J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' Store
Encyclopedia
The J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' Store also known as the Redstone Building, is a four-story building in Davenport, Iowa
, United States
. It is listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties and on the National Register of Historic Places
. Designed after the Rookery Building
in Chicago
, this building has a brick foundation and is made out of stone. Like the Rookery Building, The J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' Store features round arched arcades around groups of vertical windows and the name plate decorated in terracotta.
. In 1872, J. H. C. Petersen and his sons opened a dry goods firm. Due to increased demand, a department store was constructed and Petersen continued operating both retail and wholesale merchandise and were so successful that they built what is now known as the Redstone building. In 1916, the store was sold to the Harned and Von Maur Co., until then a very modest competitor to the Petersen hegemony. It was not until 1928, that the J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' store finally consolidated with Petersen-Harned-Von Maur Store and ceased independent operations. The J.H. C. Petersen and Sons building of 1892, now the Redstone Building, was designed by Frederick G. Clausen, a German immigrant who moved to Davenport. It would continue to be a flagship well into the 20th century, keeping the Petersen name until 1989. Son Willy Petersen would ensure that the Davenport riverfront would be safe for generations to come via his contribution of the Davenport Bandshell that houses the annual Bix celebration. The Petersens left their legacy long ago in the Quad Cities, and believed in contribution; the Von Maur family, though far wealthier than the Petersen's, has not.
opened in the former Redstone Building. The River Music Experience is a non-profit museum focused on music, including jazz and blues, inspired by the river. A couple of years after opening, the River Music Experience focused more on live performances on the second floor. The River Music Experience sponsors an annual music festival, River Roots Live, in Downtown Davenport along with Ribfest, each summer. Today the building also features Mojo's coffee shop, a restaurant, and office space.
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 Davenport Register of Historic Properties and 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...
. Designed after the Rookery Building
Rookery Building
The Rookery Building is a historic landmark located in the Loop community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Completed by John Wellborn Root and Daniel Burnham of Burnham and Root in 1888, it is considered one of their masterpiece buildings. It once housed the office of the...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, this building has a brick foundation and is made out of stone. Like the Rookery Building, The J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' Store features round arched arcades around groups of vertical windows and the name plate decorated in terracotta.
History
The J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' Store was built in Downtown Davenport in 1892, as the flagship retail store of what would become Von MaurVon Maur
Von Maur is an mid-range specialty department store chain with stores located in the Midwestern United States and newly expansion stores in the Southern United States. The chain, based in Davenport, Iowa, sells mid-priced brand-name apparel, accessories, cosmetics, gifts, jewelry and shoes. As of...
. In 1872, J. H. C. Petersen and his sons opened a dry goods firm. Due to increased demand, a department store was constructed and Petersen continued operating both retail and wholesale merchandise and were so successful that they built what is now known as the Redstone building. In 1916, the store was sold to the Harned and Von Maur Co., until then a very modest competitor to the Petersen hegemony. It was not until 1928, that the J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' store finally consolidated with Petersen-Harned-Von Maur Store and ceased independent operations. The J.H. C. Petersen and Sons building of 1892, now the Redstone Building, was designed by Frederick G. Clausen, a German immigrant who moved to Davenport. It would continue to be a flagship well into the 20th century, keeping the Petersen name until 1989. Son Willy Petersen would ensure that the Davenport riverfront would be safe for generations to come via his contribution of the Davenport Bandshell that houses the annual Bix celebration. The Petersens left their legacy long ago in the Quad Cities, and believed in contribution; the Von Maur family, though far wealthier than the Petersen's, has not.
Today
In June 2004, the River Music ExperienceRiver Music Experience
The River Music Experience is a multi-use music facility and 5013 non-profit organization located on the first two floors of the historic Redstone Building in downtown Davenport, Iowa....
opened in the former Redstone Building. The River Music Experience is a non-profit museum focused on music, including jazz and blues, inspired by the river. A couple of years after opening, the River Music Experience focused more on live performances on the second floor. The River Music Experience sponsors an annual music festival, River Roots Live, in Downtown Davenport along with Ribfest, each summer. Today the building also features Mojo's coffee shop, a restaurant, and office space.
See also
Other buildings that were a part of the Petersen, Harned, von Maur complex:- J.H.C. Petersen's Sons Wholesale BuildingJ.H.C. Petersen's Sons Wholesale BuildingThe J.H.C. Petersen's Sons Wholesale Building was located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The building was a part of the J.H.C. Petersen's Sons' Store. It stood next to the Schick's Express and Transfer Co. building...
- Schick's Express and Transfer Co.Schick's Express and Transfer Co.The Schick's Express and Transfer Co. was located in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The building became part of the Petersen, Harned, von Maur department store complex. It and the J.H.C...