Diverse Styles

The diverse styles of Rock Island’s historic residential architecture span the time period from just after early settlement in the 1850s to the post-World War II subdivisions of the 1950s. Rock Island’s houses also reflected economic status of the citizens. While Rock Island had some share of lumber and brewery barons, the community was predominantly middle and working class. Many national architectural styles are represented by a mere handful of examples, and these frequently are religious or public buildings and not residences. Many homes illustrate just hints of certain architectural styles or types, while others are purely vernacular.

Link below to illustrated examples showing the architectural style or type. Representative dates are for the periods the architectural style or type was constructed in Rock Island; national time frames may vary. See p. 11 of Residential Design Guidelines for Rock Island Landmarks and Historic Districts for an illustrated timeline of these styles.

Art Moderne Bungalow Colonial Revival Craftsman Foursquare

Gothic Revival Greek Revival Italianate Minimal Traditional Prairie

Queen Anne Ranch Second Empire Stick Tudor