East Moline, Illinois

East Moline is something of a forgotten city in the Quad Cities. It took a big hit in the 1980s when the region’s factories closed and has struggled to find a way to bounce back. New riverfront developments will offer some help. It doesn’t have the flashy attractions like other part of the region do, but still has a charm and is worth taking time to explore.

Direct your questions to Visit Quad Cities (563.322.3911).

• NOTE: See the Quad Cities overview for regional information, including more detail on tourism centers, festivals, and getting around.

Before there was East Moline, there was Watertown and Happy Hollow, but by the time East Moline was platted in 1895, these early villages had vanished and the land was mostly uninhabited swamp. The only signs of “civilization” were a single railroad shack and one house.

Rock Islander E.H. Guyer had previously purchased options on the land and was ready to begin a massive public relations campaign to sell land to fulfill his dream of creating an industrial powerhouse of a city. The initial attempt to auction off plots of land, however, was a miserable failure and would have killed the whole venture except for the generosity of two men, Jeremiah Keator and Charles Deere, who stepped forward with enough cash to keep the effort alive.

Revitalized, Guyer moved on with his plans and slowly started to attract business and residents. In the early years, East Moline succeeded in attracting industry but housing construction lagged behind. The opening of the Rock Island Railroad yard in neighboring Silvis only exacerbated the housing shortage; it would take several years for East Moline to build enough housing to satisfy demand. East Moline today is a diverse community that is the home of one of the remaining John Deere factories.

Campbell’s Island State Historic Site (Island Ave.; 309.788.0177) commemorates a skirmish on July 19, 1814, during the War of 1812, in which sixteen people were killed by a group of British allied Sauk and Meskwaki Indians led by Black Hawk. Campbell’s Island has long been a favorite recreation spot for area residents (it still has a marina) and is currently home for many river rats. The monument is nothing special but the views of the river are good and you will probably have the place to yourself.

At Empire Park (751 N. 20th St.), you’ll find a big jungle gym, pavilions with picnic tables, and a boat ramp with access to the Mississippi River.

The 62-mile Great River Trail that runs from Rock Island to Savanna passes through East Moline.

The Quad Cities Fruit and Vegetable Grower’s Association runs a market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from May through October at Skate City (1140 Avenue of the Cities).

The River Room at the Hyatt Place East Moline (111 Bend Blvd.; 309.755.6000) is perched on the top floor of the riverfront hotel, so you know the views are awesome. It’s more bar than restaurant, with craft beer and fancy cocktail selections, but you can also fill up on flatbreads and small plates.

Right on the river, the Hyatt Place East Moline (111 Bend Blvd.; 309.755.6000) offers great views from its modern, comfortable rooms.

Heading upriver? Check out Hampton.

Heading downriver? Check out Moline.