| The Quad Cities is an area rich in history. The
Quad Cities were first inhabited by Woodland tribes. These tribes
left behind burial mounds that are still visible today. These
mounds have been dated back to 200 B.C.
The Sauk and Fox Indians were later inhabitants. The Sauk
Indians formed a village where the Rock River empties into the
Mississippi River. This was the largest Indian settlement in North
America with a population of 6,000-7,000. The Mesquakie (Fox)
Indian Tribe settled near the Sauk village and created several
villages along the Mississippi River. One of their villages later
became the downtown Rock Island area.
Arsenal Island was originally purchased by the government in
1804 in a treaty with the Sauk and Fox Indians. As European
settlements pushed west, Fort Armstrong was established in 1816 by
the United States government on Arsenal Island to provide
protection for traders and settlers. Arsenal Island has a rich
history and housed over 12,000 Confederate prisoners during the
Civil War, manufactured weapons and artillery including tanks,
rifles, machine guns, and spare parts during World War I and World
War II.
In the 1800's, the westward migration of the United States
continued, and the Indians were driven from their lands. 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 and Davenport.
Originally called the Tri-Cities, Moline, Rock Island, and
Davenport became the Quad Cities with the addition of East Moline.
Bettendorf soon became one of the Quad Cities, but the name "Quint
Cities" never causght on. In Illinois, Silvis, Milan,
Hampton, Carbon Cliff, Port Byron, Andalusia, Coal Valley, and
Colona are considered a part of the Quad Cities. In Iowa,
Eldridge, Long Grove, Park View, Blue Grass, Buffalo, Walcott,
Maysville, Mount Joy, Pleasant Valley, Le Claire, Panorama Park,
and Riverdale are a part of the Quad Cities. |
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