Keystone Neighborhood College Heights

By: Michael Lurigio and Natalie SchildgenHist 320

College Heights

Timeline of Notable Events

Indian Boundary Line (1821)•The northern edge of the park is delineated by the Indian Boundary

Commemoration of Park (1909)•Rock Island residents commemorated Abraham Lincoln’s centennial birthday in 1909 by naming this east end park in his honor.

Debate Over Sale of Park (1920-1921)•In 1920, neighboring Augustana College expressed interest in acquiring the mostly undeveloped park , but citizens disagreed.

•Citizens prevailed, as the park was never sold.

Naomi Davenport Contributions (1924)•Naomi Davenport donated funds for Lincoln Park in 1924.

•Used to build fountain, bandstand , and create trust fund for free concerts.

Further Additions to Park and Additional Funding (1930)•A wading pool was installed within the park during 1930. F.C. Denkmann donated $45,000 to further the park's development.

Victory Gardens•Lincoln Park was home to a "Victory Garden" which helped support WWII and to combat growing food prices.

Alleman High School•Construction of the high school did not start until 1948.

•Western boundary lies across 38th Street from the campus of Augustana College.

•Building was designed by architect Edward Lerch of Rock Island.

High School Dedication•$1,600,000 high school was dedicated August 28, 1949, and named for Father George Alleman. Fr. Alleman, born in Strasborg, France in 1806

Turning Point: Lincoln ParkThe park was founded

in 1906. It is 22.75 acre site,

selected for its view of the Mississippi River valley.

Lincoln Park was to be considered one of Rock Island’s beauty areas, meant for relaxation from increasingly busy lives.

Lincoln Park Continued

This map shows College Heights in 1905 prior to the creation of Lincoln Park.

This map shows College Heights in 1906 after the creation of Lincoln Park.

Why Lincoln Park Represents a turning Point within College heights

Lincoln Park represents a turning point within College Heights because it provided a venue for residents to participate in various recreational activities, as well as enjoy the outdoors. Later on, during WWII, it gave Rock Island residents a means to support the war effort through Victory Gardens planted throughout the park.

Lincoln Park Davenport Fountain (Paired Image)

(1960) Note the addition of two lamp posts. Last photo preserved still containing the fountain and pool of water

beneath it. Lincoln Park Davenport Fountain (1939)

Drawing of the fountain (sometime after 1960)

In 1928 ground was broken for the Davenport fountain. Upper left picture shows fountain and surrounding Denkmann Memorial wading pool in 1939. Upper right picture shows the addition of lamp posts and more seating options around fountain in 1960. The lower left postcard depicts the site as it was sometime after 1960, with the omission of the fountain. Currently, the fountain and pool no longer stand.

Turning Point: Alleman High School Located in the College Heights section of

Keystone Neighborhood (1103 40th Street) Designed by architect Edward Lerch of

Rock Island Built by the T.S. Willis Company of

Janesville, Wisconsin (also constructed Rock Island City Hall) Idea conceived in 1926 Delayed by the depression Construction began in 1948

$1,600,000 high school was dedicated August 28, 1949

Named after Father George Alleman. born in Strasborg, France in 1806, priest of the Dominican order and served

as a missionary in the Mississippi Valley (1838-1863)

learned the languages of many Indian tribes

Stained Glass Image of George Alleman which resides within Alleman High School

*Full timeline of school available at: http://www.allemanhighschool.org/about-us/aboutus_historicaltimeline.cfm

Alleman High School Continued Private institution with Roman

Catholic roots Official title: Alleman Catholic

High School, commonly referred to as Alleman

High School (Name on building today)

Initial enrollment (1949) = 571 Today enrollment (2015) = 497 Today it is the largest Catholic

high school in the Quad Cities Notable additions over the years:

Additional classrooms and wings chapel gymnasium performing arts center

Official school logo

*Note: name on building is now simply “Alleman High School”

Why Alleman High School Represents a turning Point within College heightsAlleman Catholic High School represents a

turning point for the keystone community, as it provided a private alternative to the public high school. It honored a highly revered priest (George Alleman), in addition to revitalizing a seemingly struggling community post-depression.

Old vs Modern Alleman Building Comparison(Paired Image)

Alleman High School (2014)Alleman High School (1949)

*Note the additional rooms built on in the modern image

Alleman Paired Image Description

As previously mentioned, construction of school began in 1948. Image on left shows Alleman as it stood in 1949. Image on the right shows the school as it currently stands. Numerous additions have been built to modernize and accommodate as many as 1,200 students.

14th Avenue at 38th Street(Paired Image)

Corner of 14th Ave and 38th St (1951)

Corner of 14th Ave and 38th St (2014)

14th Avenue at 38th Street Paired Image Write-up

The corner of 14th Ave and 38th St is part of a small retail locale which has housed small businesses over the years. The picture on the left shows a drugstore and The Ritz in 1951. As we turn our attention to the modern-day image on the right, the corner appears to have undergone notable change. The drugstore is no longer in business, now simply a vacant lot. The once popular local club/bar across the street (The Ritz) has also gone out of business. The empty building is a prime example of local business struggles common in an age of superstores and corporations.

Neighborhood Story: F.C. DenkmannFrederick Carl Denkmann 3/25/1859-2/11/1929Born to German immigrants in Rock Island Graduate of Rock Island High School , AB Degree

from University of Iowa, then received a law degree Served on several boards in the city of Rock Island:

Chamber of Commerce, Illinois State Historical Society, Young Men’s Christian Association, Board of Education (President), Park Board (President), Chairman for War Camp, and many more

His sister was married to John HaubergDonated much time and money to Lincoln Park

Neighborhood Story: Father AllemanBorn in France in 1806 Priest of the Dominican Order and served as

a missionary in the Mississippi Valley from 1838-1863

He served in many areas in Iowa, and also in Rock Island and the Chicago area.

He died on July 14, 1865, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery of St. Louis, MO in an unmarked grave.

Neighborhood Story: Naomi DavenportGranddaughter of Col. DavenportActively involved in community in the Quad

City Area, especially in commemorating monuments in her family’s name

Gave $20,000 in order to build several monuments in Lincoln Park (fountain, band stand, etc.)

Died in 1924 at age 82

Works Cited: Alleman Catholic High School." Fr. Alleman. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.

Beduhn, Sally. Geneology Trails. N.p., n.d. Web.

Davenport, Naomi L. "The Will of Naomi Davenport." State Histoical Society of Iowa.

Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2015.

FC Denkmann. Rock Island: n.p., 1929. Print.

Google maps

Keystone Neighborhood Driving Tour." Rock Island, IL. N.p., 1997. Web. 13 Dec. 2014.

"Live Edit." Rock Island, IL. City of Rock Island, 2011. Web. 13 Jan. 2015.

RIPS. RIPS Lincoln Park Davenport Fountain Comments. Rock Island Preservation

Society, n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2015.

"Stjosephhistory.html." Stjosephhistory.html. Holy Family Parish, n.d. Web. 13 Jan.

2015.