[4] Havana was a major ancient American settlement two thousand years ago, when the largest verified mound of the Western Hopewell Culture was built.

A religious medal dating from the early 1700s suggests that there was missionary activity in what is now Havana.

Abraham Lincoln was a frequent visitor to Havana between his days as a soldier in the Black Hawk Wars until at least his three-hour speech on the Rockwell Mound while he was running for the US Senate in 1858.

The English-speaking settlement was originally called "Ross's Ferry" and was later named after Havana, the capital of Cuba.

[citation needed] Havana is located in western Mason County on the Illinois River.

US 136 crosses the Illinois River on the Scott Wike Lucas Bridge.

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge is 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Havana, along the Illinois River.