Carthage Jail

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

From the record

“Carthage Jail is a historic building in Carthage, Illinois, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It was built in 1839 and is best known as the location of the 1844 killing of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and his brother Hyrum, by a mob of approximately 84 men.”
Wikipedia article Carthage Jail, CC BY-SA 4.0.

One of 9 National Register listings published here for Hancock County · listed in 1973 · category: Building.

Sources: the Wikipedia article · the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service

The listing

What is counted as historic. The nomination lists 1 building as contributing to the listing.
Address. Walnut and N. Fayette Sts., Carthage, 62321
When was it listed? March 1973
Category. building
Township. Carthage township
National Register reference number. 73000703 - the number the National Park Service assigned this property when it was listed, and the key its nomination file is catalogued under at the National Archives.

The ground it stands on

27,987 words

The chapter on Carthage Township in History of Hancock County, Illinois, Together with an Outline History of the State, and a Digest of State Laws, published 1880 names Carthage. This is what it says, exactly as the scans read.

Hiram O. Ferris is a son of Stephen Gano Ferris, and was born in Steuben county, N. Y., in 1S2^. He was educated at Knox College, 111.; after completing his studies there in 1850, he crossed the plains to California, where he attained considerable prominence in politics. In the winter of 1851-'2 he was appointed by the Legislature of the State of California as one of the commissioners to organize the county of Siskij'ou. After serving on this commission until their work was finished, he was elected County Clerk of that county, in which capacity he served for two terms. In 1856 he returned to this county (Hancock). Having previously read and studied law, he made application to the Supreme Court of Illinois for admission to the " Bar," which, after undergoing an examination by that honorable court, was granted. Soon afterward, Mr. Ferris formed a partnership with Hooker & Edmunds, Att'ys, at Carthage, under the firm name of Ferris, Hooker & Edmunds. This firm was dissolved in 1863, and the business continued by Ferris & Hooker. In 1864 this firm was also dissolved, Mr. Ferris continuing the same until 1865. During this year he associated himself with F. M. Corby, and organized a banking institution, the firm being Ferris & Corby. They were also largely interested in real estate transactions.

Passage source: History of Hancock County, Illinois, Together with an Outline History of the State, and a Digest of State Laws, published 1880.

This banking institution formed the nucleus of what is now " The Hancock County National Bank, of Carthage," which was organized under certificate of authority dated May 18, 1865, by the Comptroller of Currency at Washington, D. C. The institution opened its doors for business as a national Ijank June 5, 1865. Mr. Ferris was at ouce elected President of this bank, continuing to hold the position to the present time. This bank is considered one of the most solid and substantial in the country, having passed through all the panics with credit unimpaired. Its officers have the unlimited confidence of the people in all transactions. The bank building is situated on the northwest corner of the Public Square in Carthage. It is a substantial brick structure and was built in 18Y1.

Passage source: History of Hancock County, Illinois, Together with an Outline History of the State, and a Digest of State Laws, published 1880.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Carthage Township - 27,987 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.

Fires near this property

3 since 2003

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 3 fires within 5 miles of Carthage Jail between 2003 and 2004, burning about 4 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause	Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined	2
Equipment and vehicle use	1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

Date	Cause	Size	Reported by	Name on the report
6 April 2004	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	1.0 acres	Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office	not named
30 October 2003	Equipment and vehicle use	1.0 acres	Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office	not named
19 October 2003	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	2.5 acres	Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office	not named

Every fire recorded in Hancock County

Mines and quarries near this property

4 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 4 workings within 5 miles of Carthage Jail: 3 past producers, 1 plant. 1 still produces. What was taken out: Stone, Stone, Crushed/Broken, Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Site	Commodity	Status
Mo-Mac Quarry & Mill	Stone, Crushed/Broken	Plant
Wright Pit	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Past Producer
Carthage City Pit	Stone	Past Producer
Hancock City Pit	Stone	Past Producer

Every working recorded in Hancock County

Storms near this property

51 since 1993

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Carthage, the town this property stands in, in 51 storm reports between 1993 and 2025: 25 thunderstorm wind, 16 hail, 5 flood, 4 flash flood. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

When	Event	Place named	Harm	What the report says
June 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	$250,000	Wind gust estimated to be 75 mph blew down some buildings between Carthage, IL and Bentley, IL around 145 am CDT June 27. This report was relayed by a COOP Observer.
July 2003	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	$60,000	Numerous trees down
July 2000	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	$6,000	Thunderstorm winds snapped several tree limbs, which resulted in spotty power outages throughout the community. One tree was uprooted, another blew down over a garage, and a third tree crushed a minivan.
July 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	$5,000	Wind gusts estimated to be 65 mph snapped the top of a tree off along Main Street in Carthage, IL around 800 pm July 27. The tree fell onto some power lines snapping one line and damaging a utility pole. Portions of some area corn fields just outside of town were also flattened.
August 2004	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	$5,000	Sustained winds of 35 knots (40 mph) to over 43 knots (50 mph).
August 2004	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	$3,000	Sustained winds of 35 knots (40 mph) to occasionally over 43 knots (50 mph).
July 2000	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	$250	Law enforcement reported thunderstorm winds blew down a tree, which partially blocked a county road.
March 2025	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	Large pine tree blown down. The time was estimated from radar data.
March 2024	Hail	Carthage	-	Report received from social media, with radar estimated times.
June 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	Extensive tree damage throughout town. Strong winds lasted about 20 minutes, and began about 11 am CDT.
June 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	A trained spotter reported that a 15 foot Bradford Pear Tree was snapped off near the base. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
May 2019	Flash Flood	Carthage	-	Significant water over highways in the town of Carthage.
April 2014	Hail	Carthage	-	A trained spotter reported dime sized hail.
June 2014	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	A trained spotter measured 60 mph winds.
June 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	A trained spotter estimated 4 separate wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph.
June 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	A 65 mph wind gust was recorded about 1 mile east southeast of Carthage, IL at 144 am CDT June 27. Some power line flashes were also observed on the east side of Carthage.
June 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph blew down several trees and limbs in Carthage, IL around 145 am CDT June 27.
June 2011	Flash Flood	Carthage	-	Heavy rains caused some flash flooding in and east of Carthage, IL during the early morning of June 15. Several city streets were closed due to flooding. A portion of Highway 336/Highway 136 was closed due to water flowing over all four lanes near County Road 2500.
July 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 65 mph blew down a couple of trees in Carthage, IL at 140 pm CDT July 24.
December 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	Law enforcement reported power poles snapped off and half of a barn roof blown off about 2 miles southeast of Carthage. Winds were estimated at 75 mph.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph blew down several trees in Carthage, IL at 1:50 pm June 15.
June 2008	Hail	Carthage	-	Quarter to golf ball-sized hail fell in Carthage, IL at 1:50 pm June 15.
June 2008	Hail	Carthage	-	Penny-sized hail fell in Carthage, IL at 1:53 pm June 15.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph blew down numerous large trees across the city of Carthage, IL at 1:50 pm June 15. Some of the trees were uprooted. A power outage was also observed.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph blew down several large healthy trees three to four feet in diameter across Carthage, IL at 1:55 pm June 15. A tall pine tree was snapped off about five feet above the ground.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph blew down several trees and branches in Carthage, IL at 1:50 pm June 15. Power lines were also down.
June 2002	Flash Flood	Carthage	-	Flood water debris blocking many county roads.
May 2002	Flash Flood	Carthage	-	Highway 136 and route 96 were covered with water and impassable in spots.
August 2001	Hail	Carthage	-	A trained spotter reported 0.75 inch hail.
August 2001	Flood	Carthage	-	Law enforcement reported street flooding in Carthage and over Route 96, south of Hamilton and Route 94, north of Carthage
August 2001	Heavy Rain	Carthage	-	NWS Cooperative observer reported 24hr rainfall total of 6.30 inches
October 2001	Flood	Carthage	-	Law enforcement reported steet flooding.
October 2001	Flood	Carthage	-	Law enforcement reported 2.25 inches of rain in 3 hours, and numerous reports of urban ponding of water.
October 2001	Hail	Carthage	-	Law enforcement reported 2.00 inch hail.
October 2001	Hail	Carthage	-	Law enforcement reported 1.00 inch hail.
June 2000	Flood	Carthage	-	Water covered portions of Highway 136.
July 2000	Flood	Carthage	-	Torrential rains produced street flooding.
August 1993	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	Wind gusts to 60 mph were reported at Carthage.
August 2018	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	no account filed
March 2016	Hail	Carthage	-	no account filed
April 2015	Hail	Carthage	-	no account filed
April 2014	Hail	Carthage	-	no account filed
May 2009	Hail	Carthage	-	no account filed
June 2009	Hail	Carthage	-	no account filed
May 2004	Hail	Carthage	-	no account filed
June 2001	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	no account filed
February 1999	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	no account filed
May 1998	Hail	Carthage	-	no account filed
June 1996	Thunderstorm Wind	Carthage	-	no account filed
April 1996	Hail	Carthage	-	no account filed
May 1995	Hail	Carthage	-	no account filed

Every storm recorded in Hancock County

Map coverage status

No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.

Listed places nearby

1 within 8 miles

Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.

Photograph	Property	Distance	Listed
	Carthage Courthouse Square Historic District	0.3 miles	1986

Sources for this property

National Archives record	The nomination case file for reference 73000703 in Record Group 79.
Wikipedia article	Community-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA.
Hancock County	All 9 listed properties in this county.

Provenance

Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.