Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-27
GREAT PROGRESS
MADE IN The CITY
DURING 10 YEARS
Over Fifteen Millions of Dollars
Invested in Permanent
Betterments.
OLD RIVALS LEFT BEHIND
Development Evenly Distributed in In
dustrial, Commercial and Other
Directions.

AEORE than fifteen millions OF
N dollars has been expended in
improvements in Rock Island
in the last decade, according to the
most reliable estimates. These figures
are taken from The Argus files and
are the result OF a careful annual
canvass OF the work along the line
Indicated that has been done in the
city.
Ten years ago, when The Argus OBJ
served its 50th anniversary by the
publication OF a special number in
whioS the city's resources were care
tullg md fully set forth, ii was con-
clushely shown that Rock Island was
town of more than ordinary sub
stance, attractiveness and promise.
And now. when We add the improve
ments OF a decade to what we had
before, the sum total challenges CON-
parison.
During the 10 years the DEVELOPMENT
OF Rock Island and the tri-city COM
munity OF which 1t forms part, has
been marvellous. There has been no
boom. please note. but a steady pro-
gress which has left scores Of the cit
les that ranked in Rock Islands class
ia 1902 far behind.
CROwDING BOUNDARIES.
While the city's limits remain the
same, solid blocks OF residences have
been added along the southern border.
while the growth has been equally
marked in adjacent portions OF South
hock Island. There has likewise been
decided expansion OF the business
district and a number of new factor
les have sprung up. especially in the
western part OF the city where pub
lie spirited ciizens have given 40
acres Of land TO be used for Industrial
Purposes.
There has been a vast improve
ment in streets and sidewalks, as.
phalt paving and concrete walks hay
ing come into vogue. Fully SO miles
OF the latter have been laid, while
the paving done includes Fourteenth
avenue on the hill. Fifteenth street,
Seventeenth street south OF Seventh
avenue. Nineteenth street, Seventh
avenue boulevard. Ninth street, and
many smaller sections OF work, to-
sether with the repaving of Second
ana Fourth avenues and Twentieth
street. Twelfth street has been i'm
proved with macadam TO Center sta
ton. and the Rock river bridges have
been all rebuilt and made free to all
kinds OF traffic. The Twenty-fourth
street yiaduct has been rebuilt and
new brirge placed across Sylvan
slough.
New sewer systems have been in
stalled. serving nearly half the city's
area and providing for future de-
mands.
CITY WATER MADE PURE.
a modern mechanical filter has been
added to the Vaterworks, giving an
abundant supply OF water OF the best
possible quality; the pumping sta
ton on Twenty-fourth street has been
remoceled and a new pump installed.
BESIDES, q pumping station 10 give
service TO the hill district has been
put in and the mains extended to
reach every part OF the city that was
formerly without water service.
-Four new public school buildings 4
and two Libraries have been erected. |
The public utility corporations have
spent money freely, with the result /
hat the service given is much more I
prompt and complete. The Tri-City 4
Railway company has built the Long +.