Built to Last: Tour the Jewels of the Gold Coast | Events

As Davenport celebrates its 175th birthday, the Gold Coast & Hamburg Historic District Association unveils jewels hidden from sight for many years during this year’s home tour, Saturday and Sunday, September 24th and 25th.

About half the land within the boundaries of today’s Hamburg Historic District National Register District was included in the original plat of Davenport when the city was formed in 1836. As that time, the city boundaries extended from the river to 7th Street on the north and from Harrison to Warren east to west.

Five renovated homes are featured on this year’s tour. The houses, built between 1867 and 1894 represent a variety of styles from an elegant Queen Anne to a classic Davenport “Two and a Half.”

Three have undergone complete and dramatic renovations in the past five years, and two of those have never been on tour before.

One provided inspiration for one of Davenport’s best known artists and is the only home to remain a single family for throughout its history.

One illustrates changing uses within the city’s first neighborhood as it evolved from a single family residence to eleven apartments, and back again to a family home.

The German American Heritage Center, c. 1862/1877, and the Jipp Home & Grocery, c 1868/1878, will also be open for visitors on tour day.

What: “Built to Last: Jewels of the Gold Coast.” The Gold Coast & Hamburg Historic District Association Home Tour.

When: Saturday, September 24, 11AM – 4PM.

      Sunday, September 25, 1PM – 4PM

Where: Davenport’s Gold Coast & Hamburg Historic District, located from 5th to 9th, Ripley to Vine Streets, just above downtown Davenport.

Tickets: $10.00 for adults, children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets on sale on tour day at all tour homes.

Parking:  Free parking available in the Scott County parking lots just north of 5th Street between Ripley and Western,  and on streets near tour homes.

More Information: www.davenportgoldcoast.org or Marion Meginnis, 563-326-3290/marion_meginnis@msn.com.  A photographic CD of  homes on tour is available upon request.

About the Homes:

614 W. 5th- The Struck Home c 1877. This home was built in 1877 for a cost of $2,100 for Henry C. Struck, Junior. Struck was Cashier for the Davenport Savings Bank. Today this McClelland style home is the location for Café d’Marie and an upstairs apartment.

911 West 7th - The Stoltenberg Home c 1870. Boarded for 20 years, this handsome brick home just completed a fourteen-month restoration from top to bottom. First time on tour.

927 West 8th - The Bindschaedel/Isabel Bloom Home c 1870. This Davenport two and half is the only home on tour that has been maintained as a single family home by its six owners for its entire 140-year history. Built by emigrant carpenter Peter Bindshaedel, it was later the home and first Davenport studio for artist Isabel Bloom and her family. First time on tour.

604 North Gaines - The Witt Home c 1892. Members of the Witt family called 684 Gaines home for forty years. In the mid 20th Century, it was listed with eleven different addresses. Its owners have just completed a total restoration.

625 Scott - The Goldschmidt/Voss Home c 1882. Built by a retired furniture manufacturer and modified by later owners, this home commands stunning views of the Mississippi. Like many Gold Coast homes, it was subdivided into apartments for many years. It was purchased by its current owner early in the Gold Coast “Renaissance” that began in the late 1980’s, and he has been lovingly restoring it for the past 20 years.

The Gold Coast & Hamburg District Association is dedicated to preserving the built heritage of Davenport’s First Neighborhood, collecting its histories, providing context and understanding of the great importance of this district.  Because all great neighborhoods are made up of people, families, and friends, The Association organizes and sponsors events to bring people together, support the association, and become a more powerful voice within the community.

(Submitted Press Release)