Wharton Field House has stood at 1800 20th Avenue in Moline, Illinois since December 21, 1928, built for $175,000 through bonds sold by the city’s Maroon and White Association. Designed by local architect William Schulzke and originally called the Moline Field House, the building was renamed in 1941 to honor Theodore Finley Wharton, who led the booster club effort that got it built.
What makes the venue unusual among high school gyms is its brief but real place in NBA history: the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, the franchise that became today’s Atlanta Hawks, called Wharton Field House home from 1946 to 1951. Nearly a century after opening, it still serves as the home court for Moline High School’s basketball and volleyball programs.
- Atlanta Hawks played here 1946–1951. See every Hawks arena →
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Moline High School Maroons; formerly NBA’s Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1946-1951)
- Location: Moline, Illinois
- Opened: December 21, 1928
- Capacity: About 7,250 for basketball
- Architect: William Schulzke
- Notable Fact: One of the few U.S. high school gyms to have hosted an NBA franchise
An NBA Address in a High School Gym
For five seasons, Wharton Field House doubled as a professional basketball venue. The Tri-Cities Blackhawks, representing Moline, Rock Island, and Davenport, played there from 1946 to 1951 before relocating and eventually becoming the Milwaukee Hawks, then the St. Louis Hawks, and finally today’s Atlanta Hawks. The arena also briefly hosted the Quad City Thunder of the Continental Basketball Association in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Built to Last
The field house’s original hardwood floor served from 1928 until 1997, and a new 7,000-square-foot playing surface with improved mechanical ventilation went in during a 2015 renovation. With capacity for roughly 7,250 basketball fans, 6,075 for volleyball, and 7,300 for graduation ceremonies, the building remains large enough to fill for Moline’s biggest high school sporting events and community gatherings.
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Wharton Field House FAQs
Why is Wharton Field House historically significant?
It hosted the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, the NBA franchise that eventually became the Atlanta Hawks, from 1946 to 1951, making it one of relatively few American high school gyms with a pro basketball pedigree.
Who is Wharton Field House named after?
It’s named for Theodore Finley Wharton, who led the Moline High School booster club that raised funds for the building’s construction in the 1920s. It opened as the Moline Field House and was renamed in his honor in 1941.
Is Wharton Field House still used today?
Yes, it remains the home venue for Moline High School’s basketball and volleyball teams and continues to host graduation ceremonies and other community events.
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Photo: Farragutful / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.