Downtown Davenport in Scott County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

First Chiropractic Adjustment

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 9, 2022

1. First Chiropractic Adjustment Marker

Inscription. Here at Brady and Second streets, in the former Ryan Building, is the site of the first chiropractic adjustment. On September 18, 1895, Daniel David Palmer, who was practicing as a magnetic healer at the time, repositioned a vertebra in the spine of Harvey Lillard. Palmer reported that, as he had intended, the adjustment restored Lillard's hearing. In 1897 Palmer founded the first chiropractic school on this site. In 1905 he moved the school to the present Palmer College of Chiropractic campus “atop Brady Street hill.” By its centennial year, 1995, chiropractic was practiced by an estimated 60,000 chiropractors in 50 countries.

Erected 1995 by The Chiropractic Centennial Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is September 18, 1895.

Location. 41° 31.274′ N, 90° 34.457′ W. Marker is in Davenport, Iowa, in Scott County. It is in Downtown Davenport. Marker is at the intersection of West 2nd Street and North Brady Street (Business U.S. 61), on the right when traveling east on West 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 W 2nd St, Davenport IA 52801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The LeClaire House Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hose Station No. 1

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(about 500 feet away); The Dillon Fountain (about 600 feet away); The Natatorium (about 600 feet away); Union Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Democrat Newspaper Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blackhawk Purchase Treaty Commemorative (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Davenport.

Daniel David Palmer (1845-1913) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller

2. Daniel David Palmer (1845-1913)

He reported finding a sore lump on Lillard's back, which he believed was a spinal misalignment and a possible cause of Lillard's poor hearing. Palmer claimed to have corrected the misalignment and that Lillard's hearing improved.

Harvey Lillard image. Click for full size.

via The Science, Art and Philosophy of Chiropractic by Daniel David Palmer, 1911 (Public Domain), circa 1906

3. Harvey Lillard

His daughter later disputed Palmer's version of events, saying her father told her his hearing improved after Palmer — reacting to Lillard's joke — heartily slapped him on the back with a book he had been reading. More than a century later, controversy remains about whether there is a link between spinal adjustment and hearing.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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