Blessing Health System has commemorated a building on its 11th Street campus that served as the first public school for African American children in Quincy.
A bronze plaque was unveiled on Thursday, April 24, on the building formerly known as Lincoln School at 10th and Spring streets. The plaque reads: “The first public school for African American children in Adams County was built on this site in 1862. Various wood frame school buildings were constructed through the years on this site until the brick structure that stands today was built in 1910. The school was named Lincoln School in 1872 and served African American children until it ceased operation in 1957. Blessing Hospital purchased the building in 1960 and converted it to use as housing for the Hospital’s boiler plant. 2025 Blessing Hospital 150th Anniversary, Est. 1875. 2025 Adams County Illinois Bicentennial, Est. 1825.”
Quincy’s first academically trained architect, George P. Behrensmeyer, designed the brick school built in 1910. It was the most modern school in Quincy at the time with 22 rooms and a capacity for 400 people.
“This is a historically significant year with the celebration of Adams County’s 200th anniversary and Blessing Hospital’s 150th anniversary,” said Patrick Gerveler, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Blessing Health System. “Several of our employees suggested we use the opportunity to help publicly and permanently share the story of Lincoln School. The idea was supported by the Adams County Bicentennial Commission.”
“Because the building has also been a part of Blessing Hospital’s history for 65 years, we thought it a great time to commemorate the lives of the students who attended Lincoln School,” he concluded.
In addition to the bronze plaque now attached to the building, the original brickwork with the Lincoln School name remains visible over the main entrance on the building’s southside.
For more information go to www.hsqac.org, click Newsletters & Articles from the menu bar, and then scroll down to the Once Upon A Time Article section and search Lincoln School.