National Register of Historic Places

Phelps, Alexis, House

Oquawka, Henderson County, Illinois
Listed
April 27, 1982
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
82002537

About this property

The Alexis Phelps House is a historic home located on the Mississippi River at Oquawka in Henderson County, Illinois, United States. The New England–style house was built in 1832-1833 by Alexis Phelps, a fur trader and one of the first settlers of the region. Phelps, who was born in Palmyra, New York, settled on a piece of land known as Yellow Banks, which his brother Stephen had purchased in 1828. Alexis and Stephen Phelps founded Oquawka, which they named for the Native American name for Yellow Banks, in 1836. Stephen A. Douglas, who frequently presided over the Henderson County Circuit Court, stayed in the house during his visits to Oquawka. The house was also rumored to be a stop on the Underground Railroad. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 28, 1982. The Henderson County Historical Society rehabilitated the house in the 1980s, saving it from demolition. The historical society now leases the house for events.

Location

Oquawka, Henderson County, Illinois
40.93337, -90.95015

Categories

EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
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Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Nearby Historic Sites

Oquawka Wagon Bridge
Industrial
2.7 mi
South Henderson Church and Cemetery
Industrial
4.6 mi
Lock and Dam No. 18 Historic District
Pre Contact
5.1 mi
Keithsburg Historic District
Pre Contact
11.6 mi
Commercial House
Industrial
11.9 mi

Questions about this property

When was Phelps, Alexis, House listed on the National Register?

Phelps, Alexis, House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 27, 1982.

What type of historic resource is Phelps, Alexis, House?

Phelps, Alexis, House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Phelps, Alexis, House?

The period of significance for Phelps, Alexis, House is recorded as the industrial era.

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