J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' Store

Petersen's, J. H. C., Sons Store
Location: 123-131 W. 2nd St., Davenport, Iowa
Area: less than one acre
Built: 1892
Architect: Clausen,F.G.
Architectural style: Romanesque, Commercial Romanesque
Governing body: Private
MPS: Davenport MRA
NRHP Reference#: 83002483[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP: July 07, 1983
Designated DRHP: November 7, 2001[2]

The J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' Store also known as the Redstone Building, is a four-story building in Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties and on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed after the Rookery Building in Chicago, this building has a brick foundation and is made out of stone.[3] Like the Rookery Building, The J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' Store features round arched arcades around groups of vertical windows and the name plate decorated in terracotta.

Contents

History

The J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' Store was built in Downtown Davenport in 1892, as the flagship retail store of what would become Von Maur.[4] In 1872, J. H. C. Petersen and his sons opened a dry goods firm.[3] Due to increased demand, a department store was constructed and Petersen continued operating both retail and wholesale merchandise and were so successful that they built what is now known as the Redstone building. In 1916, the store was sold to the Harned and Von Maur Co., until then a very modest competitor to the Petersen hegemony. It was not until 1928, that the J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' store finally consolidated with Petersen-Harned-Von Maur Store and ceased independent operations.[3] The J.H. C. Petersen and Sons building of 1892, now the Redstone Building, was designed by Frederick G. Clausen, a German immigrant who moved to Davenport. It would continue to be a flagship well into the 20th century, keeping the Petersen name until 1989. [3] Son Willy Petersen would ensure that the Davenport riverfront would be safe for generations to come via his contribution of the Davenport Bandshell that houses the annual Bix celebration. The Petersens left their legacy long ago in the Quad Cities, and believed in contribution; the Von Maur family, though far wealthier than the Petersen's, has not.

Today

In June 2004, the River Music Experience opened in the former Redstone Building. The River Music Experience is a non-profit museum focused on music, including jazz and blues, inspired by the river.[5] A couple of years after opening, the River Music Experience focused more on live performances on the second floor.[5] The River Music Experience sponsors an annual music festival, River Roots Live, in Downtown Davenport along with Ribfest, each summer.[6] Today the building also features Mojo's coffee shop, a restaurant, and office space.

See also

Other buildings that were a part of the Petersen, Harned, von Maur complex:

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
  2. ^ Historic Preservation Commission. "Davenport Register of Historic Properties". City of Davenport. http://www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/egov/docs/1157124087_589019.pdf. Retrieved 2011-03-07. 
  3. ^ a b c d Davenport Public Library. "2nd Street West - 123-131". Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs - State Historical Society of Iowa. http://www.qcmemory.org/Default.aspx?PageId=392&nt=207. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  4. ^ "Centro to close Dec. 31; new restaurant will open in January". Quad City Times. 2007-11-08. http://qctimes.com/business/article_3e07e8e4-9fac-5db7-a180-a7612e884186.html. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  5. ^ a b "The first 10 years of the 21st century brought many changes in the culture of the Quad-Cities". Quad City Times. 2009-12-27. http://qctimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/david-burke/article_931b9b3a-ee89-11de-9ed0-001cc4c03286.html. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  6. ^ "Fabulous Thunderbirds, Blue Oyster Cult to headline River Roots Live". Quad City Times. 2009-06-19. http://qctimes.com/entertainment/music/article_7b7630e2-5ceb-11de-b17d-001cc4c03286.html. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 

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