Page "Davenport, Iowa" Paragraph 25

In contrast to the east side, the central and west neighborhoods originally contained many of the working class Germans who settled the town.

Development on the west side started in the 1850s with extensive construction occurring in the 1870s.

Housing was mostly one and a half to two story front gable American Foursquare and simplified Queen Anne style.

The central Hamburg neighborhood contains the most architecturally significant residences in the old German neighborhoods.

Also in central Davenport, the Vander Veer Park Historic District is a neighborhood anchored by Vander Veer Park, a large park with a botanical garden and a fountain.

The park was modeled after New York City's Central Park and originally shared its name.

Vander Veer is surrounded by large Queen Anne and Tudor Revival style houses that were built between 1895 and 1915.

Development of the Vander Veer Park was one of the first major beautification efforts.