Carthage Jail

On June 27, 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred—killed by a mob that attacked them in Carthage Jail, located in Carthage, Illinois. The original jail has been carefully restored and is about a 30-minute drive from Historic Nauvoo..
Two and a half story brown stone building behind a black rod-iron fence.
Carthage Jail
A bed sits in a room with three large windows where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred.
Carthage Jail Room
Front view of a two-story jail built from red limestone.
Carthage Jail
Bronze statue of Hyrum standing behind Joseph and holding his arm. A two-story red brick jail is behind the statue.
Carthage Jail
Seminary and Institute
Carthage Illinois Jail
Heritage Youth Choirs at American Heritage School
Carthage Jail Visitor Center
Carthage Jail Visitor Center
At Carthage Jail, missionaries lead tours where visitors learn about the ministry of Joseph Smith and the final days in the life of Joseph and Hyrum. Latter-day Saint scripture asserts that Joseph “sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so [did] his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!” ( Doctrine and Covenants 135:3).

Visitors to Carthage Jail also learn about two other men, Elders John Taylor and Willard Richards of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They were in the jail when the mob attacked, and they survived. The Church itself also survived, as Apostles and others built on the foundation the Lord had established through His servant Joseph Smith.
Historic Hancock County Jail in Carthage, Illinois
Carthage Jail
Hours
Summer Season (April 1 – September 30)
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Winter Season (October 1 – March 31)
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Physical Address
310 Buchanan
Carthage, Illinois 62321
View Map

Contact
217-357-2989

Group Reservations
Submit a request here.

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Last Updated On May 03, 2023