1720 22nd Street

Designation

Highland Park Historic District, 1985

Significance Statement

Rare Spanish Colonial Revival home, one of the most unique in the city, with an arched-opening gallery that mimics window shapes.

Architectural Style

Spanish Colonial Revival

Construction Date

1911

Architect / Builder

Unknown

Tour Publications

Highland Park

Evocative Architecture

This Spanish Colonial Revival style home, built in 1911, is one of the most unique in the city. Rock Island is not well known for its Spanish or Mission architecture, but this home would be considered an outstanding example in any community. The curvilinear parapet on the south wall is evocative of California Spanish missions. Behind this wall, the interior is built around a central courtyard with a fountain and a glass ceiling, a truly unique feature in this Midwestern region. Under the parapet are round-topped windows and a wood trellis that frames doors to the large side yard. The gallery on the 22nd Street side adds greatly to the Spanish flavor of the home.

The chimney on the south side, with its decorative brickwork and horizontal brick band at the second story level, seems to reflect shades of Prairie or Craftsman style.

The original roof was made Ludowici French clay tile, identical to that on the Looney mansion. However, the roof was replaced in 2001 with Mission-style concrete tiles, an excellent example of how modern materials can look like old. It is also likely the original stucco was unpainted.

Owners

This incredible home was built for George and Lillian Wagner. George was briefly president of Blake Specialty Comapny, manufacturers of plumbing supplies. His father was George Wagner, Sr., owner of Atlantic Brewing Company. Brother Robert Wagner was at the helm of Rock Island Brewing Company for three decades.

Frank and Anna Bahnsen of Hartz & Bahnsen Wholesale Druggists lived here from 1918 to 1929. They had earlier lived in a Rock Island Landmark home at 852 19th Street. Mr. Bahnsen was killed in an automobile accident en route to Indiana in 1932, at which time the home was purchased by James and Marion Bruner. Bruner was a lawyer in the Safety Building; Marion was a McCabe daughter and heiress, who lived just one block away from her sisters in this neighborhood. James Bruner died in 1934 at age 36, but Marion continued to live in the house five more years. At the time World War II was beginning, Herman and Beatrice Hill moved here. He served as secretary-treasurer for the Hill Furniture Company at 1600-1604 2nd Avenue. In more recent times, the home was owned by the Walter Braud family. Mr. Braud, a prominent Rock Island attorney, also served as Park Board President for many years and eventually became the 14th Judicial District Judge.

Location

Neighborhood Info