The first European-American settlers arrived in Carthage and in Hancock County in the first few decades of the 19th century. Landmarks include Carthage Jail and Carthage Courthouse Square Historic District. Carthage is the birthplace of Virginia Cherrill, actress.
Carthage, Illinois gifts and souvenirs: 31 designs made from Carthage's own map, landmarks and history, from $10 to $99. Printed to order and shipped free in the USA.
| Popular | Price |
|---|---|
| Carthage Hometown Ornament | $23 |
| Carthage Vintage Travel Poster | from $40 |
| Carthage Varsity Crewneck | from $57 |
| Carthage Est. Tee | from $33 |
| Carthage Town Line Mug | from $26 |
| Carthage Market Tote | $37 |
Ceramic keepsake, gold ribbon, in 4 styles
Its landmark photo in a classic travel-poster layout
A local landmark photo as a gallery print
Classic large-letter postcard art, filled with local photos
Six local landmarks as instant photos on kraft paper
The town's story in dates, from its own records, for home or classroom
Map of local landmarks, washable fabric
Heavy-blend fleece, street map printed on the back
Red heavy-blend crewneck, knit-stitch town print
Soft Bella+Canvas jersey
Kids' Bella+Canvas jersey, youth sizes
Bella+Canvas toddler jersey
Bella+Canvas baby bodysuit
Large-letter postcard art filled with local photos
Glossy ceramic, dishwasher safe
Large-letter postcard art filled with local photos, 11 oz ceramic
Weatherproof, for the front walk
24″×16″, printed coir-look fibers, rubber back
12″×12″ printed wood, ready to hang
Soft-touch, zip cover
A local landmark photo with the town name, 18″×18″
Sturdy all-over-print tote
Large-letter postcard art on a sturdy tote
Foam-front trucker, printed (not embroidered) with local photos
Glossy top, cork back
Soft fleece, 50″×60″
Six local landmarks as instant photos, soft fleece 50″×60″
20 oz, double-wall stainless
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
6″×4″ postcard, glossy front
The town's earliest Sanborn fire-insurance map, drawn building by building and hand-coloured, from the Library of Congress
Population 2010: 2,605 → 2010: 2,606 → 2020: 2,490
From Wikidata (CC0).
The first European-American settlers arrived in Carthage and in Hancock County in the first few decades of the 19th century. While sharing a name with the ancient city of Carthage, it is likely named more directly for Carthage, Tennessee. By 1833, they had erected simple buildings in Carthage. That year, a log cabin was built to serve as the county courthouse, and the county seat was moved from Montebello to Carthage. The town was platted in 1837.
The only person legally hanged in Hancock County, William Fraim, had been defended in his trial by roaming circuit attorney Abraham Lincoln. Fraim was found guilty of murder following a drunken brawl. Lincoln filed an appeal with the judge in the trial, which was as far as most appeals in those days went. Because Carthage then had no jail, Fraim was kept at the courthouse, which was next to the school. Fraim conversed with the children from his second-floor window. As a result of those conversations, most of the school children were present when their new friend was hanged. The hanging is believed to have taken place near the current city sewer plant east of town, where a natural amphitheater allowed for a crowd to view the spectacle.
While they were incarcerated in the Carthage Jail in June 1844, Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of the Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and his brother Hyrum Smith were killed by a mob on Thursday, June 27, 1844.
On October 22, 1858, Lincoln spoke in Carthage while he was campaigning for the US Senate. A large stone on the south side of the Courthouse Square commemorates the spot.
Over the years, the jail has been modified and used for different purposes. For a while, it was home to Carthage College. The jail has been restored to a close approximation of its appearance in 1844 and is now owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The site, a full city block, is a historical visitor center open daily.
The regionally-noted botanist, philanthropist, and traveler Dr. Alice L. Kibbe called Carthage home. Along with her personal collections, Carthage's Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum houses a variety of exhibits celebrating local and regional history.
Carthage is the only city in Illinois to have all of the jails that it has ever used still in existence: the old jail, called the Mormon Jail; the jail next built, which was also the Sheriff's residence, is on the south side of Courthouse Square; and the new jail, which is on Highway 136 in the city's west side.
The Hancock County Courthouse in Carthage was built in 1908 and is the third courthouse for the county. It is at the center of the square in Carthage. The courthouse and the shops surrounding the square have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986.
Adapted (trimmed) from the Wikipedia article Carthage, Illinois, revision 1378524889 by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
We share a part of every Carthage sale with local partners, and we'd love to print from your collection. Old photographs, maps and postcards make the best keepsakes.
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5 free coloring pages of Carthage, each traced from a photo of a local landmark. Print them at home, at school or for story hour.
Carthage's population was 2,490 in the 2020 U.S. Census, down from 2,605 in 2010.
Carthage Jail
Carthage Courthouse Square Historic District
A view of Carthage
A view of Carthage