Davenport City Hall

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Davenport City Hall
Davenport, Iowa City Hall.jpg
City Hall in 2008
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Location226 W. 4th St.
Davenport, Iowa
Coordinates 41°31′27″N90°34′35″W / 41.52417°N 90.57639°W / 41.52417; -90.57639 Coordinates: 41°31′27″N90°34′35″W / 41.52417°N 90.57639°W / 41.52417; -90.57639
Arealess than one acre
Built1895
Built byMorrison Brothers
Architect John W. Ross
Architectural style Richardsonian Romanesque
Part of Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District (ID100005546)
NRHP reference No. 82002639 [2]
DRHP No.7 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPApril 22, 1982
Designated DRHPJune 2, 1993

Davenport City Hall is the official seat of government for the city of Davenport, Iowa, United States. The building was constructed in 1895 and is situated on the northeast corner of the intersection of Harrison Street (U.S. Route 61) and West Fourth Street in Downtown Davenport. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 1993. [2] [1] In 2020 it was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District. [3]

Contents

History

Davenport started to outgrow its previous city hall, which had been built on Brady Street from 1857 to 1858. [4] The role of city government expanded during the mayoral administration of Henry Vollmer (1893-1896). [5] Among his major achievements were several public works projects. Streets were paved in the older sections of the city and developers laid out new subdivisions around the perimeter.

In 1895, in the midst of a deep national economic depression, Davenport built an ornate new City Hall. The cost was about $90,000 — an astronomical sum at that time — and the City constructed the new building without issuing any municipal bonds. [6] Local legend has long suggested that the city retired the debt so quickly by taxing the city's brothels, but the fines levied against the brothels accounted for only between $7,000-$9,000 per year, just a portion of the financial windfall the city reaped in the mid-1890s. The bulk of the funds came from a new state law (the "mulct tax") which applied to the city's 150 illegal saloons and amounted to around $50,000 per year. This tax allowed for construction not only of City Hall, but also paved streets and a new sewer system, and from 1902–08, the city eliminated its property taxes altogether. [6]

City Hall from the corner of Harrison and Fourth Streets Davenport City Hall 01.JPG
City Hall from the corner of Harrison and Fourth Streets

Besides Vollmer there were two other noteworthy Davenport mayors associated with this city hall. Alfred C. Mueller served the city during two separate periods (1910-1916, 1922–24). He was responsible for initiating the city's building code, sewer planning and construction, street paving, and planning and implementing improvements to the riverfront. Dr. C.L. Barewald (1920-1922) was the city's first Socialist mayor. [7] Davenport's German community had become a political force by the early 20th century and they had become disenchanted with the Democratic Party's war stance that lead the country into World War I and the anti-German sentiments that resulted. They were also opposed to the Republican Party's support for national prohibition of alcohol so they threw their support behind the Socialist Party of America. Two years prior to Barewald's election as mayor two Socialists were elected as aldermen and they were reelected in 1920. During his term as mayor, Barewald began several public works projects that put people to work and enhanced city improvements. The municipal natatorium was built, new streets were opened and a major sewer was completed. Barewald and the other two Socialists were overwhelmingly voted out of office in 1922 because of the debts these projects and others incurred.

The prohibition of alcohol was a major issue in the city of Davenport from the 1840s until national prohibition became official in 1919. The activities of the local temperance movement thrived in the 1880s and were renewed during the Progressive Era, especially between 1906 and 1916. Local ordinances were passed that exempted the city of Davenport from state prohibition laws and mayors, especially Ernst Claussen, stated that the citizen's personal liberties would not be violated. [8] Debates were held in the city council and among other civic groups until Iowa's prohibition amendment was passed in 1916. It was reinforced by the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1919. However, the illegal production and consumption of alcohol continued in the city. [7]

The north elevation of the 1963 addition Davenport City Hall 02.JPG
The north elevation of the 1963 addition

Architecture

City hall was designed by Davenport architect John W. Ross, [9] and built by Morrison Bros. Construction Company. The 60-by-145-foot (18 by 44 m), four-story building is constructed of Ohio Berea sandstone in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. [7] It is capped by a hipped roof. The heavy stone appearance is deceptive as the weight of the building is born by a steel frame. [4] As is common with this style, the city hall integrates corner towers, gable ends, rustic stone, and Roman arches. Three stories of windows line the front of the building. The corner tower on the west side features a cone-shaped roof and the east tower a pyramid-shaped roof. Both tower roofs rise above the main roof. Above the entrance is a large clock tower that is taller than the rest of the building. An addition was constructed on the north side in 1963 and does not correlate to the original architecture. A $2.6 million renovation of the building was completed between 1979 and 1980 and as a result the interior was reconfigured in such a way that it no longer resembles the structure's original interior. [7] In 2012 a concrete and brick building was torn down to the north of city hall and an $818,316 renovation of the 1963 addition provided a new entrance and sandstone walls that match the original 1895 building. It also added environmentally friendly features that include bioswales for stormwater and an electric car-charging station. [10]

Related Research Articles

Davenport, Iowa, was part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1814, during the War of 1812 the British military, along with the Saux and Fox Indian tribes fought against the Americans near Davenport. In August, Major Zachary Taylor, later President, fought a battle east of what is now Credit Island Park, in Davenport. An outpost was set up at Fort Armstrong and George Davenport and Antonie LeClaire were stationed there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Village of East Davenport</span> United States historic place

The Village of East Davenport, also known simply as The Village, is located along the Mississippi River on the southeast side of Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 as the Davenport Village. At the time of its nomination it included 145 contributing properties, most of which were working-class housing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davenport Public Library</span>

The Davenport Public Library is a public library located in Davenport, Iowa. With a history dating back to 1839, the Davenport Public Library's Main Library is currently housed in a 1960s building designed by Kennedy Center architect Edward Durell Stone. The Davenport Public Library system is made up of three libraries—the Main Library at 321 Main Street; the Fairmount Branch Library at 3000 N. Fairmount Street; and the Eastern Avenue Branch Library at 6000 Eastern Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davenport Hotel (Davenport, Iowa)</span> United States historic place

The Davenport Hotel is a historic building located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. In 2020 it was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District. It is currently an apartment building called The Davenport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Luke's Hospital (Davenport, Iowa)</span> United States historic place

St. Luke's Hospital was a hospital building on a bluff overlooking downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. It has subsequently been torn down.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">College Square Historic District</span> Historic district in Iowa, United States

College Square Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district located on a bluff north of downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The district derives it name from two different colleges that were located here in the 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hibernia Hall</span> United States historic place

The Hibernia Hall, also known as the Hibernian Hall, is a Romanesque Revival building located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is located on the east side of Brady Street, near the middle of the block. The Hibernian Hall was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.In 2020 it was included as contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hose Station No. 1</span> United States historic place

The Hose Station No. 1 is a historic building located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 1999. In 2019 it was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Motor Row and Industrial Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Fire Station (Davenport, Iowa)</span> United States historic place

The Central Fire Station is located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States and serves as the headquarters of the Davenport Fire Department, as well as the downtown fire station. Built from 1901 to 1902, the original building is the oldest active fire station west of the Mississippi River. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. In 2020 it was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pierce School No. 13</span> United States historic place

Pierce School No. 13 is a historic building located on the east side of Davenport, Iowa, United States. Pierce School Lofts, as the building is now called, contains 41 market-rate apartments. It was included as a contributing property in the Village of East Davenport Historic District in 1980. The building was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Col Ballroom</span> United States historic place

The Col Ballroom is a historic building located in the West End of Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties as the Saengerfest Halle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old City Hall (Davenport, Iowa)</span> United States historic place

The Old City Hall, also known as Oxford Flats, is located just north of downtown along a commercial corridor in Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. In 2020 it was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schmidt Block</span> United States historic place

The Schmidt Block , also known as the F.T. Schmidt Building, is a historic building located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. In 2020 it was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hiram Price/Henry Vollmer House</span> Historic house in Iowa, United States

The Hiram Price/Henry Vollmer House is a historic building located on the Brady Street Hill in Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The home is named for two members of the United States House of Representatives who lived in the house, Hiram Price and Henry Vollmer, who both represented Iowa's 2nd congressional district. The building is now a part of the campus of Palmer College of Chiropractic where it houses the Office of Strategic Development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linden Flats</span> United States historic place

Linden Flats was located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and included as a contributing property in the West Third Street Historic District in 1983. The building was torn down after it was destroyed in a fire in 2005.

The Walsh Flats/Langworth Building was located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Register of Historic Places listings in Downtown Davenport, Iowa</span>

This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. Downtown Davenport is defined as being all of the city south of 5th Street from Marquette Street east to the intersection of River Drive and East 4th Street. The locations of National Register properties and districts may be seen in an online map.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. Monroe Parker–Ficke House</span> United States historic place

The J. Monroe Parker–Ficke House is a historic building located in the College Square Historic District in Davenport, Iowa, United States. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The house was individually listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Lischer House</span> Historic house in Iowa, United States

The Henry Lischer House is a historic building located in the Hamburg Historic District in Davenport, Iowa, United States. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The house was individually listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Arcade</span> United States historic place

The Union Arcade is an apartment building located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. The building was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 by its original name Union Savings Bank and Trust. Originally, the building was built to house a bank and other professional offices. Although it was not the city's largest bank, and it was not in existence all that long, the building is still associated with Davenport's financial prosperity between 1900 and 1930. From 2014 to 2015 the building was renovated into apartments and it is now known as Union Arcade Apartments. In 2020 it was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Historic Preservation Commission. "Davenport Register of Historic Properties and Local Landmarks". City of Davenport. Retrieved 2023-03-21. (Click on "Historic Preservation Commission" and then click on "Davenport Register of Historic Properties and Local Landmarks.")
  2. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  3. Irsfeld James, Jennifer. "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District" (PDF). Downtown Davenport, Iowa. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  4. 1 2 Svendsen, Marlys A.; Bowers, Martha H. (1982). Davenport where the Mississippi runs west: A Survey of Davenport History & Architecture. Davenport, Iowa: City of Davenport. p. 10.3.
  5. Svendsen & Bowers 1982, p. 7.3.
  6. 1 2 Wood, Sharon E. (2005). The Freedom of the Streets: Work, Citizenship and Sexuality in a Gilded Age City. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press. pp. 181–2. ISBN   0-8078-2939-0.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Svendsen, Marlys A. "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Davenport City Hall". National Park Service . Retrieved 2015-05-13. with photos
  8. "State of Scott Celebrations". Davenport Public Library . Retrieved 2015-05-13.
  9. Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs - State Historical Society of Iowa. "Davenport City Hall" (PDF). Davenport Public Library. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
  10. Allemeier, Kurt (August 3, 2012). "Davenport City Hall receives eco-friendly facelift". Quad-City Times . Davenport . Retrieved 2015-05-13.

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