Quincy Home Attractions Famous Residents Recreation Restaurants/Hotels/ Bed & Breakfast

Quincy __________________________ Calendar of Events Visit QuincyNet’s community calendar for a list of all the area events. History Situated on a picturesque bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, Quincy’s strategic location made it an ideal site for early American Indians to live. Fox, Kickapoo, and Sauk Indians lived in the area prior to Quincy’s existence. By the early 1800's, the Indians were moving West and a large tract of land, that included Quincy, had been parceled out to American veterans who served in the War of 1812. In 1822, John Wood purchased 160 acres for $60 from a war veteran and became the founder and first settler of Quincy. By 1825, Adams County was formed and Quincy, with a population of six, was named the county seat. The county and town were named in honor of United States President, John Quincy Adams. In 1834, with a population of 689, Quincy was incorporated as a town and in 1840, with a population of 2,686, Quincy became a city. Quincy began to grow and flourish in the 1830's and 1840's with its abundant natural resources, geographic location, and fertile soil. Skilled settlers arrived from New England and Germany, eager to work and build a new life. Quincy’s river location enabled rapid growth to continue as the river and railroad opened up new markets of trade. Flour and saw mills, manufacturers, pork packing plants, and breweries experienced growth and success in Quincy. In 1868, a railroad bridge was built across the Mississippi River and the growth continued. A direct result of Quincy’s commercial success was Quincy’s residential areas. The first brick home was constructed in 1830. The economic boom enabled Quincy residents to construct architecturally impressive homes, unusual for a young, Midwest community. Thousands of quality homes were constructed during the 1800's, most of which are still standing today. By 1870, Quincy was the second largest city in Illinois with more than 24,000 residents. On October 13, 1858, Quincy was host to the 6th senatorial debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. More than 15,000 area residents attended the event held in what is now known as Washington Park. Quincy played a vital role in the Civil War by providing goods and soldiers. Its location, across the river from Missouri, a slave state, made Quincy a hot bed for the topic. Adams County organized the first anti-slavery society in Illinois and was an important stop on the Underground Railroad for slaves seeking freedom and a new life in Chicago. Quincy’s rapid growth was stunted when business activities swung away from the river. Quincy continued to grow but at a slower pace. The first auto bridge across the Mississippi River in Quincy was completed in 1930. It took two years to construct and four lives were lost in the process. Traffic was charged a toll to help fund the bridge until 1945 when the project was finally paid in full. A trip to Quincy yields architecture that dates back to the 1830's and includes practically every architectural style. Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Richardson Romanesque, and Prairie style are just a few of the significant styles that exist in Quincy. There are four major historic districts with more than 2,000 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Quincy’s architecture is among the most impressive of any Midwest community, especially when you consider its size. Quincy’s rich history has been preserved through many Quincy museums. It can also be experienced with a walk or drive through its tree-lined residential districts. Quincy is a charming, yet progressive, community of 40,000 that offers a wonderful destination for a daytrip. For additional information about Quincy, contact the Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-978-4748. Climate/Weather Conditions Average Temperatures: January -- 24°F February -- 29°F March -- 41°F April -- 53°F May -- 63°F June -- 72°F July -- 77°F August -- 74°F September -- 67°F October -- 55°F November --  42°F December --  29°F Average precipitation = 38 inches/year Links & Related Websites QuincyNet Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Historic Quincy Business District   back to top  4/08 QuincyNet Home Copyright© 2003 by QuincyNet, a division of HCW Ltd. All Rights Reserved