Rock Island Preservation Society

Villa Entrance Arch Reconstruction Project

In the early morning hours of July 14, 2005 the Villa de Chantal at 2101 16th Avenue was engulfed in flames. The oldest portions of the magnificent Neo-Gothic style structures were badly damaged. After the smoke cleared, the ornate white glazed terra cotta entrance to the main building stood tall amidst the devastation.

During the months of discussion surrounding the fate of the Villa de Chantal buildings, the grand white arch stood tall. Even during the demolition of the buildings all around it, the grand white arch stood tall. The solid construction and the majestic presence of the arched doorway seemed to demand that it be preserved.

Thanks to a special group of people with the Rock Island – Milan School District, the arched doorway was saved from the wrecking ball. A stone mason was brought in to carefully dismantle the architectural gem. Each piece was numbered and carefully packed away so the arch could be reconstructed at a later date. And then to further ensure the future of the arch, the Board of Education approved a request from Rock Island Preservation Society to gift the arch to the Society.

Rock Island Preservation Society gratefully accepted the gift and began the Villa Entrance Arch Reconstruction Project. The Sisters of the Visitation have agreed to the reconstruction of the entry arch on their land in Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island. The cemetery site (photo above) is along 31st Avenue and the reconstructed arch will be visible from the street. The architectural firm of Scholtz Gowey Gere Marolf Architects has completed design drawings and the project was put out for bids. Bids for the work came back much more costly than any of us expected.

For the past months the project has been on hold as we look for ways to lower the costs by scaling down the project, tie it to an existing building or renovation project and/or develop new funding partnerships. The arch pieces themselves continue to be stored and funds raised remain in a secure project account.

If you would like to support the Villa Arch Reconstruction Project with ideas, partnership ideas or funds, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or via mail at Rock Island Preservation Society, PO Box 3261, Rock Island, IL 61204-3261.