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Dingeldein Wine Hall, 2951 9th Street
Most Significant Unprotected Structures:
German immigrant Philip Dingeldein established a wine hall, vineyard and garden at this location, with the commercial gardens existing over 150 years
Architectural Style:
Italianate
Construction Date:
1855
Architect/Builder:
Unknown
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While many of Rock Island’s first settlers established industrial businesses, Philip Dingeldein emigrated from Germany for the purpose of growing grapes and raising cattle in the fertile soil at the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers. Philip arrived in 1853 at the age of 31. Within five years he had established a barn, a vineyard, a slaughterhouse, an icehouse, a chicken coop, and a home that also served as a wine hall. Since the house stood on the main road halfway between Milan and Rock Island, it became known as The Half-Way House, a place where travelers could stop for a rest and a refreshing sip of wine. His 12-acre vegetable garden grew to 50 acres, which he eventually turned over to his son, also named Philip.
The room just inside the front door of the house was the wine hall, with a wood floor, a bar with columns, and a bay window with a built-in seat. The family lived upstairs and in downstairs rooms that were solidly separate from the tavern, with a private outside entrance.
Dingeldein had four children: Mary, Maggie, Philip and Henry. Nothing is known about their mother, but his second wife, Elizabeth, also from Germany, raised the children. Philip Dingeldein began to suffer from spinal trouble in 1894, and died three years later at the age of 75. His son closed the wine hall around 1900 and converted that part of the building, increasing the living quarters for his wife and five daughters. He also removed all but three of the grape vines and used that land to plant more vegetables. Philip’s great-grandson operated Dingeldein Gardens, which sold vegetables and flowers, up to 2006.
The Italianate home has had some alterations, but traditional features are still intact, such as the narrow windows and elaborate hooded entry. Particularly notable about this home are the original window hoods and the shutters over the central second story windows.
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