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The History of Rock Island in Post Cards
After the fire, construction at the same location began immediately for the second high school, which was ready
for occupancy in 1859. That school was razed in 1892 to make way for the new P. S. No 4 (now "old" Lincoln
School). In the meantime, a third high school had been built in 1886 (and enlarged in 1898) on the corner of 6th
Avenue and 21st Street in the same block. That high school was probably designed by the architect who later designed
Lincoln, Edward S. Hammatt. It looked very similar to Lincoln, with the addition of an impressive round tower at
its corner. Once again, fire struck. On February 15, 1901, this school, too, burned to the ground. Again a new high school had to be built in 1902. The fourth high school, also depicted on many postcards, was
used until the completion of the present building, shown in today's postcard. The building continued as Central
Junior High School, until a fire set by two students destroyed it on December 11, 1949, with damage reported at
$1 million dollars. The day after that fire, the Argus showed many photos of it and other local school buildings
destroyed by flames. In the 1920s, a semi-rural hilltop site on 17th Street was purchased. Plans were made to first build a stadium,
whose cornerstone was laid in 1929, and later a larger high school. It is appropriate that this postcard, which
was published in 1945, shows the stadium in the foreground, since it predated the high school by nearly a decade.
The original stadium cost was reportedly $80,000, while the recent major renovation and restoration cost over $750,000. The Great Depression disrupted many plans. But in the mid 1930s Rock Island was finally able to build its fifth
high school when federal programs became available. The overcrowded old high school had been designed for 600 students;
the new high school was designed for 1600 and could accommodate 2000. In an Argus editorial lauding the new school,
its cost was reported as $1,250,000, of which nearly $480,000 was provided by the Public Works Administration.
The grant meant no increase in local school taxes. (And to put this in a contemporary perspective -- Geifman's
grocery store was advertising prime rib roast for 25 cents a pound, while 24 pounds of Pillsbury flour cost 99
cents. McCabe's sold women's new fall dresses for $1.88 - $9.67). Additional land west of the stadium was purchased, and excavation for the high school was begun in 1936. A rapid
construction schedule meant the school was ready for use in September, 1937. On Wednesday, October 6, 1937, the
first of four dedication ceremonies began with a ceremony for students. The following evening, a dedication was
held for the community, producing a nearly filled auditorium. The most formal ceremony was held on Friday evening,
and, on Sunday afternoon, the high school choir presented a final vesper program. The aerial view on the postcard vividly depicts the symmetry of the campus and how the overall plan integrated
the buildings into the landscape. The main entrance of the school is at the center of the east face, framed by
the twin auditorium-gymnasium wings. Even the circular drives on either end are symmetrical. Originally this symmetry
extended to the west face of the school, although later additions have been made here. The large lawns surrounding
the school and the stadium provided a unique campus, unparalleled in most cities. Over the years, as the school populations and needs have changed, additions were made to the original structure.
Fortunately, the architects and the school boards have chosen to maintain the symmetry of the front of the building
as well as its Art Deco styling. A recent major renovation and updating restored many architectural features of
the building and added a new "main" entrance at the south. But it's worth walking around the building,
just to see the beautiful aluminum framed entrance with its newly restored lanterns on the east. Peek through the
window of the "Little Theatre" on the north and see the wonderful "streamlined" ticket office,
also newly restored. Historic "Rocky" is well prepared for the next millenium. If you'd like more information on the high school, read "Rock Island's Modernistic Architecture."
It's FREE at the Preservation Commission kiosk at Rock Island's downtown library. Printed with permission
The square block between 21st and 22nd Streets and 6th and 7th Avenues was the educational center of Rock Island
ever since the Rock Island School District was organized in 1857. Lincoln was built on the site of an early high
school building. A "new" high school had recently been built on the part of the block diagonally opposite
at 21st Street and 6th Avenue ( 21st Street was still a through street.) Lincoln had a great resemblance to that
high school and was likely designed by the same architect. Both buildings had similar arched entryways, horizontal
stone banding and steep gables. This circa 1905 postcard, which appears to have been created from a photo used in "Picturesque Tri-Cities"
(1902-04), was published by the Rock Island Postcard Co. There's no flag today, but comparison to the original
photo shows that the flag was a painted-on enhancement. The only significant change over the years is the loss
of the top story of the bell tower, which was removed in the 1940s. Unfortunately, the bell disappeared at that
time as well. Early in the 20th century, Lincoln averaged an attendance of about 600, including a "school for the deaf"
in the lower level. At its closing in 1980, the function and name of Lincoln was transferred to the former Central
Junior High building to the west. Old Lincoln, P.S. No. 4, was sold and by 1984, it was scheduled for demolition.
A stay of execution was granted when it was designated a Landmark structure by the Rock Island Preservation Commission.
It was later purchased by private owners who achieved its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
They hoped to restore and adapt the building for a new use. Unfortunately, it is still vacant and unused, although
it is secure and dry. Revived interest and investment in Old Lincoln's traditional neighborhood of Broadway should
make reuse more financially feasible in the not too distant future. P. S. No. 4 was an architectural masterpiece in the Richardsonian Romanesque style and was designed by architect
Edward S. Hammatt. Born in Geneseo New York, Hammatt was educated at MIT and later worked for the nationally known
architectural firms of Ware & Van Brunt in Boston and Hardenbergh & Le Brun in New York. He came to the
Quad Cities in 1883 and maintained offices in both Rock Island and Davenport. Lincoln School provided Hammatt a marvelous palette for his talent. Costing $46,900, construction was done by
John Volk & Co. The foundation of the brick building was made of Anamosa limestone with Bedford (Indiana) limestone
used for trimming. Bedford is a hard and smooth-grained stone, which is ideally suited for carving - notice the
beautiful carving of the entrance arches. Those arches over the two recessed entrances are characteristic of the
Richardsonian Romanesque style. As well as being beautiful, Lincoln was noted for its unusual open floor plan. Classrooms line the exterior
walls of the building with a massive "split" staircase in the northwest corner surrounded by huge open
hallways. According to a 1905 Argus article, "The great center halls of the building have proved to be one
of the most satisfactory arrangements in the schools of the city. The (school) buildings erected later than 1892
have halls patterned largely after the plan of the Lincoln building." In addition to several downtown buildings, an early Inn at Black Hawk Park, and buildings for Augustana College,
Hammatt also designed three other schools in Rock Island, as well as the remodeling of the Weyerhaeuser dining
room (now Augustana's House on the Hill.). Lincoln School is the only remaining Hammatt building in Rock IslandÑand
our oldest surviving public school building as well. Hammatt was only 50 when he died in 1907, but fortunately
his masterwork P. S. No. 4, Lincoln School, endures into its eleventh decade. Back to the Postcard Index Page
That school, at 428 20th Street, was a 2-1/2 story brick building with an exposed stone basement and a front
facing gable roof. It served as a school until our postcard school was built. Even after it was no longer used
for classrooms, the church used the building as a residence for custodians and staff. Finally, in 1969, it was
demolished for parking space. But all these old schools were soon to be history. On August 11,1918, the cornerstone was laid for a brand new
school to accommodate all students. That school, depicted on our postcard, was designed by local architects Olof
Cervin and Benj. Horn in what could be termed an 'Educational Gothic' style. The construction proceeded rapidly
through the fall and winter, in time for dedication ceremonies on Sunday, January 26, 1919. The dedication was
a daylong affair with two separate events. A morning celebration was held in German (remember, this was the German
Lutheran Church), while the afternoon' s events and presentation were in English. The church choir and pupils provided
hymns and songs while local and visiting pastors gave sermons and speeches. After the morning presentation, the congregation marched from the church to the new school, where contractor
H. W. Horst formally presented the school keys to pastor Rev. Wilhelm. After Rev. Wilhelm unlocked the doors, the
new building was open for inspection. It was designed to accommodate every imaginable church and school need. A
double bowling alley in the lower level basement provided a home for the congregation's bowling league. The double
height third story held an auditorium-gymnasium with a balcony as well as a kitchen. There was a stage located
on the north wall. This well-planned school served the congregation for nearly 40 years. By 1953, the school had once again outgrown its space as it reached its capacity of 150 students. After years
of fundraising and construction, a new and larger building at 3300 24th Street was occupied in October of 1957.
Then, just as the church was obtaining bids to convert the old school to a Sunday school, a devastating fire struck.
On March 17, 1958, a 9 pm alarm summoned firefighters. They responded by extinguishing the blaze with an estimated
150,000 gallons of water. The source of the fire was unknown, but it was speculated that lint had somehow been
accidentally ignited. Church bowlers and their pinsetter, who had been practicing in the basement lanes, were startled
at the beginning of the fire when smoke began seeping into the basement. In the aftermath of the fire, it was found that the third floor of the building where the fire started was totally
destroyed. Water damage to the rest of the building rendered the condition such that the possibility of total demolition
was strongly considered. Damage to the structure was reported at $75,000, and its lost contents were valued at
another $3000. Even the parsonage next door suffered damage because it was sited so close to the school. The pastor
and his family had been evacuated during the fire. Although the school building was partially rebuilt for Sunday school and meeting rooms, it had lost its third
story. Fortunately all of the architectural details that could be salvaged after the fire - the 'towered' front
entrance, the stonework sign, the patterned brick - were saved during its rebuilding. Unfortunately, the loss of
the third story was significant. Nearly half of the school's total height was lost, greatly changing its proportions
and compromising its appearance. About twenty years ago, the school was rented to Project NOW, although it was still used for Sunday school.
Recently, Project NOW left, leaving a vacant and unneeded building. A reluctant decision was made to demolish the
old school. For its many past students, the demolition is a sad occasion, with memories reduced to rubble. (The school was demolished in 2001) This location would better serve the Swedish immigrants who settled throughout the midwest. The College purchased
a tract of partially wooded farmland located half way between the business districts of Rock Island and Moline.
The land was not yet developed. The only street connecting Rock Island and Moline was 5th Avenue. But by the date
of the postcard, 7th Avenue had become a major boulevard and Augustana College had grown to become a campus of
buildings. Old Main, the building on the right, was designed by two architectural firms, Hallbergh of Chicago and E.S.
Hammatt of Rock Island. It took almost a decade to complete the impressive structure. The cornerstone was laid
in 1884. The building was dedicated in 1889. The dome and portico were completed in 1893. During the years of construction
city water and electricity were extended to the College and incorporated into the building. In 1888 most of the
academic functions were transferred from the first college building to Old Main. The older building served as a
dormitory until it was razed in 1935. Old Main stands today as the defining structure of Augustana College. It
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Submitted by the Rock Island Preservation Society Back to the Postcard Index Page
The rectory, just east of the church on 4th Avenue, was built in 1869. The first school, a one-story frame building
18 x 32 feet, was built in 1875. Franciscan sisters from a convent in Joliet were recruited to teach at the new
school. Not too many years later, enrollment had outgrown that small school, and in 1890 the congregation began
construction of a brand new school building. That school, located on the northeast corner of 5th Avenue and 22nd
Street and pictured on our postcard, was constructed at a cost of $10,000. Above the arched entrance was the inscription,
"For God, Our Country and Our Children," while just inside were the words "Welcome to All." A book produced for the church centennial offers more information. It describes the school as "two story
brick, of modern design, and built in accordance with the requirements of the parish." A large number of people
from Davenport and Moline as well as Rock Island participated in its dedication. Those from Davenport were met
at the ferry by the Rock Islanders, and the entourage, headed by Bleuer's band, proceeded back to the church for
services. After the blessing of the new school, there was a gathering in Columbia Hall on its second floor. The
hall, designed for school programs, was said to have a "commodious" stage. For many years, St. Mary's was known as the German church and conducted many services in German. Other Catholic
churches had different ethnic identities, notably Belgian and Irish. Such specialization of congregations was apparent
in other denominations as well. This ethnic self-segregation likely resulted from the large influx of immigrants
who did not speak English well and who sought the comfort of their native language in their spiritual life. Except for the addition of cast stone siding on the school and the removal of unneeded chimneys, the school
has changed very little. The new siding still shows the gable details and the stone foundation is the same as always.
The second story windows even have the original carving above each upper sash. Although the school closed in 1968,
the building continued in use to serve the educational and social needs of the church. The school is now called
Schroeder Hall in honor of Rev. George Schroeder, who retired in 1992 after serving 50 years in the priesthood,
most of those years at St. Mary's. When the school closed, the convent was unused and, after being vacant for some
time, was finally demolished. (Shortly after this article was published (in 2001), the roof of the school collapsed, causing tremendous damage
as the sprinklers were set off. The congregation chose to rebuild the roof and repair the school building, so it
looks the same today.) Back to the Postcard Index Page
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