According to Indian legend “Quincy Flats” was once a lake.  Glacial floods deposited thousands of cubic yards of volcanic soil.  The arid land of this region was used solely for cattle and horse ranges in the late 1800’s by Lord Thomas Blythe, a Scottish nobleman.  In 1892, Jim Hill, known as the Empire Builder, built the Great Northern Railroad, which opened the area to settlers.  The first railroad camp was located at Trinidad, while Quincy had only a short siding, and the word “Quincy” was a sign on a post.  (The story is that Jim Hill’s daughter named our town, sight unseen, from a list of names given to her by her father).  The original Quincy was located north of the railroad tracks where Joe Clay staked out the first homestead in 1900.  The later business district was incorporated in 1907.  Hundreds of pioneer families sought out the rich Quincy soil, and there was one great universal dream among them, which challenged and inspired all--the dream of bringing water to the Quincy Valley.  Groups sought a way to bring irrigation waters to their rich soil.  Many number of plans and surveys were made, but they came to an impasse when financing was considered.  In 1920 and 1921, when a severe drought caused statewide crop failures and wells went dry, many gave up their dreams and left the Valley.  In 1933, the federal government supported the 30-year-old dream of water, but it wasn’t until 1951 when the first trickle of water became a flowing canal, bringing them the present day prosperity.

The population jumped from 804 in 1950, to 1,332 in 1952;  1,561 in 1953; 1,777 in 1954 and 2,710 in 1955.  Thousands of acres of sagebrush were cleared and the countryside became a dust bowl once again.  Gradually the water and crops brought the blowing dust under control, stabilizing both the land and economy.

Irrigation increased the variety of crops produced by the fertile soils.  Potatoes and beans replaced wheat as staple crops and soon sugar beets became another cash crop.  In 1965, Erroll Brown and Percy Kelly established the first food processing plant in the Valley.  The french fry plant was purchased by Lamb-Weston in 1966 and has since undergone both expansion and ownership changes.  Quincy Valley farmers continue to support a large food processing industry, as many processors outside the area contract with local farmers for peas, sweet corn, potatoes, carrots and most recently even cucumbers. In addition, both Columbia Foods and Quincy Foods, LLC (formally J.R. Simplot) process fresh frozen vegetables locally.

As economic conditions stabilized, and hardships lessened, community groups organized to further improve conditions.  Various fraternal and service groups have made many significant contributions to the community over the past 85 years, particularly since the 1950’s.  The Masonic Lodge was chartered in 1907 and is the oldest continuous organization  in Quincy, along with the Order of Eastern Star.  The Quincy Women’s Club was formed some years later and had its own hall which served as a meeting place, library and weekend dance hall. Old-timers can recall many festive occasions at the Women’s Club Hall.  The Quincy Grange was another organization, which provided social and community service functions.  The Chamber of Commerce was organized in about 1946 and a few years later the Lion’s Club, Rotary Club, Hospital Auxiliary, Sigma Beta Phi sorority, Moose Lodge, Kiwanis and Activities Booster Club, to name several of the groups which have served the area.