – just as I was in 1975. This time, there are over 30 restored homes and shops and we rotate through them.
During both missionary assignments, I have taken a multitude of photographs of many of the historic restored homes in Nauvoo. In this book/slide show, I am able to compare the homes as they existed in 1975 – and as they are in 2024 – 49 years later.
When in Nauvoo as a young missionary, I maintained daily journal entries for each day of the mission. I also wrote extensive letters home to the folks each week. In an effort to add a bit of variety to the photos, I have included entries from that 1975 era to show actual activities that I participated in at that time.
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ARRIVAL OF ELDER HUNT IN NAUVOO
May 9th Friday – We had our special devotional out at the Osborn's – the mission home. We first had dinner and then went into our testimony meeting. This was a very spirtual occasion.
May 10th Saturday – We left out of Tallahassee on Eastern Airlines abour 7:45 AM. We had an enjoyable flight to Atlanta. We had a three and a half hour layover in Atlanta. … We left out of Atlanta at 12:20 PM and arrived in Chicago at 1:10 PM. We again had a layover there for two hours. … We flew into Burlington, Iowa. I did not know if we would make it into Burlington or not. We flew on a little prop, “Fairchild 127”. It had a Rolls Royce engine. It made a lot of noise and rocked all over the place. … President Kimball, our new mission president arrived a few minutes after we did. We rode with him and his wife to Nauvoo after buying groceries in Burlington.
May 11th – Sunday – We went to the Visitors’ Center. The Church has a beautiful center here. It is our responsibility to take people on tours through the center – explaining Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and the Restoration. We have a lounge downstairs where we can study or play ping pong when we are not giving a tour.
“Nine homes here in Nauvoo have been restored to their condition as the Mormons had them while they were here. We also take people on tours of these buildings. …
“We had a sacrament meeting with all of the missionaries here. There is a small local branch here in Nauvoo, but we do not have time to do much with them. … Twenty “young Elders” have been transferred here. Four came from Atlanta, New York City, Florida, Illinos and Pennsylvania. Also, there are 20 couples stationed here.”
NAUVOO MISSIONARIES
(Left) Elder Kevin Hunt and Elder Craig Shaltes and (Right) Elder Craig Shaltes Giving Visitors' Center Tour
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In April of 1975, I was serving in the Florida-Tallahassee Mission. I had been in that mission since November of 1973. I was currently serving in the mission office as the Mission Recorder (like the Mission/Stake Clerk for many districts). I also typed up and mailed all of the transfer notices. (That was long before computers.) We were to receive a new mission president and I had already been slated to become the secretary to train the new mission president who would arrive in June.
Tallahassee Elders Howard, Rich, Moffat, and Hunt – Heading off to serve in Nauvoo
Friday, April 25th – 1975
This has really been an interesting day. All of us in the office received word on forthcoming transfers. … My transfer was a real mind blower. I will leave May 10th – along with Elders Moffat, Howard, and Rich, to go to the Nauvoo, Illinois Mission. I will spend the rest of my mission there. This means that I will have been here in Florida exactly 18 months. I am really excited about it. I have felt sure [by the Spirit] that I would get there sometime. I have kind of wanted to go there for quite a while. I heard parts of the phone call to President [Spencer H.Osborn] on Wednesday. He received a call from President [J. LeRoy] Kimball of the Nauvoo. Two seconds later, after he hung up, he called his Assistants into his office. I’ve known since then that something was up. We had a transfer already
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LIVING AS A “RED BARN” ELDER
Our “Red Barn” and the home located next door – I lived in the upper left room by myself
MAY 11TH – SUNDAY – (Continues) “We moved into our assigned houses. I will live in a home in front of “The Red Barn” with six of the 20 Elders. We will be known as the “Red Barn Elders” because of our barn. We had the full house for the six of us. My own bedroom is on the 2nd floor – on the left side. From my upstairs window, I can see the Mississippi River. It is a beautiful view to see across the river to the Iowa side. [And I later learned that my own Rawson ancestors lived right across the street from our Red Barn house – where the horse operation now stands [2024]. And my Cheney ancestors lived right around the corner – and years later, their children married.)
My Rawson ancestor property and home site – located across the street west from The Red Barn And my Cheney relatives lived around the corner to the north. Their children married in 1856
May 20th – Tuesday
“Today was my day off at the Center. Early this morning, I began working on mowing our big lawn – since it was my turn. I worked at this continuusly for three hours.
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Our “Matador” Station Wagon – Shared by 3 Houses and 20 Missionaries
"Red Barn" Elders from left: Anglesey, Buckley, Phelps, Shaltes, Hunt, and Heighton
I lived in “The Red Barn” (or so we called it) with six of us there.. Six missionaries were housed in the “Lyon Drug Store” so they were the “Lyon Drug Elders. And Eight missionaries were housed in “The Stone House” – located around two corners from The Red Barn.
September 15th – Monday
“We now have a new car. It is a 1975 Chevelle Malibu station wagon. The other car was hammered.”
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All Twenty "Young Elders" at Nauvoo 1975 – Back: Elders Craig Shaltes, David Ransom, Michael Buckley, James Howard, Brett Rich, Jeffrey Moffat,
Richard Tucker, Robert Hulse, Craig Warburton, James Heighton, Charles Wheeler, Kevan Clawson, Thomas Hutchinson, Front Row: Phillip Thomas, Grant Rapier, Steven Anglesey, Keith Phelps, Jeffry Haskell,, Paul Day, Kevin Hunt
JUNE 10th - TUESDAY
“Saturday night we had a devotional aE the Kimball’s home. The 20 of us Elders were there. We had dinner and then a special testimony meeting. The Spirit was strong there and I enjoyed it very much.”
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THE MISSIONARIES – COUPLES AND YOUNG ELDERS – 1975
The full missionary team at Nauvoo - 1975
May 20th – Tuesday
There are some interesting missionary assignments here. One older man serves full-time at the Blacksmith Shop. This is one of the most popular places. There is another man who runs he small church farm here. Many people are involved with the restoration of more old buildings.
May 28th – Wednesday
“Each day we have lunch reliefs for the couples in the homes. Two of us go together for an hour for the first house and then for an hour at the second while the couples go to lunch. We rotate to the different homes so we get a variety of places. We also have a dinner relief for the couples at 5:30. We then run the homes by ourselves until about 7:00. Next week we will go until 8:00 at night.
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(Left) ARTIST’S VIEW OF OLD NAUVOO WITH THE TEMPLE (V.C. Mural) and
NAUVOO FROM MONTROSE, IOWA – 1975 (WITH NO TEMPLE ON THE HORIZON)
[Having been a florist before my mission, I was able to use my flower arranging skills at the Visitors’ Center. At the direction of Dr. Kimball, I had my florist brother-in-law send me a large collection of silk flowers. “I created four silk arrangements to go at the four corners of the top floor of the Center – that looks down onto the first floor below.] “
OCTOBER 4TH … “People are still commenting on the artificial flowers that I arranged. I am happy that I was able to use my talents in that capacity to beautify the building.”
OCTOBER 7TH – TUESDAY
”We have a lot of roses growing at the back of the Center. Every day I arrange a few of them to go on the front desk. We all enjoy them.“
SEPTEMBER 20TH - TUESDAY
.” The Church has many apple trees here with apples going out the lagoons. All nine of us [remaining young Elders] had a turn at picking apples last week. Elders Clawson, Shaltes and I went on Saturday. It was kind of fun to do for a change.” [And together we made many apple pies at our Red Barn. We froze the pies and whenever we waned a pie, we took one out of the freezer in the morning – to thaw, cook and eat later that night.]
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GREAT TIMES AND EXPERIENCES WITH SPECIAL PEOPLE IN NAUVOO
September 25th – Monday
“We had guests over for dinner at our Red Barn. [As ever, I was the head cook.] We invited the couples whom we associate with at the Center – the Hunters, Christensens, and Leishmans. We had a lot of fun. They all wanted a grand tour of our “Red Barn” so we took them through all of our rooms. Everyone keeps their room pretty clean, so we were not embarassed.”
SEPTEMBER 20TH - TUESDAY
.” The Church has many apple trees here with apples going out the lagoons. All nine of us had a turn at picking apples last week. Elders Clawson, Shaltes and I went on Saturday. It was kind of fun to do for a change.”
OCTOBER 14TH – TUESDAY
“We still have oodles of apples here. I have really goten into the apple pie making scene. The Red Barn Elders have enjoyed them.
JULY 20th – SUNDAY
“We had some special guests at our sacrament meeting. Sisters Barbara Smith [current General Relief Society President] and Belle S. Spafford [the former R.S. President] were both here. They both gave inspiring talks. Sister Spafford said, “When Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society, he opened the way for the emancipation of women throughout the world.” Sister Smith talked upon some of the results of the Relief Society for women of the world. It was great to hear from the matriarchal part of the Church.”
AUGUST 5TH – TUESDAY
“I have been fairly busy this last week with final preparations on our dinner – held last night -. The young Elders put on a dinner for the couples. Dr. Kimball asked me to be in charge of it all. Everything went just as I had planned it – except for the corn we were roasting. The charcoal fire was not hot enough at first so some of the corn was not done. It was a very “super sweet” variety of corn though, so it tasted all right anyway. We had the women bring potato salad, relish dishes and brownies. We also served a watermelon and cantaloupe mixture, roasted corn, rolls, ham, juice (I made 5 gallons) and fruit salad. The dinner was all funded by Dr. Kimball. We had the couples see a new film at 8:00 PM and had the food served on the tables for them when it was over. We had brownies and home-made peach ice cream (6 gallons) for dessert. Everyone enjoyed the affair. I had fun doing it.”
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THE INFAMOUS BUS OF NAUVO RESTORATION, INC.
July 11th – Friday
“Tonight after work (9:30 PM) all of the 20 “Young Elders” went to a movie in Keokuk together. It was “The Great Waldo Pepper” with Robert Redford. I had seen it in Tallahassee but enjoyed seeing everyone’s reaction to it. We all rode on rhe Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. bus. It was a riot! We had a little trouble in crossing the narrow toll bridge across the Mississippi River into Iowa.”
Nauvoo home of President/Doctor. J. LeRoy Kimball “The Mission Home” in 1975
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NAUVOO
As It Was
In 1975
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HISTORIC HOMES RESTORED AND OPEN TO PUBLIC TOURS IN 1975
The Heber C. and Vilate Kimball Home
The Wilford and Phoebe Woodruff Home
The Brigham and Mary Ann Young Home
The Joseph Noble/Lucy Mack Smith Home
The Webb Blacksmith and Wainwright Shop
The Jonathan Browning Home and Gun Shop
The 70’s Hall
The John & Lenora Taylor Home and Print Shop
The Carthage Jail
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THE NAUVOO VISITOR’S CENTER
(Left) The Nauvoo Visitors' Center and (Right) Looking West from the Center to the River
MAY 20TH – MONDAY
“I am happy to be here at this beautiful historic spot. I know that many people will be touched by rhe presentations here. It is interesting to note the number of referrals which are received daily. Many of these people will listen to tbe missionaries when they come by.”
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(Left) Elder Hunt giving tour in Visitors' Center and (Right) on "desk duty" at the Center
Model of Former Nauvoo Temple – on Display in Visitors’ Cener
SEPTEMBER 1ST – MONDAY
“We have had a great weekend. We had over 5,800 people through the center over Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. We had seven Elders in homes each day, seven giving tours in the center, and three at the front desk – selling cards and books and directing people. We had two Elders giving tours on the floor at all times. It got a little hectic at times but really ran smooth.”
JULY 15TH - TUESDAY
“I was at the front desk of the Visitors’ Center for four hours this evening. It was my duty to make sure that the film was started at the right times and also to call Elders up to give the tours. I enjoy this job as I get to talk to a lof of people.”
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Greeting Desk in Visitor’s Center – and an Elder giving Visitors’ Center Tour
JUNE 17TH - WEDNESDAY
“I really talked myself out today. I gave three tours of the center, two tours of homes and one outside personal tour. It was great. One lady bought a Book of Mormon after my tour.”
JUNE 24TH - WEDNESDAY
“We have had a great week here. People are coming by the thousands to hear the beautiful gospel message. We have an average of about 500 people who come through each day. Many folks do not know why they come here – but know they are guided here. Many people are touched by the Gospel message. … We don’t push people too hard but just try to make friends with them so that they will listen to the missionaries later when they can learn more.”
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THE NAUVOO CHAPEL (WARD IN 1975, NOW STAKE CENTER)
OCTOBER 4TH – SATURDAY [Church history note found on Google … “The first satellite audio and video broadcast of General Conference occurred Friday, October 3rd, 1975! … and I wrote on October 4th …]
”We had a great privilege in the chapel on the hill this evening. We all gathered along with many brethren of the Priesthood to hear the general conference priesthood session. We received much counsel to guide us in our lives. President [Spencer W.] Kimball said that there were probably 225,000 Priesthood holders present in the many buildings world wide.” … “President Kimball was the concluding speaker. He told of the necessity of all men – young and old – to know the “Articles of Faith” – saying that if we know them, we have a ready-made sermon. He said of the 225,000 men listening tonight, that perhaps 205,000 of us may reach Godhood. He said, “There is plenty of space out there for all of us. Think of the potential we can have!” [I continued …],” It is a great blessing to know that we have a living prophet here on the earth today. I know that these men are inspired of God.”
OCTOBER 5TH – SUNDAY
”We only heard the General Conference Priesthood session. The Friday morning session was televised Sunday night from 10:30 PM to 12:30 AM. Boy, talk about prime time …! … I wish we could have heard more of the conference.”
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THE VILLAGE OF COMMERCE EXISTED PRIOR TO THE COMING OF MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS IN 1839
Hiram Kimball Store - built before 1839 and it was still standing (kind of) in 1975
Mississippi River from Commerce
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THE “TRADING TREE” IN OLD COMMERCE (at the end of Parley Road at the River)
JUNE 10TH – TUESDAY
“Our leaders are in hopes that we will get more personal tours with non-members (in their vehicles] I had five personal tours of the outside area lasr week. One tour was interesting. I took a young non-member couple and a member man on a tour of the visitors’ center. After they finished the tour with the sisters upstairs, I met them to ask who waned a personal tour. Both wanted one, so I did not know what to do. The member saved the day and said that all four of us could go in his new Cutlass rental car. It was very interesting to have both together. I wish that I could arrange that more often.”
JULY 20TH - SUNDAY
“I have had some great people on my tours. Two men - one about 50 (a guy named Kirby Todd) and the other about 23 came today, They wanted a persnal tour of the city. They were very much interested in everything so I was able to weave in a lot of the Gospel in the conversation. We ended up at the John Taylor home where I was to have lunch relief. There we also had a good talk. At the end of the tour, the older gentleman said, “You have given us many things to think about for many years. We will have to go home and investigate into this further.”
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Nauvoo Survey Stone located at Main and Water Streets (Corner of the Homestead lot)
*
Nauvoo designated as National Historic Site
34
THE JOSEPH SMITH PROPERTIES IN NAUVOO
THE HOMESTEAD
JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET AND EMMA, HIS WIFE
(Statue in the Visitor’s Center, Painting Upstairs in Relief Society Room)
Left: Joseph and Emma Homestead and right: Log Home in back
35
(Left) JOSEPH AND EMMA DINING ROOM – 1840 ADDITION and (Right) Original Kitchen/Family Room
(Left) HOMESTEAD – Child’s Bedroom and (Right) Smith Family Relics and Tools
JUNE 10TH – TUESDAY
“Today was our Prep-day. … This afternoon, we went to the Joseph Smith properties owned by the Rerganized Church. We also took their tour. Their little stone house visitors’ center is kind of an interesting place. … They have ten teen-age guides here for the summer. They are paid for their work. They frequently visit us. One young lady is finding out that her church is not true.”
36
(Left) Mississippi River from Smith Property and (Right) Smith Family cemetery (with Grave Markers)
GRAVE STONES (1975) FOR JOSEPH, EMMA, AND HYRUM SMITH
SITE OF FORMER JOSEPH SMITH LIVERY STABLE
37
JOSEPH SMITH'S MANSION HOUSE - ORIGINALY THE STRUCTURE EXTENDED BACK MUCH FURTHER
Mansion House (Left) – “Blessing Room” and (Right) Office and Guest Greeting
38
JOSEPH SMITH'S OWN DESK (as we were told) and (RIGHT) The Joseph Smith Properties
MAY 20TH – TUESDAY
“I really love it here in Nauvoo. … The wonderful thing about Nauvoo is the beautiful Spirit that is here. It is great to walk the same streets that the Prophet,
Joseph Smith walked. We have a great heritage. …
“I am learning so much about Church history. There is so much to know here. It is wonderful to be helping others learn about the Church. My testimony has grown so much while here on my mission. This is the greatest! A mission is so much fun – as is the work itself.”
39
JOSEPH SMITH’S RED BRICK STORE
(Left) Foundation of Unrestored "Red Brick Store and (Right) Model of the Red brick Store
JOSEPH SMITH ORGANIZED THE "WOMEN'S RELIEF SOCIETY" on MARCH 17, 1842, IN HIS RED-BRICK STORE.
THE RELIEF SOCITY IS NOW THE LARGEST WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD
Painting and Other Display as found in Relief Society Room – located upstairs in the Visitors’ Center
JUNE 24TH
”Today has been our preparation day (until 5:00 PM). It rained all last night and for the past few days so we were unable to work in our garden or in the yard. After shopping, we then went on a picture taking spree. I was able to get most of the pictures needed to complete my collection. The pictures I have received back so far have been great. I can give firesides, etc., with them upon my return home.”
40
EXISTING HOMES
1975
41
(Left) Simeon Dunn Home and (Right) Dunn home after Restoration
Joseph Coolidge in 1975 before 1982 Remodel and (Right) Lee Gassoway brick home
(left) Hyrum Clark home and (Right) Daniel Butler Cobbler Shop
42
(Left) David Brinton Home and (Right) David Yearsley 3-Story Home
(Left) Sidney Rigdon Home and (Right) Vinson Knight Home
Winslow Farr Home and "The Farr Outhouse"
43
COMPARING HOMES 1975 & 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
44
COMPARING HOMES 1975 HOMES ON LEFT
AND 2024 ON RIGHT
William Gheen Home - before and after Restoration
JOSEPH SMITH’S RED BRICK STORE
45
(Left) Windsor P. Lyon Home before Restoration and (Right) During Restoration (which happened after 1975)
Lyon Carriage House
September 15th – Monday
“They are doing more archeological excavations here. The BYU Team and local boys are now excavating the “Riser Boot Shop”. One of the “Dudes” walked into the Blacksmith Shop where I’m working. He said they found one foundation already. It will be interesting to wach their progress.”
46
SCOVILL BAKERY RESTORATION (1975)
THE SCOVILL BAKERY FOLLOWING RESTORATION
47
THE CULTURAL HALL BEGINS RESTORATION 1975
The Cultural Hall - 1975
Archeological Digging around Cultural Hall – 1975
AUGUST 19THth – Monday
“We had a very ineresting family home evening. There is an archeological team here from BYU. We (all 65 of us) went first to the Cultural Hall or Masonic Lodge – which they have been working on for most of the summer. They explained their findings. They can tell a lot about the building by digging around it. Many times, they find entire sections of rooms. We then went to the Riser Boot Shop:. This was just a field when they first started digging. They have discovered several buildings that once stood there. We then continued to the archeological lab where they process their findings. It was all very interesing. I learned a lot from it. This is really a big part of he restoration process.”
48
(Left) Architectural Rendering of Proposed Cultural Hall and (Right) The Restored Hall
49
THE SEVENTIES HALL – THE FIRST CHURCH MISSION HOME
THE SEVENTIES HALL CHAPEL
OCTOBER 13TH – MONDAY
“Elder Shaltes and I had a work day today. We washed at least a milion windows on the 70’s Hall and the Brigham Young home. We all take turns at it. It was kind of fun for smething different to do.”
50
(Left) Nauvoo Artifacts Museum and (Right) Library - that later was foundation for University of Utah Library
51
BRIGHAM YOUNG, 2nd PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH
(Left) Brother Brigham and (Right) KEVIN LOOKING LIKE BRIGHAM (WHEN THE HUNT FAMILY WAS IN THE NAUVOO PAGEANT 1997)
Brigham Young Home - Front and Back
JUNE 24TH
“Last Saturday, I spetn most of the day at the Brigham Young home helping the Heywoods. We had a good day and each of us took about 7 tours – mostly of small groups. I love taking tours of the Brigham Young home because it is easy to talk about the man – and not so much about the antiques.”
52
Brigham Young Home - Front and Back
(Left) Brigham's Carriage House and (Right) Root Cellar
53
(Right) Kitchen with "Bustle Oven" (Sticks out the back of the house)
The "Council Room" - Where 12 Apostles met, and planned Western Migration to Great Salt Lake
54
THE BRIGHAM YOU G
, I'I'E AND RESIDENCE
J 40-1846
THE i\JAK
Brigham Young wa bom in Vermont in 1801 of Puritan :;tock. Trained in piety and the ,·irtues oi sti-ict per.,onal mor:11 stan dards, hard work, and thrift. he applied himself diligently to acquiring the skills neees ary to support himself through life.
.-\t the age of sixteen he had commenced his own modest construction busines:,, h,n· ing learned the trades of carpenter. joiner. painter, and glazier. He moved with his family to New York where he married ::md settled at l\Iendon, southeast of Rochester. A number of houses he built which are yet standing in that vicinity attest his excel lent craftmanship.
At the age of twenty-one Bri ham Young joined the l\lethoclist hurch and ·oon be came a local preacher. In 1 30 he saw a copy of the Book of l\Iormon which had been left in the ,·icinity of l\lenclon by a younger brother of Joseph Smith the Prophet. He read it thoughtfully and pray-
SAMPLE MARKETING BROCHURE THAT WAS AVAILABLE FOR ALL 1975 RESTORED HOMES
55
erfully and became convinced it contained a divine message, but he was not one to be swept into a new religion on the basis of an emotional response. After a prolonged investigation of the origin of the book and the work of restoring primitive Christi anity in which Joseph Smith was then en gaged, he was baptized into the "Mormon" Church in April, 1832. From that clay until his death in Salt Lake City in July, 1877, Brigham Young was an indefatigable lead er of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. At his death he had presided over the Church for thirty-three rea ·s. having succeeded Joseph Smith at Nauvoo in August, 1844.
BRIGHAM YOUNG'S BUILDINGS ON THIS SITE
Brigham Young first settled in the vi cinity of Nauvoo in the early summer of 1839. Hundreds of families were seeking housing, and he and others secured rooms in the barracks of abandoned Ft. Des Moines at Montrose, Iowa, where he settled his wife, Mary Ann Angell Young and his six children. He had been selected in 1835 as one of the Twelve Apostles [one of the five administrative units of the Church, which is assigned to direct missionary activity throughout the world]. He left Nauvoo in the autumn of 1839 on a mis sionary assignment to the British Isles.
During his absence his wife secured this building site andmoved into an unfinished hewn-log house on the lot. When her hus band retumed in July, 1841, his family was
lidng in the log structure. A man of great physical stamina. he set himself the task of chinkinir :mcl finishing the log house. building- a cellar. preparing- a garden.. et
I ing-011t :111 or hard, and draining- th semi sw:1111py lol. which he record cl was :so muddy the oxen mired when thc.v attempt ed to pull a plow. A cellar waH sHcntiul for storing fruits and vegetables for
winter use and cooling milk and meat;;. I[
comm need to dig- a cellar but hi· excava
tion soon fill cl with water. Bec:au ·e of thi. water problem he was fo1·ced to build the cellar above ground le\·cl with inner and outer brick wall , lea,·ing a dead-air ·pac the width of a brick between them. Then he put a vaulted roof of imila1· con truc tion o\·er it. His diary state nothing,·er froze in it a long as it wa in u 'C. The pres ent cellar, patterned afler the de cription he left. has been recon tructed on the foundation walls of the original tructure with the original brick floor s ill in place. These were lo ated during the ar hae ological excarntion of the site.
The log house pro\·ed inadequate for the family, another child having been born in the fall of 1842. Brigham Young then undertook the construction of the two-story house as it appears today. He recorded that on May 31, 1843:
I moved out of my log c:1bin into my new brick house, which was 2 feet b\· 16, two stories high, and a g od cell:;r under it, and felt thankful to L, d for the privilege of hn,·ing a co111Jortable, though small hnbitation.
56
THE HEBER C. KIMBALL HOME (The first Nauvoo property to be restored)
The Heber C. Kimball Home – the first home to be restored from Old Nauvoo
Restored by Great-Grandson, Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball
Dr. Kimball purchased he home in 1954 and spent several years restoring the home He held an open house for the home in 1960 and was surprised by 1,000 guests
57
(Right) Heber C. Kimball outbuildings - summer kitchen, latrine
58
(Left) Heber C. Kimball Parlor and (Right) Unrestored room - to show condition of home when Dr. Kimball began restoration
JUNE 24TH
“I am reading a very interesting book called “Life of Heber C. Kimball. It is a great book. He was a Prophet of God. He served as a counselor to Brigham Young for many years. They lived next to each other in Mendham, New York and they joined the church at the same time. … Heber C. Kimball had 65 children – from many different wives.The book [and Dr. Kimball note] that there were 11 infants in the family at Winter Quarters. Dr. Kimball says, “That is smething else to think about.”
59
JOHN TAYLOR, 3RD PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH
HOME, PRINT SHOP and TIMES AND SEASONS BUILDING
60
JOHN TAYLOR'S OWN ORGAN
(Left) JOHN TAYLOR'S OWN CLOTHING and (Right) Taylor home staircase
61
WEAVING MACHINE AND SPINNING WHEEL
AUGUST 31ST – SUNDAY
I spent the entire day at the John Taylor home. Sister Hansen gave the tour in the first room. Elder Hansen was in the next room and I was in the bedrooms (both of them) upstairs. We had about 850 people through there. The people came in small groups at a time. Needless to say, we were somewhat tired of talking when we had put in 12 hours and closed at 8:00 PM.”
62
WILFORD WOODRUFF – 4TH PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH
Wilford Woodruff Home - side and front views
JUNE 17TH – TUESDAY
“Last Thursday two other Elders and I washed all of the windows at the Wilford Wodruff home. We used high ladders etc. It was kind of fun when we were all working togerher on it.”
63
64
Wilford's threshing rake
The garden at Wilford’s Home
He would have been so proud!
65
JUNE 3 – TUESDAY
“The six of us Red Barn Elders are growing a garden. One of he couples had two gardens and did not have time to take care of both. In it, we have potatoes, corn, watermelons, and cantaloupes. It should be good later this summer. We have been over hoeing it today. It was kind of fun. I have a couple of bad blisters now.”
JULY 23RD – WEDNESDAY
“We are also reaping the benefits of the couples’ gardens. Right now we have all the cucumbers, squash, zuchinni, tomatoes and onions that we can use. We get a lot more vegetables for our Red Barn house than the other two houses do. The women all know that I cook and would use them more. We have sure enjoyed the vegetables. All six of us like them."
66
THE WILFORD WOODRUFF HOME
Welcome to the Wilford Woodruff home, I would like to tell you a little about him so you will appreciate his home more,
This is Wilford Woodruff's portrait, He was born at Farmington, Conn. in 1807. His father owned both a saw mill and a grist mill, Young Wilford worked in the grist mill and learned the trade of a miller. He later managed two other mills in the Farmington area.
In 1832, he and his older brother, Psmon, moved to Richland, New York and purchased a fann and a saw mil in that area. It was while he was living here that he first heard of the
k 'mon Church from two "::lders who were holding a meet.1.ng at the local school house.
H.e. e heheard thempreach that the gospel of Jesus Christ had been restored. He read the Book of Morl'1'l, knew it was true and was baptized the last day of Dec. 1833. In 1839, lliJ_ford Wood • •ff was ordained an Apostle and member of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. e ecame of the greatest missionaries in the church, and one of the most energetic
ders of the church. He served in the church as an Apostle until April
be aine the fourth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints, H
served for 21 years in the legislature of the Territory of Utah. He
\FE: a grea.. •arist during his lifetime and made entr.1.es almost daily throughout more than
h l a cen 11•-e of his personal activities and those of others.
r
f fam"ly first arrived in Nauvoo in May 1839. They lived for a time in one andoned army barracks at Montrose, Iowa Shortly after they arrived here
he was d to go to Great Britain to preach the gospel. He was successful in convert- ing some 800 people to the Church. He returned to Nau oo Octover of 1841, and purchased this lot. The family lived in a log house on the lot for about two and a half years before moving into this house May 4, 1s1i4. There were just two of the eight rooms finished at that time, the ones shwon as a kitchen and dining room. Each of the eight rooms in his house has a fireplace to provide heat.
One week after moving into the new house, Wilford left his wire Phoebe and their three ct.ildren t serve another mission i:o the New England States. This picture is of Phoebe Carter Woodruff. Although she and Wilford were both 30 years of age when they met and married, Phoebe became the mother of 9 children. Just three of these nine children Xved to ad lthood, Phoebe was a stalward member of the church and a devoted companion to her husband.
It was while Wilford was serving on this mission to the New England States that the Prophet Jospeh Smith was killed at the Carthage Jail, Wilford returned to Nauvoo August 6, 1844, and left a ain August 28th to preside over the British 1-lission. This time taking Phoebe and the children with him. He left his sister Eunice living in the house. They had agreed to finish it in lieu of paying rent. When the family returned from Great Britain in April, 1846, Brigham Young and other leaders of the Church had already left two months earlier on their journey to the Great Basin.
Wilford was anxious to dispose of his property and wanted to join the other leaders
of the Church. The day after he returned from England he sold this house and lot to William
Allen for $675.00. It took him about a month to get his outfit together and take care of his business affairs, They left this house for the last time May·16, 1846, after spending just 64 nights here.
This house had been occupied continuously until it was purchased for restoration,
The photograph here in the corner is of the Fi st Presidency of the Church. President Woodruff and his two counselours, George Q, Cannon, and Jospeh F. Smith. The picture was taken April 6, 1893, Wilford had just dedicated the Salt Lake Temple which had been under construction for 40 years. This was a real land mark in the lives of the people living
in the Salt Lake Area.
TYPICAL SCRIPT FOR HOME TOURS
67
THE WEBB BLACKSMITH AND WAINWRIGHT (WAGON) SHOP
Blacksmith and Wainwright Shop back view
68
(Left) Elder Craig Moffatt giving tour in Wainwright Shop and (Right) Back of Wagon Shop
Chauncey Webb - the Blacksmith - Home located behind the Shop
JUNE 10TH - TUESDAY
“I worked in the Blacksmith shop tonight with Elder Warburton. We had about 30 people there so were kind of busy. The original tools, anvil, bellows, vise, etc., are there. The building was torn down after the Mormon period but after archeological digging, it has been restored on it’s original site. The tools were owned by another blacksmith family (The Shupe family) and was taken west by wagon train. It is cool to see it here. The place was also a wainwright shop (where they made wagon wheels). We have a couple of covered wagons and also the 1840 buggy that was owned by Heber C. Kimball. It was taken west and brought back again. It is interesting to see.”
69
(Left) Elder Moss as the Blacksmith
September 15th - Monday
“I am busy this evening running the forge and the bellows at the blacksmith shop. It is very dusty, hot, and dirty here. This is a fun place but is a mess. We make rings of horseshoe nails for the kiddies. They all love them.”
70
LUCY MACK SMITH/NOBLE HOME
LUCY MACK SMITH - MOTHER OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH
LUCY MACK SMITH HOME FRONT AND BACK VIEWS
71
BRICK CARRIAGE HOUSE
LUCY'S OWN 1790 BOSTON CARRIAGE
JULY 21S T – MONDAY
“Elder Matthews had a slight heart attack last night and was hospitalized. Sister Matthews would have been there at the Lucy Mack Smith home alone. I went down all day to help her. She left about 12:30 PM to go see her husband. I was alone there until about 5:30 PM. … An apple tree grows not far from the home. I went down and picked two grocery bags of them for her. … That night after she got home, she made us four quarts of applesauce.”
72
)Left) A LUXURY BRICK LATRINE and (Right) Modern Willow tree on the property
73
INSIDE CELLAR
74
RAYMOND CLARK HOME AND STORE
(UNDERWENT RESTORATION 1975 AS ELDER HUNT WAS THERE)
How the building looked at start of Restoration 1975
Original stairs and wall at start of Restoration
Isaac Hill was a brickmaker in old Nauvoo. On every 100th brick, he stamped his
“I Hill” name. Elder Kevin Hunt was able to obtain 4 of these bricks during the Clark Home remodel in 1975.
75
The Clark Store Remodel
JULY 8TH – TUESDAY
“I think I finished taking my pictures this week. I may have to retake one roll, however. The film company sent me someone else’s pictures with this last roll. I thanked them for sharing the pictures of the twins with me, but said that I would like my own back.”
76
THE ORIGINAL WAGON AND CARRIAGE RIDE
WITH ELDER HARDY
77
JONATHAN BROWNING HOME AND GUNSHOP
78
(Right) Browning Cabin (Original House)
Inside Cellar and Well
Browning Rifle
79
THE JONATHAN BROWNING COMPLEX
Welcome to the Browning Home. I assume you would be interested in learning something concerning the··Browning family which lived here more than one hundred and thirty years ago. Jonathan Browning was born in Tennessee in 1805. At an early age he commenced serving an apprenticeship in a blacksmith shop. One day in the shop he saw an old flintlock gun. The back mechanism was broken and some parts were missing. He asked the owner how--much he would take for it and was told if he would work for a week he could have it; In spare time young Browning made the missing and broken·parts, and soon had a gun for-his hunting. He showed it to its former owner who bought it back for four dollars. This was the first money Browning had ever earned for himself. It was this experience which started him on the way to become an ingenious gunsmith and lock smith'.
By the age of nineteen he had finished his blacksmithing apprenticeship, having become interested-in·the more complicated and highly skilled craft of locksmith and gunsmith. One day he saw a gun which he felt was superiQ- o any he had ever seen. Stamped on it was the name of the maker, Samuel Parker, Nashville. He rode thrity miles to see this man, hoping to find work under him. Parker gave him work. At first he was only paid room·and·board for his efforts, but soon was paid wages by Mr. Parker.
After working-for a short time, Mr. Parker realized Browning was a skilled gun repair man, After six months the young Browning had learned how to bore a gun barrel and temper it. and had made q. gun of his own. He spent all that Mr. Parker paid him in wages, buying tools, then returned home where he set up a shop and made entire guns himself. •
Two years later, at the age of twenty-one, he married Elizabeth Stalcup, who bore him twelve children, the tenth one, Emma Elizabeth, died here at the age of six weeks and was buried on this lot. She was the only one of the twelve that did not reach adult hood.
Jonathan Browning had a cousin, a lawyer, who resided in Quincy, Illinois, about fifty miles down strearn·from Nauvoo. He wrot Jonathan and suggested he could do better financially in Quincy than where he was, and in 1834 the Jonathan Browning family moved to Quincy. He prospered and soon commenced to invest in real estate, buying
in excess of 1000 acres in the northern part of Adams county and the southern part of Hancock County, as well as city lots in Quincy. His prominence and integrity in the community led to·his appointment as Justice of the Peace.
He heard about the Mormons and the City of l'{auvoo they were building. A friend persuaded him to go to Nauvoo to see the new city, and the Mormon leader, Joseph
Smith, who his followers accepted as a true prophet of God. So one day, he and his wife,
rode a river streamer to *auvoo. They came as sceptics and met Joseph Smith. Within a short time they had become believers in Joseph Smith and the restoration of the an9ient Christian faith and Church through Joseph Smith. Both were baptized in the Mississippi River at Nauvoo on August 10, 1843. They returned to Quincy, disposed of their business and took up their residence at Nauvoo.
They pui'chased this half acre lot on Main Street and set up a gunsmith business. There was at that time a two room hewn log house on the lot, and possibly the two story brick building just west of the log building. Here the Brownings and nine children lived.
He carried on his business and added additional rooms to provide a dining room, kltcnen,
and a gunsmith and locksmith shop. • •
In the fall of 1845 when the Mormons announced their plan to leave Nauvoo the following spring, the Brownings returned to Quincy, disposed of all their property, procured a good "fit-out", and in th'e spring started northwestward to meet the Saints crossing T,.,..,_.,. ".'"'':'."Ute to the Great Basin When they reached the vicinity of Council Bluffs,
80
Brigham Young·asked Jonathan to remain there and manufacture firearms for the migrating Saints who were to-trek across the prairies and mountains toward the West. He set up his shop and advertized in the local Mormon newspaper his"·•• improved firearms, viz., revolving rifles·and-pistols, also slide guns from 5 to 25 shooters." It is claimed he manufactured about 400 firearms during his lifetime, a number of which have survived and are found in-a number of museums at present.
After six years·in the Missouri Valley, Browning moved his family to Utah in the summer of 1846 and·settled in Ogden, There his son, John Moses Browning, was born and learned the gunsmith-art·from his father, and built his first simple firearms factory. He was destined to become world famous as the inventor of the Browning automatic pistols, rifles, and machine guns, and many models of sporting guns.
B, Browning relations in Nauvoo
-Council Bluffs, to the western trek
Be able to describe the archaeological preservation, restoration and reconstruction and reconstruction activities on the site.
Be able to describe the kind, type and function of all objects and furniture in the home.
81
The Delta Queen Steamship made stops in Nauvoo (no longer an active steamship)
JULY 27TH – SATURDAY
“A large steamboat, “The Delta Queen “ Docked and the passengers came into our town. It was really a beautiful boat. I wish they still have the steamboats on the river.”
THE DELTA QUEEN STEAMBOAT VISITS NAUVOO
82
THE REORGANIZED CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS IN NAUVOO
This was the Visitors’ Center for the RLDS Church in 1975
JULY 26TH – SATURDAY
“We had a social with the guides from the Reorganized Center. We played volleyball, ate home made ice cream, and also the 5-gallons of pineapple punch which I made. It was good for all of us to get better acquainted.”
JUNE 13TH – SUNDAY
“We had a very spiriual sacrament meeting. Six of the Reorganized guides were there. They were all shedding tears by the end of the evening. They likely had never felt the Spirit like that.”
83
THE NAUVOO HOUSE – OWNED BY THE RLDS CHURCH IN 1975
THE NAUVOO HOUSE ONLY THE LIMESTONE FOUNDATION FINISHED IN JOSEPH’S DAY
Built by Emma Smith and her 2nd Husband – Lewis Bidamon
THE WILLIAM MARKS HOME 1975 (Left) and 2024 (Right)
84
THE CARTHAGE JAIL – WHERE JOSEPH AND HYRUM SMITH WERE MARTYRED
(Left) Carthage Jail from Front (South side) and (Right) Summer Kitchen addition on back
(Left) Jailor's Kitchen and (Right) Room for "Carthage Grays" (Guards)
85
Small bedroom where Joseph and many others spent the first night
(Left) Stairs that the mob stormed to reach the room where Joseph and others were and (Right) Mob shot through the door, killing Hyrum and Joseph Jumped from the visible window
MAY 13TH – TUESDAY
“Today was our preparation day. We decided to go to Carthage, located about 25 miles south of Nauvoo. It was very special to go there and to see the jail where Joseph and Hyrum were killed. They really sacrificed a lot for us. I was glad that we went there. The church has a visitors center there also.”
86
Martyrdom room -where Joseph and Hyrum were martyred
(Left) Hyrum blood stain on wood floor in 1975 - later sanded off - and (Right) cobblestone below window where Joseph fell as he died
87
Joseph fell onto the ground from the upper window - down near the well. As he fell, he said, “Oh, Lord, my God!”
"MARTYRDOM TRAIL" FROM NAUVOO TO CARTHAGE
September 15th – Monday
“It has been our day off today. Elder Shaltes and I went to the Carthage Jail again. We enjoy going there whenever we can. The Spirit is especially strong there. He needed to get a few more pictures there.”
88
THE NAUVOO TEMPLE HISTORY NOTED IN 1975
(Left) OLD TEMPLE PHOTO and (Right) Model of the Temple located in Visitors' Center 1975
Temple Photo in Visitors' Center
89
The Quarry from whence came the Temple Limestone Rocks
90
TEMPLE SITE 1975 (Left) Baptism Font Foundation, and (Right) Temple Footprint Outlined - Catholic Girls' School in back looking toward the river
(Left) Spiral Staircase Foundation and (Middle) Temple Well –
Still in existence 1975 and
(Right) Baptistry Foundation – with Ox Shoulder on Rock
91
(Left) 1845 Old Original Daguerreotype Photo of the Temple and (Right) Same View (1975) – Same Barn at side
Possible Horizontal Angel Moroni from Temple - Seen by Elder Hunt while in Nauvoo
92
Temple Sunstone (Survived years of Trauma)
(Left) Temple Moonstones (Survived) and (Right) Temple Star Stone
VIEW OF NAUVOO – LOOKING TOWARD THE TEMPLE THAT WAS NOT THERE
93
NAUVOO TRANSPORTED TO SALT LAKE VALLEY WESTWARD MOVEMENT
The Saints moved westward February 1846 Across the frozen Mississippi River
The Saints migration west under leadership of Prophet Brigham Young
(Murals in former Visitors Center display)
JUNE 24TH
“The early saints have given us a great heritage. I will forever be thankful to our many ancestors who lived here in Nauvo and the others who joined them as they crossed the plains to the west. They endured many hardships so that we might have the Gospel and that we might be able to worship as we please. My testimony of the Gospel is growing considerably. I know that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph, Brigham, Etc., were prophets and that President Spencer W. Kimball is a prophet today. I hope that we can all more fully appreciate the heritage that we have been given.’
94
MODERN – 2024 MONUMENTS TO PIONEERS
Statue – Brigham and Joseph – at River’s Edge
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TRADITIONAL “TIE-CUTING” CEREMONY FOR DEPARTING NAUVOO MISSIONARIES
Nauvoo "Tie Cutting Ceremony" for departing missionaries: from Left - Elders Warburton, Wheeler, Shaltes, Ransom, Thomas Elder and Sister Rydalch and Sister Gyllenskog watching Elder Hunt with very short tie from vest
OCTOBER 13TH – MONDAY
“We had a mission dinner and evening. It was kind of fun. There is a tradition here to cut the tie from departing missionaries – a real spiritual way to send Elders off. I had my tie cut tonight. I wore a v-neck sweater and tied the tie so that only about 3 inches of it showed when they pulled it out. The rest had been hidden under my collar and vest. It was really hilarious when Brother Holiday [NRI Project Manager] pulled it out. Everyone got a charge out of it.”
And also, by tradition, we also sang the “Old Nauvoo” song – about Kimball’s “grand hand” - sung to the tune of Edelweiss. This is always a tear-jerker.”
OCTOBER 21ST – TUESDAY
[In a letter to my folks, I said,] “I guess this will be my last letter which I’ll be writing you from my mission. It hardly seems possible that my two years are gone already. I think these have been the fastest two years of my life. I am very grateful to the Lord for giving me the opportunity of serving Him on a mission. I have had some great experiences. I am thankful that I could be an instrument in His hands in bringing the Gospel to many special people. … I am now looking forward to the Wshington D.C., Temple sealing trip [on my way home] with the Hawk family of Birmingham, Alabama.”
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THE LEGACY of ELDER E.H. BELCHER IN NAUVOO
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POST-MISSION NAUVOO EXPERIENCES
[Kevin and Lou Hunt visited Nauvoo on all of these occasions …]
Wife’s parents, Elder E.H. and Sister Verna Belcher served full two and a half years of mission in the Lucy Mack Smith Home – April 1979 to October, 1981
Elder E.H. and Sister Verna Belcher served 2 ½ years in Lucy Mack Smith Home
(Left) Belchers in a play at the restored Cultural Hall and (Right): Elder Belcher saved the Coolidge House from demolition and Started craft demos that became the Family Living Center
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Elder Belcher … the Nauvoo Brick Maker …
Elder Belcher started the modern Nauvoo Brickyard …
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The Brickyard as built by Elder Belcher
*
Today the Belcher Nauvoo Brick is world-famous and is still created and given to guests in Nauvoo. Elder Belcher dug mud from the Mississippi River and created the molds for the Nauvoo Bricks.
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ELDER BELCHER RESCUES THE COOLIDGE HOME (1981)
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So we went down there, and that is when I could see what a beautiful building it was and what beautiful workmanship. Oh man, it just haunted me. So this was Friday night when we went down there. And Saturday morning early I went up to the president’s house and told him I could shore it up, I had moved buildings and I know I can shore it up - so it won’t fall down and can use some lumber to get it stabilized. He said “Ah Naw, we are going to tear it down.” Then I coaxed and coaxed him and I must have stayed there quite a little bit and he couldn’t get rid of me.
And he finally said, “Well go ahead.” So, I went down and tore the siding off of about 5 feet high wall where it was all rotted off. Then I doubled up the timbers and stabilized them and so forth on that whole side. And about 5:00 that afternoon the President came driving by and he drove by slowly and looked and looked and of course, I had this whole side off up about four feet up. And the next morning they had priesthood meeting before we went to work. I woke up in the night and in my mind, the hole kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger and I was about to get out of bed and go down there.
The next morning the President said, “I’m telling you to get down there and either tear it out or patch it up.” I said, “Just hold off and don’t get too excited - just hold off, just hold off.” So, he said “OK”. So, I went back and got that taken care of and then I got to another part of it and worked on it and I worked on one then and another part that needed fixing. And again, I was using material that wasn’t meant for that project. And the project manager was having fits all the time. “It will never stay, because they will have to see what the original foundation was and the architectural and the historical background and that everyone is upset with what you are doing with it. You should go through the right channels. It have to goes through a 2 year process before you can start on anything.”
(John “I remember you calling Vern for your house jacks?”) Yaw, I had to have them to jack up that wall. I’ve got a picture of the mission president jacking up one of those jacks. I keep a going there and the roof was a saggin’ and I got it straightened up and had part of the plywood on and I decided to get started shingling and try to get it closed in.
I couldn’t get any help there because they all said it was a waste of time because they said they are just going to tear it down. Everybody was down on me. (John “What was happening to the brick yard while you were doing this?”) I was fixing the building at night and on my spare time and the slower part of the year and the likes. I couldn’t get anybody to help me, but one brother - and he wanted to get coopering or barrel making going. He thought it would go well with the brick making that was going over so well, but the president said that we didn’t have any place to do it. So I was pushing to get this building for that. So I took one of the carpenters down to the barrel making place and he got the idea of the barrel making. And so he was the one that was helping me to get the building ready. And I had one other guy that would help me.
When we got ready to put on some shingles on the part that I had to rebuild, I finally got 5 missionaries to help put on the shingles. We got the scaffolding all up there and got it ready and got up there and started putting on the shingles and here comes the project engineer. He said, “You don’t know how far those should come out and you don’t know what kind of a corners to have under that and you haven’t researched the details and you are just wasting your time and we are still going to tear it out.” And
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he made a big to-do about it, and you couldn’t tell the guys now you just keep on shingling. And he was about to shut it down.
I said “Well we have got a hole up there and it doesn’t matter, the roof’s going on anyway or the storm will get in. So I lined up some plastic and fixed it so it wouldn’t leak. And I kept plastic on it for about six months. And by that time I got all the other done and got it up so I could go ahead on the shingles and we went from one thing to another like that and we keep going along. In fact this one brother who came there was a finish carpenter when he come there. I was showing him around and he was looking around and said boy this is a beautiful building. I sure would love to work on this. Well we will give you plenty of opportunity, you come around and you can help us. And it went on and he never came around and he never showed up. I finally seen him and said “I thought you were going to come and help. And he said “I didn’t want anything to do with that, that’s the worst thing that has happened since the saints left here. So you could tell the scuttle butt that was going around from then on.
So we just kept going and that’s when finally the president cane by and said, “don’t let them stop you, don’t let them stop you.” So then they asked us to stay another six months and another six months to finish all these projects, it was great. We stayed for two and half years. (John “So what happened to the Coolidge house?”) Then in a few years I seen that President Hinckley went back there and dedicated it. And the first carpenter stayed with me all the way and it wasn’t quite finish when I left, and he stayed and finished it up. And it is still there. And I got rope making, barrel making and pottery making in there.
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NAUVOO
In 2024
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HISTORIC HOMES RESTORED AND OPEN TO PUBLIC TOURS IN 2024
In addition to the homes open in 1975, the following homes and shops were also open in 2024:
Cultural Hall (Masonic Hall)
Edward & Anne Hunter Home
Family Living Center
Family Search Center (in the Raymond Clark Home)
Orson and Marinda Hyde Home
Lyon Drug and Variety Store
Calvin & Sally Pendleton Home and School
Post Office
Riser Boot & Shoe Shop
Scovil Bakery
Patty & David Sessions Cabin and the William Field Cabin
Hiram & Sarah Granger Kimball Home
Stoddard Home and Tin Shop
William & Caroline Weeks Home
William and Esther Gheen Home
The Joseph Smith Homestead and Mansion House
The Joseph Smith Red Brick Store
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HOMES THAT EXISTED 1975
2024 SHOW FEW EXTERIOR CHANGES
FORMER RLDS PROPERTIES
Above: Nauvoo House,
Below: Mansion House
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HOMES THAT EXISTED 1975
2024 SHOW FEW EXTERIOR CHANGES
TOP: BRIGHAM YOUNG, CHAUNCEY WEBB HOMES
BOTTOM LEFT: HEBER C. KIMBALL HOME,
RIGHT: BROWNING COMPLEX
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Top: Wilford Woodruff and Blacksmith Shop
Below: 70’s Hall and Lucy Mack Smith Home
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HOMES OR STRUCTURES THAT EXISTED IN 1975
BUT DO NOT EXIST IN 2024
Top: Hiram Kimball Store in Commerce Village
Middle: Joseph Smith Livery Stable
Frances Lee (Pres. Harold B. Lee Ancestor) Home
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HOMES OR STRUCTURES THAT EXIST IN 2024 AND LIKELY EXISTED IN 1975 BUT NO OLD PHOTO IS AVAILABLE
William Mendenhall, George Laub and Jacob Weiler Homes
Henry Thomas, Jonathan Wright, and Aaron Johnson Homes
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Hyrum Smith Home 2024
John and son George A. Smith (Uncle/Cousin to Joseph)
As it appears in 2024 – side and front views
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED
1975 TO 2024
Results Of Restoration
(Left Photos – 1975 and
Right Photos – 2024)
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024 Results Of Restoration (Left Photos – 1975 and
Right Photos – 2024)
The Joseph Smith Homestead
The Joseph Smith Homestead (Virtually unchanged 1975 (Left) and 2024 (Right)
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CHANGES – 1975 TO 2024
Restoration/Change– by RLDS CHURCH
The Bidamon Stable was the RLDS Visitors, Center
NOTE THAT STAIRS ON LEFT AND BASEMENT ADDED LATER!
NOW LDS MISSIONARY “LOUNGE”
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
THE STODDARD TIN SHOP
THE WILLIAM WEEKS HOME
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
THE EDWARD HUNTER HOME
THE WILLIAM GHEEN HOME
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
THE ERASTUS SNOW-NATHANIEL ASHBY DUPLEX
THE JOSEPH COOLIDGE HOME
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
APOSTLE ORSON HYDE HOME
THE SIMEON DUNN HOME
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
THE RAYMOND CLARK HOME & STORE
NOW THE FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
THE SIDNEY RIGDON HOME
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
Above: LYON HOME, Drug and VARIETY STORE
Below: LYON CARRIAGE HOUSE
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
Left: Kimball Store
SARAH GRANGER KIMBALL HOME –
NO 1975 HOME PHOTO AVAILABLE
HIRAM and SARAH GRANGER KIMBALL PROPERTY IN OLD COMMERCE –
BEFORE LDS CAME
The Restored Sarah Granger Kimball Home
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
DAVID YEARDSLEY – 3 STORY HOME
“RED BARN” and CURRENT HORSE COMPLEX
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
SCOVILL BAKERY 1975 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
ALL SUMMER (Right: 2024 Structure)
THE CULTURAL HALL 1975 – 2 STORY BUILDING AND ARCHEOLOGICAL DIGGING
2024 – FINISHED 3-STORY HALL
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
VINSON KNIGHT HOME
RLDS SMITH FAMILY GRAVES – JOSEPH AND HYRUM GRAVES
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HOMES THAT HAVE CHANGED – 1975 TO 2024
RESULTS OF RESTORATION
JOHN TAYLOR COMPLEX - 1975
2 STRUCTURES, POST OFFICE UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON RIGHT
2024 – 3 BUILDINGS AND ROOF CHANGE
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HOMES THAT DID NOT EXIST IN 1975
BUT WHICH HAVE BEEN RESTORED PRIOR TO 2024
Left: “First Hotel” acquired from Community of Christ
March 2024 – not sure of status or restoration date
Right: William Field Cabin
Left: Jacob Weiler Home and Right: Calvin Pendleton home and school
Left: Aaron Johnson Home and
Right: Patty Sessions Log Home
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HOMES THAT DID NOT EXIST IN 1975
BUT WHICH HAVE BEEN RESTORED PRIOR TO 2024
The Newel K.
Whitney Home
Left: Samuel Williams and
Right: Jonathan Wright Homes
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THE ULTIMATE RESTORATION
THE NAUVOO TEMPLE
THE 1975 TEMPLE LOT LOOKING WEST
WITH CATHOLIC GIRLS SCHOOL IN FOREFRONT
THE MAJESTIC NAUVOO TEMPLE AS RESTORED
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KEVIN AND THE HUNT FAMILY
AND ELDER KEVIN AND SISTER LOU HUNT
IN NAUVOO THROUGH THE YEARS
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1996 and 1997 – Hunt Family Cast members of
the “City of Joseph” Pageant
Kevin in scene with Joseph Smith … man’s home burned down. I “felt sorry in the amount of $5.00" and I put my debit card into Joseph’s hat!
Brigham and the Hunt family welcomed to the Mansion House by Joseph Smith
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Brother Brigham (Kevin Hunt) and family were the opening scene for the “City of Joseph” show. Kevin read from his journal to tell the story of Old Nauvoo!
(Left) Kevin as Brigham meets Joseph Smith and (Right) Kevin on the left with Brigham in Council Room
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BYU – NAUVOO SEMESTER
Just after her mission, our daughter was privileged to attend a BYU semester at Nauvoo. The experience was held in the old Catholic Girls’ School located across the street from the Temple.
After the Temple was rebuilt, the Church purchased the property, and the school was torn down to give a better view of the Temple and the surrounding area.
(Left: Former Catholic Girls’ School and location of BYU Nauvoo Semester and (Right)
Current view (2024) of Joseph and Hyrum with river view behind
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ELDER KEVIN AND SISTER LOU HUNT as MISSIONARY SITE GUIDES
APRIL 2024 TO OCTOBER 2025
Elder and Sister Hunt serving at Lucy Mack Smith home 2024 – just as her folks did 45 years ago
Simeon Dunn Home in 1975 now home to Elder and Sister Hunt – 2024
FEBRUARY 6, 2024, 2024: We all got excited when I read that we are called to the “Illinois Historic Sites Mission – AS Site guide Missionaries” – reporting to the Provo MTC on Monday, April 1st (no joke). This was so exciting and wonderful – since we have known and love Nauvoo – having been there many times through the years. We will be there for two full summer seasons and then one winter. We will be assigned one or more historic homes and will work an assigned daily shift. We will stay in housing provided by the Church.
MARCH 24TH: While in Nauvoo, we will be privileged to live in the former Simeon A. Dunn brick home. This was the first 2-story home in Nauvoo and was built in 1841.
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It has been a great privilege and honor to have been a part
Of Nauvoo Restoration for 50 years – 1975 to 2024
It is with amazement and wonder that we can look back to see how Restoration has changed and preserved the history of the past.
Thank you to all who have participated in the restoration!
We can all be grateful to the pioneer builders
As well as to all who have been so dedicated to the Nauvoo history, who have worked so diligently to preserve these sacred spaces
for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.
Ours is a great legacy that we have inherited
and now can work together to maintain.
-- Kevin V. Hunt 2024