The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-09-25

as practicable. He is one of the most care
full economicab exact and accomplished
men in his line of business, doing his own
drafting and making the closest mathemati-
cal calculations. He has been long time
in the employ of the United States, and is
very valuable man in his profession.
Mr.. G. II. Sleeper is superintendent of
laborers, having charge of the excavation
for the foundations of the building now 60.
ing up, also of the big sewer, and such other
work as grading and Matchmaking avenues
&C., &c. He has about $50 men now en-
ployed.
This enumeration counts up about 500
people now employed on the Island, a very
large proportion of whom reside in this city.
THE MAP OF THE ISLAND.
After getting thees facts, we were shown
the great map of the Island, and on it the
plan of Gen. Rodman for its future occupa-
ton. To be accurate in description of it
giving it in detail would fill several news
papers like ours, and, therefore, we can only
deal with it in general way, hoping that
our readers will get some general ideas
which will be useful to them.
The Island is about miles in length,
varying from one-fourth to onehalf mile in
width, and contains nearly 1000 acres. 1t
is located in the Mississippi river, near the
Illinois shore, and is all of il in the state of
Illinois. It's foundation is solid limestone,
and it rises, with clear and well defined
shores, considerably above high water mark,
and no part of it is ever overfowed. Be-
| tween the Island and the Illinois shore flows
| narrow beautiful stream, called "Silvan
| Water and between the Island and the
Iowa shore the main body of the Mississippi
| river.
THE PLANS FOR ITS OCCUPATION.
Gen. Rodman's plan contemplates wide
McAdamized Avenue around the shores OF
the entire Island, on each side of which will
be planted two rows of shade trees, and out.
side of which will be gravelled walks. A
magnificent wide McAdamized Avenue will
also be built up through the centre of the
Island, from the lower point to the upper
extremity. Similar Avenues will cross the
Island at all necessary points---all fanked
with double rows Of shade trees, and outside
of all, graveled walks.
THE BUILDINGS.
At present, the Commandments residence
the officers quarters, the barracks, the of
fees &c, &C., are mere temporary wooder
buildings, for all of which fine buildings O
Joliet stone will ultimately be substituted.
The only permanent building nearly com
pleted, is the Arsenal building, at the lower
point of the Island. 1t is $50 feet in length
so feet in width, and, including basement
four stories in height. 1t is built of cream
colored stone, from lie Claire, and has
tower nearly 100 feet in height, in which, il
few weeks, will be splendid clock whiel
will keep time for all the surrounding coun
try. The bell, for the clock, weighing $50
pounds, is already in place.
Near the centre of the Island, on Mai
Avenue, and on height of land some 80 t
40 feet above high water mark is to be cree
ed 10 large and 10 smaller buildings, {
Joliet stone, for government purposes. An
the plan is so arranged that any number {
. buildings needed at any future time can b
added without marring its symmetry. TIL
large buildings are all to front Main Avenue
and will be each 20 feet front, with w
wings of 800 feet each, and all of uniforr
width of so feet, thus leaving large hollo
square in the. centre of each. There is I
be 10 Of these buildings, or work shops,
e On each side of the Avenue, with space
q 100 feet between each.
8 The buildings, or work shops, on Il
n south side of the Avenue are for ARISEN,
!. purposes, and are named on the plan as 70
lows:
Wood and Assembling Shop.
: Field Carriage Machines.
:. Smiths Shop.
Fortress Carriage Machines.
Machine and Assembling Shop.
In rear (still south) of these FIVE are fl,
+ smaller buildings named as
Brass and Iron Foundry.
Dry Houses.
Store House &c, &c.
d On the north side of Main Avenue al
precisely opposite the above named building
are to be other buildings, same size, shat
&C., for Armory purposes, named as follow
Stocking Shop.
Rifing Shop.
Rolling Mill and Smith Shop.
y Finishing Shop.
= Do Do
In rear (still north, towards the Ioy
d shore) are to be more, for officers quartz,
: barracks, hospital, dry house, store house
n &c.
d The 10 buildings or work shops trontil
- on Main Avenue are each to be 2l0 fe
r front, with two wings to each, and each viii
a. to be 300 feet long all 60 feet wide, al
J, three stories high, with a basement of
g feet in the clear. The stories are to
10 about Is feet in the clear, and the att
d. about feet. They will each be more TIL
twice the size of the one now standing at t
point of the Island. The floors, which a
to be laid on wrought iron girders, are
be of one and half inch oak plank, thr
hundred and fifty thousand feet of viii
will be required for each building. I
70 hs, nf slats nd Tho