Writing and Research on Oscar Wilde

Rock Island

Illinois


Harper's Theatre

Saturday, April 29, 1882


The Decorative Arts

Verification

Newspaper reports

The Rock Island Argus, April 30, 1882, 4

The Rock Island Argus, April 22, 1882, 4

Venue

Harper's Theatre

Northwest corner of 16th Street and Second Avenue, Rock Island, IL


Built: 1878 (I. N. Holmes, architect)

Named for: Benjamin “Ben” Harper (1817–1887) businessman, politician and president of the Board of Education

Seating capacity: 1000

Sold: 1901 to Clemann and Salzmann, furniture retailer 

Interior damaged (fire): January 15, 1917, rebuilt

Sold: 1952 to Edwards brothers

Destroyed: 1960 to make way for new on-ramp to the Centennial Bridge


Source: 

Rock Island Preservation Society

Accommodation

Harper House

2nd Avenue & 19th Street, Rock Island, IL


Built: 1870-71 (Isaac Holmes, architect)

Named for: Benjamin “Ben” Harper (1817–1887) businessman, politician and president of the Board of Education

Opened: February 1871

Remodeled: 1898

Sold: to the DeSilva family, again remodeled 1908, and again in 1934

Sold: to Harper House, Inc., 1964

Demolished: 1973, now the site of an office building


Source: 

Rock Island Preservation Society


Wilde stayed Saturday night at the Harper House, and left Rock Island by the east bound train on the following morning.


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