Quincy, Florida – April 11, 2021 – Written by Jim
Quincy, Florida is like many small towns in America; tidy, tree-lined streets named after our nation’s founding fathers, with homes surrounding a central business district. Quincy is a supplier of goods for the farms in this section of Florida’s Panhandle, as US-90 runs right through the middle of it. Other than the over abundance of grand houses in town, you would be hard-pressed to find anything unusual here. Looks can be deceiving…
During the Great Depression, the local banker made a keen observation that changed the course of Quincy’s fortunes forever.
That banker’s name was Mark Welch (Pat) Munroe. He noticed that people were spending their last nickel to buy an ice-cold Coca-Cola. He knew by that fact that the company most likely had staying power. He also realized that Coke’s stock was undervalued, as they had been experiencing issues with their sugar suppliers. What had started out as a $40 a share stock in 1919, Coca-Cola was selling at $19 in the early 1930’s. The smart investor he was, Mr. Munroe bought stock in Coke. The wise businessman he was, he also told his customers to do the same, offering loans to help them do so. His advice to them was to hold onto the stock and use only the dividends.
It turns out that he was correct. Coca-Cola stock consistantly rose, making Quincy, Florida the wealthiest town (per-capita) in the nation.
The Quincy State Bank also did very well for itself, never closing it’s doors during the Great Depression. Munroe family lore states that when federal agents came to arrest Mr. Munroe for keeping the bank open during a federally-imposed bank holiday, they were unable to find the Pat Munroe that was listed on the arrest warrant. Remember…that was only a nickname. 🙂 The bank is now part of Capital City Bank.
As a result of Mr. Munroe’s observations, Quincy eventually was home to sixty-seven Coca-Cola millionaires. Many of their descendants are still reaping the benefits of his foresight. The town not only weathered the Great Depression, but every recession and crop loss since.
Mark Welch Munroe and his wife lived at this stately home on US-90 in Quincy. It was donated by the family to the City of Quincy and is now called Quincy Garden Center, a local wedding and events center.
We located where he is buried on Find-a-Grave and visited his final resting place. The inscription on his stone is fitting and true. It reads: The influence of his personality was so great and his advice so widely sought, that he seemed an institution in the community. Hardly subject to removal by death. Who could ask for a finer legacy than that?
So next time you buzz by Quincy, Florida on I-10, turn in for a bit and have a Coke. It is the ‘pause that refreshes’, after all. The people of Quincy will thank you.
As you can probably tell, the exploRVistas caravan is on the move! Stay tuned as we uncover more of America’s cool stories. Until next time, safe and happy travels to all!
exploRVistas 
Cool story! Glad to see you guys are on the move. Lindy and I hope to be heading to Phoenix by the end of the week. Safe travels to you guys.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome, Rick! Safe travels to you too!
LikeLike
Wow, what a great story. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story! Looking forward to more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 😊
LikeLike
Very interesting post about Quincy’s history. I’m pretty sure we’ve driven through Quincy, maybe even stayed near there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are actually staying at Triple C’s Campground near there, Beth. It used to be a KOA. It’s across from the old Jai-Ali fronton. We also went up to the state park near the Chattahoochee. Oh, my….they lost 90% of their trees to Hurricane Michael.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We went to Chattahoochee when we camped at Eastbank COE on the Georgia side of lake Seminole. I must have seen a sign for Quincy. It just sounds familiar
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting story on the towns history! I bet you are excited to be on the move and headed north. Great things await you in Michigan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We certainly are, Jim…thanks!
LikeLike
What a very interesting story! I look forward to future posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Betty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating, Jim! What an unusual story. And I’m trying to think where I’ve heard of Quincy before!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There used to be a TV show in the US called Quincy MD…and there is a Quincy, Massachusetts. That Coke stock was like getting in on Amazon way back when!
LikeLike
Quite the legacy indeed! To have the foresight AND to share it with others to the benefit of the whole town, a wonderful history. Thanks for sharing the research with us 🙂 There’s so many great stories out there for those of us blessed to enjoy the traveling life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many cool things to see, Jodee!
LikeLike
It’s amazing what one learns by traveling this country slowly as a way of life. Small town America is just so very interesting. Thanks for sharing this story about Quincy. Loved it! Safe travels as you move on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Pam!
LikeLike
A very interesting read. Thanks for posting a story about the history of this unique small town. Growing up in the Atlanta area Coke was a very big deal and many people benefited from the Quincy-like success. Seemingly every business sign had Coke co-marketing also. My understanding that many folks had their entire retirement monies in Coke stock.
Safe travels…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder what the people in Quincy thought when ‘new’ Coke came around! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person