The document provides a timeline of notable events and developments in Lincoln Park located in College Heights, Rock Island, Illinois from 1821 to 1960. It outlines the founding and early additions to the park in the early 20th century. It then discusses two major turning points - the establishment of Alleman High School in 1949 which provided a Catholic alternative to public schools, and individuals like F.C. Denkmann and Naomi Davenport who made significant donations to further develop the park and neighborhood. Paired images show the developments and changes over time to the park, surrounding areas, and Alleman High School building.

1. By: Michael Lurigio and Natalie Schildgen
Hist 320

2. College Heights

3. Timeline of Notable Events
Indian
Boundary
Line (1821)
•The
northern
edge of
the park is
delineated
by the
Indian
Boundary
Commemora
tion of Park
(1909)
•Rock Island
residents
commemora
ted
Abraham
Lincoln’s
centennial
birthday in
1909 by
naming this
east end
park in his
honor.
Debate Over
Sale of Park
(1920-1921)
•In 1920,
neighboring
Augustana
College
expressed
interest in
acquiring
the mostly
undevelope
d park , but
citizens
disagreed.
•Citizens
prevailed, as
the park
was never
sold.
Naomi
Davenport
Contribution
s (1924)
•Naomi
Davenport
donated
funds for
Lincoln
Park in
1924.
•Used to
build
fountain,
bandstand ,
and create
trust fund
for free
concerts.
Further
Additions
to Park and
Additional
Funding
(1930)
•A wading
pool was
installed
within the
park
during
1930. F.C.
Denkman
n donated
$45,000 to
further
the park's
developm
ent.
Victory
Gardens
•Lincoln
Park was
home to a
"Victory
Garden"
which
helped
support
WWII and
to combat
growing
food
prices.
Alleman High
School
•Construction
of the high
school did
not start
until 1948.
•Western
boundary
lies across
38th Street
from the
campus of
Augustana
College.
•Building was
designed by
architect
Edward
Lerch of
Rock Island.
High School
Dedication
•$1,600,000
high school
was
dedicated
August 28,
1949, and
named for
Father
George
Alleman.
Fr.
Alleman,
born in
Strasborg,
France in
1806

4. Turning Point: Lincoln Park
The park was founded in
1906.
It is 22.75 acre site,
selected for its view of
the Mississippi River
valley.
Lincoln Park was to be
considered one of Rock
Island’s beauty areas,
meant for relaxation from
increasingly busy lives.

5. Lincoln Park Continued
This map shows College Heights in 1905
prior to the creation of Lincoln Park.
This map shows College Heights in 1906
after the creation of Lincoln Park.

6. Why Lincoln Park Represents a turning
Point within College heights
Lincoln Park represents a turning point within College
Heights because it provided a venue for residents to
participate in various recreational activities, as well as
enjoy the outdoors. Later on, during WWII, it gave
Rock Island residents a means to support the war effort
through Victory Gardens planted throughout the park.

7. Lincoln Park Davenport Fountain
(Paired Image)
(1960) Note the addition of two lamp posts. Last photo preserved
still containing the fountain and pool of water beneath it.Lincoln Park Davenport Fountain (1939)
Drawing of the fountain (sometime after 1960)
In 1928 ground was broken for the Davenport
fountain. Upper left picture shows fountain
and surrounding Denkmann Memorial
wading pool in 1939. Upper right picture
shows the addition of lamp posts and more
seating options around fountain in 1960. The
lower left postcard depicts the site as it was
sometime after 1960, with the omission of the
fountain. Currently, the fountain and pool no
longer stand.

8. Turning Point: Alleman High School
Located in the College Heights section of Keystone
Neighborhood (1103 40th Street)
Designed by architect Edward Lerch of Rock Island
Built by the T.S. Willis Company of Janesville,
Wisconsin (also constructed Rock Island City Hall)
Idea conceived in 1926
Delayed by the depression
Construction began in 1948
$1,600,000 high school was dedicated August 28,
1949
Named after Father George Alleman.
born in Strasborg, France in 1806,
priest of the Dominican order and served as a
missionary in the Mississippi Valley (1838-1863)
learned the languages of many Indian tribes
Stained Glass Image of George Alleman
which resides within Alleman High School
*Full timeline of school available at: http://www.allemanhighschool.org/about-us/aboutus_historicaltimeline.cfm

9. Alleman High School Continued
Private institution with Roman
Catholic roots
Official title: Alleman Catholic High
School,
commonly referred to as Alleman
High School (Name on building
today)
Initial enrollment (1949) = 571
Today enrollment (2015) = 497
Today it is the largest Catholic high
school in the Quad Cities
Notable additions over the years:
Additional classrooms and wings
chapel
gymnasium
performing arts center
Official school logo
*Note: name on building is now simply “Alleman High School”

10. Why Alleman High School Represents
a turning Point within College heights
Alleman Catholic High School represents a turning
point for the keystone community, as it provided a
private alternative to the public high school. It
honored a highly revered priest (George Alleman), in
addition to revitalizing a seemingly struggling
community post-depression.

11. Old vs Modern Alleman Building Comparison
(Paired Image)
Alleman High School (2014)Alleman High School (1949)
*Note the additional rooms built on in the modern image

12. Alleman Paired Image Description
As previously mentioned, construction of school
began in 1948. Image on left shows Alleman as it
stood in 1949. Image on the right shows the school
as it currently stands. Numerous additions have
been built to modernize and accommodate as
many as 1,200 students.

13. 14th Avenue at 38th Street
(Paired Image)
Corner of 14th Ave and 38th St (1951)
Corner of 14th Ave and 38th St (2014)

14. 14th Avenue at 38th Street Paired Image Write-up
The corner of 14th Ave and 38th St is part of a small
retail locale which has housed small businesses over
the years. The picture on the left shows a drugstore
and The Ritz in 1951. As we turn our attention to the
modern-day image on the right, the corner appears to
have undergone notable change. The drugstore is no
longer in business, now simply a vacant lot. The once
popular local club/bar across the street (The Ritz) has
also gone out of business. The empty building is a
prime example of local business struggles common in
an age of superstores and corporations.

15. Neighborhood Story: F.C. Denkmann
Frederick Carl Denkmann 3/25/1859-2/11/1929
Born to German immigrants in Rock Island
Graduate of Rock Island High School , AB Degree from
University of Iowa, then received a law degree
Served on several boards in the city of Rock Island:
Chamber of Commerce, Illinois State Historical Society,
Young Men’s Christian Association, Board of Education
(President), Park Board (President), Chairman for War
Camp, and many more
His sister was married to John Hauberg
Donated much time and money to Lincoln Park

16. Neighborhood Story: Father Alleman
Born in France in 1806
Priest of the Dominican Order and served as a
missionary in the Mississippi Valley from 1838-1863
He served in many areas in Iowa, and also in Rock
Island and the Chicago area.
He died on July 14, 1865, and was buried in Calvary
Cemetery of St. Louis, MO in an unmarked grave.

17. Neighborhood Story: Naomi Davenport
Granddaughter of Col. Davenport
Actively involved in community in the Quad City Area,
especially in commemorating monuments in her
family’s name
Gave $20,000 in order to build several monuments in
Lincoln Park (fountain, band stand, etc.)
Died in 1924 at age 82

18. Works Cited:
Alleman Catholic High School." Fr. Alleman. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2014.
Beduhn, Sally. Geneology Trails. N.p., n.d. Web.
Davenport, Naomi L. "The Will of Naomi Davenport." State Histoical Society of Iowa. Iowa
Department of Cultural Affairs, n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2015.
FC Denkmann. Rock Island: n.p., 1929. Print.
Google maps
Keystone Neighborhood Driving Tour." Rock Island, IL. N.p., 1997. Web. 13 Dec. 2014.
"Live Edit." Rock Island, IL. City of Rock Island, 2011. Web. 13 Jan. 2015.
RIPS. RIPS Lincoln Park Davenport Fountain Comments. Rock Island Preservation Society,
n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2015.
"Stjosephhistory.html." Stjosephhistory.html. Holy Family Parish, n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2015.