On the quiet corner of 5th Avenue and 20th Street, in the heart of Rock Island, stands the Rock Island Roadhouse. Originally built in 1912 as a Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), the building was considered a symbol of progress and community development during a time when the city was plagued by corruption and controlled by the notorious gangster John Patrick Looney.
Viewed then as a frontier town—too rough and tumble for the finer things—Rock Island was in desperate need of resources, safe lodging, and recreational opportunities. The YMCA was envisioned as a place that would help fill that void, offering structure, support, and hope to a growing community.
The funds to construct the building were raised during a turbulent period in Rock Island’s history known as the Looney Riots. These riots erupted after then–Mayor Harry Schriver ordered the beating of John Patrick Looney. In retaliation, mobsters were brought in from Chicago, igniting violence and unrest throughout the streets of Rock Island.
Despite the chaos and fear that gripped the city during this horrific time, the community persevered. Remarkably, it was amid this turmoil that the necessary funds were still raised to build what would become the Rock Island YMCA—an enduring symbol of resilience, determination, and hope.
Construction of the four-story building—designed by architect Cyrus D. McLane and described at the time as “plain but attractive”—was anything but ordinary. Visitors entered through a highly detailed entrance arch, believed to be a deliberate homage to the original 1890s YMCA located just blocks away. Such ornate arches were uncommon in 1912 architecture, making the design choice especially striking.
McLane blended artistic expression with exceptional durability, creating a structure that was considered state-of-the-art for its time. The building was engineered to be fireproof, with its frame, floors, and roof constructed of reinforced concrete. The exterior walls were built from structural tile and faced with heavily textured red brick, giving the building both strength and character—qualities that have allowed it to endure for more than a century.
Passing through the detailed entrance arches and ascending the marble steps, visitors entered the building’s magnificent lobby. To the left lay the reading room, a quiet space intended for reflection and study. To the right, in the northeast corner of the building, was the dining room.
Just east of the dining room sat the boys’ department hobby and game room, a lively area designed for recreation and fellowship. This space could also be accessed through a separate entrance, allowing activity to flow in and out of the building without disturbing the main lobby.
The swimming pool—complete with an observation gallery—was considered by many to be the central feature of both the basement and first floor. This impressive addition was made possible through the generosity of Mrs. J. F. Robinson and was greatly appreciated by the community.
In addition to the pool’s observation gallery, a second gallery overlooked the large gymnasium. Located in the southwestern corner of the building, the gymnasium rose three stories high and featured an elevated running track, making it a hub of activity, fitness, and social life within the YMCA.
The three upper stories were divided into smaller rooms designed to serve multiple purposes. In addition to boarding rooms for both long- and short-term housing, the second floor featured public rooms used for club meetings and educational classes.
The third and fourth floors were planned to include a total of 34 rooms, reportedly capable of housing up to 100 men. However, the fourth floor was not completed until the 1920s, several years after the building first opened.
From the moment it opened, the YMCA offered the Rock Island community an impressive array of resources, both indoor and outdoor. These included a fully equipped gymnasium, running track, swimming pool, reading room, game room, and lodging accommodations. Athletic amenities extended to racquetball and handball courts, tennis courts, basketball, and much more—making the YMCA a true center for recreation, education, and community life.
In 1927, the Kemble School was purchased and demolished to allow for the expansion of the YMCA property. The grounds surrounding the YMCA were developed into an active outdoor space, featuring a playground along with tennis, handball, basketball, and volleyball courts, further enhancing the building’s role as a center for community recreation.
While serving as a YMCA for more than half a century, the building remained an essential resource for the Rock Island community. It quickly became a popular stop not only for travelers, but for local residents as well—offering lodging to everyone from railroad workers to those down on their luck with nowhere else to go.
During the wartime era, the YMCA helped ease the strain of short-term housing as soldiers frequently passed through the area. Any serviceman who arrived in uniform was allowed to stay at no cost, reinforcing the building’s role as a place of refuge and support.
Beyond housing, the YMCA was a hub of social life and celebration. The building hosted countless events, including formal balls, Halloween costume parties, Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas celebrations complete with a visit from Santa Claus, New Year’s Eve gatherings, and even an annual circus held in the gymnasium—bringing joy and community together under one roof.
Behind its imposing exterior, the building also concealed a far darker chapter—one deliberately hidden from the prying eyes of law enforcement. During the height of Prohibition, it served as a front for bootlegging and operated as a speakeasy, brothel, gambling den, and a discreet meeting place for criminal dealings.
The Roadhouse became a neutral ground for mob meetings involving gangs from Chicago and St. Louis and ultimately evolved into John Patrick Looney’s primary base of operations. It offered a safe haven for his enforcers, known as “Looney’s Boys,” who carried out his orders to protect his interests—orders that reportedly included arson, assault, and even murder.
It was this shadowed era that earned the Roadhouse its notorious reputation, drawing a wide range of figures through its doors—from corrupt politicians to hardened criminals—and forever cementing its place in the darker history of Rock Island.
At 8:00 p.m. on July 15, 1972, YMCA Executive Director Richard Young locked the doors of the YMCA for the first time since its opening. The Board of Directors had made the difficult decision to close the building’s housing facilities based on three key factors: the desire to change the YMCA’s program concept, the need to reshape its public image, and concerns that the building’s condition was no longer safe for residents.
On January 27, 1976, a mysterious and devastating fire struck the former YMCA building. The two-alarm fire broke out at approximately 11:00 p.m., with YMCA Executive Director Richard Young stating that the blaze appeared to have started in the main lobby and office area. The fire was first discovered by a Rock Island County sheriff’s deputy.
A second alarm was declared at 11:16 p.m., and third-shift crews were called in to assist firefighters battling the blaze in sub-zero temperatures. In total, 40 firefighters responded, utilizing six pumper trucks and an aerial truck to contain the fire.
Fortunately, no one was living in the building at the time, as the housing facilities had been closed since 1972. While there were no injuries, the structure suffered extensive smoke and water damage, marking a significant and tragic chapter in the building’s history.
In 1977, the YMCA officially closed the building and relocated to a new facility. In the years that followed, U-Haul utilized the structure until the mid-1980s. Afterward, the building was largely neglected, ultimately falling into disrepair and despair as time and abandonment took their toll.
In 1994, the building was purchased by Dan and Lisa Vinar and has housed Dan Vinar Furniture ever since. Together, Lisa and Dan invested countless hours restoring the structure into what visitors see today, breathing new life into a building long forgotten.
Despite the extensive restoration, pieces of the YMCA’s past remained—among them the old running track, sections of the original gym floor, and, according to many, a few restless spirits.
In 2017, Lisa Vinar opened the building to the public for paranormal investigations and events under the name The Haunted YMCA of Rock Island, allowing others to experience both the history and the lingering energy of this remarkable place.
Thanks to Lisa Vinar’s dedication and efforts, the building was officially designated a landmark by the Rock Island Preservation Commission in September of 2020. This designation is one Lisa is especially proud of, as it protects the historic structure from demolition or major alterations, ensuring its preservation for generations to come.
On October 7, 2023, the Rock Island Roadhouse hosted its first annual ParaCon—created by Kandi Slater and Lisa Vinar—drawing in 1,638 guests and providing the community with an opportunity to come together, connect, and learn from one another. From its inception, the event was built on interaction, education, and community, quickly establishing itself as a must-attend experience.
The ParaCon has continued to grow each year, and by 2025 attendance had expanded to over 2,500 guests. That same year, the Rock Island Roadhouse partnered with Sara Jane and Robert Stachowicz of Get Haunted/Paranormally Blonde and was honored to serve as a host location for N.E.S.P.R.’s Devils on the Run Tour, featuring not only the iconic Annabelle doll—made famous in part by The Conjuring movie universe—but also several reportedly haunted items, including the Shadow Doll, Annabelle from Annabelle Comes Home, the Satanic Idol, and more.
Through its growth and evolution, the Rock Island Roadhouse ParaCon continues to Change the Way You ParaCon, offering an immersive, community-driven experience unlike any other.
Due to YMCA being a trademarked name, the building was officially renamed the Rock Island Roadhouse in December of 2023. The name Roadhouse was carefully chosen, as it is historically another term used to describe establishments similar to a YMCA.
Traditionally, a roadhouse provided food, drink, and lodging to travelers—often located along major roads—and served as a gathering place for the community. Roadhouses were also known for their lively atmosphere, sometimes offering music, dancing, and even gambling. The name reflects both the building’s historical role and its vibrant, multifaceted past.
The Rock Island Roadhouse—and the spirits said to linger within its walls—stand as echoes of a once-growing community forced to endure its darkest chapters. These walls bore witness to Prohibition, the Great Depression, and two World Wars, times marked by survival, secrecy, and resilience. It was an era shaped by mobsters like John Patrick Looney and Alphonse Capone, and by powerful figures such as madams like Helen Van Dale—names that still carry weight long after the lights went out.
Here, history doesn’t rest quietly. At the Rock Island Roadhouse, where history comes to life, some secrets were never meant to stay buried—and some secrets can’t be kept.