In 1848, most wagons were still made in small scattered shops where general blacksmithing and wagonmaking were combined, although a few firms such as Wilson, Childe and Company of Philadelphia had achieved considerable size. In that year, Quincy, located in the middle of the corn belt in the westernmost part of Illinois on the Mississippi River, was a growing center of commerce, shipping, and manufacturing for the surrounding area. There had already been established here at least four wagon manufacturers.