Prospect Park

In 1889 the Moline Central Railway Company bought 35 acres of land at the top of the Rock River bluff, over two miles south of downtown Moline next to “Frick’s Hill” (now 16th Street; earlier Rodman Avenue and Rock River Road). Later that year they built their electric trolley line from downtown Moline to the site and began developing a residential area and Prospect Park. The park was a “Coney Island” type of recreational development that would fill trolley seats on weekends and evenings. Through the 1890s and the early 20th century, singers, dramatists, dancers, orators, and even circus acts frequented the park. A Chautauqua pavilion, which was built in 1903, is today the venue for performances by the Quad City Music Guild. Prior to the construction of a municipal pool at Riverside Park in 1935, the pond at Prospect Park was a favorite swimming hole.

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