LONG VIEW PARK

As its name implies, is sublimely located, overlooking the Mississippi river which winds away into the distance like a broad, silver ribbon leading to the far horizon. This park containing about forty acres was donated to the city of Rock Island by a party of men who succeeded to the ownership of a large portion of the real estate formerly the property of the late Hon. Bailey Davenport. The men mainly interested in the donation of this park were Frederick Weyerhauser, Morris Rosenfield, Charles H. Deere and Captain T. J. Robinson, who had the good of the city at heart. The park is located between Eighteenth street and Twelfth avenue and Seventeenth street and Fifteenth avenue. In 1905 Hon. George W. McCaskrin, then mayor, appointed a board of park commissioners with William Jackson at the head, the other members being Fred C. Denkmann, William H. Dart, Otto Huber and Ed B. McKown.

All these gentlemen worked without salary, donating their time and substantial amounts of money. Finally they secured from the city council an annual appropriation for two years of $6,250, with the proviso that a like sum be raised by subscription. By these men, loyal to the city's needs, the work of secuiring the money was gladly undertaken, they heading the list very generously. In fact the amount collected was over $13,000, and permanent improvements were at once commenced. The park was formally dedicated to the public July 10, 1908, since which time as formerly it has been under the care and management of C. F. Gaetjer, the city park superintendent, who has, by assiduous attention, so beautified it that it is the favorite resort of thousands of citizens and visiting strangers. A little more work remains to be done to fully complete it according to the plan originally agreed upon.

A very interesting feature of the deed conveying the land, dated August 30, 1897, is a provision forbidding the sale, barter, gift or use of intoxicating liquors on it. The roads leading to the park are either macadamized or paved, there are artificial lakes, cement walks, a waterfall, brook, a model public building, a pavilion and a rustic bridge. An exquisite mem­orial fountain was donated by the Misses Davenport in honor of their uncle, the Hon. Bailey Davenport, and attracts unusual admiration. Playgrounds, swings, slides and other forms of amusement have been provided for the children who with their parents enjoy the delights of this sylvan retreat. Even on the hottest day Long View Park is cool, perched as it is on an eminence overlooking the far distant landscape and river, and the beneficial effect its fresh breezes have upon those whose employment keeps them indoors except in the evening and on holiday occasions, is in itself a memorial to the donors and all connected with its development.

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