Quincy Museum © 2010 Bo Mackison
Quincy, Illinois was one of the most populous and influential cities in the state in the mid 1800s to early 1900s. The city is located on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and so was on a major river transportation route. Though no longer one of the largest Illinois cities, it is still famous for its impressive array of architecture and styles, and for its many examples of stylish homes, some dating as early as 1830.
Quincy experienced huge growth between 1850 and 1880 and then again in the late 1890s. The earlier population had built their homes and businesses near the riverfront, but this time the new construction took place further east of downtown and the river. Dozens of huge mansions which were built in this period still line the streets of Quincy, most notably in the area from 12th to 24th Streets and from Maine to State Streets. This district, known as the East End Historical District, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
If you ask a person from Quincy, he or she will likely tell you their city has the largest number of significant architectural masterpieces per capita in the state of Illinois. They may just be right, too.
One of the more well known mansions in Quincy is the Newcomb-Stillwell Mansion located at 1601 Maine Street. It was completed in 1891, and is now the home of the Quincy Museum. Prior to the museum’s acquisition of the building, the mansion was used for men’s housing for nearby Quincy College–now Quincy University.
(My great-grandmother was house matron and cook for Stillwell Hall in the 1940s. When I was a child, she would tell me stories from her years there–of the antics of the young men in her kitchen and at her dinner table, of their dances in a huge ballroom lit by Tiffany chandeliers and their parties in the basement which featured a bowling alley for their entertainment.)
The home was built by Richard F. Newcomb who was an influential and wealthy businessman in both Quincy and in Chicago. The house, built of light colored Berea Sandstone quarried about 25 miles west of Cleveland, Ohio, was transported to Quincy for the massive undertaking. The home was constructed in the Richardson Romanesque Revival Style, named for Boston architect Henry Hobson Richardson who was one of the most popular U.S. architects in the late 18o0s.
The Richardson Romanesque architecture style used heavy arches and massive stone exteriors with many ornamental carvings. The home has five substantial towers and the front porch has seven pillars supporting the roof, but not one of the capitols are alike. Each side of each capitol has its own unique design.
The Quincy Museum is open for tours Tuesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a minimal donation. Not only can you delight in seeing this lovingly restored home, but there are also exhibits on area history and culture, and a dinosaur display.
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Bo Mackison travels throughout the Midwest, and enjoys photographing the many well maintained historic structures in Quincy when she visits her hometown. She has many photographs of the historic places in Quincy available for licensing and publication. Prints are also available. For information, contact her at bo@historicplacesphotography.com.
