Carthage is an Illinois city rooted in agriculture and health care
Though its population is just 2,500, Carthage has cultivated a reputation as an industrial hub in western Illinois. “Agriculture is our biggest industry — corn, soybeans, cattle and hog farms,” says Amy Graham, Carthage’s director of community development. “Our hospital and veterinary service are two of the largest employers in Hancock County.” The small city sits at the crossroads of two highways, about 20 minutes from the Illinois-Iowa-Missouri border and more retail in Keokuk.
Carthage businesses serve farmers and rural communities
Businesses like Carthage Veterinary Service and Professional Swine Management help local farms thrive. “Our grain mill produces pig pellets, so we have a lot of self-sustaining businesses,” Graham says. More jobs are available at the handful of assisted living facilities and at Memorial Hospital — opportunities that attract commuters from the surrounding rural areas. “For a small community, we have access to very good health care,” Graham says.
Several highways intersect in the area, making it easy to get in and out of the city. Residents can head to chain retailers in Keokuk, about 15 miles away, or to more options in Macomb, about 25 miles away. Hancock County Public Transportation also offers local on-demand service for some curb-to-curb trips. Daily round-trip flights to Chicago and St. Louis are available from Quincy Regional Airport, roughly 40 miles away.
National and ranch-style homes surrounded by corn and soybean fields
In the central residential areas, narrow streets lead past midcentury ranch-style homes and Nationals from the early 1900s. Many properties measure a quarter-acre to 2 acres, with shaded yards, spacious gravel driveways and garages. Sidewalks border some streets, especially those closest to town. Meanwhile, homes on the rural outskirts are separated by acres of corn and soybeans. Most Nationals and ranch-style homes sell for $50,000 to $150,000. Larger raised ranches and two-story houses sell for $180,000 to $300,000. The area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Carthage schools include robotics, art and business clubs
Carthage Primary School serves students from prekindergarten through fourth grade and receives a C-plus from Niche. Carthage Middle School and Illini West High School are both rated B-minus. Extracurricular activities at the high school include art programs, robotics club and Future Business Leaders of America. Carl Sandburg College, a two-year community college based in Galesburg, has a satellite campus in Carthage.
Sports facilities and lakeside parks offer outdoor recreation
Carthage Lake anchors Jaycee Park on the western edge of the city. The park offers a fishing dock, a fenced dog park and plenty of open space for relaxing or running around. The shaded picnic areas are close to the playground equipment, and a disc golf course invites competitive play. The park is also home to the community swimming pool. A short distance up the road, the Carthage Golf Club features a public 9-hole course with lake views. A creatively designed playground is the highlight at World of Wonders Park. Baseball, basketball, tennis and softball facilities are available at Joe Grate Sports Complex. The Legacy Theater seats over 500 and holds live performances throughout the year.
Boutiques and restaurants cater to a variety of tastes
Carthage’s downtown is centered on the historic town square. Shops, boutiques and restaurants line the block, with dining options ranging from burritos at Los Charros to shrimp lo mein at Taste of China. Wood Inn is a corner bar with slot machines and a rotating selection of daily specials. The County Market grocery store is also close to downtown. Nearby, The Dirty Bird Bar and Grill serves hearty breakfast fare and pub grub. Lake Hill Winery is on the shore of Carthage Lake and offers tasting hours on weekends, plus the occasional live music session.
Carthage Jail is a pilgrimage site that’s open for tours
Carthage has been linked to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since church founder Joseph Smith was killed there in 1844. The fateful event took place at the Carthage Jail, now owned by the church and open for tours. The city is also often associated with Nauvoo, a small town about 22 miles away that has a temple and other historical sites related to the church. “A trip to Nauvoo is a pilgrimage for the Mormon population, and the jail is a popular stop,” Graham says. “In summer, we get busloads from Utah and all over the world because Nauvoo puts on a pageant that runs for about a month.”
Strawberry Strut raises funds for cancer research
In June, runners lace up for the Strawberry Strut, a 5-mile run with 5K and 1-mile options. “Businesses gave away strawberries at the first event to boost participation, and the name just stuck,” Graham says. The event is held in partnership with Hancock County Fights Cancer, and a portion of the proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As the seat of Hancock County, Carthage also hosts annual events like Fourth of July fireworks and a Christmas Open House.
