![]() Quincy now turns to its businesses and is attempting to build itself into a business-based district. This continued until the close of Quincy's mushroom factory and massive layoff of workers at Quincy's tomato farm in 2008. Quincy then turned to its other crops, tomato, mushroom and egg farms. The last crop of shade-grown cigar wrapper tobacco was grown in 1977. government, and the increasing, negative legal climate against the tobacco industry have added to the demise of Gadsden's future in tobacco. The development of a homogenized cigar wrapper, the ever-increasing cost of production, the subsidizing of the tobacco culture in Central America by the U.S. Around 1970, growing tobacco declined substantially in Gadsden. This continued until 1970 when tobacco companies came under fire and demand diminished. There was such an influx of land purchases that a number of packing houses arose. Soon representatives of several companies came down from New York to purchase land for growing tobacco. Ultimately in 1950, the white cheese cloth was replaced with a treated, longer lasting, yellow cloth that provided perfect shade.Ĭolonel Henry DuVal, president of the Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad, shipped samples of Gadsden County tobacco to New York for leaf dealers and cigar manufacturers to inspect. Then they tried slats draped with cheese cloth to keep the plants from the light. At first, wood slats were used, but these proved too heavy. So, with more experimentation, shading the plants began. Through these experiments it was discovered that tobacco which was light in color and silky in texture demanded the highest prices. The post-war search for a money crop led to the resurgence of the tobacco culture. Those days were tremendously difficult, and recovery was a slow process. Of course, during the war and the Reconstruction Era, very little tobacco was grown except for personal use. Growing tobacco continued to be profitable until the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, even when the European markets were no longer available. So began a tobacco industry at a time when the South was suffering from the low price of cotton. From these seeds, a new plant known as "Florida Wrapper" was developed. Smith began saving the seed from the hybridized stalks. When the Virginia tobacco was grown in Florida soil, it was much thinner and lighter in color. Several years passed and the two tobaccos blended. He purchased some Cuban tobacco seed and planted them with his Virginia tobacco. Because there was no market for tobacco in small quantities, it was twisted together, cured and shared with his friends. He planted that seed and found that the plants grew vigorously. When Smith ventured southward he brought with him a type of tobacco seed which was used for chewing and pipe smoking. ![]() Since there was already a resident named John Smith in the community, he became known as John "Virginia" Smith. In 1829, John Smith migrated to Gadsden County in covered wagons with his family and four related families. ![]() Early European explorers discovered Native Americans growing the plant when they set foot on their soil. Tobacco is a native plant of the western hemisphere. As a result, the culture of shade-grown cigar wrapper tobacco was a dominant factor in the social and economic development of Gadsden County. Duval introduced Cuban tobacco to the territory of Florida. Quincy was once heavily dependent upon agriculture, farming tomatoes, tobacco, mushrooms, soybeans and other crops for its employment base. It is located 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Tallahassee, the state capital. There are plenty of places to say in Quincy such as the Millhouse Inn, formerly the historic Allison House Inn.Established in 1828, Quincy is the county seat of Gadsden County, and was named for John Quincy Adams. The downtown features frequent live music events and farmers markets, and is a very walkable neighborhood for looking at historic homes or visiting local cemeteries. It's a perfect place to spend the day where you will find a large variety of shops and restaurants. It is a neighborhood with old time charm along with modern touches. It offers an eclectic quality of life that appeals to residents and tourists alike. The park is the location of where the largest Civil War battle in Florida took place.ĭowntown Quincy, with its historic district, has many buildings on the National Historic Registry. It's also a great place to learn some of the area's history. Visit nearby Natural Bridge Battlefield State Park to find a picnic area or do some hiking. There are a number of golf courses, and for outdoor enthusiasts there are many nature trails an parks. The Gadsden Arts Center and Museum is right off the main drag of West Jefferson Street on North Madison Street. Today, while Quincy still has its Old Florida feel, there is plenty to keep you visit while enjoying your visit.
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