Quincy (Images of America: Illinois)

Quincy, Illinois, is located on the Mississippi River about20 miles north of Hannibal, Missouri, and 100 mileswest of Springfield, the state capital. Both Quincy and thecounty in which it lies, Adams, were named for PresidentJohn Quincy Adams.In 1822, a man named John Wood built a cabin at thefoot of what would later become Delaware Street, near theMississippi River. As more people came, the village greweastward from that spot. Many German and Irish immigrantscame to Quincy, along with pioneers moving from Kentuckyand Virginia. These settlers were lured to the area by reportsof the lush land called the “Jewel of the West,” whichwas later called “The Gem City.” Industrialists came fromNew York and other Eastern states and built many of thestately homes on Maine Street and the adjacent streets.Early industry in Quincy included pork packing, tobaccoprocessing, paper making, stove making, carriage making,the ice industry, and lumberyards.