1720 22nd Street - Rock Island, Illinois 1911 Spanish Colonial Revival - George Wagner Historic Home

This Spanish Revival style home, built in 1911, is one of the most unique houses in the city. Rock Island is not well known for its Spanish or Mission architecture, but this home would be considered an outstanding example in any community. The curvilinear parapet on the south wall is evocative of California Spanish missions. Behind this wall, the interior is built around a central courtyard with a fountain and a glass ceiling, a truly unique feature in this Midwestern region. Under the parapet are round-topped windows and a wood trellis that frames doors to the large side yard. The gallery on the 22nd Street side also adds greatly to the Spanish flavor of the home. The chimney on the south side, with its decorative brickwork and horizontal brick band at the second story sill level, seems to reflect shades of Prairie or Craftsman style. The original roof was made of Ludowici French clay tile, identical to that on the Looney mansion. However, the roof was replaced in 2001 with Mission-style concrete tiles, an excellent example of how modern materials can look like old architecture. It is also likely the original stucco was unpainted. This incredible home was built for George and Lillian Wagner. George was briefly president of Blake Specialty Company, manufacturers of plumbing supplies. Unfortunately, for such a prominent home, little more is known about the Wagners. Frank and Anna Bahnsen of Hartz & Bahnsen Wholesale Druggists lived in the house from 1918to 1929. Mr. Bahnsen was killed in an automobile accident en route to Indiana in 1932, at which time the home was purchased by James and Marion Bruner. Bruner was a lawyer in the Safety Building; Marion was a McCabe daughter and heiress who lived just one block away from her sisters in this neighborhood. James Bruner died in 1934 at age 36, but Marion continued to live in the house five more years. At the time World War II was breaking out, Herman and Beatrice Hill moved here. He served as secretary-treasurer for the Hill Furniture Company at 1600-1604 2nd Avenue. In more recent times, the home was owned by the Walter Braud family. Mr.Braud, a prominent Rock Island attorney, also served as Park Board President for many years and eventually became 14th Judicial District Judge. MB01T8RQNJL3TCB MB01Z4SOC98B2PQ