QUINCY – The township of Quincy holds a special spot in the history of not only Franklin County, but for the entire state of Pennsylvania. A part of the Great Appalachian Valley with South Mountain, Quincy Township, was founded in 1784 and was incorporated into Franklin County in 1838. When it came time to choose a name for the new area, the village leaders chose to name it after the sixth president of the United States, John Quincy Adams, who had just recently left office in 1829.
However, it was not just the founding and dedication of the township that makes it special. Quincy is the home of Pennsylvania’s first state park, Mont Alto. Originally the site of the Mont Alto Iron Furnace, which was built in 1807 by Daniel and Samuel Hughes, it would become the main iron supplier for the local and surrounding areas, which at the time, were growing quickly as the industrial age was gaining momentum.
In 1875, a park was created and thrived despite the iron furnace being shut down and dismantled near the end of the 1890. The park would officially be named the state park in 1902. Hiking trails were added and a pavilion built to offer visitors not just a place to explore, but a place to relax for family excursions.
A year later, in 1903, another first was introduced to Pennsylvania, its first forestry academy. With the popularity of the state park growing, forest education became in demand. After all, if there is going to be a park, there will need to be rangers. The Mont Alto Forestry Academy was created and would begin another chapter in the history of Quincy Township.
The small town’s legacy was just getting started. Also in 1903, a new addition was added to the area, an orphanage. The Rev. H.J. Kitzmiller and his wife, Henrietta, donated land to the United Brethren Church to fulfill their desire to help local children who were in need of a home. A 160-acre farm with a large home was given to get the orphanage started. The orphanage ran until 1971 and was responsible for the care an education of hundreds of Franklin and Adams County children.
In the early 1900’s, one of the biggest fears making its way through the states was the dreaded disease, tuberculosis, and Pennsylvania was not immune. The numbers of people dying were heartbreaking and staggering. In the year 1900, it was estimated that nearly 450 people per day succumbed to what would be known as “TB.” Chances of survival, once contracted, were even more gloomy; one-third of victims diagnosed died within a year and those numbers increased to two-thirds in five years.
In 1901, the White Pine Sanitarium was founded in Quincy and would treat thousands who suffered from TB, making it the oldest establishment in the state to perform such duties. The medical treatment facility would take on many names throughout the years and is still operational to this day as the South Mountain Restoration Center. Another piece of Quincy history that continues to live on.
Another part of historical significance to Quincy was its involvement in the underground railroad. As slaves moved out of the South and into Pennsylvania, many would find themselves at the Jacob Shockey farm in Rouzerville. From there they would be spirited away under the cloak of night to the Wertz farm in Quincy and then to Caledonia where a community of freed slaves was being established.
Quincy Township, a small town that has a population of just over 5,000 citizens has a celebrated history that has earned its place through initiative, compassion, hard work and unmatched fortitude. A small town, with a big heart.
