The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-07-03

LIS WHoio icugtH Is u DE tfdVerSeO DIV
graded roadway, paved with large square
blocks of stone. This main avenue, running
from north to south, will be three hundred
feerwide. Along each of its sides q railway
track is to be laid. Between this track on
either side and the main avenue there is to
be space of thirty feet devoted to double
rows of shade trees. On the other side of
these railway tracks there are still to be two
more drives, of considerable width, for car
riages.
Along one side of this great avenue, the
Rock Island workshops-ten in number
are to be erected. They are to be double
buildings, each with front of two hundred
and twenty-five feet and depth of three
hundred feet. Avenues of one hundred feet
in width will separate each building FROM its
neighbor. They are to be about one hundred
and twenty feet in height, and back of them
it is intended to have still other buildings, of
the same width as those in front, and to be
usedin connection with them as mere ap.
spendages.> The workshops that face the
main roadway, form three sides of paral-
telegram, so as to leave an open yard in the
centre of every building. These structures
are. TO be used for machine.shops, brass
foundries smiths shops, finishing-shops, &c.
All are SO arranged that every description of
arm, made, repairing, the preparation of am
muIii,ion, and every other branch of military
manufacture, can be systematically con-
Quoted. ss -s-ss
On the other side of the graded roadway,
or main avenue aforesaid, ten other buildings
of like size. and appearance are to be built,
precisely opposite those across it. They are
to be used as officers quarters, storehouses,
hospitals, &c. The powder magazine is to
be placed at considerable distance from
these buildings. +-
THE sUPrLY OF AIR AND WATER.
An admirable arrangement of pipes will
secure to all the buildings all ample supply
of water, which viii be forced up by power.
full engines from the dam at the head of the
Island. This water, after having passed
through the places where it is used, is &c
flow into an artificial lake or reservoir near
the middle of the island, and thence to the
river.
The motive power of these engines is to be
compressed air, which is to be conveyed
through all the buildings by means of pipes
to accompany those for the supply of water
This in addition to affording pure air to the
workmen, is intended to be turned to advan
tage in blowing the fires at the different for
ges
The artificial lake will be very attractive
feature on the Island. Along with other
pleasing features there will also be park
800 feet square, or about eighty-one acres
n=extent, and will cover nearly as much
space as that to be occupied by the arsenal
buildings. Around the entire circumference
of the island there is TO be graded macad
amized drive, sufficiently above high water
I
flow. 1t is to be sixty feet wide, and to be
lined with double row of trees on it's sid.
next the river. There are, likewise, to be
extensive gas works on the island.
THE RAILROAD PROJECT.
The Rock Island Railroad, which nov
passes through the centre of the island, is t.
be removed to its extreme lower end, in or
der to make room for the improvements con
templated. Its present location is extreme
Il Objectionable, and must be changed before
the intended plans can be carried out. Thi
Improvement will be very important to tn,
business interests of the cities of Rock Is
| land and Davenport.
The bridge, when placed in its new posi-
ton, will be a magnificent one, and stands
foremost among the most prominent of Gen
Rodman's plans. 1t viii be fifty feet aboy,
high water, whereas the present one is bu
thirty. This structure will cost an immens,
sum of money, but Congress has alread'
made fair appropriations for so worthy al
| object. 1t is intended to reach from tn,
bluffs on ono side to those on the othe
side of the river, and when completed viii
be one of the finest bridges in North Amer
lea: Its main support in the center viii b'
| the pler arising from the solid limestone
| rock at the extreme lower end of the Island
| This is to be a combined railroad, Wagon
and passenger bridge, and will be direc
route of communication between the tw,
| cities.