Quincy, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Quincy, known as Illinois' "Gem City," is a river city
along the Mississippi River
and the county seat
of Adams County
. As of the 2010 census the city held a population of 40,633. The city anchors its own micropolitan area
and is the economic and regional hub of West-central Illinois
, catering a trade area of well over 300,000. During the 19th Century
, Quincy was a thriving transportation center as riverboat
s and rail service linked the city to many destinations west and along the river. It was Illinois' third-largest city, surpassing Peoria
in 1870. The city holds several historic districts, including the East Side Historic District and the South Side German Historic District
showcasing the architecture of Quincy's many German immigrants from the late-1800s.
Today, Quincy remains a prominent river city. It has been twice recognized as an All-American City and is a participant in the Tree City USA
program. In the fall of 2010, Forbes Magazine
listed Quincy as the eighth "Best small city to raise a family."
. For centuries the site was home to Sauk, Fox and Kickapoo Native American
tribe
s.
Quincy’s European-American founder, John Wood
, came west from Moravia, New York
in 1818 and settled in the Illinois Military Tract
. Wood purchased 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) from a veteran
for $60. The next year he became the first settler in what was originally called "Bluffs", and by 1825 would be known as Quincy. Wood was elected Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
in 1856. He became Governor
in 1860 upon the death of elected Governor William Henry Bissell
.
In 1825 Quincy became the Adams County seat, both named in honor of the newly-elected U.S. President
, John Quincy Adams
. The town square was originally named John Square (to complete the name John Quincy Adams) on April 30, 1825, but was eventually renamed Washington Square.
Quincy’s earliest 19th century settlers were primarily from New England
, Yankees who moved west in a continuing search for good land. They brought a culture of progressive values, such as support for public education. In the 1840s they were joined by a wave of German
immigrant
s, who left Europe after the Revolutions in German provinces. The new residents brought with them much needed skills for the expanding community
.
, the Mormons
, on their way west, were driven from their homes in Missouri
and arrived in Quincy. Though vastly outnumbered by the new arrivals, the residents of Quincy provided them food and shelter. Joseph Smith then led his followers 40 miles (64.4 km) up river to Nauvoo, Illinois
. The kindness extended by the people of Quincy continues to be remembered by Mormons. In 2002, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
gave a benefit concert in Quincy, with the proceeds donated to the city as an expression of gratitude
Quincy grew rapidly during the 1850s. Steamboat
arrivals and departures made Quincy’s riverfront a center of activity. In 1858, Quincy was the site for the sixth Senatorial debate
by U.S. Senator
Stephen A. Douglas
and his challenger, Abraham Lincoln
. Quincy was the largest city in which Lincoln and Douglas appeared, as the debates in Freeport, Quincy, and Alton drew the largest crowds due to the size of the cities (at the time) as well as the fact that Quincy and Alton border Missouri, bringing the importance of slavery into greater spotlight in those cities with Missouri being a bitterly divided slave state and Illinois a non-slave state.
Lincoln and Douglas again competed during the 1860 Presidential campaign. Although there was substantial support for Douglas in the County, Quincy had a local chapter of the Wide Awakes
, the para-military organization that supported Lincoln and the other Republican candidates. The Quincy Wide Awakes were involved in a violent confrontation in a monster political rally on August 25, 1860, in Payson
.
The matter of slavery
was a major religious and social issue in Quincy’s early years. The Illinois city’s location, separated only by the Mississippi River from the slave state of Missouri, which was a hotbed of political controversy on the issue, made Quincy itself a hotbed of political controversy on slavery. Dr. Eells House, at 415 Jersey, was considered station number one on the Underground Railroad
from Quincy to Chicago
.
The Civil War
brought increasing prosperity to Quincy. It also brought another connection to Mormons, as most Mormon migrants to Utah
in the 1860s came by rail to Quincy; they then boarded steam boats to cross the Mississippi River and continue their journey.
Over the course of the Civil War years, Quincy was the site of the organization of several Illinois volunteer infantry regiments, including the 16th
, 50th
, 78th
, 84th
, 137th
, 138th
, and 151st
.
By 1870, Quincy passed Peoria
to become the second largest city in Illinois. A massive railroad bridge across the Mississippi River had been completed, and Quincy was linked by rail to Omaha
, Kansas City
and other points west. These connections greatly increased its trade and shipping.
s within the city, and created an extensive park
system. Quincy is known for having a large population of dogwoods and has been a member of Tree City USA
since 1986. Quincy is the home to many performing arts organizations including the Quincy Symphony Orchestra, Quincy Community Theater and the Muddy River Opera Company
.
During the Mississippi River flood of 1993
, riverside businesses and industries suffered extensive damage when the river crested at a record 32.2 feet (9.81 m), 15 feet (4.6 m) above flood stage. For a time, the Bayview Bridge, one of Quincy's two bridges, was the only bridge open across the Mississippi River between Alton, Illinois
and Burlington, Iowa
. The Memorial Bridge was closed since the end of June, due to water over its western approach. On July 16, 1993, the Bayview Bridge closed for 40 days when the river submerged the land on the west side of the Mississippi River at West Quincy, Missouri.
During the 1990s, Quincy was known to be a skydiving
hub; it hosted the World FreeFall Convention
(WWFC) from 1990 to 2001. The event was moved to Rantoul, Illinois
after problems with drinking
, death
s, and nudity
prompted the city council
to ban the event. As of 2007, the WFFC was put on hiatus
A flood in June 2008 submerged much of Quincy's riverfront
and low-lying regions not protected by the bluffs. Record Mississippi River levels occurred on 22 June 2008. The Red Cross accepted donations for Quincy and other communities in Adams County, as natural disaster funds were recently depleted.
of 2000, there were 40,366 people, 16,546 households, and 10,109 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,761.2 people per square mile (1,066.0/km²). There were 18,043 housing units at an average density of 1,234.2 per square mile (476.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.02% White, 4.65% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population.
There were 16,546 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples
living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,956, and the median income for a family was $40,718. Males had a median income of $30,734 versus $20,748 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,479. About 9.2% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line
, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
and Gardner Denver
. Harris
' Television and Radio Transmission has a facility in town.
Titan Wheel (Titan International) is also located in Quincy. Blessing Hospital and the Quincy Public Schools round out the top three employers in the area.
In 1978, Quincy formed the Great River Economic Development Foundation, a private, non-profit organization designed to retain existing businesses and attract new ones to the area. This organization has been instrumental in putting the Quincy-Hannibal Area on the map as a distinct region in conjunction with the major metropolitan areas nearby such as Chicago, IL, St. Louis, MO, and even Kansas City, MO. As a whole, Quincy falls from average to just above average in several economic categories in comparison to the national averages.
The cost of living in Quincy is well below the national average. The city is also below the national averages in cost of food, utilities and other miscellaneous costs. In the fall of 2010 Quincy was listed as eighth in the top fifteen small cities to raise a family in the United States by Forbes magazine for its commute times, high school graduation rate, median household income, home ownership rate and cost of living. Forbes compared 126 cities with a population under 100,000 and ranked them on these five quality-of-life measures.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²), of which 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.20%) is water.
, defined as an area surrounding the city within a certain distance that contains a population between 10,000 and 49,999 people. The micropolitan area
also extends into Lewis County, Missouri and possibly Marion County, but does not include the city of Hannibal
, as Hannibal has its own micropolitan area. Quincy and Hannibal are actually considered each their own micropolis; however, they are adjacent to each other. Many local media outlets treat them as one area, and sometimes include Keokuk
, Iowa
. Locally, this is referred to as the Tri-City area. They also share several cab companies and other transportation mediums such as bus lines, Amtrak
and a ferry. Quincy and Hannibal are also connected to nearby St. Louis and as far north as Chicago
by train.
A recent survey shown that within 10 miles (16.1 km) of Quincy, the population exceeds 55,000 people. The survey was extended to 25 miles (40.2 km) and showed that there are 112,000 people in the area (including the Hannibal micropolitan area
as well as other municipalities). The Sansone Group conducted the survey when constructing the Prairie Trails Shopping Complex on the east side of Quincy.
or annexed
into Quincy.
, Germany
Jiaxing
, China
through 2007. In January, 2008, Comcast
took control of the cable television
system. Satellite television services are provided by DirecTV
or Dish Network
.
The city is usually combined with Hannibal due to their proximity and labeled as the 171 market on the DMA chart. With regards to television service, Quincy and the surrounding region are served by affiliates of ABC
, CBS
, NBC
, Fox
, and the CW
networks. STARadio Corporation
and Quincy Newspapers
own many of the local media in the region. Quincy Newspapers also owns the Quincy Herald-Whig, which is the most widely read newspaper in the region. In 2008, QuincyNews.org launched as an independent local news Website. As of February 2006, Quincy can receive 17 FM stations, 5 AM stations, and one NOAA Wideband Weather Radio station.
, St. Louis
, Springfield
, and Columbia
areas, the Quincy area contains numerous architectural and historical destinations. Some of the featured attractions in the city include: the Quincy Museum, the John Wood Mansion, the Gardner Museum of Architecture and Design, the Quincy Art Center, and the Villa Katherine Castle.
During the year, the city holds numerous events. Events on the riverfront include the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, the U.S. Catfish Anglers Tournament, and "Movies on the Muddy", showings of recently released movies along the banks of the Mississippi River. Since 2006, Quincy has been host to the Big Dam Film Festival
, an annual international film festival sponsored by Young Professionals Quincy. In addition, Quincy hosts the Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships
, an annual event that features talented young golfers from around the world. The "Smoke on the River" BBQ Competition has also been put on by the Quincy Exchange Club since 2007 and is hosted on the river front.
During the summer, Quincy features the Midsummer Arts Faire the 4th weekend in June in downtown Quincy's historic Washington Park. The juried fine art festival features artwork for sale by artists throughout the region and country as well as food, entertainment and children's activities. A Gus Macker 3 on 3 basketball tournament has also been hosted by the Quincy Exchange Club since 1990 on Memorial Day weekend. From June to September, there is a series of free "Blues In The District" concerts in Washington Park. Quincy's Christmas Candelight Tour is held in December and features a public walk through several historic homes decorated for the holidays. The Dogwood Festival is held in spring. A parade leads people to see dogwood trees in bloom throughout the city. Another popular event for kids in the summer is the Quincy Breakfast Optimist Club's Soapbox Derby Race "http://www.quincyboc.org". The Soapbox Derby is held the second weekend after Memorial day.
Durning October, The Early Tin Dusters are in town showing cars that range from the early years up to 1948. The event is first held in Downtown Quincy and on the last day it is held at upper Moorman Park.
Throughout the year, a local grassroots project called Chophouse Hijack spurs interest and patronage in local restaurants by "hijacking" them with a variety arts and entertainment attractions. The initiative is unique to Quincy and is a great way to take in the various flavors and atmosphere's of Quincy's many eateries.
has much of the city's historical architecture. Other significant buildings exist: Temple B’nai Sholom
is one of America's earliest Moorish Revival
synagogues. The Quincy Museum located on Historic Maine Street was featured on a cover of National Geographic
as one of the ten most architecturally significant corners in the United States. From 14th to 24th streets, Maine Street is notable for the number of restored homes dating back to the 19th century.
The Villa Katherine Castle is a small Moorish castle situated on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. It is a rarity to find an example of Mediterranean architecture in the Midwest.
The "Gem City" has been twice recognized as an All-American City
. It has a range of architecture, including several Gothic
style churches. The city is home to Quincy University
, a Catholic
Franciscan
College founded in 1860, John Wood Community College, and several other smaller colleges.
is located on Maine Street in Quincy. Quincy Notre Dame High School
, a private Catholic high school, is also located in Quincy. Quincy University
is Quincy's most highly decorated school, and was established in the 1860s. On the city's east side, John Wood Community College
is the regional community college
. A campus of the technical school Vatterott College is located on Quincy's north side. Gem City College is located in the heart of downtown Quincy and the Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing is located next door to Blessing Hospital. Regionally, Quincy is within driving distance of Western Illinois University
in Macomb
, Hannibal-LaGrange College
downriver in Hannibal, Missouri, and Culver-Stockton College
in Canton, Missouri
.
Interstate 72
passes just south of Quincy. Its spur route, Interstate 172
, passes just east of town. In recent years, the Prairie Trails Shopping Complex has been a focal point for development in this area. Illinois Route 104
(Broadway) is a main east-west artery from the Mississippi River bridges to Interstate 172. Illinois Route 96
enters the city from the southeast and travels north (through the east side of Quincy) to U.S. Route 24
. Illinois Route 57
branches south from U.S. 24 downtown and passes Quincy's Civic Center on its way to Interstate 172 southeast of the city. Illinois 96 also serves as the Great River Road
, which follows the path of the Mississippi River. Eastbound U.S. 24 crosses the Mississippi River from Missouri
on the Quincy Memorial Bridge
, while westbound traffic uses the newer Bayview Bridge
. Bayview bridge was constructed in 1986, but was not built as a 4-lane bridge because of budget cuts, as the cable suspension made it unaffordable to build a 4-lane bridge. Other groups claimed that business in the downtown part of Quincy would decline if the Memorial bridge was shut down.
On the Missouri side, U.S. Route 61
carries the Avenue of the Saints
, a four-lane highway connecting Saint Louis
to Minneapolis – Saint Paul. The Avenue of the Saints gets its name from Saint Louis and Saint Paul, Minnesota
.
Quincy is at the center of four-lane highways in all directions:
• The Avenue of the Saints passes just 5 miles to the west and is 4-lane from Canada to the Gulf
• Illinois Highway 172 is part of the newly designated Route 110/CKC (Chicago - Kansas City Expressway)which offers a less-congested alternate route to these popular Midwest destinations.
Ongoing projects will improve transportation links with nearby major cities. U.S. Route 36
, south of Quincy and multiplexed with Interstate 72, is currently (as of August, 2007) being upgraded to a 4-lane highway, which will connect Quincy with Saint Joseph, Missouri
and Kansas City, Missouri
. With the continuing improvements to Illinois Route 336
north of the city, Quincy will also have a direct connection to Peoria
and the Quad Cities
in the near future.
Air Travel
The Quincy Regional Airport
is to Quincy's east, about 5 miles (8 km) outside of the city limits.
Due to Quincy's close proximity to St. Louis, Cape Air
offers 6 daily commuter flights that take less than an hour. They also have a code-share agreement with American Airlines. Flight instruction, plane rentals and hanger space are also available at the Airport. Longest Runway: 7,089 ft.
Rail Service
Freight
Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Norfolk Southern offer multiple freight trains daily and Burlington Junction Rail Road offers short line service many sites and development districts.
Amtrak
Quincy is an Amtrak
community with a rail station
on the north side of town. It is the terminus
of two Amtrak routes, the Illinois Zephyr
and the Carl Sandburg
. The former departs in the morning and arrives in the evening, while the later arrives in the evening and departs in the morning. Both trains follow the same track to Chicago
's Union Station
and make the same stops.
River Access
Quincy is home to the northernmost port on the Mississippi River for 12-month barge traffic. The municipal barge dock currently serves multiple industries in the South Quincy Development District. The Mid America Intermodal Port Commission is working to secure funding for an additional multi-million dollar intermodal port facility.
Quincy Transit Lines route Route 4 stops near the city's Amtrak station at Wissman Lane/30th Street intersection.
River City
River City is a Scottish television soap opera, first broadcast in Scotland on BBC Scotland on 24 September 2002. River City storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional district of Shieldinch in Glasgow...
along the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Adams County
Adams County, Illinois
Adams County is the westernmost county of the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 67,103, which is a decrease of 1.7% from 68,277 in 2000...
. As of the 2010 census the city held a population of 40,633. The city anchors its own micropolitan area
Quincy micropolitan area
The Quincy Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of one county in western Illinois and one county in northeast Missouri, anchored by the city of Quincy....
and is the economic and regional hub of West-central Illinois
Forgottonia
Forgottonia is the name given to a fourteen-county region in Western Illinois in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This geographic region forms the western bulge of Illinois that is roughly equivalent to "The Tract," the Illinois portion of the Military Tract of 1812, along and west of the Fourth...
, catering a trade area of well over 300,000. During the 19th Century
19th century
The 19th century was a period in history marked by the collapse of the Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Holy Roman and Mughal empires...
, Quincy was a thriving transportation center as riverboat
Riverboat
A riverboat is a ship built boat designed for inland navigation on lakes, rivers, and artificial waterways. They are generally equipped and outfitted as work boats in one of the carrying trades, for freight or people transport, including luxury units constructed for entertainment enterprises, such...
s and rail service linked the city to many destinations west and along the river. It was Illinois' third-largest city, surpassing Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
in 1870. The city holds several historic districts, including the East Side Historic District and the South Side German Historic District
South Side German Historic District
The South Side German Historic District is a neighborhood within Quincy, Illinois just south of downtown. The neighborhood includes most of Quincy's rich German architecture. The region is also widely known as "Calftown", named for the number of calves once owned by its inhabitants...
showcasing the architecture of Quincy's many German immigrants from the late-1800s.
Today, Quincy remains a prominent river city. It has been twice recognized as an All-American City and is a participant in the Tree City USA
Tree City USA
Tree City USA is a tree planting and tree care program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for cities and towns in the United States.- Requirements :...
program. In the fall of 2010, Forbes Magazine
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
listed Quincy as the eighth "Best small city to raise a family."
Early history
Quincy sits on the banks of the Mississippi RiverMississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. For centuries the site was home to Sauk, Fox and Kickapoo Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
s.
Quincy’s European-American founder, John Wood
John Wood (governor)
John Wood was the 12th Governor of Illinois, serving from 1860 to 1861. Wood was a founder and the first settler of Quincy, Illinois....
, came west from Moravia, New York
Moravia (town), New York
Moravia is a town in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 3,626 at the 2010 census.The Town of Moravia contains a village called Moravia...
in 1818 and settled in the Illinois Military Tract
Military Tract of 1812
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...
. Wood purchased 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) from a veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
for $60. The next year he became the first settler in what was originally called "Bluffs", and by 1825 would be known as Quincy. Wood was elected Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
The Lieutenant Governor of Illinois is the second highest executive of the State of Illinois. In Illinois, the lieutenant governor and governor run on a joint ticket, and are directly elected by popular vote. Candidates for lieutenant governor run separately in the primary from candidates for...
in 1856. He became Governor
Governor of Illinois
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state....
in 1860 upon the death of elected Governor William Henry Bissell
William Henry Bissell
William Henry Bissell was the 11th Governor of the U.S. state of Illinois from 1857 until his death. He was one of the first successful Republican Party candidates, winning the election of 1856 just two years after the founding of his party.Bissell was born in Hartwick, Otsego County, New York...
.
In 1825 Quincy became the Adams County seat, both named in honor of the newly-elected U.S. President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
. The town square was originally named John Square (to complete the name John Quincy Adams) on April 30, 1825, but was eventually renamed Washington Square.
Quincy’s earliest 19th century settlers were primarily from New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, Yankees who moved west in a continuing search for good land. They brought a culture of progressive values, such as support for public education. In the 1840s they were joined by a wave of German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
immigrant
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
s, who left Europe after the Revolutions in German provinces. The new residents brought with them much needed skills for the expanding community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
.
The Mormon Exile & the Civil War
During the winter of 1838-1839, five thousand members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsHistory of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is typically divided into three broad time periods: the early history during the lifetime of Joseph Smith, Jr...
, the Mormons
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religion practiced by Mormons, and is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. This movement was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. beginning in the 1820s as a form of Christian primitivism. During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself...
, on their way west, were driven from their homes in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
and arrived in Quincy. Though vastly outnumbered by the new arrivals, the residents of Quincy provided them food and shelter. Joseph Smith then led his followers 40 miles (64.4 km) up river to Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo is a small city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Although the population was just 1,063 at the 2000 census, and despite being difficult to reach due to its location in a remote corner of Illinois, Nauvoo attracts large numbers of visitors for its historic importance and its...
. The kindness extended by the people of Quincy continues to be remembered by Mormons. In 2002, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, sometimes colloquially referred to as MoTab, is a Grammy and Emmy Award winning, 360-member, all-volunteer choir. The choir is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . However, the choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to...
gave a benefit concert in Quincy, with the proceeds donated to the city as an expression of gratitude
Quincy grew rapidly during the 1850s. Steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
arrivals and departures made Quincy’s riverfront a center of activity. In 1858, Quincy was the site for the sixth Senatorial debate
Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858
The Lincoln–Douglas Debates of 1858 were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate for Senate in Illinois, and the incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate. At the time, U.S. senators were elected by state legislatures; thus Lincoln and...
by U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen Arnold Douglas was an American politician from the western state of Illinois, and was the Northern Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860. He lost to the Republican Party's candidate, Abraham Lincoln, whom he had defeated two years earlier in a Senate contest following a famed...
and his challenger, Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
. Quincy was the largest city in which Lincoln and Douglas appeared, as the debates in Freeport, Quincy, and Alton drew the largest crowds due to the size of the cities (at the time) as well as the fact that Quincy and Alton border Missouri, bringing the importance of slavery into greater spotlight in those cities with Missouri being a bitterly divided slave state and Illinois a non-slave state.
Lincoln and Douglas again competed during the 1860 Presidential campaign. Although there was substantial support for Douglas in the County, Quincy had a local chapter of the Wide Awakes
Wide Awakes
The Wide Awakes was a paramilitary campaign organization affiliated with the Republican Party during the United States presidential election of 1860. Similar organizations affiliated with the Democratic Party were called the "Douglas Invincibles", "Young Hickories" or "Earthquakes"...
, the para-military organization that supported Lincoln and the other Republican candidates. The Quincy Wide Awakes were involved in a violent confrontation in a monster political rally on August 25, 1860, in Payson
Payson, Illinois
Payson is a village in Adams County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,066 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Quincy, IL–MO Micropolitan Statistical Area....
.
The matter of slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
was a major religious and social issue in Quincy’s early years. The Illinois city’s location, separated only by the Mississippi River from the slave state of Missouri, which was a hotbed of political controversy on the issue, made Quincy itself a hotbed of political controversy on slavery. Dr. Eells House, at 415 Jersey, was considered station number one on the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
from Quincy to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
.
The Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
brought increasing prosperity to Quincy. It also brought another connection to Mormons, as most Mormon migrants to Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
in the 1860s came by rail to Quincy; they then boarded steam boats to cross the Mississippi River and continue their journey.
Over the course of the Civil War years, Quincy was the site of the organization of several Illinois volunteer infantry regiments, including the 16th
16th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 16th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, nicknamed "The Twins" for its long association with the 10th Illinois, was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:...
, 50th
50th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 50th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, nicknamed the "Blind Half-Hundred," was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:...
, 78th
78th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 78th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:78th Regiment Illinois was organized at Quincy, Illinois and mustered into Federal service on September 1, 1862....
, 84th
84th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 84th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 84th Illinois Infantry was organized at Quincy, Illinois and mustered into Federal service on September 1, 1862....
, 137th
137th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 137th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was among scores of regiments that were raised in the summer of 1864 as Hundred Days Men, an effort to augment existing manpower for an all-out push to end the war...
, 138th
138th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 138th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was among scores of regiments that were raised in the summer of 1864 as Hundred Days Men, an effort to augment existing manpower for an all-out push to end the war...
, and 151st
151st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 151st Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:...
.
By 1870, Quincy passed Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
to become the second largest city in Illinois. A massive railroad bridge across the Mississippi River had been completed, and Quincy was linked by rail to Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
and other points west. These connections greatly increased its trade and shipping.
Contemporary history (1980 to present)
Over the past several decades, the city has worked to redevelop Quincy while holding onto its German roots. It has identified several historic districtHistoric district
A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries, historic districts receive legal protection from development....
s within the city, and created an extensive park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
system. Quincy is known for having a large population of dogwoods and has been a member of Tree City USA
Tree City USA
Tree City USA is a tree planting and tree care program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for cities and towns in the United States.- Requirements :...
since 1986. Quincy is the home to many performing arts organizations including the Quincy Symphony Orchestra, Quincy Community Theater and the Muddy River Opera Company
Muddy River Opera Company
Located in Quincy, Illinois, the Muddy River Opera Company was founded by Mary Anne Scott and Mary Jane McCloskey in 1989 as a non-profit arts organization. The company was incorporated in 1990. Scott and McCloskey had two goals in mind: to make professional operatic performances and educational...
.
During the Mississippi River flood of 1993
Great Flood of 1993
The Great Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Flood of 1993 occurred in the American Midwest, along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries, from April to October 1993. The flood was among the most costly and devastating to ever occur in the United States, with $15 billion in damages...
, riverside businesses and industries suffered extensive damage when the river crested at a record 32.2 feet (9.81 m), 15 feet (4.6 m) above flood stage. For a time, the Bayview Bridge, one of Quincy's two bridges, was the only bridge open across the Mississippi River between Alton, Illinois
Alton, Illinois
Alton is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about north of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 27,865 at the 2010 census. It is a part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois...
and Burlington, Iowa
Burlington, Iowa
Burlington is a city in, and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa and Middletown, Iowa and...
. The Memorial Bridge was closed since the end of June, due to water over its western approach. On July 16, 1993, the Bayview Bridge closed for 40 days when the river submerged the land on the west side of the Mississippi River at West Quincy, Missouri.
During the 1990s, Quincy was known to be a skydiving
Parachuting
Parachuting, also known as skydiving, is the action of exiting an aircraft and returning to earth with the aid of a parachute. It may or may not involve a certain amount of free-fall, a time during which the parachute has not been deployed and the body gradually accelerates to terminal...
hub; it hosted the World FreeFall Convention
World FreeFall Convention
The World Freefall Convention celebrates the extreme sport of skydiving. It has been taking place since 1990 – 2001 in Quincy, Illinois and in Rantoul, Illinois from 2001 – 2006. The event includes various other sports too, such as sky surfing, raft jumping and even naked jumps...
(WWFC) from 1990 to 2001. The event was moved to Rantoul, Illinois
Rantoul, Illinois
Rantoul is a village in Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The population was 13,674 at the 2010 census. The present mayor is Neal Williams, who was re-elected in 2009...
after problems with drinking
Drinking
Drinking is the act of consuming water or a beverage through the mouth. Water is required for many of life’s physiological processes. Both excessive and inadequate water intake are associated with health problems.-Physiology:...
, death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
s, and nudity
Nudity
Nudity is the state of wearing no clothing. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic. The amount of clothing worn depends on functional considerations and social considerations...
prompted the city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
to ban the event. As of 2007, the WFFC was put on hiatus
A flood in June 2008 submerged much of Quincy's riverfront
Riverfront
A riverfront is a region along a river; often in larger cities that border a river, the riverfront will be lined with marinas, docks, parks, trees, or minor attractions. Today many riverfronts are a staple of modernism and city beautification....
and low-lying regions not protected by the bluffs. Record Mississippi River levels occurred on 22 June 2008. The Red Cross accepted donations for Quincy and other communities in Adams County, as natural disaster funds were recently depleted.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 40,366 people, 16,546 households, and 10,109 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,761.2 people per square mile (1,066.0/km²). There were 18,043 housing units at an average density of 1,234.2 per square mile (476.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.02% White, 4.65% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population.
There were 16,546 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,956, and the median income for a family was $40,718. Males had a median income of $30,734 versus $20,748 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,479. About 9.2% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line
Poverty threshold
The poverty threshold, or poverty line, is the minimum level of income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate standard of living in a given country...
, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Quincy is governed using a mayor-council. The city council consists of fourteen members. Each of the city's seven wards elects two members. The mayor is elected in citywide vote.Economy
Companies based in Quincy include Niemann FoodsNiemann Foods
Niemann Foods is a company headquartered in Quincy, Illinois that owns and operates about 90 supermarkets, convenience, pet and hardware stores mostly under the County Market, County Market Express, Cub Foods, ACE Hardware, Pet Supplies Plus, Pick-A-Dilly and Save-A-Lot banners in Illinois, Iowa,...
and Gardner Denver
Gardner Denver
Gardner Denver, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets engineered industrial machinery and related parts and services primarily in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia...
. Harris
Harris Corporation
Harris Corporation is a Florida-based international communications equipment company that produces wireless equipment, electronic systems, and both terrestrial and spaceborne antennas for use in the government, defense, and commercial sectors. It is also the largest private-sector employer in...
' Television and Radio Transmission has a facility in town.
Titan Wheel (Titan International) is also located in Quincy. Blessing Hospital and the Quincy Public Schools round out the top three employers in the area.
In 1978, Quincy formed the Great River Economic Development Foundation, a private, non-profit organization designed to retain existing businesses and attract new ones to the area. This organization has been instrumental in putting the Quincy-Hannibal Area on the map as a distinct region in conjunction with the major metropolitan areas nearby such as Chicago, IL, St. Louis, MO, and even Kansas City, MO. As a whole, Quincy falls from average to just above average in several economic categories in comparison to the national averages.
The cost of living in Quincy is well below the national average. The city is also below the national averages in cost of food, utilities and other miscellaneous costs. In the fall of 2010 Quincy was listed as eighth in the top fifteen small cities to raise a family in the United States by Forbes magazine for its commute times, high school graduation rate, median household income, home ownership rate and cost of living. Forbes compared 126 cities with a population under 100,000 and ranked them on these five quality-of-life measures.
Geography
Quincy is located at 39°55′56"N 91°23′19"W (39.932335, -91.388737). It is adjacent to the Mississippi River and Quincy Bay, a large inlet of water fed by Cedar and Homan Creeks.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²), of which 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) (0.20%) is water.
Micropolitan area
Quincy is considered a micropolisUnited States micropolitan area
United States Micropolitan Statistical Areas , as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget, are urban areas in the United States based around a core city or town with a population of 10,000 to 49,999. The micropolitan area designation was created in 2003...
, defined as an area surrounding the city within a certain distance that contains a population between 10,000 and 49,999 people. The micropolitan area
United States micropolitan area
United States Micropolitan Statistical Areas , as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget, are urban areas in the United States based around a core city or town with a population of 10,000 to 49,999. The micropolitan area designation was created in 2003...
also extends into Lewis County, Missouri and possibly Marion County, but does not include the city of Hannibal
Hannibal, Missouri
Hannibal is a city in Marion and Ralls counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. Hannibal is located at the intersection of Interstate 72 and U.S. Routes 24, 36 and 61, approximately northwest of St. Louis. According to the 2010 U.S. Census the population was 17,606...
, as Hannibal has its own micropolitan area. Quincy and Hannibal are actually considered each their own micropolis; however, they are adjacent to each other. Many local media outlets treat them as one area, and sometimes include Keokuk
Keokuk, Iowa
Keokuk is a city in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Iowa and one of the county seats of Lee County. The other county seat is Fort Madison. The population was 11,427 at the 2000 census. The city is named after the Sauk Chief Keokuk, who is thought to be buried in Rand Park...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. Locally, this is referred to as the Tri-City area. They also share several cab companies and other transportation mediums such as bus lines, Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
and a ferry. Quincy and Hannibal are also connected to nearby St. Louis and as far north as Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
by train.
A recent survey shown that within 10 miles (16.1 km) of Quincy, the population exceeds 55,000 people. The survey was extended to 25 miles (40.2 km) and showed that there are 112,000 people in the area (including the Hannibal micropolitan area
Hannibal micropolitan area
The Hannibal Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in northeast Missouri, anchored by the city of Hannibal....
as well as other municipalities). The Sansone Group conducted the survey when constructing the Prairie Trails Shopping Complex on the east side of Quincy.
Nearby communities
The city has four suburbs within 10 miles (16.1 km), all unincorporatedUnincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
or annexed
Annexation
Annexation is the de jure incorporation of some territory into another geo-political entity . Usually, it is implied that the territory and population being annexed is the smaller, more peripheral, and weaker of the two merging entities, barring physical size...
into Quincy.
- North Quincy, IllinoisNorth Quincy, IllinoisNorth Quincy, Illinois is an unincorporated community located north of Quincy in Riverside and Ellington Townships, Adams County, Illinois; it is considered one of Quincy's largest suburbs. The town is bordered by Quincy through Koch's Lane or Locust Streets–the actual border is disputed...
is a fairly large village north of Quincy. The city was never annexed, but just grew out of the subdivisions over time. The border between Quincy and North Quincy is Koch's Lane or Locust Street, which travels from U.S. 24 to 36th street. U.S. 24 and Illinois Route 96Illinois Route 96Illinois Route 96 is a north–south state road in far western Illinois. It runs from Illinois Route 100 in Kampsville, not far from a ferry crossing across the Illinois River, to Illinois Route 94 north of Terre Haute. This is a distance of ....
run through the town, while the Quincy train station is to its northeast. - Hickory Grove, Illinois is a small rural community east of Quincy, on the other side of Interstate 172. The town was annexed by Quincy in 2004 when development of a new shopping complex was being built on the other side of the interstate.
- Marblehead, IllinoisMarblehead, IllinoisMarblehead is an unincorporated community in Adams County, Illinois, USA, just south of Quincy. Illinois State Route 57 is the main auxiliary route through the town and travels north to the business district of Quincy or south to Interstate 72 .The community is part of the Quincy, IL–MO...
is located south of Quincy on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. The town is located along Illinois 57Illinois Route 57Illinois Route 57 is a north–south state highway in western Illinois. It runs from Interstate 172 in Fall Creek to U.S. Route 24 and Illinois Route 104 in Quincy, a distance of .- Route description :...
(Gardner Expressway) and has a population of about 1,000 people. - West Quincy, MissouriWest Quincy, MissouriWest Quincy is a small commercial area in northeastern Marion County, Missouri, United States, on U.S. Route 24. It has no permanent residents.-History:...
is a commercial city with no population along U.S. Route 24U.S. Route 24U.S. Route 24 is one of the original United States highways of 1926. It originally ran from Pontiac, Michigan, in the east to Kansas City, Missouri, in the west. Today, the highway's eastern terminus is west of Clarkston, Michigan, at an intersection with I-75 and its western terminus is near...
. The town was deserted in the Great Flood of 1993Great Flood of 1993The Great Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Flood of 1993 occurred in the American Midwest, along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries, from April to October 1993. The flood was among the most costly and devastating to ever occur in the United States, with $15 billion in damages...
. During the summer, numerous tents are set up for the sale of fireworks, which are illegal in Illinois but legal in Missouri. The town is separated from Quincy by the Mississippi RiverMississippi RiverThe Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.
Sister cities
Quincy, Illinois has two sister cities. HerfordHerford
Herford is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located in the lowlands between the hill chains of the Wiehen Hills and the Teutoburg Forest. It is the capital of the district of Herford.- Geographic location :...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Jiaxing
Jiaxing
Jiaxing is a prefecture-level city in northern Zhejiang province of Eastern China. Lying on the Grand Canal of China, Jiaxing borders Hangzhou to the southwest, Huzhou to the west, Shanghai to the northeast, and the province of Jiangsu to the north....
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Media
Quincy's television market includes the cities of Quincy, Hannibal, Burlington, Macomb, and Keokuk. The market was widely served by Insight CommunicationsInsight Communications
Insight Communications is the 13th largest multiple system operator in the United States with approximately 692,000 customers in the three contiguous states of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio...
through 2007. In January, 2008, Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
took control of the cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
system. Satellite television services are provided by DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
or Dish Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
.
The city is usually combined with Hannibal due to their proximity and labeled as the 171 market on the DMA chart. With regards to television service, Quincy and the surrounding region are served by affiliates of ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
, CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
, and the CW
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
networks. STARadio Corporation
STARadio Corporation
STARadio is a radio broadcast company that owns several radio stations throughout the state of Illinois, most of which reside in the Quincy area.-Radio stations:*KGRC*KINX *KZZK*WCOY*WKAN*WQCY*WTAD*WYKT...
and Quincy Newspapers
Quincy Newspapers
Quincy Newspapers, Inc. is a family-owned media company that originated in the newspapers of Quincy, Illinois. The company's history can be traced back to 1835, when the Bounty Land Register was one of only four newspapers in all of Illinois. Over the next century, a number of mergers followed...
own many of the local media in the region. Quincy Newspapers also owns the Quincy Herald-Whig, which is the most widely read newspaper in the region. In 2008, QuincyNews.org launched as an independent local news Website. As of February 2006, Quincy can receive 17 FM stations, 5 AM stations, and one NOAA Wideband Weather Radio station.
Attractions
As the largest city between the Quad CitiesQuad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
, St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
, and Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
areas, the Quincy area contains numerous architectural and historical destinations. Some of the featured attractions in the city include: the Quincy Museum, the John Wood Mansion, the Gardner Museum of Architecture and Design, the Quincy Art Center, and the Villa Katherine Castle.
During the year, the city holds numerous events. Events on the riverfront include the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, the U.S. Catfish Anglers Tournament, and "Movies on the Muddy", showings of recently released movies along the banks of the Mississippi River. Since 2006, Quincy has been host to the Big Dam Film Festival
Big Dam Film Festival
The Big Dam Film Festival is an annual event organized by Young Professionals of the Quincy Area, a Non-Profit Networking and Community Development organization in Quincy, Illinois...
, an annual international film festival sponsored by Young Professionals Quincy. In addition, Quincy hosts the Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships
Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships
The Pepsi Little People's Golf Tournament is one of the largest international golf tournaments in the world for ages 3 to 19 and occurs every year in the community of Quincy, Illinois, USA and several other communities in the region depending on the age divisions.- History :The event was founded by...
, an annual event that features talented young golfers from around the world. The "Smoke on the River" BBQ Competition has also been put on by the Quincy Exchange Club since 2007 and is hosted on the river front.
During the summer, Quincy features the Midsummer Arts Faire the 4th weekend in June in downtown Quincy's historic Washington Park. The juried fine art festival features artwork for sale by artists throughout the region and country as well as food, entertainment and children's activities. A Gus Macker 3 on 3 basketball tournament has also been hosted by the Quincy Exchange Club since 1990 on Memorial Day weekend. From June to September, there is a series of free "Blues In The District" concerts in Washington Park. Quincy's Christmas Candelight Tour is held in December and features a public walk through several historic homes decorated for the holidays. The Dogwood Festival is held in spring. A parade leads people to see dogwood trees in bloom throughout the city. Another popular event for kids in the summer is the Quincy Breakfast Optimist Club's Soapbox Derby Race "http://www.quincyboc.org". The Soapbox Derby is held the second weekend after Memorial day.
Durning October, The Early Tin Dusters are in town showing cars that range from the early years up to 1948. The event is first held in Downtown Quincy and on the last day it is held at upper Moorman Park.
Throughout the year, a local grassroots project called Chophouse Hijack spurs interest and patronage in local restaurants by "hijacking" them with a variety arts and entertainment attractions. The initiative is unique to Quincy and is a great way to take in the various flavors and atmosphere's of Quincy's many eateries.
Architecture
As Quincy's population exploded during the mass migration from Germany, its culture was changed by the new immigrants, who brought styles of their home country. The South Side German Historic DistrictSouth Side German Historic District
The South Side German Historic District is a neighborhood within Quincy, Illinois just south of downtown. The neighborhood includes most of Quincy's rich German architecture. The region is also widely known as "Calftown", named for the number of calves once owned by its inhabitants...
has much of the city's historical architecture. Other significant buildings exist: Temple B’nai Sholom
Temple B’nai Sholom
B’nai Sholom Temple is a synagogue in Quincy, Illinois. It was built in 1870 in the Moorish Revival style.The original, 80 foot high, twin minaret-style towers were damaged by a tornado in 1947 and not replaced....
is one of America's earliest Moorish Revival
Moorish Revival
Moorish Revival or Neo-Moorish is one of the exotic revival architectural styles that were adopted by architects of Europe and the Americas in the wake of the Romanticist fascination with all things oriental...
synagogues. The Quincy Museum located on Historic Maine Street was featured on a cover of National Geographic
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
as one of the ten most architecturally significant corners in the United States. From 14th to 24th streets, Maine Street is notable for the number of restored homes dating back to the 19th century.
The Villa Katherine Castle is a small Moorish castle situated on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. It is a rarity to find an example of Mediterranean architecture in the Midwest.
The "Gem City" has been twice recognized as an All-American City
All-America City Award
The All-America City Award is given by the National Civic League annually to ten cities in the United States.The oldest community recognition program in the nation, the award recognizes communities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon...
. It has a range of architecture, including several Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style churches. The city is home to Quincy University
Quincy University
Quincy University a private liberal arts Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. It is located in Quincy, Illinois and currently enrolls around 1,300 students.-History:...
, a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
College founded in 1860, John Wood Community College, and several other smaller colleges.
Education
Quincy has a number of educational institutions within the city or close by. One of the largest Illinois high schools outside of the Chicago area, Quincy Senior High SchoolQuincy Senior High School
-History:The first school dedicated to high school students in Quincy, Illinois opened in 1891 at the corner of 12th and Maine. This "Pride of the Gem City" served students until 1933 when the "new" Quincy Senior High opened at 14th and Maine in 1933. The building sits along Historic Maine Street...
is located on Maine Street in Quincy. Quincy Notre Dame High School
Quincy Notre Dame High School
Quincy Notre Dame High School is a Roman Catholic co-educational high school in Quincy, Illinois in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, serving students in grades 9-12.- History :...
, a private Catholic high school, is also located in Quincy. Quincy University
Quincy University
Quincy University a private liberal arts Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. It is located in Quincy, Illinois and currently enrolls around 1,300 students.-History:...
is Quincy's most highly decorated school, and was established in the 1860s. On the city's east side, John Wood Community College
John Wood Community College
John Wood Community College , located in Quincy, Illinois, is one of 48, two-year, open-admission colleges of the Illinois Community College System , organized under the Illinois Public Community College Act.-History:...
is the regional community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
. A campus of the technical school Vatterott College is located on Quincy's north side. Gem City College is located in the heart of downtown Quincy and the Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing is located next door to Blessing Hospital. Regionally, Quincy is within driving distance of Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University is a public university founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School. Like many similar institutions of the time, Western Illinois State Normal School focused on teacher training for its relatively small body of students. As the normal school grew, it became...
in Macomb
Macomb, Illinois
Macomb is a city in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States. It is situated in western Illinois southwest of Galesburg. The population was 18,588 at the 2000 census. Macomb is the home of Western Illinois University.- Geography :...
, Hannibal-LaGrange College
Hannibal-LaGrange College
The former Hannibal–LaGrange College is a private Christian college located in Hannibal, Missouri, United States. The college is affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention, which is part of the Southern Baptist Convention. Enrollment is approximately 1,150 students as of 2007...
downriver in Hannibal, Missouri, and Culver-Stockton College
Culver-Stockton College
Culver-Stockton College is a private, residential, four-year, liberal arts college located in Canton, Missouri. Culver-Stockton College offers a liberal arts education with practical learning experiences. The campus is located on on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Culver-Stockton...
in Canton, Missouri
Canton, Missouri
Canton is a city in Lewis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,557 at the 2000 census. Canton is the site of Culver-Stockton College, a small liberal arts college affiliated with the Christian Church...
.
Health and medicine
Quincy is home to Blessing Hospital and Quincy Medical Group. Specialty areas include a cancer center, cardiovascular center, outpatient surgery center, Level 2 trauma center, and rehabilitation. Blessing also operates the Blessing Rieman College of Nursing.Transportation
HighwaysInterstate 72
Interstate 72
Interstate 72 is an Interstate Highway in the midwestern United States. Its western terminus is in Hannibal, Missouri, at an intersection with U.S. Route 61; its eastern terminus is at Country Fair Drive in Champaign, Illinois. In 2006, the Illinois General Assembly dedicated all of Interstate 72...
passes just south of Quincy. Its spur route, Interstate 172
Interstate 172
Interstate 172 is a spur route from Interstate 72. The highway runs north from its start outside of Hannibal, Missouri to just two miles west of Fowler, Illinois. At U.S. Highway 24, Interstate 172 becomes Illinois Route 336, which runs north to Carthage, Illinois...
, passes just east of town. In recent years, the Prairie Trails Shopping Complex has been a focal point for development in this area. Illinois Route 104
Illinois Route 104
Illinois Route 104 is a state highway in central and western Illinois. It extends from Illinois Route 29 near Taylorville, west over the Illinois River at Meredosia to its western terminus in downtown Quincy. This is a distance of .- Route description :...
(Broadway) is a main east-west artery from the Mississippi River bridges to Interstate 172. Illinois Route 96
Illinois Route 96
Illinois Route 96 is a north–south state road in far western Illinois. It runs from Illinois Route 100 in Kampsville, not far from a ferry crossing across the Illinois River, to Illinois Route 94 north of Terre Haute. This is a distance of ....
enters the city from the southeast and travels north (through the east side of Quincy) to U.S. Route 24
U.S. Route 24
U.S. Route 24 is one of the original United States highways of 1926. It originally ran from Pontiac, Michigan, in the east to Kansas City, Missouri, in the west. Today, the highway's eastern terminus is west of Clarkston, Michigan, at an intersection with I-75 and its western terminus is near...
. Illinois Route 57
Illinois Route 57
Illinois Route 57 is a north–south state highway in western Illinois. It runs from Interstate 172 in Fall Creek to U.S. Route 24 and Illinois Route 104 in Quincy, a distance of .- Route description :...
branches south from U.S. 24 downtown and passes Quincy's Civic Center on its way to Interstate 172 southeast of the city. Illinois 96 also serves as the Great River Road
Great River Road
The Great River Road is a collection of state, provincial, federal, and local roads which follow the course of the Mississippi River through ten states of the United States...
, which follows the path of the Mississippi River. Eastbound U.S. 24 crosses the Mississippi River from Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
on the Quincy Memorial Bridge
Quincy Memorial Bridge
The Quincy Memorial Bridge is a truss bridge over the Mississippi River in Quincy, Illinois. It brings eastbound U.S. Highway 24 into the city of Quincy from Missouri...
, while westbound traffic uses the newer Bayview Bridge
Bayview Bridge
The Bayview Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge bringing westbound U.S. Highway 24 over the Mississippi River. It connects the cities of West Quincy, Missouri and Quincy, Illinois. Eastbound U.S. 24 is served by the older Quincy Memorial Bridge....
. Bayview bridge was constructed in 1986, but was not built as a 4-lane bridge because of budget cuts, as the cable suspension made it unaffordable to build a 4-lane bridge. Other groups claimed that business in the downtown part of Quincy would decline if the Memorial bridge was shut down.
On the Missouri side, U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
carries the Avenue of the Saints
Avenue of the Saints
The Avenue of the Saints is a highway in the Midwestern United States that connects St. Paul, Minnesota, and St. Louis, Missouri.-Missouri:Within Missouri, the Avenue of the Saints is Interstate 64, U.S...
, a four-lane highway connecting Saint Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
to Minneapolis – Saint Paul. The Avenue of the Saints gets its name from Saint Louis and Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
.
Quincy is at the center of four-lane highways in all directions:
• The Avenue of the Saints passes just 5 miles to the west and is 4-lane from Canada to the Gulf
• Illinois Highway 172 is part of the newly designated Route 110/CKC (Chicago - Kansas City Expressway)which offers a less-congested alternate route to these popular Midwest destinations.
Ongoing projects will improve transportation links with nearby major cities. U.S. Route 36
U.S. Route 36
U.S. Route 36 is an east–west United States highway that runs for from Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado to Uhrichsville, Ohio. The highway's western terminus is at Deer Ridge Junction, an intersection in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, where it meets U.S. Route 34. Its eastern...
, south of Quincy and multiplexed with Interstate 72, is currently (as of August, 2007) being upgraded to a 4-lane highway, which will connect Quincy with Saint Joseph, Missouri
Saint Joseph, Missouri
Saint Joseph is the second largest city in northwest Missouri, only second to Kansas City in size, serving as the county seat for Buchanan County. As of the 2010 census, Saint Joseph had a total population of 76,780, making it the eighth largest city in the state. The St...
and Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. With the continuing improvements to Illinois Route 336
Illinois Route 336
Illinois Route 336 is a four-lane freeway/expressway combination that serves western Illinois. It is also used to refer to the name of a future project to connect the cities of Quincy and Peoria via underserved Macomb....
north of the city, Quincy will also have a direct connection to Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
and the Quad Cities
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
in the near future.
Air Travel
The Quincy Regional Airport
Quincy Regional Airport
Quincy Regional Airport , also known as Baldwin Field, is a city-owned, public-use airport located 10 nautical miles east of the central business district of Quincy, a city in Adams County, Illinois, United States...
is to Quincy's east, about 5 miles (8 km) outside of the city limits.
Due to Quincy's close proximity to St. Louis, Cape Air
Cape Air
Hyannis Air Service, Inc., operating as Cape Air, is an airline headquartered at Barnstable Municipal Airport in Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States. It operates scheduled passenger services in the Northeast, Florida, the Caribbean, Mid-Atlantic States, Midwest, and Micronesia...
offers 6 daily commuter flights that take less than an hour. They also have a code-share agreement with American Airlines. Flight instruction, plane rentals and hanger space are also available at the Airport. Longest Runway: 7,089 ft.
Rail Service
Freight
Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Norfolk Southern offer multiple freight trains daily and Burlington Junction Rail Road offers short line service many sites and development districts.
Amtrak
Quincy is an Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
community with a rail station
Quincy (Amtrak station)
The Quincy Amtrak station is a train station in Quincy, Illinois, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. The station is one of the namesake stations of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad , but today serves as the western terminus of Amtrak's Illinois...
on the north side of town. It is the terminus
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
of two Amtrak routes, the Illinois Zephyr
Illinois Zephyr
The Illinois Zephyr is a 258-mile passenger train operated by Amtrak that runs between Chicago and Quincy, Illinois. The train is a part of the Illinois Service rail network and is partially funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation...
and the Carl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)
The Carl Sandburg is a 258-mile passenger train operated by Amtrak that runs between Chicago and Quincy, Illinois. This train began operation on October 30, 2006 and is an addition to the existing Illinois Service rail network created in 1971 and partially funded by the Illinois Department of...
. The former departs in the morning and arrives in the evening, while the later arrives in the evening and departs in the morning. Both trains follow the same track to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's Union Station
Union Station (Chicago)
Union Station is a major train station that opened in 1925 in Chicago, replacing an earlier 1881 station. It is now the only intercity rail terminal in Chicago, as well as being the city's primary terminal for commuter trains. The station stands on the west side of the Chicago River between Adams...
and make the same stops.
River Access
Quincy is home to the northernmost port on the Mississippi River for 12-month barge traffic. The municipal barge dock currently serves multiple industries in the South Quincy Development District. The Mid America Intermodal Port Commission is working to secure funding for an additional multi-million dollar intermodal port facility.
Public Transit
Quincy Transit Lines provides fixed-route and paratransit bus service throughout Quincy. There are four fixed routes, and each route is split into two branches. Those routes run Monday-Saturday, between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. During Sundays and holidays, Quincy Transit Lines operates a pared-down version of the fixed-route system that is made up of two routes - the North route and the South route.Quincy Transit Lines route Route 4 stops near the city's Amtrak station at Wissman Lane/30th Street intersection.