Quincy Northwest Historic District

Quincy, Adams County, Illinois Listed Ref. 00000414 District
Quincy Northwest Historic District, Quincy, Illinois
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Why it's listed

Quincy's Northwest neighborhood is a mixed-use district of roughly 105 city blocks, running twelve blocks north from Broadway and ten blocks east from Second Street, on bluffs above the Mississippi River. It holds 1,617 contributing and 459 noncontributing resources built between about 1840 and 1950. Large mansions with carriage barns sit near simple worker's cottages, and corner groceries and saloons with upstairs apartments were scattered among the houses. Local brick, limestone and wood shaped the buildings, and the styles include Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, Craftsman and Prairie, along with vernacular forms such as Gabled Ell, Shotgun, Four Square and Bungalow. The district was listed for its architecture, representing the full range of building types from the wealthiest businessman's house to the laborer's cottage. It also reflects Quincy's history as a river town and its long record as a self-sufficient neighborhood close to downtown, rail and river transportation.

Significance in brief: The district is locally significant under Criterion C for its collection of high-style and vernacular buildings, ranging from wealthy mansions to laborers' cottages. It reflects Quincy's history as a Middle Western river town and has adapted over time as a mixed-use neighborhood.

Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 00000414, listed May 11, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).

Key facts

AddressRoughly bounded by Broadway, N. Secod, Locust, and N. Twelfth Sts., Quincy
CountyAdams County
ListedMay 11, 2000
Reference number00000414
Resource typeDistrict
Period of significance1840 to 1950
Architect / builderHarvey Chatten, Ernest Wood, George Behrensmeyer, Martin J. Geise, John Batchy, Frank Tubbesing, Robert Bunce (all architects)
Architectural styleQueen Anne, Italianate, Bungalow/Craftsman, I-house; also Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Second Empire, Romanesque Revival, Colonial Revival, Prairie and many vernacular types
Criteria
  • C — distinctive architecture, design or construction
Areas of significanceArchitecture
Level of significanceLocal
Status (as stated in the nomination)Remains a mixed-use neighborhood; the form says the district maintains its historical integrity, though demolition has compromised the dense character of some blocks.
Acreage488
Coordinates39.94630, -91.40511 (NPS GIS)

What listing means for this property

This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.

Sources and further reading

Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.