The neighborhood is located 22 blocks north of the Mississippi River at the head of the Harrison-Main-Brady thoroughfares, which originate in the city's central business district and rise above the bluffs.

The focal point of the historic district is Vander Veer Park, which is a trapezoid of 33 acres (13 ha).

It is a significant example of landscape planning, and of the civic improvements that were being made by the city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

[3] Like its namesake it featured naturalistic landscaping, a glasshouse, floral gardens, a large pond, picnic pavilion, and a picturesque bridge.

The establishment of Central Park increased the desirability and cost of the surrounding land for residential development.

Davenport's streetcar system was electrified and expanded into residential areas beyond the original city core near the river in 1888.

[2] Established as a horsecar line in 1870, it was one of Davenport's first streetcar routes and connected the central business district with the county fairgrounds.

Hanssen was in a partnership with Dietrich Harfst who designed the Henry Deutsch House at 2101 Main Street (no longer extant) and the C.E.