West Quincy, Missouri facts for kids
West Quincy is a small area in northeastern Marion County, Missouri, in the United States. It is located right on U.S. Route 24. No one lives in West Quincy permanently; it is mostly a place for businesses.
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What Is West Quincy?
West Quincy is a commercial area, which means it has many businesses. It is directly across the Mississippi River from Quincy, Illinois. People often visit West Quincy from Illinois because Missouri has lower taxes on things like gasoline and cigarettes. During the summer, you can also find tents selling fireworks there.
Many other small businesses are in West Quincy today. These include gas stations, a pawn shop, a bank, and several car dealerships.
A Look at West Quincy's Past
West Quincy was first planned out in 1874. It got its name because it is located just west of Quincy, Illinois.
Important Historic Sites
West Quincy is home to the Lock and Dam No. 21 Historic District. This area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Locks and dams help boats travel safely on rivers by controlling water levels.
Changes Over Time
In the past, West Quincy had a train station, a drive-in movie theater, and a large company headquarters. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy train station was an important stop.
The Knapheide company used to have its main office in West Quincy. While their main office moved to Illinois, a Knapheide building still operates in West Quincy today.
A powerful tornado once hit the drive-in theater. It almost crossed the river into Quincy, Illinois, but it stopped when it reached the bluffs (steep cliffs).
The Great Flood of 1993
West Quincy was greatly affected by the Great Flood of 1993. During this flood, a levee (a wall built to hold back water) broke. Water rushed into the area. A large boat called a barge was pulled into the broken levee. It crashed into a local gas station, causing a big explosion. Oil caught fire and spread across the water before it eventually went out.
This flood caused all the bridges connecting Missouri and Illinois in the Quincy area to close. These bridges were the only way to cross the river for about 200 miles! One bridge, the Bayview Bridge, was closed for 71 days. This meant people had to drive a long way, either to St. Louis or Burlington, Iowa, or take a ferry to get across the river.
