Democrat Building
Encyclopedia
Democrat Building is located at 407-411 Brady Street, Davenport, Iowa
, United States
. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
, which is next door to the south, the Hibernia Hall
, which is next door to the north, the Scott County Savings Bank, Davenport Municipal Stadium (now Modern Woodmen Park), The Linograph Company Building
and the W.D. Petersen Memorial Music Pavilion
in LeClaire Park
. The Philip Worley House
(1860), which is next to the Hibernia Hall, is also on the NRHP.
The building was built for a local newspaper the Davenport Democrat, which was started in 1848 as the Democratic Banner. Its editorial philosophy was in keeping with that of the political party of the same name. Over the years the paper purchased the Gazette (1887) and the Evening Leader (1902). The paper was eventually bought by Lee Enterprises
and is now known as the Quad City Times.
’s “jewel box” structures that are associated with the work he did late in his career in the Midwest. These influences are seen in the blocking of windows at the center of the highly geometric façade
. The ornamentation of the horizontal band between stories, over the entrances, and along the parapet wall all feature the stylized motifs that are commonly found in his work.
The newspaper sold the building to The Catholic Messenger, the newspaper for the Catholic Diocese of Davenport
. The building served as their headquarters for a couple of decades. The building is currently occupied by a specialty store.
The Democrat Building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The building is considered significant because of its association with newspapers in Davenport, and as an example of the local influence of Louis Sullivan, whose work figures prominently in the history of American architecture.
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
History
The Democrat Building was designed by a prominent Davenport architecture firm of Clausen & Kruse, and it was built in 1923. The firm also designed other historic buildings in Davenport including the Forrest BlockForrest Block
The Forrest Block is a building located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-History :...
, which is next door to the south, the Hibernia Hall
Hibernia Hall
The Hibernia Hall is a Romanesque Revival building located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-History:...
, which is next door to the north, the Scott County Savings Bank, Davenport Municipal Stadium (now Modern Woodmen Park), The Linograph Company Building
The Linograph Company Building
The Linograph Company Building is located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places...
and the W.D. Petersen Memorial Music Pavilion
W.D. Petersen Memorial Music Pavilion
W.D. Petersen Memorial Music Pavilion is located on Beiderbecke Drive in LeClaire Park, Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 1993...
in LeClaire Park
LeClaire Park
LeClaire Park is a public park located along the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is situated between two other riverfront parks: Centennial Park on the west and a new park that is being developed to the east. The park includes monuments, a bandshell. a baseball...
. The Philip Worley House
Philip Worley House
The Phillip Worley House is located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983. To the south of the Worley House are the Hibernia Hall, the Democrat Building and the Forrest Block. They are also listed on the National...
(1860), which is next to the Hibernia Hall, is also on the NRHP.
The building was built for a local newspaper the Davenport Democrat, which was started in 1848 as the Democratic Banner. Its editorial philosophy was in keeping with that of the political party of the same name. Over the years the paper purchased the Gazette (1887) and the Evening Leader (1902). The paper was eventually bought by Lee Enterprises
Lee Enterprises
Lee Enterprises is a publicly traded American media company. It publishes 54 daily newspapers in 23 states, and more than 300 weekly, classified, and specialty publications. Lee Enterprises was founded in 1890 by A.W. Lee and is based in Davenport, Iowa....
and is now known as the Quad City Times.
Architecture
The building is a two-storied, freestanding, brick structure with concrete block facing. A historical survey in 1983 indicated that the building utilizes steel in its construction. The words “The Democrat” are etched across the top of the building. The building bears the stylistic influence of Louis SullivanLouis Sullivan
Louis Henri Sullivan was an American architect, and has been called the "father of skyscrapers" and "father of modernism" He is considered by many as the creator of the modern skyscraper, was an influential architect and critic of the Chicago School, was a mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright, and an...
’s “jewel box” structures that are associated with the work he did late in his career in the Midwest. These influences are seen in the blocking of windows at the center of the highly geometric façade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
. The ornamentation of the horizontal band between stories, over the entrances, and along the parapet wall all feature the stylized motifs that are commonly found in his work.
The newspaper sold the building to The Catholic Messenger, the newspaper for the Catholic Diocese of Davenport
Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport is a diocese of the Catholic Church for the southeastern quarter of the state of Iowa. There are within the diocese...
. The building served as their headquarters for a couple of decades. The building is currently occupied by a specialty store.
The Democrat Building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The building is considered significant because of its association with newspapers in Davenport, and as an example of the local influence of Louis Sullivan, whose work figures prominently in the history of American architecture.
See also
Other pages that reflect Davenport's newspaper history:- Clarissa C. Cook Library/Blue Ribbon News BuildingClarissa C. Cook Library/Blue Ribbon News BuildingClarissa C. Cook Library/Blue Ribbon News Building was located at 528 Brady Street, Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was noted on the National Register of Historic Places in April, 1983 as Cook Memorial Library and listed in July 1983 under the "Clarissa C. Cook Library/Blue Ribbon News Bldg."...
- Iowa Reform BuildingIowa Reform BuildingIowa Reform Building is located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties and on the National Register of Historic Places.-History:...