Notable structures and attractions Downtown Quincy Historic District

1 notable structures , attractions

1.1 elkton hotel
1.2 history museum
1.3 hotel quincy
1.4 illinois state bank
1.5 kresge building
1.6 lincoln-douglas apartment building
1.7 looking lincoln historic markers
1.8 masonic temple
1.9 quincy post office
1.10 schott building
1.11 s.j. lesem building
1.12 state savings loan , trust
1.13 villa katherine
1.14 washington park
1.15 washington theater
1.16 western catholic union building

notable structures , attractions
elkton hotel

the elkton hotel built in 1924 collaboration project local architects martin geise , harvey chatten. function new home elks club. geometric shapes on brick structure of more striking features of building. in 1949, upper floors converted apartments , structure re-branded elkton hotel. original elks club clubrooms, have been converted popular restaurant known patio.

history museum

completed in 1888, history museum first functioned quincy public library. romanesque revival-style structure facing washington park. following years public library, building functioned gardner museum of architecture , design. in addition providing glimpse @ quincy s rich architectural history, 1 of museum s extensive collections included permanent exhibit of stained glass. due budget cuts, museum closed in 2012, , of exhibits , stained glass purchased historical society of quincy , adams county. building houses history museum. museum displays selections of extensive collections owned society. historical society offers special events , speakers related quincy s rich history.

hotel quincy

the hotel quincy (originally known new tremont hotel) 7-story tall (100 ft) structure, completed in 1910, functions apartment complex , television studio local nbc affiliate wgem-tv.

illinois state bank

beginning construction in 1880, illinois state bank seven-story-tall structure showcasing chicago-style architecture , designed quincy architect martin geise. first floor, housing bank, featured large white colorado marble lobby ivory , gold fixtures.

kresge building

the kresge building began construction in 1923, , additional phase of construction began in 1939. designed architect harold holmes. controversy resulted when developers wanted construct 2 levels, when city required 3 ordinance. finding way around ordinance, developers decided create 2 levels of windows, thereby observing city ordinance while maintaining owners request 2 stories. in 1968, massive fire damaged of building , future of structure in jeopardy. dale kirlin sr., worked @ kresge building in youth, decided purchase fire-damaged structure, extensively renovate, , re-locate kirlin s hallmark company structure.

lincoln-douglas apartment building

the lincoln-douglas apartment building renovated, eight-story-tall apartment complex caters low-income seniors , funded in part u.s. department of housing , urban development. functions main studio , headquarters of staradio corporation, local broadcasting company owns several radio stations throughout region.

looking lincoln historic markers

throughout downtown quincy , historic district lie numerous information plaques trailing president abraham lincoln s life in illinois, following time attorney in part of state.

masonic temple

built renaissance revival design intended, masonic temple constructed in 1911 @ cost of us$84,000 , includes reception hall, parlor, library, , armory knights templar.

quincy post office

the historic quincy post office, built in 1887, functioned adams county courthouse time. quincy post office designed in châteauesque style. designed renown architect mifflin e. bell, whom known work on government structures. post office constructed brick bearing walls , limestone exterior , added national register of historic places in 1977.

schott building

with romanesque revival , sullivanesque influences in mind, schott building constructed in 1890s swiss architect john batschy. today, restaurant housed on first floor , building extensively used in 2009 independent horror film hampshire: ghost story.

s.j. lesem building

the s.j. lesem building four-story, italian-style brick building first saw use warehouse , completed in 1871. today, houses lofts in upper floors , first floor home tiramisu italian restaurant.

state savings loan , trust

the state street savings loan & trust building example of richardsonian romanesque architecture , constructed in 1892 chicago architects patton & fischer. in 1906, extension made, designed local architect ernest m. wood. bank suffered following depression , demolished before being bought george m. irwin in 1964. irwin renovated structure , converted lobby function retail space. added national register of historic places in 1979. in january 2000, structure served backdrop president bill clinton s visit quincy.

villa katherine

the villa kathrine moroccan-style home built in 1900 overlooks mississippi river atop bluffs. built wealthy quincy resident w. george metz, grew fond of moroccan architecture during travels abroad. rumor had metz s intention live in home woman met on travels, refused move illinois or died en route. structure sold in 1912, fell disrepair, , restored local group friends of castle. today, villa kathrine functions quincy s visitor center , gives tours of home.

washington park

washington park quincy s first park , once known john s square, after city founder john wood. site of sixth famous debate between abraham lincoln , stephen a. douglas on divisive issue of slavery , national union, crowd of 10–15,000 people came hear 2 men speak. in 1994, nationally televised re-enactment of lincoln-douglas debates broadcast on c-span. site chosen many of quincy s festivities including dogwood festival, blues in district, , midsummer art festival.

washington theater

washington theater 1480-seat theater built in 1924 cater stage , cinema showings. structure notable influences in mediterranean , byzantine architecture. remodeled in 1926 following purchase of theater balaban & katz. in years followed, theater hosted many vaudeville , photoplay shows, suffered when films introduced sound. prompted yet upgrade bring audiences once sound pictures became industry s standard. kerasotes theater chain bought site in 1971 , continued show films 1980s. since, washington theater has undergone several purchases , became neglected owners before coming possession city of quincy. currently, organization renovating space modernize theater , re-open.

western catholic union building

the western catholic union building 11-story tall skyscraper in downtown quincy built in beaux-arts style. constructed in 1925 catholic fraternal-insurance group , took 2 years complete construction. features of structure included rooftop garden, auditorium, barber shoppe, 4 bowling alleys, office spaces, small gym, , swimming pool in basement. in 1929, swimming pool closed , covered allow additional office space after crack in wall found. today, wcu building remains quincy s tallest structure.