Landmark Designation: 1993

Architectural Style: Italianate, front gable subtype

Construction Date: circa 1878-1880

Nominated by: Jaan Sturgis for the Rock Island Preservation Society

This front gable Italianate structure is constructed of brick. Rarely are Rock Island’s 19th century homes constructed of brick, and then they are usually of this Italianate style. The Kohn-Bradford house features brackets, stone hoods above the windows and a cut stone foundation. The front porch is an early alteration, probably around 1906. There is a one-story addition on the rear that was added around 1900 for a doctor’s office. This office mimicked the main house with two over two windows, brick arches and virtually identical brick.

Margaret Kohn, a widow, and her sons Edward, Lewis, Max and Monroe, first occupied this home. The Kohn family operated Kohn & Adler, one of the largest distributors of fine wine and liquor in the Upper Midwest. By the mid-1890s, Lowrie Blanding, an attorney and businessman, rented the house. His father was mayor of Rock Island in 1888.

In 1900, Monroe Kohn sold the house to Dr. Eli Bradford and his wife, Mary. Dr. Bradford was a well-known and respected physician in Rock Island for over 30 years. He initially conducted his practice in the office to the rear of the house, but eventually moved his practice to the Best Building (now the Plaza Office Building) in downtown Rock Island.