Illinois’ largest high school basketball gym and America’s 9th largest

View from the upper-deck at the Wharton Field House in Moline during a game between Rock Ridge and Limestone, on Jan. 15, 2022. (photo by Vincent D. Johnson)

Built in 1928 the Wharton Field House, in Moline is home for the Moline High Maroons and it is as massive as they come for high school basketball. Only 8 other arenas dedicated primarily to high school basketball in America hold more spectators than this place. No high school gym in Illinois even comes close to holding more.

Home of the Maroons of Moline High, the front entrance to the Wharton Field House in Moline, Illinois leads you on Jan. 15, 2022. (photo by Vincent D. Johnson)
Don’t forget to look up while at The Wharton Field House in Moline, the ceiling and its beams are part of the reason this place feels so massive, Jan. 15, 2022. (photo by Vincent D. Johnson)
“M” is for Maroon & Moline. I don’t know if it was intentional, but the metal supports in a few places clearly look like the letter M. (photo by Vincent D. Johnson)
The press box or radio broadcast booth at The Wharton Field House in Moline is almost fear-of-heights inducing, on Jan. 15, 2022. (photo by Vincent D. Johnson)

Closer to Earth, the press bleachers are just behind the scorer’s table at center-court, keeping the newspaper & website guys a little more grounded during this boys basketball game between Rock Ridge and Limestone during the MLK Shootout, at The Wharton Field House in Moline on Jan. 15, 2022. (photo by Vincent D. Johnson)
The old school ticket windows at The Wharton Field House in Moline on Jan. 15, 2022. (photo by Vincent D. Johnson)
The Warriors of Waubonsie Valley from Aurora take on the Maroons of Moline, during the 2022 MLK Shootout at The Wharton Field House in Moline on Jan. 15, 2022. (photo by Vincent D. Johnson)
Practically court side concession stands at The Wharton Field House in Moline, so you never have to miss a moment. (photo by Vincent D. Johnson)

As you can imagine, I’m saving some of the best photos I’ve made for the book. Make sure to sign up below so you’ll know when it comes out and where to get a copy.

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