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

After phrase obtained about that Erskine experienced a ferry, Deere himself utilized it to choose devices from his headquarters down to Springfield. Erskine began building a stone property on the land, and in 1848, he designed a barn that is continue to standing now.

Shortly right after in 1852, Erskine died ahead of the stone residence could be finished. A local male, William Jameson, resolved to choose on the task and entire the establish. Erskine’s widow, Sarah, was so touched by the gesture, she gave him 40 acres and named it the Friendship Residence.

In 1928, the stone house, barn and land have been sold off to William and Katherine Butterworth. William was the 3rd president of John Deere and finished his occupation as the chairman. His dream was to create a golf study course on the land, but very little did he know, that project was 70 many years down the line.

The Butterworth’s lived on the land until eventually 1953 when it was offered to John Deere’s granddaughter Patricia Wiman-Hewitt and her spouse, William, who went on to be the CEO of John Deere from 1955-82. The few commenced building the land and named it Friendship Farm, the place it became 1 of the top Arabian horse farms in the place.

Following the pair died, their kids made the decision to donate the land to be utilized by the general public. The stipulations ended up very simple: no homes ended up to be constructed on the residence, and the purely natural location need to be preserved. 

Function to construct the course began in 1998 and it officially opened its doors in 2000, the same 12 months John Deere grew to become the official sponsor of the tournament. The lane leading up to the home has now been aptly named Friendship Property Road. 

From inside of, personnel have a watch of not only the golf program, but the Rock River: the landmark that drew Erskine Wilson to the property 184 a long time ago.