Landmark Designation: 1987

Architectural Style: Italianate

Construction Date: circa 1856

Nominated by: Grace Eastland

Christopher Atkinson, who owned a brick manufacturing company in Rock Island during the mid-1850s, built this home. At the time it was built, the house was located on “Bluff Road” and was close to the eastern city limits. The home was probably built from bricks manufactured at Atkinson’s brickyard.

Atkinson was credited for constructing the first Rock Island high school in 1858, which was torched just before the school system took occupancy. Other significant buildings constructed by Atkinson include the Buford Block, Rock Island Plow Works, Rock Island Water Works and the residence of P. L. Mitchell, another Rock Island Landmark, at 1131 2nd Avenue. Atkinson’s firm is also credited with laying the first brick streets in the city.

This Italianate home has extraordinary windows, with twelve panes in each, and much of the old wavy glass is still intact. Square nails were used in the construction of the house, and the dugout basement under the south bedroom has a tree stump in it.

Return to Rock Island Landmarks page.