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Doris & Victor Day House, 2903 22 1/2 Avenue
Most Significant Unprotected Structures:
Home of Doris & Victor Day, who created the most generous private foundation in Rock Island
Architectural Style:
Georgian Revival
Construction Date:
1941
Architect/Builder:
Benj. A. Horn, Architect
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Doris Dammann Day was born in North Dakota. At an early age, she moved with her mother and father, Christine and Will Dammann, to Rock Island. Will Dammann and his brother, Henry, were cofounders of the Bear Manufacturing Company, the first company in the nation to manufacture wheel alignment equipment for the automotive industry.
Mrs. Day was educated in the Rock Island Public school system, attended Augustana College, and graduated from the National Kindergarten and Elementary College in Evanston, Illinois. She taught for a time in Rock Island schools. Doris Dammann and Victor Day were married in Evanston in 1930.
Victor Day was born in Davenport, Iowa, and was educated in Davenport schools. He was a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, and worked as a registered pharmacist before joining the Bear Manufacturing firm in 1936. In 1953, Mr. Day became president of the Bear Manufacturing Company. Mrs. Day became chairman of the Board of Directors. Both served until 1972 when the firm merged with Applied Power Industries, Inc.
Doris and Victor Day established a private foundation bearing their names on July 16, 1965, as a means of giving financial support to charitable activities. Funding in excess of $10,000,000 occurred following the death of Mrs. Day in 1987. "Rock Island will be a better place," were words Doris included when she shared plans for the foundation with a friend. The foundation office opened in August of 1987, and in subsequent years the trustees have sought to bring Doris and Victor's dream to life. The foundation is intended to exist in perpetuity to meet basic human needs. Emergency assistance, affordable housing, child care, job training, support programs, scholarships, and education have been the focus of many grants. Rock Island residents are the direct beneficiaries.
The construction date for this home is relatively late for the Georgian Revival period. It features a steep hip roof with lower wings on the sides and a central chimney. The walls are constructed of a tan brick with interesting brick patterns throughout the house. The brick forms quoins at the corners of the home, a dentil crown "molding," arched lintels above the windows, a patterned door surround, and decorative indentations on either side of the entrance. The hipped-roof dormers intersect the roof plane. The front entrance canopy mimics the arched windows, but this time made of wood with filigree iron posts. The louvered, hinged shutters are properly sized to cover the windows. The area beneath the first floor windows is filled with paneled wood rather than brick. A rounded porch with small-paned casement windows is located on the west side of the house. The garage, which is designed to complement the house, is original.
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