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Carthage _________________
Driving Directions
From Quincy take Hwy 96 north for 35 miles to Hamilton and US 136. Turn
right and go east 10 miles to Carthage. Approximately 45 miles.
Calendar of Events
Check out the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce Calendar
of Events or the Carthage Library’s
Community Events Calendar.
Climate/Weather Conditions
Average Temperatures:
January -- 25°F
February -- 28°F
March -- 39°F
April -- 52°F
May -- 62°F
June -- 71°F
July -- 76°F
August -- 74°F
September -- 66°F
October -- 55°F
November -- 41°F
December -- 29°F
Average precipitation = 42 inches/year
History
In need of a geographically centered county seat, Carthage was chosen to be the county seat of Hancock County in 1833. Four years later Carthage was incorporated. Several famous people are a part of Carthage’s history including Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas who campaigned there in 1858 during their bid for the Senate. Joseph Smith, Mormon leader, is also an important part of Carthage history. He was murdered at the Carthage Jail in 1844 by an angry mob, forever changing the Mormons and their community of Nauvoo. A typical Midwestern town, Carthage has a beautiful town square with an exceptionally handsome county courthouse.