Since I can not find any place on how to contact you I have to use this forum to let you know that…read moretoday's closing of the Eastern branch is NOT acceptable. You did not even place a notice on the entrance door that you were closed due to an all included staff meeting and you still could have achieved this meeting by leaving the doors open and placing a sign by the check out desk stating that nobody would be able to assist due to the very important staff meeting or by sending out an E-Mail to all your users. Thank you

The Eastern Avenue branch of Davenport's library is impressive for a number of reasons…read more The building is super green (environmentally, not color-wise). It earned a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification for the innovative ways it uses less energy and water as well as energy efficient lighting and building materials. It's spacious and open. even in the stacks you never feel cramped or oppressed by the tall shelves of books. The coffee shop/bookstore off the lobby is great for a quick snack (but we'll talk about that in its own review). The adult sections are great, but their children's section is awesome. Board books are organized by author, but shelved in low-slung shelving units so little eyes can see them and little hands can select them with ease. Tables are height appropriate for little ones and the large stuffed animals are a hit too. Finally, the children's programing is great as well. Weekly (and sometimes twice-weekly) story times for three different age groups (babies, toddlers, and preschool) as well as many programs for school-aged kids make the library a fun and interesting place for kids to visit and a partner with parents who want to instill a love of books and reading in their children.

As far as county courthouses go, Henry County's Courthouse is among the best looking in Illinois…read more Built in 1878 in the Second Empire architectural style, it's still in great condition. Unfortunately, unlike most Illinois county courthouses, it doesn't sit in the center of the commercial district. Instead, it's located about 2 blocks west of the historic downtown area, as if it was banished for bad behavior. Henry County has some interesting history as a settlement of New England pioneers (they also founded New Boston, not too far from Cambridge) who came into occasional conflict with nearby Swedish immigrants who also populated the area.

The tour was a little long, but it was free and a lot of the info was very interesting. It was neat…read moreto learn about the Deere family. The houses (you go in two different ones) are both very elegant and ornate. It's worth checking out if you're in the Moline area, but probably not very exciting for kids.

A stunning example of turn of the century luxury that has been preserved! Went here for a business…read moremeeting, actually the Butterworth center, and was just in awe. We kinda got lost initially and walked over to the Deere mansion. Wow, just walking around the perimeter was beautiful with a million dollar view of the river and a porch that encompassed the entire back exterior and was enclosed!! The grounds are meticulously kept down to the coach house.... After finding out that our meeting was at the Butterworth center across the street I was a little disappointed because I really wanted to explore the interior of the manse. When I heard 'center' I thought, oh great, some crappy new construction pole barn/building where everything smells new and is beige..... To my surprise, the Butterworth center is actually ANOTHER mansion that was owned by the daughter of John Deere and her husband. We didn't know where we were going and that was really great because we walked down what I can only assume to be a private entrance for carriages and now cars.....alright....here we go!! Entered in through clear glass doors with gorgeous wrought iron detailing that made me weak...then in front of me....an actual coat room. Yes, a room for coats. Just coats, with built in racks and a marble top dresser for ancillary details (I assume). My thoughts immediately went to the naughty things that may have occurred there over the years.... But I digress....I walked up one flight of stairs that were protected with gorgeous persian rugs to find a floor that was converted into a meeting center with banquet chairs hiding the true glory of what looked to be an entire floor of a parlor. Kept walking to the back of the room where I found the diagonal parque oak floor and a baby grand piano that was anything but 'baby'...... Not sure if I was to be exploring as much as I did but it was fun to imagine living there and the grand parties they had. Our meeting was REALLY in the carriage house behind the lovely gardens. That was nice, it was obviously partially a horse stable complete with hay loft, that had been updated and modernized with coats of white paint and cheap dry wall.... I like old things I guess. After our meeting we ate lunch in the gardens and we were lucky enough to be able to speak with a gardener who had done her internship at the estate. She gave detailed explanations of the flower beds and some secrets I can't divulge.... Not sure what type of events they host here on a regular basis but it sure has a grand feeling with enough space for your guests to mix and mingle in a professional setting yet has enough whimsy to feel festive!

Andrew's Place -- 1920s 3BR Period Home with matching Period Appropriate Decór + Garden Walks…read more Step into a lovingly preserved 1920-built Rock Island home filled with period décor--right down to the china and dishware--plus modern comfort like air conditioning for humid Midwest summers. A beautiful, quiet garden/park setting makes it easy to unwind. Andrew's Place is a three-bedroom, one-bath vacation rental in Rock Island, Illinois, designed for guests who appreciate historic character and thoughtful details. The home is decorated with authentic period pieces, and even the table settings match the era--creating a warm, immersive experience without feeling museum-stuffy. Outside, you'll find a beautiful garden/park area that's perfect for a peaceful stroll or a quiet morning coffee. And when the weather turns hot and humid, the air conditioning makes the house a true refuge. What we loved: * 1920s character with carefully curated period furnishings * Period-appropriate china & dishware (a rare, special touch) * Quiet garden/park walks right on the property/nearby * Air conditioning (a must in summer humidity) * Amazingly friendly staff who make everything easy Notes: * Bedrooms: 3 * Bathrooms: 1 * A/C: Yes * Style: Historic/period-decor A perfect 1920s time capsule--without sacrificing comfort Andrew's Place was an absolute gem in Rock Island. The home was built in 1920, and the owners/staff have leaned into that history in the best possible way--the décor is filled with period pieces, and even the china and dishware are era-appropriate. It feels special the moment you walk in. We also loved the beautiful garden/park setting--it's quiet, calming, and perfect for a peaceful walk. And the staff truly stood out: genuinely welcoming, responsive, and incredibly friendly. One more thing worth calling out: the air conditioning was essential during our stay because it was hot and very humid, and it made the house comfortable the whole time. We'd happily stay again and recommend it to anyone who appreciates historic character, thoughtful details, and a serene place to recharge.

We had never heard of this historic site until we were able to "camp" there with Harvest Hosts…read more Autumn is a beautiful time to visit but events, many honoring and celebrating the Swedish history, are held year round. The town consists of several museums, shops, and eateries. Hubby enjoyed Swedish meatballs at PL Johnson's, the bakery treats were yummy at H. Wyatt, and we had a nice time chatting with the owner of J Goard Pottery where we purchased a whimsical pie dish. A photographers dream, especially on a crisp autumn day (but I would think winter and spring would be beautiful as well)! This historic site felt less commercial than others we have visited

Bishop Hill is a wonderful place to visit! My family has visited Bishop Hill many times over the…read moreyears, mostly in the summer. Our favorite stopping place is the Colony Store, which stocks many wonderful items directly from Sweden. There are books and maps about Sweden, and in Swedish, as well as a long candy counter filled with chocolate cordials and other sweet treats. On the weekends in December, there are lots of special events leading up to Christmas. I took my elderly Swedish mother there this past weekend when the historical building was hosting a Paint the Dala Horse event. We loved it! If we had more time, we would have checked out the artwork upstairs. There was Swedish folk singing in the Dairy Building as well. We also stopped in at the bakery and had a delicious lingonberry bar and molasses cookies - delicious! There are more shops to discover as well. We love Bishop Hill and will continue going back...

Review Visit: November 17th, 2014…read more The Davenport Skybridge is a nifty pedestrian bridge that lets you take in the views of the city and see things from a 'high up' perspective. Right outside where Rhythm City Casino used to be, this bridge is easily accessible and free to use. You can take an elevator or stairs to the top and once up there, you can walk from end to end. There are glass inserts in the ground that lets you see traffic whizz by underneath you. The walls are mostly glass that lets you get a great view of the city. The only disappointing thing about the bridge is that at one of the ends, you are just overlooking a bunch of buildings, so the view is kind of lame. But to each their own. Overall, it's a great view and if you are in the area, just park at the casino and check it out.

An elevated glass bridge that connects downtown Davenport to the park along the Mississippi River…read more A nice free vantage point to check out the river, bridges and downtown Davenport and Rock Island. For a medium size city it is a nice attraction. Kansas City has something similar at our riverfront, but it is not as elevated to give as good of a vista of the downtown area. Certainly a must do when visiting the Quad Cities to acclimate oneself to the area.

More like City Hell…read more Actually there's nothing hellish about Davenport, or this gorgeous, massive, grand structure that towers over the downtown area hauntingly, reminding me of some of the great buildings of Toledo in Spain, among other places. It's one of many standout structures in the downtown area of this great and underappreciated city.