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Quonset Hut, 2013 5th Avenue
Most Significant Unprotected Structures:
Only traditional Quonset Hut in Rock Island
Architectural Style:
Utilitarian
Construction Date:
ca. 1942-45
Architect/Builder:
Davisville Naval Construction, Manufacturers
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A Quonset Hut is a lightweight prefabricated structure of corrugated galvanized iron having a semicircular cross section. The design was based on the Nissen hut developed by the British during World War I. The name comes from their site of first manufacture, Quonset Point, at the Davisville Naval Construction Battalion Center in Davisville, Rhode Island. The original Quonset Hut measured 16' x 36', and could be erected by a crew of eight men in a single day. The hut's proportions were later modified to increase interior space, resulting in the standardized Quonset or "Steel Arch Rib Hut," a 20' x 48' building weighing 3.5 tons.
Between 150,000 and 170,000 Quonset huts were manufactured during World War II. After the war, the U.S. military sold the surplus Quonset huts to the public for $1,000 each. Many are still standing throughout the United States, primarily used for commercial buildings (especially Army surplus stores), homes, warehouses and agriculture.
In 1948, this Quonset hut was relocated to downtown Rock Island and was used by Bear Manufacturing for a warehouse for about ten years. In 1958, it was owned by Richard C. McClure, and by the early 1970s was used as a warehouse by Lerch & Thonn, an office equipment retailer.
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