Bridge Avenue Historic District
Encyclopedia
The Bridge Avenue Historic District is located on the east side of Davenport, Iowa
, United States
. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places
since 1983. The historic district stretches from River Drive along the Mississippi River
up a bluff to East Ninth Street, which is near the top of the hill. It lies just to the east of the St. Katherine's Historic District
, and is just to the southeast of a large area of the city known as the LeClaire Reserve.
The most promenate of the residences was built by Ambrose Fulton, who was significant to Davenport’s early settlement and its industrial history. His house, built around 1871, was constructed in a vernacular Italianate style and dominates the northeast corner of East River Drive and Bridge Avenue. It is a side-gable
d house and is constructed of stone. The house is now a bed and breakfast named Fulton’s Landing.
Of the four oldest houses in the district, three are Italianate and one is Second Empire. Three of the four houses feature quoin
ed corners similar to that of the Fulton residence even though they are built of wood. Quoining is rare in Davenport’s residential architecture and its noticeable incidence here suggest others were emulating Fulton.
Besides Fulton three other prominent members of the Davenport community built houses on Bridge Avenue. John B. Carmichael dealt in books, stationary and wallpaper; Josiah Dow owned a grain mill; and John Forrest was a local politician and commercial developer.
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
since 1983. The historic district stretches from River Drive along the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
up a bluff to East Ninth Street, which is near the top of the hill. It lies just to the east of the St. Katherine's Historic District
St. Katherine's Historic District
St. Katherine's Historic District is located on the east side Davenport, Iowa, United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the campus of a former Episcopal girl’s school named St. Katherine’s Hall. It is currently the location of a senior living facility called...
, and is just to the southeast of a large area of the city known as the LeClaire Reserve.
Architecture
The district consists of fourteen homes along Bridge Avenue. Ten of the houses are on the west side of the street. The houses were built between the 1870s and 1910. With two exceptions they are of wood construction.The most promenate of the residences was built by Ambrose Fulton, who was significant to Davenport’s early settlement and its industrial history. His house, built around 1871, was constructed in a vernacular Italianate style and dominates the northeast corner of East River Drive and Bridge Avenue. It is a side-gable
Gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
d house and is constructed of stone. The house is now a bed and breakfast named Fulton’s Landing.
Of the four oldest houses in the district, three are Italianate and one is Second Empire. Three of the four houses feature quoin
Quoin (architecture)
Quoins are the cornerstones of brick or stone walls. Quoins may be either structural or decorative. Architects and builders use quoins to give the impression of strength and firmness to the outline of a building...
ed corners similar to that of the Fulton residence even though they are built of wood. Quoining is rare in Davenport’s residential architecture and its noticeable incidence here suggest others were emulating Fulton.
Besides Fulton three other prominent members of the Davenport community built houses on Bridge Avenue. John B. Carmichael dealt in books, stationary and wallpaper; Josiah Dow owned a grain mill; and John Forrest was a local politician and commercial developer.