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Court Administrator's Office
Fourteenth Judicial Circuit

Courthouse Square

Rock Island County, Illinois

KEY EVENTS TIMELINE     

1833-2018

Prepared by Mark A. VandeWiele, Circuit Court Judge

1833 FIRST COURTHOUSE: When Rock Island County was founded in

1833, the first county courthouse was in Farnhamsburg in the home of John 

Barrel (near present day 4th Ave. and 30th St. Rock Island) from 1833 until

1837. The 1833 County Election story explains why Rock Island and not 

 Hampton is the county seat. -- Click here.

      

1835 COURTHOUSE SQUARE PLATTED: The plat for the town of Stephensen
was initially recorded in Galena on July 10, 1835. The plat included Courthouse
Square which was bounded by Illinois (2nd Ave.), Orleans (3rd Ave.), Deer St.
(14th St.), and Elk St. (15th St.). The name of the town was changed to Rock
Island in 1841. Rock Island County received title to the plated 61.95 acres via a
Presidential Land Grant on May 20, 1841, from President John Tyler.
To view a copy of the Land Grant -- click here.

     /uploadedImages/CourtAdmin/1835 Plat --Courthouse Square old street names.jpg

 

1836 FIRST JAIL CONSTRUCTED: The first county jail was completed June 10,
1836, on the east side of 15th St., south of 3rd Ave. near the alley. This jail was
originally a log building, two stories high and 22 feet square. The brick portion of
the structure was added in 1839. Later the building was sold and converted
into a private residence.

                   /uploadedImages/CourtAdmin/1836 RICo Jail.JPG

Court Administrator's Office
Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
Rock Island County Courthouse (map ExternalLink.gif)
1317 3rd Ave, Suite 304, Rock Island, IL 61201

Phone: (309) 786-4451        Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM - Monday thru Friday

LAW LIBRARY Hours: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM - Monday thru Friday