John Deere House

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

From the record

“The John Deere House is a historic building located in Moline, Illinois, United States. The house, which is associated with industrialist John Deere, sits on the edge of a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River Valley and the urban landscape below.”
Wikipedia article John Deere House, CC BY-SA 4.0.

One of 29 National Register listings published here for Rock Island County · listed in 2003 · category: Building.

Sources: the Wikipedia article · the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service

The listing

What is counted as historic. The nomination lists 1 building as contributing to the listing.
Listed as. Deere, John, House - the National Register files a house under its owner's surname.
Address. 1217 11th Ave., Moline, 61265
When was it listed? February 2003
Category. building
Township. Moline township
Architectural style. Second Empire architecture in the United States and Canada
National Register reference number. 02001756 - the number the National Park Service assigned this property when it was listed, and the key its nomination file is catalogued under at the National Archives.

What happened here

An account from the chapter on Moline township. The inset identifies its exact source book and publication year.

From Historic Rock Island County;, published 1908 - Moline Township

William A Meese

in covered boats, and while distracting the attention of the Indians, ojK'ned fire on them from the water, at the same time that his Menominee allies attacked their village from the banks in the rear. Those who snrvived the slaughter removed to the Mississippi River. On arriving there they foimd that country inhabited liy the Sauteaux, a branch of the ("hippewa tribe.

Read the rest of this passage

The ground it stands on

45,071 words

The chapter on Moline Township in Historic Rock Island County;, published 1908 names Moline. This is what it says, exactly as the scans read.

After proceeding about six miles the wind increased to a hurricane. Campbell's boat being still heavily loaded, he says: "I was afraid of her dashing to pieces on the rocks, and ordered her to be put shore, which in doing from the severe gale of wind which was blowing, and the roughness of the water, dashed her so hard on shore it was imjiossible to get her off while the storm lasted." The boat was driven on the north .sliorc of an island lying about six miles east of Moline and which since that day has been known as Campbell's Island. It lies near the eastern shore in Rock Island County and hclouss to the State of Illinois.

Passage source: Historic Rock Island County;, published 1908.

Charles, who settled on what is now known as the Case place on Rock River; Rinah Wells and his four sons, Rinah, Jr., Lucius, John and Samuel, who also settled on Rock River; Joel Wells, Jr., who settled near Hampton; Joel Wells, Sr., Levi and Huntington Wells, who settled at Moline; Joseph Danforth a mile above Moline; Michael Bartlctt where Deere i^c Mansur's factory, Moline, now is; George Goble and his son, Benjamin, about two miles above Moline; William Brashar, who settled south of the present city of Rock Island; Joshua A'andrruff and his sons, who settled on \'andruff's Island; Charles H. Case and Benjamin F. Pike.

Passage source: Historic Rock Island County;, published 1908.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Moline Township - 45,071 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.

Fires near this property

23 since 2006

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 23 fires within 5 miles of John Deere House between 2006 and 2011, burning about 14 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause	Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined	14
Debris and open burning	4
Smoking	4
Power generation/transmission/distribution	1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

Date	Cause	Size	Reported by	Name on the report
23 September 2009	Smoking	under an acre	Illinois Division of Forestry Resources	IDNR2
11 September 2009	Debris and open burning	under an acre	Illinois Division of Forestry Resources	IDNR
30 August 2010	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	under an acre	Illinois Division of Forestry Resources	UNION
16 August 2008	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	2.0 acres	Illinois Division of Forestry Resources	MM15
11 August 2008	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	under an acre	Illinois Division of Forestry Resources	EAST
3 July 2010	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	under an acre	Illinois Division of Forestry Resources	528
24 July 2010	Power generation/transmission/distribution	under an acre	Illinois Division of Forestry Resources	MID AMERICA
22 July 2008	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	under an acre	Illinois Division of Forestry Resources	POLE

Every fire recorded in Rock Island County

Mines and quarries near this property

6 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 6 workings within 5 miles of John Deere House: 3 past producers, 2 producers, 1 plant. 3 still produce. What was taken out: Stone, Crushed/Broken, Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Site	Commodity	Status
Builders Sand and Gravel Co. Dredge	Sand and Gravel, Construction	Producer
Allied Stone Plant #30	Stone, Crushed/Broken	Plant
Bettendorf Stone Co. Quarry	Stone, Crushed/Broken	Past Producer
Milan Quarry, Inc.	Stone, Crushed/Broken	Producer
Rock Island City Eng.	Stone, Crushed/Broken	Past Producer
U. S. Army Engineers	Stone, Crushed/Broken	Past Producer

Every working recorded in Rock Island County

Storms near this property

60 of 82 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Moline, the town this property stands in, in 82 storm reports between 1994 and 2025: 36 thunderstorm wind, 22 hail, 14 flash flood, 4 flood. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

When	Event	Place named	Harm	What the report says
March 2006	Flash Flood	Moline	$50,000	Thunderstorms trained across the Quad City Metro area and produced rainfall rates exceeding 1 inch per 30 minutes. Spotters, amateur radio, and the media reported numerous roads flooded out or cars floating. By 2015 CST KWQC-TV was reporting cars floating in parts of Rock Island. AT 2030 CST two reports indicated 11th Street and 14th Avenue in Rock Island was under water with 11th Street flooded in other spots.KMLI ASOS reported 1.78 inches of rain for 12 March 2006 of which 1.66 inches fell during the 1800-2400 CST time period. At the same time, the KDVN ASOS reported 1.05 inches of rain for 12 March 2006. The heaviest rain occurred during the 1900-2300 CST time period in a narrow band in between the two ASOS sites. The highest know rainfall amount occurred in central Davenport where 3.50 inches of rain fell. The closeness of the heavy rainband to the KDVN 88D resulted in a severe underestimation of the rainfall. Rainfall estimates from the distant KILX and KLOT 88D sites indicate 3-4 inches of rain fell.
June 2009	Flash Flood	Moline	$25,000	Heavy rains resulted in flash flooding of some streets in Moline, IL during the early evening of June 19.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	$25,000	Wind gusts estimated to be 65 mph blew down several trees and power lines in Moline, IL at 7:47 pm June 12.
July 2007	Flash Flood	Moline	$25,000	Three to six inches of rain fell in a short amount of time during the early morning hours of July 4th in Moline, IL resulting in flash flooding. About 20 to 30 people were rescued from stalled vehicles around 4:30 AM. A police car was also caught in flood waters at South Park Mall. In addition, street flooding forced the closure of the access road to the Cloverleaf Mobile Home Park off of 38th Street.
March 2006	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	$10,000	Many trees were downed across the city. Trinity Medical Center on 7th Street lost all electrical power for several hours. Limited power was available for the facility through emergency generators.
June 2006	Lightning	Moline	$10,000	Lightning strike at 2728 13th Avenue; discovered an hour later.
July 2015	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	$3,000	Damage was reported to a roof and some siding was blown off of the FEDEX and KINKOS building near the South Park Mall and John Deere Road.
March 1998	Thunderstorm Wind	East Moline	$3,000	Police car and another vehicle were damaged when a large sign was blown onto the vehicles.
July 2006	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	$2,000	large limbs down.
July 2006	Thunderstorm Wind	East Moline	$2,000	trees down
July 2003	Heavy Rain	Moline	$2,000	in 20 minutes; street flooding
July 2003	Heavy Rain	Moline	$2,000	Street flooding
July 2015	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	$1,000	A few car windows were blown out at the South Park Mall parking lot.
June 2004	Lightning	Moline	$1,000	Lightning struck and downed a 50 foot walnut tree which blocked 52nd street between 8th and 9th Avenues.
June 1999	Lightning	Moline	$1,000	A lightning strike damaged the attic area of a residence.
May 2025	Thunderstorm Wind	East Moline	-	A public report of a 2 inch tree limb knocked down by thunderstorm wind. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
August 2025	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Photos were received on social media of a large tree downed on a powerline in Moline. Time estimated by radar.
July 2025	Flash Flood	Moline	-	A trained spotter reported 2 to 3 feet of water over the intersection of 18th avenue and 12th in Moline. Cars are stalled in the water.
July 2024	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	A measured thunderstorm wind gust of 63 knots by the RQCI4 in the Quad Cities.
July 2024	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	A public report via social media of a large tree and powerlines downed by thunderstorm winds.
June 2024	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Tree limbs broken by thunderstorm winds, reported through mping.
July 2024	Tornado (EF1)	East Moline	-	Nearly continuous damage was surveyed consistent with a tornado producing 85-100 mph winds. In Davenport, Iowa, damage occurred to dozens of large trees, including several large healthy snapped trees. Some trees fell on homes and at least one on a car. A large section of an apartment roof was also torn off. Damage in Scott County Iowa was rated EF1 with maximum winds around 100 mph. The tornado crossed the Mississippi River and moved into Rock Island County Illinois along River Drive in East Moline, around 18:28 CST. The tornado snapped some tree trunks before dissipating around 18:32 CST. The tornado was also rated EF-1 in Rock Island County, with maximum winds around 90 mph.
March 2023	Hail	Moline	-	Report from Mping.
April 2023	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	A trained spotter reported power poles down and sign damage at Applebees in Moline. Winds were estimated as over 80 MPH.
February 2022	Hail	Moline	-	Dime size hail was reported through MPING.
July 2022	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	A member of the public reported a 1 inch tree limb down.
March 2020	Flash Flood	Moline	-	A trained spotter reported that the intersection of 12 Street and 19th Avenue was closed due to flooding. They also reported that two cars were stranded in the flood waters.
July 2020	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Several large tree branches blown down near 18th Ave and 11th St in Moline.
July 2020	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	A citizen reported multiple trees and power lines blown down.
March 2019	Flood	East Moline	-	Heavy rain and snow melting across the region caused the Mississippi River to rise above its major flood stage on March 23rd and remain above the major flood stage through the end of the month. An initial crest of 18.50 feet occurred late in the day on the 24th.
June 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	East Moline	-	A public report via social media of a large tree branches down. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
August 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	A large tree limb was reported blown down at 12th Street and 25th Avenue in Moline.
May 2019	Flash Flood	Moline	-	Local broadcast media reported significant street flooding on 41st Street in front of the Genesis Health complex.
May 2019	Hail	Moline	-	The hail lasted 3 minutes.
May 2019	Flash Flood	Moline	-	Six inches of flowing water over 16th street, between 13th and 14th in Moline.
May 2019	Flash Flood	Moline	-	A live video confirmed by Facebook Live, of flash flooding along River Drive in the vicinity of the TaxSlayer Center/Quad City Convention Center. Water was deep enough to cause vehicles to stall and float slightly.
May 2019	Flood	East Moline	-	The Mississippi River at Rock Island Lock and Dam 15 began the month above its major flood stage of 18 feet. The river stage at the beginning of the month was 21.10 feet. The river would rise to a crest of 22.70 feet at 450 PM CST on May 3rd. This crest is a new all time highest crest for the Mississippi River at Rock Island. This broke the old record of 22.63 feet that had previously occurred on July 9, 1993. The river fell below major flood stage around noon on May 12th.
April 2019	Flash Flood	Moline	-	Broadcast media reported that cars drove into flood water along River Drive in Moline. This was caused by heavy rainfall of 1.00 to 1.50 inches in a half hour and the inability of water to run off into the Mississippi River.
May 2018	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Local broadcast media reported a large tree branch was blown down. This tree branch took down a power line which started a fire to a house.
June 2017	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Nine to 12 inch diameter tree limbs were reported blown down.
June 2017	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Large tree branches were blown down, which was relayed through local TV social media.
July 2017	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	A public report was received of 2 to 4 inch in diameter tree limbs down.
August 2016	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	The public reported a 2 to 4 inch tree limb down. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
August 2015	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	A trained spotter reported an estimated wind gust of 60 MPH. The gust blew down some 2 inch diameter branches on the west side of Moline. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
May 2013	Flash Flood	Moline	-	Broadcast media reported 7th Street and 19th Avenue in Moline was flooded with water flowing over the sidewalks.
May 2013	Flash Flood	Moline	-	A trained spotter reported water over 38th Street from 19th Avenue to the Avenue of the Cities in Moline.
May 2013	Flash Flood	Moline	-	Broadcast media reported water rapidly flowing over a road with a stalled vehicle at Morgan Park in Moline.
June 2013	Flash Flood	Moline	-	Broadcast Media reported that South Park Mall was closed in Moline due to rising water in parking lot due to heavy rain. Rainfall amounts from around Moline ranged from 3 to a little over 4 inches. The ASOS at the Moline/Quad Cities Airport reported 4.19 inches of rain through 10 AM CDT.
June 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	The ASOS at the Quad City International Airport measured a wind gusts of 68 mph.
June 2013	Hail	Moline	-	In addition to the hail, trees were blown down along Avenue of the Cities in Moline. Also there were power outages in the same area.
June 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Several large trees, about a foot in diameter, were reported down near 19th Avenue and 26th Avenue. Time of the event was estimated using radar.
June 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Several large tree branches were blown down.
June 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 60 to 70 mph were observed near the Rock Island Arsenal bridge in Moline, IL at 520 am CDT June 9.
June 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 65 mph blew down some huge tree limbs in Moline, IL at 526 am CDT June 9.
June 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 75 mph were observed in Moline, IL at 526 am CDT June 9.
June 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Wind gusts measured to be 60 mph were observed in Moline, IL at 738 pm June 18.
June 2009	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 65 mph blew down several tree branches in Moline, IL around 600 pm June 19.
July 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	Wind gusts estimated to be 60 mph blew down a large tree branch in Moline, IL at 611 am July 21. A power outage was also observed.
August 2007	Flood	Moline	-	The Rock River level at Moline was in flood during this period. It crested at 14.48 feet on the morning of the 29th.
June 2001	Thunderstorm Wind	Moline	-	60 mph thunderstorm wind gust reported by trained spotter.

Every storm recorded in Rock Island County

Map coverage status

No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.

Listed places nearby

6 within 8 miles

Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.

Property	Distance	Listed
Skelly Service Station	0.3 miles	2024
Moline Downtown Commercial Historic District	0.4 miles	2007
LeClaire Hotel	0.6 miles	1994
Rock Island National Cemetery	0.8 miles	1997
Garfield Elementary School	1.1 miles	2017
United States Housing Corporation (U.S.H.C.) Historic District	1.5 miles	2024

Sources for this property

National Archives record	The nomination case file for reference 02001756 in Record Group 79.
Wikipedia article	Community-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA.
Rock Island County	All 29 listed properties in this county.

Provenance

Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.