Make Your Pledge to Save the RI & N. W. Depot
MPS has been given until December to raise more than $155,000 to save the Moline Depot and relocate it to the new Western Illinois University riverfront campus.

This is what got us here:

In May, the City Council stated that it was unwilling to cover its share of costs listed at $285,193 for relocating the depot to the Western Illinois University campus.

• Up to One Million Dollars from Department of Transportation (DOT) for cost of move and a foundation at the new location (WIU campus).
• $358,800 - Western Illinois University estimated cost for renovation for Campus Welcome Center following relocation to river front campus.
• $154,776 – Cost to City of Moline for mechanical and electrical disconnect, repair hole in tile roof, repair original windows and repair and/or replace existing storm windows, minor gutter repair etc.
• $140,000 – appraised amount city will receive from DOT for present depot property.
• $15,000 – amount city would need to add to DOT property acquisition to cover city’s portion of moving costs providing they utilized the $141,000 received for present depot property.

The City Council was given an update in August of the revised cost estimates and a recommendation by the Preservation Commission that it utilize the DOT acquisition payment along with an additional $15,000 to cover the move of the depot. The acquisition money can not be put into the general fund but must be deposited into the city’s tourism fund which the city used back in 1994 when it purchased the depot from Franks Foundry.

Support from MPS is going to be needed if we are to save this historic depot. Contact your alderman via email or phone and voice your support of moving the depot to the WIU campus. A letter to the editor that would run in the Dispatch would be a big help. We managed to save the Skinner Block years ago, and working together we can save the depot as well.

Built in 1900, the D.R.I. & N.W. Depot was in use until 1934 when it was converted into offices for the Frank Foundry Company. The City of Moline purchased the depot in 1994 for use as a Visitor Center with office space for the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Depot became a Moline Landmark the same year.

Rock Island Civil War Prison Documentary Released
Heritage Documentaries announces the premieres of a new video documentary: The Rock Island Civil War Prison: Andersonville of the North?

Iowa Premiere:
6:00 pm., Thursday, October 18
Figge Art Museum, 225 West 2nd Street, Davenport, Iowa

Illinois Premiere:
3:00 pm., Saturday, October 20
Moline Public Library, 3210 41st Street, Moline, Illinois

Both premieres are free and open to the public

The 30-minute documentary tells the story of the prison using dramatic photos and other high-definition images. It captures the life of prisoners using their own words from diaries and letters. The documentary also clearly demonstrates that the death rate at Rock Island was much lower than the astonishing death rate at Andersonville Prison in Georgia.

View the trailer here. After each showing, writers/directors Ezra Sidran and Ed Isenberg will field questions from the audience. The documentary on DVD will be available for purchase for $10.

MPS president appears on "The Cities"
Barb Sandberg talks about 25 years of preservation in Moline on "The Cities," hosted by Jim Mertens. Watch the full segment on You Tube.

MPS member Walter Lillius will give a presentation regarding the historic significance of Allendale.

No advance registration is required. The tour is free and open to the public. Allendale is located at 1619 11th Avenue, Moline.