Rock Island Roadhouse: Captured in Pictures

The Rock Island Roadhouse, originally built as a Y.M.C.A. in 1912, was considered a sign of development as a community at a time when the city was corrupt and controlled by the notorious monster John Patrick Looney.  

The money to build the building was raised during what is known as the Looney Riots.   The Looney Riots were when then Mayor Harry Schriver had John Looney beaten.  In response to this beating, mobsters were brought in from Chicago to riot in the streets.   During this horrific time, they still managed to raise the funds to build the building.

Construction of the 4-story building, which was designed by architect Cyrus D. McLane and deemed “plain but attractive” was anything but ordinary.  You entered through the highly detailed entrance arch which is believed to be a homage to the original 1890’s Y.M.C.A., located just blocks away.  These detailed arches were not typical 1912 architecture.  McLane combined artistic style with extremely durable engineering to create the fireproof building.  The frame, floors and roof were constructed of reinforced concrete, while the exterior walls are constructed of structural tile faced with heavily textured red bricks.  

As you went through the detailed arches, and up the marble steps, you entered the magnificent lobby.  A reading room was to the left, and the dining room to the right in the Northeast corner of the building.  To the East of the dining room was the boys department hobby and game room which could also be accessed through a separate doorway.  

The pool, complete with an observation gallery, was referred to by many as the central feature of the basement and 1st floor.   This was a much appreciated gift from Mrs. J. F. Robinson.   In addition to the observation gallery in the pool, there was another gallery located in the large gymnasium.   The gymnasium located in the Southwestern corner of the building was three stories tall, complete with a running track.  

The 3 upper stories were divided into smaller rooms.  In addition to boarding rooms for both long and short term housing, the 2nd floor had public rooms for club meetings and classes.  The 3rd and 4th floors were planned with 34 rooms that were said to be able to house 100 men, however the 4th floor was not completed until the 1920’s.  

The yard surrounding the Y.M.C.A. had a playground, as well as tennis, handball, basketball and volleyball courts.  In 1927. the Kemble School was purchased and razed to extend the Y.M.C.A. property.  

While serving as a Y.M.C.A. for several decades, the building offered many a place to stay, from railroad workers to those down on their luck with no place else to go.   The Y.M.C.A. helped with the short-term housing pressure of the war-time era, as there were many soldiers passing through.   Any soldier that showed up in uniform was allowed to stay at no cost.  As a Y.M.C.A. the building hosted many events including balls, Halloween costume parties, Thanksgiving dinners, New Year’s Eve parties, and even an annual circus in the gymnasium!  

The large imposing building was also a front, away from the prying eyes of law enforcement, for a darker chapter of history.  A chapter of bootlegging, being a speakeasy, brothel, gambling den,  and a meeting place to discuss criminal activities.  It was a neutral meeting ground for mob meetings for gangs from Chicago and St. Louis. During this time it became John Looney’s primary base of operation and a safe haven for his enforcers known as “Looney’s Boys,” who carried out his orders to protect his interests.  Orders that included arson, assault, even murder. It was this darker chapter that made the Roadhouse notorious for its illicit activities, and being frequented by a wide variety of characters from corrupt politicians to hardened criminals .     

January 27, 1976 there was a mysterious fire.  (more details coming)

In 1977 the Y.M.C.A. closed the building to  move into its new location.   

U-Haul used the building until the mid 80’s.  Ultimately allowing the building to fall into despair.

In 1994, the building was purchased by Dan and Lisa Vinar and houses Dan Vinar Furniture to this day.  Lisa and Dan put several hours into restoring the building to what you see today.  Thanks to Lisa's efforts, in September of 2020, the location was added

The Rock Island Roadhouse and the spirits who reside here remind us of what once was a growing community struggling through a darker chapter including: prohibitions, the Great Depression, World Wars and so much more.  A time of mobsters like John Looney and Alphonse (Al) Capone.  A time of madams like Helen Van Dale. 

Coming soon

Coming soon