QUINCY, KANSAS

Quincy, Kansas, is a small unincorporated community located in Greenwood County, in the southeastern part of the state. While never a large city, Quincy’s story is reflective of many rural Midwestern communities: one of settlement, development, and gradual change, shaped by agriculture, transportation, and local enterprise.

Quincy was established in the late 1860s, during a period of rapid expansion in Kansas as settlers moved westward following the Civil War. The town was named after Quincy, Illinois, which in turn was named for John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States. Like many towns of the era, Quincy was intended to serve as a local trading and supply center for farmers and ranchers moving into the region.

Greenwood County itself was organized in 1855, and the land that became Quincy was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes before white settlers arrived. The availability of fertile farmland, along with the Homestead Act of 1862, encouraged families to establish homesteads in the region.

Quincy grew as a rural hub, with its own post office established in 1869—a critical lifeline for communication and commerce in 19th-century Kansas. The community had a general store, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, and, at times, a church, serving the needs of its residents and surrounding farms.

In 1898, two strangers rode into Quincy. They put out a notice that they wanted to talk to Bud Gillette. Finding him, they challenged Bud to a foot race. Gillette was known as one of the fastest runners in the country.

As word spread, the race was on, with most townspeople placing their bets on the local boy. One of the strangers held the betting money, while the other openly bragged about how he was going to beat Gillette.

Some farmers even sold their cows to have extra money for wagering. The race began on the appointed day. The runners were racing toward a hedgerow on the course when they both jumped over it and ran to a waiting motor car driven by the shyster holding the race purse.

The crooks disappeared from sight only to be eventually caught. Apparently, Bud Gillette was a participant in the scam from the git go. There was no winner, yet there were many losers that day.

Unlike some Kansas towns, Quincy did not benefit from a direct railroad connection. Railroads were instrumental in the growth of many towns, but Quincy’s relative isolation limited its potential for rapid expansion. Nonetheless, it persisted as a close-knit agricultural community.

The 20th century brought significant changes to Quincy and similar communities. Agricultural mechanization reduced the need for large rural populations, and many small towns saw their populations decline as families moved to larger cities in search of economic opportunity. Quincy’s post office closed in 1975, marking the end of an era for the community.

Despite the decline in businesses and population, the community identity remained strong. The surrounding area continued to be used for farming and ranching, and the legacy of Quincy lived on in the memories of its residents and their descendants.

Today, Quincy is considered an unincorporated ghost town community. Few, if any, businesses remain, and much of what once made up the town has reverted to farmland or open space. However, Quincy’s place in the tapestry of Kansas history remains significant as an example of rural development, resilience, and the changing patterns of American settlement.

While Quincy, Kansas, may no longer be a bustling center of activity, its history is a testament to the challenges and triumphs of rural communities in the Midwest. From its founding in the 19th century to its quieter present, Quincy reflects the enduring spirit of those who settled and built communities across Kansas.

In 1911, David Artz of Halstead, Arizona, received a picture postcard featuring a main street photograph of Quincy on the front. The sender of the card was a man named Pearl. The interesting message reads as follows.

“Oct 2, 1911

Well I have not fell down and killed myself yet on these rocks yesterday. But surely thought I would drown yesterday where we forded the river. My cousins sure laughed at me. It is raining here this morning. Will go to Yates Center on Wednesday and come back Thurs. I think I will come home Saturday night but not sure. Thank you very much for the birthday card. Pearl”

Dave Armandus Artz was born on October 26, 1880. He probably didn’t know it at the time, but he’d eventually marry the sender of his postcard. Pearl Dovie Dutton became his bride on January 31, 1915. They remained together until Dave died on November 4, 1952. Pearl passed away 29 years later on April 5, 1981, at the age of 91.

The Neosho River is probably the river Pearl was talking about in her writing. It’s fairly close to Quincy. Pearl and her cousins must have been traveling on foot for her to mention tripping over rocks. She would’ve only been 22 at this time. Dave was 31. The couple eventually left Kansas for Texas, taking along their two children, Marjie and Ralph.