Connor House
Also known as: Parker House
Why it's listed
Standing on a half-acre corner lot at 20th Street and 7th Avenue in Rock Island, this brick house was built in 1888 for Homer J. Lowrey, a pork packer, and later passed to James Connor, a wholesale liquor manager, and his wife Anna. A major remodeling in 1906 added a wider front porch, a large dining room, a rear addition and a brick carriage house. The design mixes Romanesque Revival masonry, a Queen Anne profile and later Colonial Revival touches, tied together by a repeated grid motif in windows, doors and the main hall. A cylindrical tower, a stained glass window with 99 faceted jewels and an unaltered oak stair hall are notable features. The design is attributed to Davenport architect Edward S. Hammatt, though no documents confirm it. The property was recognized for its architecture, its role in the neighborhood's growth, and its status as a citywide landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house typifies local architects' and builders' experimentation with blended styles (Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne, Neo-Classical and Colonial Revival) around the turn of the century. It also illustrates its neighborhood's development pattern and serves as a citywide landmark on a corner lot. The carriage house is included as part of the story of upper-class life in Rock Island.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 88001227, listed August 11, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 702 Twentieth St., Rock Island |
|---|---|
| County | Rock Island County |
| Listed | August 11, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88001227 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1888-1910 (1800-1899 and 1900-10 checked; specific date 1888) |
| Architect / builder | Unknown, attributed to E.S. Hammatt; constructed by Homer J. Lowry (Lowrey) |
| Architectural style | Blend of Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne, Neo-Classical and Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Stated as in excellent condition, altered, and occupied as a private residence; the interior includes post-World War II apartments on the second floor. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.50501, -90.57220 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 88001227.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5162025
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.