Last month we had the honor of participating in a ribbon cutting ceremony at Longview Park in Rock Island. This ceremony recognizes not just the history of Longview Park, but of the many historic QC PastPort destinations in Rock Island, and the many more to come.
Rock Island Alderman, Mark Poulos, kicked off the ceremony by giving some history about Longview Park. Alderman Poulos noted that the park was originally owned by Bailey Davenport, son of Colonel George Davenport. After the younger Davenport’s passing, Rock Island and Moline businessmen Frederick Weyerhaeuser, Charles H. Deere, Morris Rosenfield and T.J. Robinson, bought much of the Davenport land. Rock Island Mayor, Thomas Medill, met with the businessmen, who asked, “Would you donate it for a park?” Said Alderman Poulos. “And Longview Park was born.”
After the Alderman’s remarks, QC PastPort President, Natalie Linville-Mass spoke. “This ribbon cutting is really to commemorate all of the wonderful things the city of Rock Island has done to support this project, to support this endeavor,” said Linville-Mass. “There’s a gravity to standing here and looking at this sign and realizing what this must have been like a hundred years ago, a hundred and fifty years ago.”
KWQC and WQAD were at the ceremony and ran reports on this event. We’re thrilled both stations were there, and thank them for sharing this exciting news about the new sign in Longview Park and the 11th destination in the City of Rock Island.
We can’t thank the City of Rock Island and the Parks and Recreation Department enough for their support of QC PastPort. It’s a real joy to work in a community that honors its history and understands the importance of keeping our history alive for future generations.