The Rock Island Aerie 956 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles was organized in
1905 with only 133 members. For the first three years, meetings were held
at one of the large upstairs meeting halls that were common in downtown
commercial buildings. Finally, in 1908, the Eagles paid $8000 for the first
home of their own - the old Murrin homestead at the southwest corner of 4th
Avenue and 21st Street. It was a 1-1/2 story house that faced 21st Street,
with a porch that wrapped around on three sides.
By 1913, there were thoughts of a new building. It didn't take long.
Architect Olof Cervin was retained to make drawings, the Murrin house was
demolished, and the Eagles laid the cornerstone in July of 1914. Dedication
of the new building quickly followed on November 17, 1915.
Costing $70,000, the new building was constructed of HyTex brick. The
general contractor was Herman Hansen while the masonry subcontractor was
McConochie & Sons. The copper work (all the greenish looking exterior
material is copper) was fabricated by Illinois Cornice & Sheet Metal Works.
The first floor had space for three stores. The original businesses
represented a most unusual combination. James Normoyle installed
"tournament" bowling alleys in one of the storefronts (notice the "Bowling"
sign above the middle entrance). Next door, Orth Bros. opened a billiard
parlor. And the corner storefront was used by August Moeller Undertaking
Parlors through the mid 1930s.
The best part of the building was saved for the Eagles use. The second
floor was used as a club room, and had a "modern, sanitary" kitchen. The
third floor contained a huge ballroom that was used for dances and meetings.
The rear of the building included an elevator.
Formal dedication took place on St. Patrick's Day, 1915, beginning with a
parade through downtown. Marchers were variously reported as 1000 or 2000
and either three or five bands participated, including Bleuer's Band, Murphy's
Band and Strauss' Band. After the parade, there were many speeches and a
lady Eagle commemorated the holiday by singing a few Irish songs. In the
evening, there was a banquet at 6:30 and ballroom dancing from 8 pm till 1
am.
The Eagle Building today is remarkably like that pictured on the postcard.
Some of the windows have been covered, but most appear to be original. The
storefronts have been covered as well. There's now a flagpole at the corner
of the building, rather than at the rear as pictured - but the pictured one
may have been an artistic embellishment from the postcard company.
Our postcard was postmarked in 1924, but was probably printed shortly after
completion of the building so that it would be available at the 1916 Eagle
convention held here. Reportedly the local Eagles won over Joliet in a
competition to be the state convention site that year. The delegates
enjoyed the Rock Island facilities and hospitality so much that two more
conventions were held here, in 1920 and 1923.
By 1925, the Eagles had grown to 1300 members. The aerie then purchased the
adjacent lot to the west for a reported $100,000 in anticipation of
expanding their building. Aerie 956 did not expand, but did remain in this
building until the mid 1970s, when they moved to another building at 2827
5th Street. Today, the Rock Island Eagles roost at 3030 7th Avenue.
Since 1994, the building on our postcard has been owned by Jill and Yancy
Bolden, who are continuing renovation and restoration. Although the
building has always been structurally sound, it has needed updating and
redecorating. The Boldens enjoy the beauty of this historic building and
Mrs. Bolden points out that it has "awesome construction, incredible quality
and great durability." They currently operate Eagle Estate Brokers on the
first floor and Eagle Reception Hall in the old third floor ballroom.
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