And what a show Quincy put on! Gaze around and you’ll spot buildings like the Elkton Hotel, with its geometric brick shapes-kind of like someone in the 1920s decided to build a giant, stylish puzzle. Built in 1924 by architects Geise and Chatten, it was originally a clubhouse for the Elks, which probably means more antler-themed parties than you’ll find anywhere else. By 1949, the upper floors morphed into apartments, and today, you can grab a bite in the old clubrooms, now a local hotspot called the Patio. Imagine the laughter and chatter, bouncing off those century-old walls.
Just across the way is the History Museum. Back in 1888, this Romanesque Revival beauty opened as the city’s public library-a true temple to learning, with arched windows and solemn stone. Later, it became the Gardner Museum of Architecture and Design, showing off amazing stained glass until tight budgets forced its doors shut. But Quincy’s not the type to let good stories fade, so most exhibits found a new home with the Historical Society, and now the building gleams again as the History Museum, filled once more with tales, treasures, and the occasional amateur ghost hunter.
Speaking of tall tales, cast your eyes up to the seven-story Hotel Quincy, which opened in 1910 as the New Tremont Hotel. At 100 feet, it was so imposing that out-of-towners probably developed a mild case of neck strain just looking at it. These days, it’s an apartment building-and also home to WGEM-TV. I guess you could say it went from hosting traveling salesmen to TV anchors, which is a step up in the wardrobe department.
If you’re searching for banking drama (or just like a bit of marble with your history), the Illinois State Bank started construction in 1880. The first floor dazzled with Colorado marble and golden fixtures, while upstairs, the whispers of wheeling and dealing likely echoed for decades. And nearby, the Kresge Building stirs up some legal mischief: when city officials said it needed three stories but the owners only wanted two, they compromised…with two floors and a sneaky extra row of windows. I guess even in architecture, you have to know how to bend the rules-a little like using Monopoly money in real life.
Keep wandering and you’ll find the Schott Building, with its Romanesque curves and Sullivanesque flourishes, now serving up meals and, fun fact, featured in the 2009 horror film "Hampshire: A Ghost Story." So, if you feel a spooky breeze…it’s probably just the air conditioning. Or is it?
The district isn’t just about buildings, though-it’s alive with stories. In Washington Park, crowds of up to 15,000 once gathered beneath the trees to hear Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas argue about the nation’s future. Later, President Bill Clinton stood on the steps of State Savings Loan & Trust as cameras rolled. These days, the park pulses each summer with music from Blues in the District, lively farmer’s markets, and the wild fun of the Dogwood Festival and Gus Macker basketball tournament.
Quincy’s history is everywhere, stamped in stone, glass, and the never-ending swirl of reinvention. So take your time, admire the fanciful façades, and don’t be surprised if you start feeling just a bit grander yourself. After all, you’re walking where legends, lawmakers, and a few slightly mischievous architects made their mark.
If you're keen on discovering more about the notable structures and attractions, non-historic structures or the former structures and attractions, head down to the chat section and engage with me.
