Nauvoo is located in Western Illinois on a bend of the Mississippi river. With its scenic beauty and unique history it is one of the most visited places in the area.

Nauvoo has a population of 1,071 and covers 4.8 square miles. To the east is fertile, flat Illinois farm land with amazing sunrises. To the west is the beauty of the scenic Mississippi River with its fabulous sunsets. The city is noted for its scenic setting, wildlife, year-round recreation opportunities and unique history.

Nauvoo, means Beautiful City or Beautiful Place in Hebrew. Once a Fox Indian village of 400 to 500 lodges, the site of Nauvoo was relinquished by a treaty in 1824 for 200 sacks of corn. Six years later, Hancock County's first post office was established here under the name of Venus. By 1834 the name had changed to Commerce.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), known as Mormons, settled here in 1839. The name of the city was changed to Nauvoo. The city was incorporated and received a special charter from the Illinois legislature.

In 1849 a small group of French and German immigrants known as Icarians settled in the city. During the latter part of the 1800's German was the predominant spoken language.

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