Nauvoo is located in western Illinois in
Hancock County west-southwest of
Peoria along Highway 9 just across the
Mississippi River from
Fort Madison.
The town was originally called "Commerce City" but when 25,000 Mormans settled the area in 1839, they changed the name to Nauvoo, meaning "Beautiful Land".
Nearby Nauvoo State Park provides the area with a multitude of recreational opportunities.