Murphysboro, Illinois
Murphysboro is a city of 6,735 people in Jackson County, Illinois, founded in September 1843.
Why visit Murphysboro
Townapedia lists 13 museums and landmarks, 6 parks and trails, 6 places to eat, 1 place to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.
Highlights include Cornelius Hennessy Building and Jackson County Courthouse.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 88°F; January lows average 25°F.
Weather in Murphysboro
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Murphysboro
Murphysboro is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,093 at the 2020 census. The city is part of the Metro Lakeland area.
From the Wikipedia article Murphysboro, Illinois (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do1
Museums and landmarks13
Cornelius Hennessy Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Historic commercial building in Murphysboro, Illinois, United States
Jackson County Courthouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Local government building in the United States
Liberty Theater
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi
Movie theater in Murphysboro, Illinois, United States
Mobile and Ohio Railroad Depot
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Railway station in Murphysboro, the United States of America
Murphysboro Elks Lodge
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Building in Illinois, United States
Riverside Park Bandshell
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.5 mi
Bandshell in Murphysboro, Illinois
Robert W. Hamilton House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.4 mi
Historic house built in Murphysboro, Illinois, in 1867
.jpg){kind=link}
Somerset Grange Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.7 mi
Building in Somerset Township, Jackson County, Illinois
William H. Hull House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi
Murphysboro, Illinois
Miranda's Loom Fine Craft Studio & Gallery
Museum
1310 Walnut Street
Tu-Fr 10:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-15:00
1 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds6
Restaurants and cafes6
Big Muddy Brewing
Brewery and winery · 1.2 mi
1430 N 7th Street
Fr 16:00-22:00; Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-19:00
The Old Rome
Bar and pub · 0.4 mi
803 North 9th Street, Murphysboro
Mo-Th 16:00-01:00; Fr 16:00-02:00; Sa 12:00-02:00; Su 12:00-01:00
History
Established in September 1843, Murphysboro is the second county seat of Jackson County. The town's creation is tied to the disastrous fire which destroyed the courthouse in the first county seat, Brownsville. The fire proved to be the catalyst to move the county seat to a more central location. The name was decided for the new town when William C. Murphy's name was drawn from a hat containing the names of the three commissioners who chose the new location, a 20-acre (81,000 m2) tract of land donated by Dr. John Logan and Elizabeth Logan.
The son of the site's donors, Major General John A. Logan, later became a volunteer general in the Civil War. General Logan is also remembered for a distinguished political career, serving as Illinois' US senator from 1871 to 1877 and 1880–1886, as well as for running for vice president in 1884. At the time of his death he was considered a presidential hopeful. Logan's greatest legacy, however, is his creation of Memorial Day as a national holiday.
The economy of Murphysboro was based on coal for many of its growing years. It was also important in industry and transportation.
From the History section of Murphysboro, Illinois on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay1
Churches and places of worship11
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries20
Healthcare1
Map of Murphysboro
61 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42°F | 25°F | 2.8 in |
| Feb | 47°F | 28°F | 2.6 in |
| Mar | 57°F | 36°F | 4.1 in |
| Apr | 68°F | 45°F | 5.3 in |
| May | 77°F | 55°F | 5.0 in |
| Jun | 86°F | 64°F | 4.1 in |
| Jul | 88°F | 68°F | 3.6 in |
| Aug | 87°F | 65°F | 3.0 in |
| Sep | 81°F | 56°F | 2.9 in |
| Oct | 70°F | 45°F | 3.5 in |
| Nov | 56°F | 35°F | 3.9 in |
| Dec | 46°F | 28°F | 3.1 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Carbondale Southern Il Ap (5 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Jackson County has had 8 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.
- 2020-03-26: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2019-09-19: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
- 2011-06-07: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2009-07-02: Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes (Severe Storm)
- 2005-09-07: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Southern Illinois Airport (MDH) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 4 miles away.
- Carbondale 7 mi southeast, about 11 min by car
- De Soto 7 mi northeast, about 11 min by car
- Cambria 12 mi east, about 19 min by car
- Carterville 14 mi east, about 22 min by car
- Crainville 15 mi east, about 24 min by car
- Herrin 17 mi east, about 27 min by car
- Du Quoin 17 mi north, about 28 min by car
- Cobden 17 mi south, about 27 min by car
- Energy 17 mi east, about 27 min by car
- Marion 21 mi east, about 34 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Downtown Murhpysboro (35231168731), Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
- Locust and 13th, former ILC depot in Murphysboro, Nyttend, Public domain
- Jackson County Courthouse in Murphysboro from west, Nyttend, Public domain
- Murphysboro Masonic Lodge No. 498 NRHP 100010700 Jackson County, IL, Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Murphysboro Masonic Lodge No. 498B NRHP 100010700 Jackson County, IL, Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Murphysboro Elks Lodge, Nyttend, Public domain
- Liberty Theater in Murphysboro, Nyttend, Public domain
- Murphysboro, Illinois (35231197661), Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
- Murphysboro former post office, Nyttend, Public domain
- William H. Hull House in Murphysboro, Nyttend, Public domain
- M&O depot in Murphysboro, Nyttend, Public domain
- Riverside Park Bandshell, Murphysboro, Nyttend, Public domain
- Grange hall in Somerset Township, Nyttend, Public domain
- Police Harley, Bill & Vicki Tracey from Rochelle, Illinois, usa, CC BY 2.0
- Cornelius Hennessy Building, Nyttend, Public domain
- Downtown Murhpysboro (35321651176), Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
- Robert W. Hamilton House, Nyttend, Public domain
- Yucca in Musphysboro, Illinois, Skuzbucket, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Missouri Pacific MP 3303 (SD40-2) (10586601373), Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0
- Union Pacific UP 4253 (SD40-2) (10586530254), Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0
- Covered Steel Coil Car, EJ&E (10588939335), Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0
- Union Pacific UP 3738 (SD40-2) (10585962534), Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0
- Missouri-Kansas-Texas MKT 624 (SD40-2) (10586544354), Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_(10586601373).jpg){kind=link}
_(10586530254).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_(10585962534).jpg){kind=link}
_(10586544354).jpg){kind=link}
Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.