Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County

Downtown Quincy

2011-08-18T07:00:00.005-05:00

Maine Street, Court House. 1880.

St. Mary's Hospital

2011-08-08T07:00:00.001-05:00

St. Mary's Hospital, 14th & Broadway, Quincy.

Infant Class

2011-08-01T07:00:00.002-05:00

Infant class, Vermont Street Methodist Church, Quincy, 1865.

If you have any old photographs that you would like to share on this blog, please send them in, and I'll post them. Any old or interesting photos from Quincy, Adams County, or anything that relates to the history in said area. Old maps, and similar items are welcome. Please email them to me, but please supply the related information. By that I mean the who/what/when/where. At least the when/where. The more old pics, the more interesting your next visit to the blog will be!

Send what you'd like to share, to this link.

Hillcrest Sanitarium

2011-07-25T07:00:00.002-05:00

Hillcrest Sanitarium, 3000 State Street, Quincy.

Flood of 1903

2011-07-18T07:00:00.003-05:00

Flood of 1903, Indian Grave District

Street Car

2011-07-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

Street Car, end of State Street, Quincy, 1912

Railroad Bridge

2011-07-04T07:00:00.003-05:00

Railroad Bridge, 12th Street north of Locust, Quincy, 1900.

Send what you'd like to share, to this link.

The Blind Half Hundred

2011-06-27T07:00:00.003-05:00

Annual Reunion of 50th Illinois Infantry, "The Blind Half Hundred," Company E. Reunion, held on the north side of Railroad Park in Camp Point.

Adams County Courthouse

2011-06-23T07:00:00.002-05:00

Adams County Courthouse

2011-06-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

Adams County Courthouse, Quincy

Adams County Courthouse

2011-06-21T07:00:00.002-05:00

Adams County Courthouse

2011-06-20T07:00:00.003-05:00

Adams County Courthouse, Quincy

Blessing Hospital

2011-06-13T01:01:00.002-05:00

Blessing Hospital, Quincy, 1900

Send what you'd like to share, to this link.

Maine Street

2011-06-06T07:00:00.003-05:00

Maine, between 4th & 5th, Quincy, 1910.

Wabash Depot

2011-05-30T07:00:00.004-05:00

Wabash Depot, built 1857, rail service discontinued 1934. Camp Point.

Bartlett Mansion

2011-05-23T07:00:00.004-05:00

Bartlett Mansion/Fairchild Sanitarium, northwest corner of 6th and Broadway, Quincy, 1877

4th & Hampshire

2011-05-16T07:00:00.003-05:00

4th & Hampshire looking south, Quincy, 1910.

Boat Landing

2011-05-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

Boat Landing, Quincy Riverfront

Camp Point Opera House

2011-05-02T07:00:00.001-05:00

View of State Street & the Opera House, Camp Point.

Send what you'd like to share, to this link.

5th & Hampshire

2011-04-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

5th & Hampshire, Quincy, circa 1910

St. Peters Church

2011-04-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

St. Peters Church, southwest corner of 8th and Maine, Quincy, 1910

Chautauqua

2011-04-06T07:00:00.003-05:00

Chautauqua Week in Camp Point's Bailey Park, early 1920's.

Chautauqua

2011-04-05T07:00:00.003-05:00

Chautauqua Week in Camp Point's Bailey Park, early 1920's.

Chautauqua

2011-04-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

Chautauqua Week in Camp Point's Bailey Park, early 1920's.

Send what you'd like to share, to this link.

The Pavilion at Highland Park

2011-03-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

The Pavilion at Highland Park, Quincy, 1909. better known today as the Casino Starlite.

Downtown Quincy

2011-03-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

Northeast corner of 6th & Hampshire, Quincy, circa 1870.

Old Courthouse

2011-03-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

5th Street, between Hampshire & Maine, Quincy, 1861

Old Courthouse

2011-03-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

5th Street, between Hampshire & Maine, Quincy, 1861

Old Courthouse

2011-03-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

5th Street, between Hampshire & Maine, Quincy, 1861

Mendon

2011-03-07T07:00:00.000-06:00

Mendon Street Scene Early 1900s

Send what you'd like to share, to this link.

Hospital Building

2011-02-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

Hospital Annex at the Illinois Soldier's & Sailor's Home, Quincy

Werneth Meat Market

2011-02-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

1706 Broadway, Early 1900's

Ice Harvesting

2011-02-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

Quincy Riverfront, 1900

Ice Conveyer

2011-02-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

Quincy Riverfront, 1900

The Great Blizzard of 2011

2011-02-06T15:06:00.004-06:00

History happens every day, just some days you notice it a little more than others. The Blizzard of February 2011 made history for dumping the most snow ever on Quincy and Adams County. The 18 to 22 inches of snow in this county and several places around the Tri-State area beat all other totals, from the Blizzard of 1975, back to previous record holder on Christmas Day of 1915. The 12.7 inches that fell on that day in 1915 was eclipsed by nearly 10 inches at Lock and Dam 21.

This is confirmed by The National Weather Service, and you can read all about it at the Whig's home page: Now It's Official...

30th Christmas Candlelight Tours

2010-10-28T16:21:00.003-05:00

The Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County celebrates its 30th Christmas Candlelight Tours with “Vignettes of Christmas Past.” Decorations will sparkle in gold and silver, and candles will provide period atmosphere. Musicians Eric Steitz and Tony Blackford will provide music on the hammered dulcimer and flute, and the people of the Governor John Wood Mansion will be dressed in their best period attire. The Governor and Mrs. Wood will be at dinner with their guests.

This year’s theme will provide, in one vignette, a glimpse of the Wood family and friends at holiday dinner, and in another vignette, a look at the household staff as they prepare and serve the Governor and guests. Visitors will be gathered in small groups at the Visitor Center and escorted to the Mansion to eavesdrop on the family conversations, remaining at each venue for approximately five-minute intervals. This is a new opportunity for visitors to see the vignette format and experience first person interpretation in the Governor John Wood Mansion.

Free public and member tours will be offered December 10, 11, 12, and 26, 27. Tours will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. each night. Quincy’s History Shop will be open each tour night from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and offers a wide selection gifts to please friends and family at Christmas and beyond.

The Governor John Wood Mansion is located at on the northeast corner of 12^th and State Streets in Quincy. For further information please telephone 217-222-1835 Tuesday through Saturday, through December 22.

Memorial Bridge

2010-10-18T22:39:00.006-05:00

Did You Know?

The Quincy Memorial Bridge was originally (& officially) called the Quincy Soldier's Memorial Bridge.

It was designed and built by the Strauss Engineering Company, the same company that designed and built the Golden Gate Bridge.

Mayor Wood

2010-10-11T01:21:00.004-05:00

Did You Know?

John Wood was Mayor of Quincy three times. 1844-1848, 1852-1853, and 1856. Wood was elected to the Illinois state senate in 1850, and was elected Lt. Governor in 1856. In 1860, Wood took over the seat of Governor of Illinois after the death William Henry Bissell. Due to construction of a new home in Quincy, Wood petitioned that he be allowed to stay in Quincy during his term. Thus, the John Wood mansion temporarily became the Governor’s Mansion for the State of Illinois.

John Anderson Returns to Quincy

2010-09-14T13:00:00.000-05:00

The Quincy Community Theater and The Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County present “An Evening with John Anderson,” on Thursday, October 7th. John Anderson is a Quincy native, who appeared in the movie “Psycho,” on the television programs “Bonanza,” and “Gunsmoke,’” and on stage. With over 500 acting credits John is well remembered for his fine character portrayals including Abraham Lincoln. Filmed entirely in Quincy, “A House Divided,” will be shown for the first time in 40 years. This gala event will commence at 6:00 p.m. with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres in the theater lobby.

At 7:30pm, ticket holders will assemble in the theater and reacquaint themselves with John. Dr. Tim Jacobs of the Historical Society Board of Directors will present a retrospective on John’s acting career, his many ties to Quincy, and the filming, in Quincy, of “A House Divided.” This film was lost for a number of years and has just been found. The film was made with a cast of local “extras” in several locations around the city. The challenge will be in finding familiar faces in the crowd and recognizing where various scenes were filmed. Following the screening of “A House Divided” Dr. Jacobs will host a lively John Anderson discussion. This is an all-Quincy event, not to be missed. Make reservations early! Many surprises are in store!

All seating is reserved. Tickets at $20 include the pre-event social, the program, movie, and other surprises. Tickets may be obtained by phone at 217-222-3209, in person at the Quincy Community Theater box office, or at 1qct.org. For further information telephone the Quincy Community Theater 217-222-3209 or the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County 217-222-1835, Tuesday through Friday 10:00am to 2pm.

Politsch Receipt Books

2010-09-11T01:08:00.004-05:00

Receipt books from Poltisch Hardware, 835-838 South 8th in Quincy, and bank deposit bag for South Side Bank of Quincy.

These receipt books were acquired by Brian Inman...

"I think the year was 2005 and Mr. Politsch, the younger, had offered some items to the Quincy Community Theatre. I went to the old Politsch hardware to meet him and pick up the items. Mr. Politsch rolled up in his wheel chair to the front door of the old hardware store. He opened up the front door and it was like stepping back in time. I don’t know what year the hardware store closed but it looked like one day they just decided to lock the doors. There everything sat, shelves still full with new old merchandise. Old wooden and glass display cases. You could tell that they were very meticulous people.

Anyway, he showed me around and told me some stories. One story in particular about the hardware store being a very busy place for fur trappers and hunters. Folks would bring in their furs and the old man would give them cash on the spot. Here are some of the receipt books from those transactions."

39 skunk furs will net you nearly $86 in 1926.

Muskrat love

Happy New Year 1926.

Ace Power of Lima brought in the most muskrats from 1926-27.

Deposit Bag from the South Side Bank of Quincy.

Quincy Cubs 1973 Official Souvenir Program

2010-09-09T13:04:00.003-05:00

Check out every page of this 1973 Midwest League Quincy Cubs Official Souvenir Game Program. Special thanks to Brian Inman for finding this Quincy "gem"...

Click here to look inside.

First Saturday Walking Tours

2010-09-02T09:22:00.000-05:00

The Gardner Museum of Architecture and Design's popular First Saturday Walking Tours program takes place the first Saturday of every month May through October. It takes place in a variety of neighborhoods in Quincy and features a variety of architectural styles and historical information. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Illinois General Assembly.

There are only two dates left in this season's tour program. This Saturday morning, September 4th, at 10am... Meeting at 7th and Adams, St. Mary’s Church.

The last tour is October 2nd at 10am. 20th and Vermont, Bungalow District. More information to come regarding that.

The fee for the tour is $5 per person. Gardner Museum members are free. Participants are encouraged to wear good walking shoes and have the ability to climb stairs as occasionally a homeowner will invite everyone in for a tour.

The Saga of Lincoln's Huge Ear, a story by Gary Justis.

2010-09-01T11:34:00.006-05:00

Stephen Douglas presented Abraham Lincoln with a six foot sculpture of an ear of corn. Right here in Quincy in 1858.

What?

Read all about "Lincoln's Lost Ear" from Gary Justis of Bloomington.

(Remember folks, it's just a spoof.)

Tornado of April 1945

2010-08-29T17:55:00.009-05:00

On Thursday, April 12, 1945, at 10:20pm just hours after residents learned of the death of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a tornado struck Quincy without warning. Nineteen people were reported injured but no one died.

The storm had touched down in Palmyra, Missouri, before striking Quincy. It then continued on to Mendon, Plymouth, and Industry, Illinois.

Mayor Edward Schneidman declared a state of emergency. Governor Dwight Green activated the state militia, and nearly 175 state police officers were sent to Quincy. On Friday, sightseers were so thick that the militia has to fix bayonets to clear people from the streets.

Losses from the tornado were estimated at about $1 million.

A second serious storm hit the city on July 2. This storm destroyed many of the trees in the city, damaged numerous buildings, and cut CIPS transmission lines that interrupted services to all Adams County.

These two photos of the Adams County Court House looking at the East Wing from Vermont Street (facing north), the photo at the top of this post is from the Broadway Street side. All photographs are donated by the Historical Society of Quincy & Adams County and Arlene Middendorf. (you can click each image for a large version)...

Alley between 5th & 6th, on Hampshire next to the Hotel Quincy

East side of 4th Street, between Jersey & York

Rear of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Meyer-Schutter Grocery at 120 South 8th Street

Jefferson-Johnson Motors, 323 Maine Street

7th & Hampshire, south side of street next to Musselman Building

Hampshire Street between 5th & 6th Streets

Belasco Theater, 6th & Hampshire

Richardson Lubricating Company, Front Street

Consolidated Oil Building, Front Street

Hampshire between 6th & 7th, taken from rear of building

St. Peter's Catholic Church, 8th & Maine

South side of Hampshire, between 5th & 6th

Hampshire Street, between 5th & 6th, looking west

Rescue of two residents, rear of Werneth's Market, between 6th & 7th on Hampshire

St. Peter's Catholic Church

Stern Building, northwest corner of 5th & Hampshire

Chatten Implement Company, 10th & Broadway

Rear of St. Peter's Catholic Church, 8th & Maine

Between 5th & 6th, looking east down Hampshire

Between 6th & 7th, looking west down Hampshire

Quincy Sesquicentennial Parade, 1958

2010-08-16T01:32:00.001-05:00

Quincy Buds Defeat the Chicago Cubs

2010-08-08T21:08:00.002-05:00

While on a barnstorming tour two weeks before the 1907 World Series, the Chicago Cubs made a stop in Quincy. The Buds were part of the I-I League (the "Illinois-Iowa" League), and were a .500 team. The Cubs were just coming off a 116-36 season in 1906, and a 107-45 season in 1907. The 116 wins in the 1906 season was only matched by the 2001 Seattle Mariners (116-46), and the '06 Cubs 116-36 record still stands as the all-time best. The 1907 Cubs were considered one of the greatest baseball clubs ever assembled, with the legendary Tinkers-to-Evers-to-Chance combo patrolling the infield, and the most dominating pitching staff in the league with multiple 20 game winners. They would go on to sweep the Detroit Tigers in the World Series two weeks after the game in Quincy. That same Cubs team would also repeat as World Champs in 1908. As for this game against the Buds, on that September day in Quincy, the mighty Chicago Cubs lost, 5-2. Had it not been for 2 costly Quincy errors, the Cubs could have been shut out.

Postcards from Maine

2010-08-04T19:09:00.001-05:00

Map of the Bounty Lands

2010-07-28T15:15:00.003-05:00

Military Land Tracts of Illinois. Bounty lands for Veterans of The War of 1812.

John Anderson

2010-07-26T23:18:00.006-05:00

Born in Clayton, John Anderson grew up in Quincy and Adams County. After attending college at Iowa and serving in WWII, Anderson went from performing on Mississippi River showboats to amassing hundreds of stage, film, and television credits. John Anderson's many screen roles included used-car huckster Charlie in PSYCHO (1960), the title character in THE LINCOLN CONSPIRACY (1977) and a dead ringer for baseball commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, whom Anderson portrayed twice, in EIGHT MEN OUT (1988) and the TV biopic BABE RUTH (1991). A veteran of 500 TV appearances (including Gunsmoke, the Virginian, Dallas, four guest stints on The Twilight Zone, and ironically, Quincy), John Anderson was seen as FDR in the 1978 miniseries Backstairs in the White House, the Civil War mini-series North and South, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and was a regular as Michael Spencer Hudson in the daytime drama Another World, Virgil Earp in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955-61), and Harry Jackson in MacGyver (1985-1991). He was also the uncredited voice of Mark Twain in the Epcot attraction The American Adventure.

Watch John Anderson in The Twilight Zone episode, The Odyssey of Flight 33...

Quincy, 1858

2010-07-20T02:34:00.000-05:00

5th and Maine Street in Quincy, looking north.

Tour the Mansion and Museum

2010-07-13T13:12:00.003-05:00

Tours of The Governor John Wood Mansion and The History Museum are Tuesday through Saturday - April through October - from 10am to 2pm with the last tour at 1:15 p.m.

Other tour times can be made by appointment. Calling the Historical Society office at (217) 222-1835. Office hours are 10am-2pm.

Admission $4.00 adult, $1.50 student per site, site pass $6.00 adult, $3.00 student.

The History Museum

2010-07-13T12:35:00.001-05:00

Built in 1885 this historically significant structure served as the minister’s home for the English Lutheran Church, which later became Luther Memorial Church, from 1917 to 1951. The red entrance symbolizes the house’s historical connection with the church, which has red doors. As a museum of the Historical Society, the building now provides an exhibition facility showcasing items from Adams County’s past.

Exhibits in The History Museum are organized by themes and include the Black and White Gallery and rooms highlighting the Civil War, early founders, education and fine arts, industry, agriculture, pharmacies and medicine, steamboats, railroads, circuses, and a major doll collection. One Adams County township is featured annually in a rotating display with items depicting its history and its Centennial Farms. Tours of The History Museum begin in the Visitors Center, which is the next building south.

Your Input is Welcome!

2010-07-13T00:01:00.001-05:00

Send what you'd like to share, to this link.

(Apologies for the Photoshopped version of our city's founding father!)

Welcome!

2010-07-09T19:18:00.006-05:00

Welcome to the official blog of the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County. It's been around for only a couple days, but this is what you'd call the initial public offering. Check out the earlier posts, and keep coming back for plenty more - including information about HSQAC events and anything else history related that's going on...

Contributions and help from the public are more than welcome here. If you have any old photographs related to the history of Quincy and Adams County, that you'd like to share... Please email them to meprovine@yahoo.com, along with all the details, and I'll get them on.

Adams County Map, 1875

2010-07-09T16:39:00.001-05:00

Riverview Park Observatory

2010-07-09T16:24:00.003-05:00

Riverview Park Observatory in Quincy, circa 1900.

Looking up towards Riverview Park.

Roy Brocksmith

2010-07-09T10:53:00.006-05:00

A veteran of the stage and screen, Roy Brocksmith was born in Quincy on September 15, 1945. A multi-talented entertainer, after graduating from Quincy College, Roy moved to New York to perform on Broadway - before moving to Hollywood starting his career as a character actor in the late 70's. Noted for his appearance in TOTAL RECALL, Brocksmith’s other films include ARACHNOPHOBIA, THE ROAD TO WELLVILLE and the Coen Brothers film THE HUDSUCKER PROXY. He also appeared in numerous television shows, such as "Star Trek: The Next Generation", "L.A. Law," and was a regular on the CBS series "Picket Fences" from 1992 to 1996. In the course of his acting career, Roy had small but memorable roles in 35 films, and over two dozen TV shows. He passed away in 2001.

Read Roy's IMDb profile and his bio at Stark Trek's Memory Alpha.

Commercial from the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi hit, TOTAL RECALL:

Steamer Quincy

2010-07-08T10:18:00.010-05:00

This is a small collection of images of the Steamer Quincy, harvested from various sites around the internet. Most of the photos and vintage postcards depict the vessel in 1911.

Special thanks to Scott K. Williams of Florissant, MO and his site, stlouistimeportal.com, where I got this information, and most of the pictures. A cool site worth checking out.

The steamboat Quincy at the St. Louis riverfront, postmarked 1911. This is at least the fourth steamboat by the name Quincy. The vessel was built in 1896 at Dubuque, IA and ran the Diamond Jo Line from St. Louis to St. Paul, MN.

The Quincy sunk in the Mississippi River in July 1906 near Trempeleau Mountain, WI. But that was not the end. The ship was raised and continued to serve through 1917. She was raised reequipped with new boilers, extra guest rooms were added and in 1911 ran from St. Louis to New Orleans. Her last run was in 1917. The Quincy was the last side-wheeler in the St. Louis-New Orleans route.

Give to the Historical Society

2010-07-08T09:46:00.007-05:00

The Society's mission is to provide for the education of its members and others about the history of Quincy, Adams County, and the surrounding area. The Society is committed to the collection and preservation of documents and other physical objects related to local history. Preserving and maintaining the Governor John Wood Mansion as a historic and architectural structure is a key priority of the Society. We also maintain The History Museum and an 1835 pioneer log cabin. The Visitors Center houses the Society's office and library as well as Quincy's History Shop. The Society offers Candlelight Christmas Tours, programs on various historical topics and educational programs for school children. The Society also provides a Speakers Bureau for local organizations as a community resource. Gifts and bequests to support our mission may be given to the “Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County,” the legal name of the not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable entity. Gifts may be designated for a specific purpose; for the Operational Fund, Building Fund or Endowment Fund; or left unrestricted.

Please contact our office at 425 South 12th, Quincy , IL 62301 or telephone (217) 222-1835. Our e-mail is hsqac@sbcglobal.net. In addition, the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area offers the Historical Society Fund. They may be contacted by telephone (217) 222-1237 or by e-mail qacf@adams.net.

Volunteer Positions

2010-07-08T09:32:00.004-05:00

The Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County offers rewarding opportunities for the volunteer. The time donated by you the volunteer helps keep the history of Quincy and Adams County alive.

Please contact the Society office at (217) 222-1835 to discuss one of these opportunities...

Garden Docent

Will provide assistance in the Victorian flower garden on the north side of the Governor John Wood Mansion and at the log cabin.

Office Assistant – General

Provides general assistance on an as needed basis or by schedule.

Quincy's History Shop Docent/Clerk

Greets and provides information to visitors, brochures, and directions to area points of interest. Conducts sales of Quincy and area merchandise.

Research/Library Assistant

Assists librarian in cataloging collection artifacts, which includes: all necessary and accurate research, complete and accurate item description, full item photographs.

Educational Program Docent – 4th grade

Works with a team to present and interpret the Governor John Wood Mansion to 4th grade students.

Educational Program Docent – 3rd grade

Works with a team to present and interpret the 1835 Log Cabin and pioneer life of Adams County.

Interpretive Tour Docent

Presents tour of Mansion and/or History Museum that are thematic, historically accurate, and tailored to suit audience interest.

Curatorial Docent

Organizes artifacts, cleans, and appropriately stores items in collection.

Historical Society of Quincy & Adams & Marquette County?

2010-07-05T22:45:00.002-05:00

Adams County was created on January 13, 1825 - formed from Pike County and Unorganized land. The County was named for John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States. Marquette County was formed in 1843 from Adams County, and abolished in 1847.

If you have any more information or media of Illinois' former Marquette County, please send it to meprovine@yahoo.com, and I'll post it on the blog.

Pays des Ilinois

2010-07-05T21:03:00.000-05:00

Click this map to see a larger version. It's a 1784 French map of North America. This "General Chart" doesn't show much in our area of the Illinois Country (Pays des Ilinois). After all, it is 1784. It's hard to tell where Adams County will eventually be, as the map's dimensions are askew in our neck of the woods, but it's interesting to check out...

Old Quincy From Above

2010-07-02T16:35:00.000-05:00

The Adams County Geographic Information System has an incredible amount of mapping data related to the entire county, but from an historical perspective, the 1938 aerial photos are really cool to see. Check it out: Adams County GIS.

Mary Astor

2010-07-02T14:46:00.000-05:00

One of Hollywood's top leading ladies in the early days of the silver screen. Mary Astor was born Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke in Quincy, on May 3, 1906, to German immigrant parents. Astor was one of the few successful silent film stars that made a successful transition to "talkies" because of her voice and strong screen presence. In 1941, she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role of Sandra Kovac in THE GREAT LIE. That same year she appeared in the classic Humphrey Bogart film THE MALTESE FALCON. From 1920 to 1964, Mary Astor starred in 123 films.

Read about Mary Astor at Wikipedia.

Check out Mary Astor's IMDb Profile.

Ron's Tire Warehouse

2010-07-02T11:27:00.001-05:00

Look at all that brick. Photograph of 9th and York, and the Ron's Tire, Inc. Warehouse. Courtesy of the Ron's Tire website.

Quincy, Capital of Forgottonia

2010-07-02T11:19:00.000-05:00

The book Lost States: True Stories of Texlahoma, Transylvania, and Other States That Never Made It, features the "lost state" of Forgottonia. Check out the Lost States blog entry, or read a more detailed explanation on Wikipedia.

Forgottonia is not the only possible realm Quincy and Adams County could have fallen under. Stay tuned for more information on that.

John Wood Timeline

2010-07-02T11:08:00.000-05:00

Timeline of Quincy Founder John Wood...

• Born December 20, 1798, in Moravia, Cayuga County, New York

• Father was Daniel Wood, Mother was Katherine Krause Wood

• John’s father was a surgeon in the Revolutionary War and could speak several foreign languages fluently and was assigned to George Washington’s headquarters

• One sister named Clarissa

• Headed west November 2, 1818

• Located in Pike Co. IL to farm in 1820

• Purchased 160 acres in Military Tract for $60 from a Mr. Flinn • Came to this area with Willard Keyes and built log cabin in 1822 at foot of Delaware Street

• Married Anna M. Streeter in Quincy, on January 25, 1826

• Eight children: Ann (1827-1905), Daniel (1829-1922), John Jr. (1830-1889), Emily (1833-1835), Adah (1835-1844), Joshua (1837-1910), Henry (1839-1842), James (1842-1850)

• Wood and wife went to Galena, IL during rush to lead mines in 1827• Built Greek Revival home at 12th & State (1835-1838)

• Volunteered for Black Hawk War in 1832 • Mayor of Quincy 1844-1848, 1852-53 and 1856

• Gave land for Woodland Cemetery in 1846 • Wood and sons Daniel & John Jr. went to California in 1849 for gold

• Elected to Illinois State Senate in 1850

• Elected Illinois Lieutenant Governor in 1857

• Started constructing Octagonal House in 1857

• Became Illinois' 12th Governor when William Harrison Bissell died in 1860, Wood finished term

• Governor Richard Yates appointed Wood a delegate from Illinois to Peace Congress to avert secession of Southern states in Feb., 1861

• Served as Quartermaster for IL during Civil War

• Wife Ann died in 1863

• Married Mary Ann Brown Holmes, widow of Rev. Joseph Holmes in 1865

• Octagonal House cost $200,000 to build

• Gave Greek Revival house to son Daniel

• Had to sell Octagonal House because financial reverses due to recession and failed businesses in 1876, moved back to Greek Revival home with son

• Died in Greek Revival home on June 4, 1880 and buried in Woodland Cemetery

Villa Kathrine

2010-07-02T10:59:00.001-05:00

Visitors to Quincy will notice a unique and interesting site on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. Travelers coming across the Memorial Bridge from Missouri can look to the south and see a castle. This wonderful example of Mediterranean architecture was built by world traveler George Metz over a century ago. Recently restored, the Villa Kathrine is now houses Quincy's Tourist Information Center, and is home to many events including weddings, banquets, car shows, and family gatherings.

The Villa Kathrine was built by George Metz on the bluff overlooking the river on Second Street between State and Ohio in 1900. Metz was born on May 20, 1849. His father, William Metz, at first was associated with the F.W. Jansen furniture factory on Fifth between Maine and Hampshire, then with the Flach drug company on the southeast corner of Fifth and Maine; later he had his own drug store on Maine, and finally became a partner of Aldo Sommer.

George Metz traveled all over the world and there were few countries he had not visited in his trips. Despite his long absences he still considered Quincy his home. His parents had lived in the Hotel Newcomb and he had an apartment there until he built the Moorish castle in which he lived for a number of years.

After he sold his castle and grounds to the railroad for a proposed railroad switch yard he returned to the hotel and then to St. Vincent home. He died June 12, 1937.

The castle, the only one of it's kind on the Mississippi, was built after his return from Morocco in 1900 and the design followed old Moorish castles; it was named Catherine for his mother.

A beautiful carved hand clutching a dove was on the outside door, said to be a Moorish custom of welcome, and by others to be a likeness of the hand of a girl he had loved and lost. The castle was modeled in the style of the Villa ben Ahben on the Nile. Like it's counterpart in Morocco, the villa had a lavishly furnished harem room, but not a harem occupied by women, for Metz was not married and lived alone with his huge dog, Bingo. The dog, a constant companion, was purchased in Denmark, and when it died it was buried in the rose garden.

A replica of the famous Mosque of Thais surmounted the main tower with flaming red waving stripes decorating the mosque, covered with a green dome; it was in the original mosque that the priests of Mohammed stood to call the faithful to prayer.

The pillars were arched and arranged as in the Court of the Dolls of the Alcazar; the capitals mounting the twisted pillars were the same as those in the Alhambra. Many of the Oriental house furnishings were over a thousand years old.

The wooden door was studded with brass nails, supposed to indicate that the owner was a believer in the religion of the Orient; as the door opened a welcome harp played a beautiful slow melody. The floor within the pillars of the court was sunken several inches; the whole floor was dimly lighted with oddly colored olive oil lamps.

Metz collected art objects in his travels, including a number of beautiful paintings, and several of those were donated to the public library and other institutions in Quincy. During the stay of George Metz, the grounds were always kept up, with rose beds and other flowers blooming in quantity, and trees and shrubs always trimmed and a welcome sight to the visitor. Probably the main thing about the old castle that has been handed down through the years is the air of mystery that surrounded it from the beginning at the turn of the century. Many have been travelers that saw it from a Mississippi river steamboat and wondered at its origin and why it was there on the bluff.

Transcribed from Historical Sketches of Quincy Illinois, by Carl Landrum.

Read more about the Villa Kathrine at Weird and Haunted Illinois.

Visitors Center

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The Visitors Center on the John Wood mansion campus at 425 South 12th Street houses the Society headquarters, historical library, and audio visual and group meeting room.

The Historical Society's extensive library features many important books and documents on early life in Quincy and Adams County. These include city directories, city and county histories, and other original resources for research.

The library was enhanced in 2003 with the expansion of the Visitors Center, creating and additional second story room for the library collection.

The library is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 2pm, and is available to Society members and researchers.

Quincy's History Shop, located in the Visitors Center, offers Quincy souvenirs and original hand-crafted selections from local artisians reminiscent of the 19th century. Here you can find postcards, books about local history and architechure, framed art, and decorative items.

Call (217) 222-1835 for more information.

Quincy Station

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Read about the history of Quincy rail stations, including the Amtrak Station, at greatamericanstations.com.

Quincy Preserves

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The mission of Quincy Preserves, Inc., is to foster awareness of and to promote appreciation of the historic architecture of Quincy, Illinois, and Adams County and to encourage active membership involvement in the recognizing, protecting, maintaining, and displaying of these structures. Starting as an outgrowth of the Quincy Society of Fine Arts in the mid 1970’s, Quincy Preserves has encouraged owners of historically and architecturally significant structures to restore and maintain them to their original condition. Since that time many homes and buildings have been preserved. This movement continues throughout the entire city.

Visit quincypreserves.org

Engine House No. 4, now home to Craig Industries.

Paul Tibbetts

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Paul Warfield Tibbets, Jr. was born in Quincy, Illinois on February 23rd, 1915 to Paul & Enola Gay Tibbets. On August 5th, 1945, Tibbets piloted the B-29 Enola Gay to Hiroshima and dropped the world’s first atomic bomb. In 1943 after flying B-17 missions over Europe, Tibbets was assigned to test the combat capability of the B-29. In 1944, Tibbets was assigned to the secret Manhattan Project. His responsibility was to organize and train a unit to deliver these weapons in combat operations and modify the B-29, leading up to his mission as commander of the famous Enola Gay flight. He served in the Strategic Air Command, served a tour with NATO, and was responsible for establishing the National Military Command Center in the Pentagon. Paul Tibbets is enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Visit the Official Website of General Paul W. Tibbets

1835 Pioneer Log Cabin

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The 1835 Pioneer Log Cabin is preserved and refurbished authentically. It is the focal point of the Society's efforts to educate younger students about the history of early Quincy and Adams County. Programs for 3rd grade Adams County students began in Spring 2003. Students are guided by costumed interpreters through a 4-part learning program highlighting pre-settlement life in Adams County, Pioneer Life from 1835, Craft Demonsrations and Authentic Pioneer Garden.

Back when Illinois became a state...

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The Illinois Territory was created on February 3, 1809, with its capital at Kaskaskia. In May 1812, an act of Congress was passed which set aside bounty lands as payment to volunteer soldiers for the War against the British (War of 1812). The land was set aside in western territories that became part of the present states of Arkansas, Michigan and Illinois. On December 3rd, 1818, Illinois became the 21st U.S. state. The new state debated slavery, finally rejecting it, as settlers poured into southern Illinois from Kentucky.

The Illinois tract, surveyed in 1815-1816, contained more than 5 million acres, of which 3,50 million were deemed fit for cultivation and set aside for military bounties. Comprising 207 entire townships, each 6 miles square, and 61 fractional townships, the tract included present Illinois counties of Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Mercer, Peoria, Pike, Schuyler, Stark, and Warren Counties.

The newspaper Illinois Bounty Land Register, first published in 1835, to advertise lands granted to veterans, is one of the ancestors of the current Quincy Herald-Whig newspaper.

John Wood Mansion Floor Plans

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The Governor John Wood Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mansion is also recognized by historians and architects as one of the Midwest’s finest existing examples of Greek Revival architecture. Among the mansion's furnishings are many personal items which belonged to the Wood family, and objects recalling Adams County's early days.

History of the John Wood Mansion

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John Wood was born in Moravia, New York on December 20, 1798. His father, Daniel was a surgeon during the Revolutionary War. At the age of 20, John decided he wanted to go west into the frontier. He settled at Atlas, IL about 40 miles south of Quincy, and started to farm.

The land between the Illinois and Mississippi River was Bounty Land. As part of the Illinois Military Tract, this was land given to veterans who fought in the War of 1812. There was 1,400,000 acres of land in the Military Tract and the government was anxious for people to settle there. In 1822, a Mr. Flinn who had been a soldier had received 160 acres of Bounty Land. As Mr. Flinn was traveling northward to locate his land, he met John Wood. Wood decided to go with Flinn to see his land. Flinn did not want to live so far from St. Louis and agreed to sell the land to Wood for $60.00. This was about 38 cents an acre. John Wood built his first house, a log cabin at the foot of Delaware Street near the river. His cabin was 18 feet by 20 feet and only one room.As more settlers came into the area, he met Ann Streeter. They were married in 1826 and John built his second log cabin at 12th & State (west side). It was two stories and much larger than the first. John was acquiring land that soldiers from the East did not want and was selling it to farmers coming from Kentucky and Tennessee and making a profit.By 1835, John started building a Mansion at 12th & State next to the log cabin. It took three years to build it, from 1835-1838. He had gone to St. Louis and New Orleans and gotten German immigrants that were craftsmen (carpenters, bricklayers, stone masons, plasterers, etc.) to construct this Greek Revival style house.John Wood was a very well liked man and was elected mayor of Quincy three different times. In 1856, he was elected Lt. Governor of the State of Illinois.

While he was Lt. Governor, John started building an even larger house in the middle of the block on State Street between 11th & 12th. This was an Octagonal building (eight sided) and would take six years to build.Unfortunately, during this time, Governor Bissell died and John became the Governor. The year was 1860. John petitioned the Illinois Legislature asking if he could stay in Quincy to oversee the construction of his new home. They agreed, and his Greek Revival style house became the Governor’s Mansion for the State of Illinois. That is its historical significance. John Wood was Governor for only ten months (until the term ran out). He did not seek re-election because of commitments in Quincy.In 1861, the Civil War broke out and Wood was named Quartermaster General of the State of Illinois. A quartermaster is a person who secures goods for the army such as blankets, food, ammunition, horses, and other items. Wood is 63 years old at this time.In 1863, Ann, his wife of 37 years died. They had had eight children, but only four of them lived to adulthood – a daughter and three sons.

When John’s Octagonal house was completed in 1864, he gave the Greek Revival style house to his oldest son, Daniel. John wanted it moved to the east side of 12th Street. What had been an apple orchard was now changed to a yard. The house was cut in half and the chimneys were taken down so the house could be moved across the street. John also had an Osage Orange hedge along the street that he did not want to cut down. He had the movers to make a 12 foot high ramp over the hedge. It took 20 teams of horses to move each half of the house across the street. Logs were used to roll the house along. Originally the house faced the south (as was the norm for Greek Revival style houses – they could take advantage of the summer breezes better). When the house was moved, the foundation was cut so the house now faces the west.

John lived in his Octagonal house on one side of 12th Street and his son Daniel lived on the other. His Octagonal house had cost over $200,000 to build. It was the most expensive house in Illinois at the time. In 1873, the country had an economic downturn and many people lost a lot of money. John had not paid off all the debts for the construction of his new house and his creditors wanted their money. It became necessary for Wood to sell his new home for $40,000. John and his second wife, Mary Ann Holmes (married in 1863) moved into the Greek Revival style house with his son Daniel in 1875. John spent the last five years of his life in this house. John died in the Mansion on June 4, 1880. After John’s death, Daniel sold the Mansion and moved to Galena, Kansas. The house became a boarding house with many different families living in its various rooms. In 1906, some businesses on the corner of 12th & State wanted to tear the building down so they could have an alley put in through the block. This would have been through the middle of the meeting room.

The Historical Society purchased the house to save it from destruction. At first they used it as a museum with many people going through it. Unfortunately, they did not have the money to maintain it very well and by the early 1970’s the house was in disrepair. At that time, the Historical Society decided to restore the house to its original look.To date over $500,000 has been spent on restoring the house.

Become a Member!

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The Historical Society of Quincy & Adams County extends an eager invitation to friends, neighbors, scholars and all other history buffs to join our growing membership roster and help us build a strong constituency as we begin our second century of public service.

The Society continues to develop new programs and expand its facilities, as well as create interest and community involvement in local history. We welcome your input and assistance in meeting the Society’s mission.

YOUR MEMBERSHIP HELPS THE SOCIETY:
• Collect & Preserve Historical Items
• Continue Restoration & Maintenance of the Governor John Wood Mansion
• Preserve the 1835 Pioneer Log Cabin & The History Museum
• Develop Educational Programs for the Public & Adams County Students

YOUR MEMBERSHIP GIVES YOU:
• Special Events and Programs
• Annual Christmas Preview Party
• Use of the Society's Reference Library
• Free Admission to Tours
• 10% Discount at Quincy's History Shop
• Periodic Newsletter

MEMBERSHIP FORM
Download, print, fill out, and mail in the Society membership form below. Or, call the Society office (222-1835) to request a form be sent to you.

Historical Society Membership Form;

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Our Mission...

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The Society’s mission is to provide for the education of its members and other local residents about the history of Quincy, Adams County, and the surrounding area. The society is committed to the collection and preservation of documents and other physical objects related to local history. Preserving and maintaining the governor John Wood Mansion as a historic and architectural structure is a key priority of the Society.

Washington Park, 1853

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Washington Park prior to Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Quincy, 1853.

Welcome to the Historical Society of Quincy & Adams County's Official Blog.

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A work in progress!