Title: 150 Years of Epitaphs at Chippiannock Cemetery
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- Pages: 284
- Year Printed: 2006
- .PDF Version: Not Available. However, click on the image to left to see the Table of Contents and the complete index.
- Availability: Various Quad City area libraries and schools or for purchase at the Chippiannock Cemetery Heritage Foundation, (309)788-6622.
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The stories of the people, plots and past of Chippiannock Cemetery are now available in a new book co-published by the Rock Island Preservation Commission and the Chippiannock Cemetery Heritage Foundation. This 284-page paperback features biographies, scripts, historical photographs and monuments pertaining to the 114 people featured in the popular “Chippiannock Cemetery: Epitaphs Brought to Life” tour series. Special sections of the book enlighten readers about the rural cemetery movement, Chippiannock’s role in that movement, and interpret the monumental and symbolic art and landscape and botanical significance of the cemetery.
Title: The Roots of Your House – A Guide to Historic Resources in Rock Island
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- Pages: 18
- Year Printed: Reprinted 2001, Revised 2007
- .PDF Version: Click on image to left.
(may take several minutes to download)
- Availability: Rock Island Planning and Redevelopment Division.
- Cost: Free
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This 18-page guide to historic resources in Rock Island County will help you discover your house. It contains information on city directories, historic street names, title abstracts, deed research, pictorial research, Sanborn maps, newspapers, historical albums, Internet resources, Preservation Commission publications, helpful books on local library shelves and particular strengths about local libraries.
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Title: Rock Island History – A Companion to the Architectural Walking Tours
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- Pages: 44
- Year Printed: Originally published 1992, Revised 1999
- .PDF Version: Click on image to left.
(may take several minutes to download)
- Availability: No longer in print.
- Cost: Free
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Written by Kathleen Seusy, this very popular booklet gives a thorough overview of Rock Island history in just an hour’s read. Popular with citizens, tourists and students alike, this pamphlet covers the earliest settlement of this part of the Mississippi River Valley to the status of Rock Island at the eve of World War II. Filled with dates, photographs, influential people, local lore and amusing tales, this booklet offers a good grounding in Rock Island history. Reference to many of the architectural walking tours is an added bonus.
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Title: Residential Design Guidelines for Rock Island’s Historic Districts and Landmarks
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- Pages: 44
- Year Printed: 1993, Reprinted 2004.
- .PDF Version: Click on image to left.
(may take several minutes to download)
- Availability: Rock Island City Hall
- Cost: Free
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The Rock Island Preservation Commission has created this booklet to assist property owners in selecting appropriate and historically sensitive designs for their property sites, exterior house alterations and new building construction. Changes to buildings are often inevitable, and these guidelines assist Rock Island historic homeowners with ways to maintain a “sense of place and time” that makes their homes and neighborhoods special and unique. To learn more about how these guidelines apply to Rock Island Landmarks, please click here.
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Title: New Homes in Old Rock Island – House Plan Booklet
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- Pages: 20
- Year Printed: 1995
- .PDF Version: Not available
- Availability: Rock Island City Hall
- Cost: Free
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New construction in historic neighborhoods should harmonize with the predominant characteristics of the surrounding neighborhood. Originality, innovation and quality design within the context of the surrounding community are encouraged. The Rock Island Preservation Commission used this philosophy of infill construction when they sponsored an architectural design contest to gather innovative yet compatible house plans for specific locations in the city’s Broadway and Chicago Addition neighborhoods. These designs are intended to demonstrate to citizens, contractors, real estate developers and bankers that quality, affordable new construction in older neighborhoods is desirable and feasible. Eleven house elevations and floor plans are featured, along with jury comments.
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Title: Rock Island’s Historic Residential Neighborhoods, 1835-1955 – A Summary Report
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- Pages: 276
- Year Printed: 1999
- .PDF Version: Not available
- Reference Availability: Rock Island Public Library, Rock Island City Hall, Augustana College Library, Rock Island County Historical Society Library
- Cost: $17.00 (May be purchased at Rock Island Planning & Redevelopment Division)
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This comprehensive study of housing and neighborhoods covers city development patterns from Rock Island’s earliest years and includes a major discussion of housing construction in context with growth spurts in the community. Special attention is paid to 15 neighborhoods, their beginnings and house styles. You will also find a comprehensive discussion of Rock Island architecture and influential builders and architects. Consultant James E. Jacobsen extensively surveyed the following neighborhoods:
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Title: United States Housing Corporation Houses – A Neighborhood Historic Preservation Plan
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- Pages: 155
- Year Printed: 2000
- .PDF Version: Not available
- Availability: Rock Island City Hall
- Cost: Free
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Two hundred houses in Rock Island and hundreds more in the rest of the Quad Cities were built in six months during the winter of 1918-1919 to shelter war effort workers for World War I. This federal program marked the first time the U.S. Government built housing for civilians. The Rock Island District project was the third largest completed project in the nation and the only one in Illinois and Iowa. Learn all about the history, the houses, and the struggle to complete these solid homes in the face of wartime labor and materials shortages. This document, written by James E. Jacobsen, features original sketches of the house elevations and floor plans, along with each existing house matched to its model.
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Title: Downtown Design Guidelines
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- Pages: 12
- Year Printed: 2004
- .PDF Version: Click on image to left.
(may take several minutes to download)
- Availability: Rock Island Public Library, Rock Island City Hall
- Cost: Free
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The Downtown Design Guidelines are used to help property owners understand the importance of design considerations and to raise expectations of good design. Topics include streetscapes; setbacks; historic resources; building facade; access; new construction considerations; signs; parking and more. These guidelines apply to Facade Improvement Program and New Markets Tax Credit projects, but are useful for all downtown buildings undergoing rehab.
Return to Tours/Publications page.
