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

Ruth Allison ‘41/Everett “Lefty” Anderson ‘39

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, October 4, 2026

1. Ruth Allison ‘41 & Everett “Lefty” Anderson ‘39 Marker

Inscription.
No ordinary couple. Children of first-generation Swedish immigrants, schooled by the Great Depression. No strangers to hard work. Characters strengthened by adversity. Sweethearts then spouses during World War II. First in their families to attend college. At Augustana, a twist of fate brought these alphabetically-assigned biology lab partners together, and tipped a lifelong love story into motion. They complimented each other: one determined and hard-working, the other spirited and creative. Their outlook was positive, their beliefs principled. Love for Augustana entwined with their Swedish roots. Love for the arts nourished them throughout their lives.

Ruth and Lefty, lifelong soulmates, would ask that you make exuberant use of this Pavilion. Listen to the still, small voices in our midst, then with joyful spirit and creative zeal, disturb the august assembly, steer off the beaten path. Get to it: you only happen once.

Erected 2019 by Augustana College.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 41° 30.249′ N,

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90° 32.913′ W. Marker is on Rock Island, Illinois, in Rock Island County. It is on 7th Avenue west of 38th Street, on the right when traveling east. This marker is located on the campus of Augustana College directly to the west of the Ruth and Lefty Anderson Pavilion. 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 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: The Stones in This Seat (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Main, Augustana College (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indian Boundary Line (about 600 feet away); Augustana Memorial Amphitheater

Ruth Allison ‘41 & Everett “Lefty” Anderson ‘39 Marker & Pavillion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, October 4, 2026

2. Ruth Allison ‘41 & Everett “Lefty” Anderson ‘39 Marker & Pavillion

(about 700 feet away); 15-Inch Rodman Gun (approx. one mile away); USA M102, 105mm, Howitzer (approx. one mile away); Robert Wagner House (approx. one mile away); USA T131, 280mm, Heavy Motorized Gun (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rock Island.

Also see . . . Augustana College Blurb - Anderson Pavilion.

Excerpt: "Finished in spring 2019, the Ruth and Lefty Anderson Pavilion provides an ideal space for intimate performances on one of America's most beautiful campuses. The pavilion is built into the hillside on the south side of the Brunner Theatre Center, and offers many ways to showcase work in theatre, music and other performance arts."

(Submitted on October 7, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois.)

Ruth Allison ‘41 & Everett “Lefty” Anderson ‘39 Marker & Brunner Theatre Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, October 4, 2026

3. Ruth Allison ‘41 & Everett “Lefty” Anderson ‘39 Marker & Brunner Theatre Center

Nearby "First Well 1875" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, October 4, 2026

4. Nearby "First Well 1875" Marker

Backside of the nearby "First Well" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, October 4, 2026

5. Backside of the nearby "First Well" Marker

Plaque reads: "Augustana Historical Society June 16, 1954"

"First Well" Marker & Pavillion Surroundings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, October 4, 2026

6. "First Well" Marker & Pavillion Surroundings

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 7, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.