History

The Quad Cities is an area rich in history. First inhabited by the Sauk Indians, the area was home to the largest Indian settlement in North America with a population of 6,000-7,000 people. The Mesquakie (Fox) Indian Tribe settled near the Sauk Village and created several villages along the Mississippi River.

Black Hawk, born in a Sauk village in 1786, grew to be a man of great convictions after seeing his village destroyed by a group of Americans in 1799. Chief Black Hawk was a Sauk warrior who led his tribe and many other followers in a fight to maintain their land and their pride. He led 1,500 people in what became known as the Black Hawk War, the only war ever name after a Native American.

Arsenal Island was originally purchased by the government in 1804 in a treaty with the Sauk and Fox Indians. The 946 acres which comprised Arsenal Island became the home of Fort Armstrong in 1817. Arsenal Island housed over 12,000 Confederate prisoners during the Civil War and manufactured weapons and artillery including tanks, rifles, machine guns, and spare parts during World War I and World War II.

In the 1800's Germans, Belgians, and Swedes settled in various areas of what is now the Quad Cities. Many early residents were drawn to working on the steam boats. They were captains, pilots, engineers, and clerks in the river trade. Other residents were drawn to work in the John Deere factory in Moline. The lumber industry became a prominent business as lumber mills employed nearly 2,000 people. Other immigrants to the area included the Irish, French, Greeks, Armenians, English, Welsh, and Mexicans.

The railroads made their way to the Quad City area in 1854. Commercialism grew even more as the rails transported the goods needed for the residents of the land. The first railroad bridge was constructed in 1856 connecting Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa.