Lincoln School (Rock Island, Illinois)
Encyclopedia
Lincoln School is an historic building located in Rock Island, Illinois
, United States
. It was designated a Rock Island Landmark in 1984, individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1985, and became part of the Broadway Historic District
when it was listed on the national register in 1998. It is the oldest school building and the only Romanesque Revival building in Rock Island.
architect E.S Hammatt, who had designed four other school buildings in Rock Island, although only Lincoln School remains. He also designed school buildings for the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
in Davenport. Kemper Hall, which still stands on the Davenport Central High School
campus and multiple additions to St. Katherine’s Hall
were also his work. He was also the architect for the Connor House
in Rock Island. Lincoln School was constructed by John Volk and Company.
Mary Platt, who taught ninth grade, was named the school’s first principal. Shorty after that ninth grade was moved to Rock Island High School
. Seventh and eighth grades remained at Lincoln until 1937. The school operated as an elementary school until 1980. It was scheduled for demolition in 1984 when it was given its landmark status. A neighbor who was interested in saving the building bought the old school. It remains vacant and was named on 2005’s Ten most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois by the preservation advocacy group Landmarks Illinois.
By order of the City Council, the building is slated to be torn down on July 1st, 2012 unless an organization can save it before then. The City voted to place a tarp over the leaking roof to allow for some of the building to be salvaged, but this was never completed.
style. The exterior, which is composed of red brick and Anamosa Limestone
and Bedford limestone
, features simple and bold massing. A flared and rusticated limestone base reinforces the visual weightiness of the building. A bell tower was constructed in brick on the front of the building and was removed in the 1940s. It featured stone quoin
ing. A recessed entry is located below an archway that features wrought-iron scrollwork.
The exterior of the school is simple and bold in massing. The hipped roof rises 41 feet (12.5 m) at the ridgeline and includes cross gables on three sides of the building. A flared and rusticated limestone base reinforces the visual weightiness of the building. The building is fronted with a brick bell tower with stone quoining. The tower was removed in the 1940s. Wrought-iron scrollwork spans the archway, which leads to a recessed entry with two sets of double doors.
The building’s interior was noteworthy for its expansive hallways, which also housed the school’s library. It also featured a grand staircase between floors.
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was designated a Rock Island Landmark in 1984, individually 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...
in 1985, and became part of the Broadway Historic District
Broadway Historic District (Rock Island, Illinois)
Broadway Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district and neighborhood in Rock Island, Illinois, U.S.A.. It is roughly bounded by 17th and 23rd street, 5th and 7th avenues, Lincoln Court, and 12th and 13th avenues...
when it was listed on the national register in 1998. It is the oldest school building and the only Romanesque Revival building in Rock Island.
History
The school building, which originally housed Public School #4, was completed in July 1894. It was designed by DavenportDavenport, 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...
architect E.S Hammatt, who had designed four other school buildings in Rock Island, although only Lincoln School remains. He also designed school buildings for the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America which covers all of Iowa. It is in Province VI. Its offices are in Des Moines, and it has two cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of St...
in Davenport. Kemper Hall, which still stands on the Davenport Central High School
Davenport Central High School
Davenport Central High School is a four-year comprehensive high school located in Davenport, Iowa. Opened in 1907 as "Davenport High School," Central is one of three public high schools part of the Davenport Community School District. The school, whose western side is located along U.S...
campus and multiple additions to St. Katherine’s Hall
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...
were also his work. He was also the architect for the Connor House
Connor House (Rock Island, Illinois)
Connor House is an historic building located in Rock Island, Illinois, United States. It was designated a Rock Island Landmark in 1987. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, and included in the Broadway Historic District on the national register in...
in Rock Island. Lincoln School was constructed by John Volk and Company.
Mary Platt, who taught ninth grade, was named the school’s first principal. Shorty after that ninth grade was moved to Rock Island High School
Rock Island High School
Rock Island High School, also known as "Rocky", is a public four-year high school located in Rock Island, Illinois, USA. Rocky is within the Rock Island-Milan School District No. 41, and the school colors are crimson and gold.-Technology:...
. Seventh and eighth grades remained at Lincoln until 1937. The school operated as an elementary school until 1980. It was scheduled for demolition in 1984 when it was given its landmark status. A neighbor who was interested in saving the building bought the old school. It remains vacant and was named on 2005’s Ten most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois by the preservation advocacy group Landmarks Illinois.
By order of the City Council, the building is slated to be torn down on July 1st, 2012 unless an organization can save it before then. The City voted to place a tarp over the leaking roof to allow for some of the building to be salvaged, but this was never completed.
Architecture
The building is designed in the Richardsonian RomanesqueRichardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque is a style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson, whose masterpiece is Trinity Church, Boston , designated a National Historic Landmark...
style. The exterior, which is composed of red brick and Anamosa Limestone
Anamosa Limestone
Anamosa Limestone is a dolomitic limestone quarried out of Stone City, Iowa, which is located along the Wapsipinicon River about two miles west of Anamosa, Iowa. It is distinguished by its uniform texture, color, and banding, its durability and most of all by its distinct veining. This distinctive...
and Bedford limestone
Indiana Limestone
Indiana Limestone, also known as Bedford Limestone is a common regional term for Salem limestone, a geological formation primarily quarried in south central Indiana between Bloomington and Bedford....
, features simple and bold massing. A flared and rusticated limestone base reinforces the visual weightiness of the building. A bell tower was constructed in brick on the front of the building and was removed in the 1940s. It featured stone 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...
ing. A recessed entry is located below an archway that features wrought-iron scrollwork.
The exterior of the school is simple and bold in massing. The hipped roof rises 41 feet (12.5 m) at the ridgeline and includes cross gables on three sides of the building. A flared and rusticated limestone base reinforces the visual weightiness of the building. The building is fronted with a brick bell tower with stone quoining. The tower was removed in the 1940s. Wrought-iron scrollwork spans the archway, which leads to a recessed entry with two sets of double doors.
The building’s interior was noteworthy for its expansive hallways, which also housed the school’s library. It also featured a grand staircase between floors.