BROADWAY INTRODUCTION

This grand Victorian neighborhood is the premier historic area in Rock Island, where old houses are regarded as treasures. Great architecture, constant restorations, and a first rate neighborhood association have made this area the place to be in the Quad Cities for old house lovers. More than 550 homes make up the Broadway collection, which has numerous examples of Queen Anne, Italianate and Colonial Revival architecture. The earliest home is from 1854, but most of the area was built between 1890 and 1915. The Broadway neighborhood is listed on the National Register, and hosts outstanding Tours of Homes each May. It features more Rock Island landmarks than any other neighborhood, and is nationally famous for founding the “Great Unveiling” program, where artificial siding is removed from historic homes. To learn more about the ambitious and innovative Broadway Historic District Association, go to their website at www.broadwaydistrict.org.

Growth & Development

Aggressive growth came to the Broadway neighborhood, located just a few blocks south of Rock Island’s downtown, in the 1860s. Additions were platted by Webber, Mixter, Buford, Schnell, Spencer, Dart and others. As convenience was the impetus for the neighborhood’s development, the sections of Broadway closest to downtown developed first. The area north of 9th Avenue was mostly developed prior to 1890, while the area south of 9th Avenue was developed from 1890 to 1915, with housing construction moving progressively south with time.

Many of Broadway’s homes were custom built for people who had professional or managerial occupations in downtown Rock Island. People like druggist Frank Bahnsen, architect Leonard Drack, dentist William Magill, newspaper publisher Minnie Potter, attorney Edward Sweeney, brewer Robert Wagner, oil company magnate Frank Welch, department store owners Frank Young and William McCombs are just a few. Working class folk were also represented in the neighborhood. Locksmith Charles Fiebig, stone mason Robert McFarlane, railroad conductor Thomas Cook and grocer Charles Hansgen lived here, too.

The name “Broadway” comes from the original name of 23rd Street. Broadway Presbyterian Church at 710 23rd Street still bears that historic name. In 1876, a new name system for streets was implemented, creating the current numbered streets and avenues throughout the city. Broadway is the only street name from the previous system that remains in use in any form. In 1988, the neighborhood’s Broadway Historic Area Association adopted the historic name to perpetuate this neighborhood’s identity and to promote the preservation of its historic resources.

Join us for a sampling of great architecture in this neighborhood with a terrific “sense of place.” And while each home is an architectural gem, some associations with early residents are equally compelling.