County: Pike
Location: The marker is located on the
north side of Route 106, three miles west of Detroit and
four miles east of Pittsfield.
N 39o 36.968
W 090o 43.809
Erected: 11/05/2005 Erected by: Pike County Historical and Illinois State Historical Society
On February 22, 1839, members of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, refugees driven from Missouri under
the “Extermination Order” of Governor Lilburn Boggs, settled
on this site. The property was owned by Thomas Edwards, who
later joined the church. Silas Smith, high priest in the
church and uncle of Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith, was the
leader of these Mormon refugees. The community grew to
more than 300 members. Silas Smith died on September 13,
1839, at the age of 58 and was buried here near his home.
Smith was succeeded by John Lawton and later by Harlow
Redfield, who presided over the congregation until it
disbanded in 1845.
In October 1842, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball preached
at a church conference held here. The settlement, which
later became known as Mormontown, extended on both sides of
the road at this location. Cabins were built and wells dug.
A schoolhouse and a church were erected on the south side of
the road. The cemetery, which measured 60 by 80 feet,
fell into disrepair in later years. Gravestones were
bulldozed into a ditch and the graveyard plowed over. The
church building was relocated to Pittsfield and used as a
parish hall by St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The pews and
pulpit were moved to a church near Pleasant Hill.
Sponsored by the Pike County Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society. April 2005.
Press the Back button to return to Historical Markers list.