The Quad Cities John Deere Trail

by Meghan Cooley

Visit Quad Cities presents the engaging John Deere Trail winding its way through history and the Quad Cities with fun for all ages. Download the mobile pass and plan your Green Adventure!

With in-laws living on a farm outside of Galesburg, my kids were raised on John Deere green farm equipment. They watched and listened to All About John Deere for Kids the music CD by James Coffey and DVD directed by Tom MComas and Joseph Stachler starring: John Deere Tractors. One of our favorite segments is John Deere heaven where we can “dream about a special place that’s all yellow and green”.

Now that my kids are older, they are interested in the history behind this famous Quad Cities family and company. There’s no better way to experience the John Deere story than to follow the John Deere Trail and find your version of John Deere heaven here in the Quad Cities!

See historical sites like:

• The Atkinson-Peek House which now houses the Rock Island Country Historical Society.
  TIP: check out the lovely balustrade in the hallway and the original fireplaces (the one in the northwest bedroom has the white tile from when it was built).
   
• Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman Home
  This residence was a wedding present from Charles and Mary Deere to their daughter. The 90-minute FREE tours are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays typically at 2:30 p.m. and you can schedule yours online
  TIP: you won’t want to miss the 18th-century Italian ceiling painting in the Butterworth Center or the pipe organ at the Deere-Wiman Home.

Walk by:

• Caxton Block
  Built by Deere & Co. this building was leased to Desaulniers & Co. a printing company that printed advertising and publications for Deere and other customers. For years it published The Furrow.
  Fun Fact: the interior of the building includes a 45-foot-high glass atrium that brings natural light to the center of the structure.
   
• Deere and family Gravesites at Riverside Cemetery
  Fun Fact: The architect, William LeBaron Jenney, designed both the Deere-Wiman House and  Riverside Cemetery. He also built the world’s first skyscraper in Chicago.”
   
• Historic Post Office and former John Deere Home
  The early home of John Deere was demolished in 1908 to make room for the city’s new post office building. No longer the post office, the building has changed hands a number of times.
  Fun Fact: The building’s interior was remodeled in the late 1900s to reflect its post office origins including brass postal boxes, stamp windows, grill counters, etc. All the faux paint in the lobby was redone and the marble and terrazzo floor was repaired.
   
• Leaping Deere Statue at TPC Deere Run
  The site of the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic.
  TIP: TPC Deere Run is a public golf course and you can schedule a tee time here.

• Market Square
  Deeded to the city in 1886 under the provision that it be used “for a public marketplace.” Many of the locations on the walking locations of the John Deere trail are in and around this section of Moline.
  TIP: Visit Quad Cities River Station Destination Center is located in the square. Stop in for your QC gear or rent bikes!

• Red Cliff and John Deere Home
  This was the home of John Deere and his wife Lucencia
  Fun Fact: Renovations of the property in the last 1800s included an early form of air conditioning due to buried ceramic tiles that allowed cool air to pass from the lower hillside to the basement and lower floors.
   
• Spirit of Place
  The location of the first plow factory along the Mississippi River is marked by a large sculpture: “Spirit of Place” crafted by Beverly Pepper.
  Fun Fact: The sculpture weighs 6 tons and was cast at the former East Moline John Deere Foundry. While Beverly Pepper was crafting her pieces she would work right alongside the workers in the factory.
   
• Sylvan Island Gateway Park
  To commemorate the 175th anniversary of Deere and Co. this bronze sculpture “Forging a Dream” was placed here.
  TIP: The hiking and biking trails on Sylvan Island are a perfect addition to your tour. Stop by to see the sculpture, stay for the river vistas, and a lovely walk or bike through the park.

• Velie Parking Walking Path
  The site was once the home of Stephen and Emma Deere Velie (The daughter of John and Demarius Deere).
  TIP: The park has a nice overlook of Moline and the Mississippi River.
   
• Washington Square Apartments
  Built in 1890, this row house was known as Deere Row and housed many company employees.
  Fun Fact: Currently the building has 3 stories and 5 units each of 1 and 2-bedroom apartments.
   
• Wiman/Miss Pattie’s Park
  Named for Pattie Soutall Wiman who married John Deere’s great-grandson, Charles Deere Wiman. “The best neighborhood park in the QC. A hidden gem,” according to Rob Elfline of Rock Island.
  Fun Fact: Some say much of this park used to be an apple orchard.

Visit and Enjoy

• John Deere Harvester Works
  An active factory, this is one of the largest combine manufacturing facilities in the world. Stop in the visitor’s center to learn more about harvesting.
  TIP: There’s a great photo opportunity by the deer outside the building.
   
• The John Deere Pavillion
  Climb into tractors, watch engaging videos, interact with hands-on exhibits, and see John Deere history laid out before you.
  TIP: It’s free fun for all ages! We highly recommend sticking your kids in the giant tractor tires or loader buckets for a great photo!

• John Deere Store
  Pick up your favorite John Deere gear here!
  TIP: There are lots of great toys and gifts for kids and adults.
   
• Nels Peterson Park
  The Deere family raised cattle and John Deere Cady (John Deere’s grandson) grew up in the farmhouse on the property.
  Fun Fact: The playground at this site is green and gold.
  
  
  Meghan Cooley moved to the Quad Cities from St. Charles, IL, as an Augustana College student over 20 years ago. She left briefly after graduation and then returned to work in admissions and then marketing at Augustana College for 18 years. She now works as a consultant for admissions marketing and social media. Now a true Quad Cities transplant, Meghan lives in Rock Island with her husband, Luke (R.O.W.V.A. and Augustana grad and Modern Woodmen employee) and four boys. She loves living in the Quad Cities and finds it the perfect place to raise a family, plan a date night, and go on adventures.