Rock Island in Rock Island County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Stones in This Seat

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, October 4, 2026

1. The Stones in This Seat Marker

Inscription.
The stones in this seat are from the foundation of the first building of Augustana College and Theological Seminary in Paxton, Ill., where this institution was located from 1863 to 1875.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 41° 30.237′ N, 90° 32.939′ W. Marker is on Rock Island, Illinois, in Rock Island County. It can be reached from 7th Avenue west of 38th Street, on the right when traveling east. This marker is located on the campus of Augustana College to the west of a stairway that leads from the Brunner Theater Center to the Ascension Chapel/Office of Admissions buildings. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3750 7th Ave, Rock Island IL 61201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Illinois

and in the Quad Cities.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and

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the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ruth Allison ‘41/Everett “Lefty” Anderson ‘39 (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Main, Augustana College (within shouting distance of this marker); Indian Boundary Line (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Augustana Memorial Amphitheater (about 600 feet away); Robert Wagner House (approx. one mile away); 15-Inch Rodman Gun (approx. one mile away); USA M102, 105mm, Howitzer (approx. one mile away); USA T131, 280mm, Heavy Motorized Gun (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rock Island.

Also see . . . Augustana College Article - The 150 year history of Augustana College. See this article that was written for Augustana's sesquicentennial in 2010 that details the college's history and several movements across the state.

Excerpt: "Esbjörn returned to Sweden in 1863, and the early leaders of the Augustana Synod decided to
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, October 4, 2026

2. The Stones in This Seat Marker
move their school to an agrarian setting. In response to an offer from the Illinois Central Railroad to sell 1,000 acres of farmland at a subsidized price, Augustana relocated to Paxton, Ill., under the presidency of the Rev. Dr. Tufve Nilsson Hasselquist."

(Submitted on October 6, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois.)

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, October 4, 2026

3. The Stones in This Seat Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.