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Quincy is a city of about 39,000 people on the Mississippi River in western Illinois, the county seat of Adams County and the largest city between St. Louis and the Quad Cities on the Illinois side. Founded in the 1820s by John Wood, who later became governor of Illinois, it grew into a prosperous river port and manufacturing town nicknamed the Gem City.
On October 13, 1858, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held the sixth of their famous debates in Washington Park, and the story is told in a small downtown museum. Before the Civil War Quincy, across the river from slave-state Missouri, was an important stop on the Underground Railroad. German immigrants shaped whole neighborhoods, and wealthy families built remarkable mansions in the East End.
Today Quincy is known for its architecture, from Greek Revival homes to the Moorish-style Villa Kathrine above the river. Visitors explore historic districts, house museums, the riverfront parks and ancient Native American mounds, and Hannibal, Missouri, Mark Twain's boyhood home, is about 30 minutes south.
A Moorish-style villa built around 1900 by world traveler George Metz on the bluff above the Mississippi, with white walls, a minaret-like tower and an inner courtyard pool. It is owned by the city and opens for tours on select days. Even from outside, the river views from its grounds are excellent.
The downtown square where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held their sixth debate in 1858 before a large crowd. A bronze relief by sculptor Lorado Taft marks the spot. The park is shaded and central, with a fountain and benches; it hosts concerts and festivals in summer.
The 1835 Greek Revival home of John Wood, founder of Quincy and governor of Illinois, restored with period furniture by the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County. Guided tours run seasonally. Check the schedule, and visit the society's History Museum on the Square too.
The 1835 brick home of abolitionist Dr. Richard Eells, who was arrested and fined for helping a freedom seeker escape from Missouri in 1842. Restored as a museum, it tells the story of the Underground Railroad in Quincy. Opening hours are limited, so check before you visit.
A small free museum downtown telling the story of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates, with a focus on the Quincy debate, using dioramas, artwork and historical displays. It is a quick, well-presented stop near Washington Park. Check the opening hours, which follow business days.
A local museum in the Newcomb-Stillwell Mansion, a massive stone house from the early 1890s in the East End. Exhibits cover local history and natural history, and the mansion's woodwork and stained glass are attractions in themselves. Allow about an hour, and check hours ahead.
A museum on the grounds of the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy with uniforms, weapons, medals, flags and artifacts from American conflicts from the Revolutionary War onward. Many items were donated by veterans and their families. Admission is free; check the limited hours before visiting.
An art center in a historic carriage house in the East End, with changing exhibits of regional and national artists, art classes and events. Admission is low cost or free. Combine a visit with a walk past the grand mansions on the surrounding streets of the historic district.
A large historic district of Victorian, Romanesque, Queen Anne and Greek Revival homes built by Quincy's wealthy families in the 1800s and early 1900s. It is one of the finest collections of architecture in the Midwest. Walk or drive along Maine Street and the side streets for the best houses.
A neighborhood of brick homes, churches and small businesses built by German immigrants who settled in Quincy in large numbers in the 1800s. The tidy streets show their distinctive building style. Walk around St. Boniface and St. Francis churches and look for old German signs and names.
A riverfront park at the foot of downtown Quincy with lawns, a walking path, benches and views of the Mississippi and its bridges. It is a pleasant spot to watch barges, boats and sunsets. Summer concerts and festivals are held nearby; parking is easy on most days.
A city park on the southeast side of Quincy preserving a group of prehistoric Native American burial mounds among trees and lawns, plus a playground, picnic shelters and a pond. Signs explain the mounds. Please do not climb on them, and combine your visit with a quiet walk.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Lpangelrob at en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: David Wilson, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Gerry Dincher, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
