Postcards from Home

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Villa de Chantal
Rock Island

by Linda Anderson

The Sisters of Visitation came to Rock Island in 1898 and opened an academy on 5th Avenue. The school was very successful and within two years it was clear that more space was needed. A bluff top piece of property was purchased and the process of raising funds for a new school began.

The Gothic Revival style building pictured here was actually built in 2 sections. The oldest section is to the far left of the picture. It housed classrooms and living quarters for both the students and the Sisters. Within five years the enrollment at the school had grown to 60 boarders and it was time for the large second section of the building to be built. It contains the ornate central entrance to the building along with a chapel, library, classrooms and private rooms for the boarders. Now the original structure would serve as the living quarters for the Sisters. In future years there would be further expansion adding an additional classroom wing and a chaplain's bungalow.

The first two buildings of the Villa de Chantal were designed by Rock Island architect, George P. Stauduhar. Stauduhar is known for his eclectic designs of homes, business structures and even steamboat interiors in the Quad Cities area. But he gained his wider midwest reputation through his design of Gothic churches. Over two hundred were constructed in the upper Mississippi River valley.

The Sisters of the Visitation continued to operate the Villa de Chantal as a boarding school until 1958 and a day school until 1978. In the early 1990's the complex was sold and a private school was again established. The building at 2000 16th Avenue became the home of Morningstar Academy. It was also available for parties or receptions. The school continued until 2005, when developer Chris Ales purchased the villa. His intent was to convert the villa and the attached school addition (on the east side of the villa, not shown on our postcard) into elderly appartments.

Sadly, in the early morning hours on July 14, 2005, a ferocious fire consumed the villa. The cause was never determined, but was thought to be arson. No charges were ever filed. The only structures spared by the fire were the school addition and the caretaker's home to the east. Today, only the brick shell of the structure shown in the postcard remains. The exquisite stained glass windows and the beautiful interior are gone.

The Villa de Chantal is a designated Rock Island local landmark. Many people who had attended school here still drive slowly by, viewing the shell of the building, and mourning the loss of a place that represented a happy time in their young lives.

The most recent plans for the Villa property are being laid by the Rock Island - Milan School District. Their plan is to tear down what remains of the Villa de Chantal and build a new elementary school on its site. The new school would be a "magnet school" specializing in math and science. This school would be open to all students in the district who wish to attend. Continuing in the tradition of education begun by the sisters, this seems to be an appropriate fate for this historic property.