Editing Warsaw, Illinois (section)

==History==
The city of Warsaw began in 1814, when young Major [[Zachary Taylor]] founded [[Fort Johnson (19th century)|Fort Johnson]] on the eastern bank of the [[Mississippi River]] across from the mouth of the [[Des Moines River]]. Fort Johnson was occupied only for a few weeks before it was burned. In 1815 another military camp, Fort Edwards, was built nearby at a different location.<ref>[http://www.northamericanforts.com/East/il.html#edwards "Fort Edwards"], North American Forts, accessed 28 Dec 2010</ref> Warsaw became an important [[fur trading]] post and one of the earliest American settlements in northern Illinois.

During the 1840s, Warsaw was a center of opposition to Mormon settlement in [[Nauvoo, Illinois|Nauvoo]] and other areas in Hancock County during the conflict sometimes known as the "[[History of Nauvoo, Illinois#The "Mormon War in Illinois" and the Mormon Exodus|Mormon Illinois War]]".  The local newspaper at the time, the ''[[Warsaw Signal]]'' edited by [[Thomas C. Sharp]], was a vocal opponent of Mormon settlement and practices in western Illinois.<ref>[[Glen M. Leonard|Leonard, Glen M.]], ''Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A People of Promise'' (Salt Lake City and Provo: Deseret Book and Brigham Young University Press, 2002), p. 107</ref> The Mormons, led by [[Willard Richards]], attempted to establish a settlement at a site just south of Warsaw during this period, but abandoned these plans due to local opposition and other problems.<ref>Leonard. ''Nauvoo''. p. 186</ref>

The city is notable for its well-preserved downtown with a number of remaining historic businesses. Founded by [[German Americans|German immigrants]], the Warsaw Brewery opened in 1861 and operated for more than 100 years, ending production in 1971. The facility was renovated and reopened in 2006 as a bar and restaurant.<ref>[http://www.rubbertree.com.au/warsaw/warsaw_brewery.htm Warsaw Brewery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006193949/http://www.rubbertree.com.au/warsaw/warsaw_brewery.htm |date=2011-10-06 }}, accessed 2/16/08</ref>