Sunday in Moline, IL Jackpot!!!!

Boy, did we ever hit  the jackpot.  We went to Moline on the "Loop" bus at noon today (rode for $1.00 each) and attended the Blossoms at Butterworth Festival.  It was all free except for our food.  John Deere had 9 children.  Only 5 of them lived to adulthood.  His youngest son, Charles built a huge house in Moline overlooking the original John Deere facility. Then Charles, who had 2 daughters built one of those daughters a house across the street when she married William Butterworth.  Yes, it is an even bigger house.  So we got to walk all around both houses, carriage houses, grounds/gardens.  Wow, I was in heaven as touring old mansions is one of my favorite tourist things to do.  http://www.butterworthcenter.com/index.php
But because of the festival going on they also, had an antique car display, a magician, a guy playing the banjo on the lawn, free popcorn, a 20 minute bus tour of the neighborhood, and lots more.

This is only the carriage house of the Butterworth Estate.

Part of the huge garden at the Butterworth Estate.

The front side of the Deere-Wiman House built in 1872 for Charles & Mary Deere. It sits on 7 acres only about 8 blocks from the Mississippi River on a very high hill.  They called it "Overlook".

http://www.bleedinggreen.com/GG2001/gg-09-10-01.html

One end of the huge living room in the Deere-Wiman House.

One corner of the huge bedroom in the Deere-Wiman House.

The house has 5 bedrooms.

John Deere built this house, moved into it in 1885 and 1 year latter died at age 82. The house was sold out of the family, was split up into apts. and is in shambles.  Someone from Chicago currently owns it & is apparently trying to renovate it.

Looking back at Deere-Wiman from the front yard.  We were not even close to being at their property line.

A couple dressed for the festivities.

And of course, what would the 1880's be without "The Cat in the Hat"?

Bob's favorite car at the antique car display.

This was one big old oak tree in the front yard of the C. Deere home. Way out in the distance and down the hill is the Mississippi River & downtown Moline.

The festival also, included a tour of the Rock Island County Historical Society which is housed on the corner across the street from the C. Deere house.

Thanks to all who put this event together.  It was very well done, everything ran so smoothly.  Thanks to all the volunteers, too.

http://www.richs.cc/