QUARTERS ONE
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL
Construction of Quarters One began in 1870,
and the residence was ready for occupancy in 1872.
It served as the family home of the
highest-ranking officer on the Arsenal and was the second-largest single family
residence owned by the federal government.
Behind only the White House. Quarters One
consists of 20,000 plus square feet, 50 plus rooms, full basement, three floors
of living space, and a widow’s watch.
Two years ago, the Army determined that
Quarters One needed approximately $3 million in repairs and upgrades to bring it
up to modern standards.
Earlier this year, Maj. Gen. Robert M. Radin
and his wife, Sara, moved out of Quarters One to Quarters Six, another historic
residence on the Arsenal.
Future uses for Quarters One are being
considered.
The tours are the first offered to the
public since April 30, 2005.
On that date, and on previous occasions, the
Rock Island Arsenal Women’s Club offered tours of Quarters One and other
historic residences on the installation.
Fees were charged, with proceeds benefiting
local and military charities.
http://www.ria.army.mil/sites/pa_tours/
reference website
When we were first contacted we learned
about the reports on the building, which included strange noises, shadows,
voices, objects moving, and more.
This was all documented and we were lead on
a walkthrough of this massive residence.
We saw all the hot spots and started to set
up a game plan on how to attack this building.
The investigation was canceled by the
Garrison a week before we were to go in.
In the following months after the commanding
officer moved out the building was leased to the Rock Island Arsenal Golf
Course. This renewed our chance to get
back in.
On October 30th, 2009 our
group started setting up for a full investigation on Quarters One, setting up a
full Closed Caption Digital Video Recording system as well as wireless audio.
Armed with hand held equipment we broke into groups
and headed off in different directions.
One thing that really hampered our investigation was
the way sound carried through out the house.
So reviewing the audio data proved to be difficult.
Through out the night, investigators were chasing shadows
as well as hearing phantom voices.
Footsteps were heard coming from the third floor without
any explanation to this point.
But at this point all are just considered to be a personal
experience and nothing credible.
Another thing noted is the way light came in from the many
windows and casted shadows from the trees blowing in the wind.
Around 10:00 p.m., the wind really picked up as well as a
soft rain, this created more noise contamination through out the audio.
After a long night and over eight hours of investigating we
decided to call it and started to break down our equipment.
All the investigators were tired and ready to start
reviewing all data captured.
Just before break down a laptop used for the wireless audio
started to over heat in an unusual fashion.
We would like to thank Dana and Patty for giving us this
opportunity again, also for bringing us a spread of snacks.
It was most unexpected and very well received.
On November 13th we will be attending a dinner at Quarters
One to publicly reveal our findings.
After that, we will post a full report with their
permission.
For more information please contact
http://www.riagolfclub.com/
After reviewing all the data we collected no good video or
still photos were found.
Although many orbs were found we dismissed them to being dust.
We did find several audio clips that were unexplained. here
are the best we found.
You don't see me.
This was caught in the servants area.
A child or woman singing
was also caught in the servants area
"What's under the
rug" is the question our investigator asked. And a response was given. The
weird thing is that our recorder started acting up in the court room area at
the same time.
we found out we were not as welcome as we thought when we
found.....
you need to get out
All audio clips have been added as original clips and
none have been altered has been done.
Many personal experiences were documented throughout our
stay. Everything from chasing shadows to hearing voices.
The cabinet doors and drawer on a makeup mirror on the
third floor opened while we were there.
During our reveal one investigator saw someone in the third
floor window but everyone was on the main floor.
A full conversation was heard in the Limburg room, but 3
investigators and 3 staff were the only people in the house.
We will be returning to Quarters One in hopes to catch
more, so please keep watching.
