Nauvoo is a small town located in Hancock County in west-central Illinois, on a “horseshoe bend” of the Mississippi River. The Nauvoo Historic District is a National Historic landmark, designated in 1961, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. According to the National Park Service, the site contains about 1,100 acres of authentically restored homes, shops, and natural beauty, attracting thousands of visitors annually.  Nauvoo is known for its rich Native-American, LDS, Icarian, and German heritage, which is still widely celebrated. Despite its diversity (and perhaps because of it), the Nauvoo community is poised to experience exceptional long-term cohesion, something which any community would be proud to claim.

When traveling to Nauvoo from the south, Illinois Highway 96, also known as “The Great River Road”, winds north along the east banks of the Mississippi River, and then climbs a great bluff, becoming Nauvoo’s “Mulholland Street”, which continues through Nauvoo. Atop that great bluff, aside from its natural beauty, is perhaps the most striking image to greet travelers; the recently-reconstructed Nauvoo Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS).  The Temple is a massive structure, and a replica of the original Temple which was built on the same site in the 1800’s.  The surrounding area of Mulholland Street (Illinois Highway 96), is often referred to as the “heart” of Nauvoo’s business district.

Of interest to the long-term investor, and unlike some small towns that seem to show decline without much promise, Nauvoo is unquestionably destined to be an exceptional “shining city on a hill”.  In the early-to-mid 1800’s, Nauvoo was the early headquarters of the LDS Church, with a population rising from about 100 persons to over 11,000 in just a few years. At the time, its population rivaled that of Chicago.  It was followed by a forced migration to the west, with a promise to return, and that they did, beginning largely in the early-to-mid 1900’s.  While the total resident population is still only about 1,000 residents, the Church now owns a very significant portion of real estate in Nauvoo, which it has been aggressively expanding and developing.  There are over 40 meticulously-restored homes and sites, the massive newly-reconstructed-Temple, and nearing completion is a very impressive new visitors center, sitting high above the sprawling restoration area and the Mississippi River.  It has been publicly-reported that in 2024 alone, the Church spent $192.5 million to acquire historic properties and artifacts, much of it in Nauvoo. The Church is also publicly reported to be among the largest private land owners in the United States and is highly-respected for its responsible long-term property-management.

Following the 1800’s westward migration, and beginning in the very-early 1900’s, the vast majority of real estate in Nauvoo’s business district, mostly within one city block of the Temple site, was slowly but steadily acquired by a businessman named John A. Kraus. For well over a century, he and his family operated many businesses in that prime location, and were instrumental in the construction of the “Great River Road”.

In November of 2025, the Kraus family announced their plans to retire and focus on health, offering most of their real estate holdings for sale.

One of those holdings is the subject property, which is identified by Hancock County records as Property Number 01-01-000-502.  It is located within one-half city block of the Temple site, and consists of an enclosed and interconnected building complex, estimated to comprise in excess of 12,000 square feet, spanning continuously from 1241 Mulholland Street to 1255 Mulholland Street. Its main buildings were constructed around 1900, with additions in the early 1950's.  They were utilized as a café, theatre, storefront rental, apartment rental (1 bedroom 1 bath), and an office.  (Credit for most photos of PIN 01-01-000-502: Kim Logan)

Indoor dining in Illinois was prohibited during the COVID crisis, after which the café did not reopen.  The early-to mid-1900’s building complex, particularly some flooring and theatre ceiling tiles, is in need of updating, but, of course, its location will never change.

Nauvoo Properties For Sale by Owner: 5-page color-coded presentation: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:a9e35e7b-45bd-46c0-ba29-efed8c959fb9