Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1920 Thomas G. Moses wrote, “In May I went to Rock Island to make a sketch for the old Block House on the island. Had to get a permit. I enjoyed myself immensely.” At the time, the “old Block House” was only four years old; a replica constructed in 1916.
Moses was referring to the Block House at Fort Armstrong on Rock Island. Located on the Mississippi River, the Fort Armstrong was erected as one of the many frontier defenses after the War of 1812. The construction of the fort began on May 10, 1816 and was intended to establish a military presence to dissuade French and English Canadians from settling the territory. Ironically, this was part of the Americans settling land inhabited by the Sauk, native Americans of the region.
A century later, in 1916, a replica of the three-story block house was built. This was the structure that Moses sketched in 1920.
That same year, H. H Cleaveland announced plans to build a new hotel and social center on the island. The Fort Armstrong Hotel Co. was formed and plans to raise money for the endeavor. It took a while, but investors finally raised $451,000 and construction commenced March 17, 1925. The area has remained a popular tourist attraction over the decades.
For more information about Fort Armstrong, visit the Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal by Neil Gale, PhD. Gale presents some wonderful background for the fort. Here is the link: https://drloihjournal.blogspot.com/2018/08/fort-armstrong-illinois-1816-1836.html
To be continued…
