Douglas Park (Rock Island)
In 1904, workers began building a new athletic facility at the corner of 18th Avenue and 10th Street in Rock Island. The project took one year to complete, with grandstands rising by early 1905. Before this structure existed, the neighborhood had been developing since the 1830s as a residential area for local families. The new field replaced Twelfth Street Park, which served as home to the Rock Island Islanders from 1898 until 1904. This transition marked a shift toward more permanent infrastructure for community sports.
On the 26th of September 1920, the Rock Island Independents hosted the St. Paul Ideals inside Douglas Park. The game ended with a score of 48, 0, marking the first official contest under the newly formed National Football League. Just nine days earlier, league founders had gathered in Canton, Ohio to establish what would become the NFL. That meeting included representatives from the Rock Island team. Jim Thorpe, who later became the league’s first president, was present during those initial discussions. The stadium held spectators who witnessed history unfold on that autumn afternoon.
From 1907 through 1925, the Rock Island Independents called Douglas Park their home ground. Walter Flanigan, an owner and former player, drove much of the franchise’s early development. He attended the founding meeting in 1920 and helped draft the league’s constitution. Over eight seasons, the team posted records like 6, 2, 2 in 1920 and 5, 3, 3 in 1925. Five winning seasons occurred within six years of play. After 1925, new ownership by Dale Johnson moved the club to Moline and dissolved its presence in Rock Island. The American Football League folded after just one season, ending the franchise entirely.
Between 1905 and 1937, the Rock Island Islanders played minor league baseball at Douglas Park. They competed in leagues such as the Western League, Mississippi Valley League, and Three-I League. In 1922, Jimmy Conzelman managed both the football and baseball teams simultaneously. The Islanders won championships in 1907, 1909, and 1932. Their affiliations included the St. Louis Browns in 1932 and the Cincinnati Reds in 1933. Rival teams like the Davenport Blue Sox and Moline Plowboys drew crowds across the Quad Cities region during this era.
Several Pro Football Hall of Fame members appeared on Douglas Park’s field during its peak years. Jim Thorpe, Curly Lambeau, George Halas, Ed Healey, Jimmy Conzelman, Joe Guyon, Paddy Driscoll, and George Trafton all competed there. Thorpe joined the Independents in 1924 before forming his own touring team. Halas coached the Chicago Bears to a 3, 0 victory over Rock Island on the 30th of September 1923. Lambeau led the Green Bay Packers to a narrow 3, 0 win against the home team on the 4th of October 1925. These athletes helped define early professional football through their performances at this venue.
In August 2015, a throwback game honored the site's history when the Rock Island Independents defeated the Moline Universal Tractors 24, 0 using early rules. The Friends of Douglas Park group formed in 2007 to raise funds for renovations. Phase One of the project reopened the baseball diamond on the 9th of May 2017, with a high school match between Rock Island Alleman High School and Rock Island High School. A crowd of 450 watched the Rocks defeat the Pioneers 2, 0. Today, youth leagues and semi-pro teams like the Quad City 76ers continue to use the field regularly.
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Common questions
When was Douglas Park in Rock Island built?
Workers began building the facility in 1904 and completed the project by early 1905. The grandstands rose during that single year of construction.
What happened at Douglas Park on the 26th of September 1920?
The Rock Island Independents hosted the St. Paul Ideals inside Douglas Park for a game ending with a score of 48, 0. This match marked the first official contest under the newly formed National Football League.
Who owned the Rock Island Independents before Dale Johnson moved the club to Moline?
Walter Flanigan served as an owner and former player who drove much of the franchise's early development. He attended the founding meeting in 1920 and helped draft the league's constitution.
Which teams played minor league baseball at Douglas Park between 1905 and 1937?
The Rock Island Islanders competed in leagues such as the Western League, Mississippi Valley League, and Three-I League from 1905 through 1937. They won championships in 1907, 1909, and 1932 while affiliated with the St. Louis Browns and Cincinnati Reds.
When did Phase One of the Douglas Park renovation reopen the baseball diamond?
Phase One of the project reopened the baseball diamond on the 9th of May 2017. A high school match between Rock Island Alleman High School and Rock Island High School drew a crowd of 450 spectators that day.