How one of the oldest buildings in the Quad-Cities became the headquarters for the John Deere Classic | News – Local and National

Deborah K. Vick

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The grounds at TPC Deere Operate in Silvis ended up home to lots of family members before becoming the home of the John Deere Traditional.

The 385-acre house functions the Stone Residence a person of the oldest properties in Rock Island County. Now, the home is the headquarters for the John Deere Common, but for many households around the decades, it was household.

In 1838, the land was acquired by Erskine Wilson and his spouse Sarah. It stretched so far, a ferry experienced to be taken to get from the facet of the residence in Rock Island County to the connecting piece in Henry County. Erskine acquired the land for $1 from the United States Govt, just 1 yr following John Deere started manufacturing in Grand Detour, Unwell.


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Once term received all around that Erskine had a ferry, Deere himself applied it to consider products from his headquarters down to Springfield. Erskine commenced constructing a stone house on the land, and in 1848, he constructed a barn that is still standing these days.

Soon just after in 1852, Erskine died in advance of the stone residence could be completed. A local gentleman, William Jameson, decided to choose on the project and entire the develop. Erskine’s widow, Sarah, was so touched by the gesture, she gave him 40 acres and named it the Friendship Property.

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In 1928, the stone residence, barn and land had been sold off to William and Katherine Butterworth. William was the third president of John Deere and ended his job as the chairman. His desire was to establish a golf course on the land, but very little did he know, that venture was 70 years down the line.

The Butterworth’s lived on the land right until 1953 when it was sold to John Deere’s granddaughter Patricia Wiman-Hewitt and her partner, William, who went on to be the CEO of John Deere from 1955-82. The pair commenced creating the land and named it Friendship Farm, in which it grew to become one particular of the top Arabian horse farms in the state.

Following the couple died, their little ones determined to donate the land to be employed by the community. The stipulations had been simple: no houses were to be designed on the assets, and the all-natural placing must be preserved. 

Perform to create the course began in 1998 and it formally opened its doorways in 2000, the similar year John Deere became the formal sponsor of the event. The lane major up to the home has now been aptly named Friendship Household Road. 

From within, personnel have a check out of not only the golf system, but the Rock River: the landmark that drew Erskine Wilson to the house 184 many years in the past.

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