We visited the historic Mormon settlement of Nauvoo on our journey north up the Mississippi River looking at Iowa cities back in May. Of course, Nauvoo is in Illinois, and it is in an isolated corner of the state.

There are numerous houses and other buildings from the historic period that have been restored, and its an interesting place to visit. Mormons arrived in what was already a small settlement around 1839-40.

There is a monument to the Mormons leaving only a few years later. Interestingly, there is a link to St. Louis, as the Icarians, who settled in Benton Park in the Gateway City, also moved into the area after the Mormons left.

There is a giant rebuilt temple on the hill above the town on the bluffs.

Of course, other people stayed in Nauvoo, so there are other churches and houses in what I call the upper town.