Henry McNeal, courtesy of Rock Island County Historical Society Canadian Henry McNeal and Kentuckian Joel Thomspon arrived in the winter of 1827-1828. They settled on land next to the Mississippi River in an area that was technically off-limits at that time, which technically made them squatters. McNeal built a cabin where the Village of Hampton's Soldier’s Memorial
Lucius Wells In 1827, Lucius Wells built a cabin about a mile north of where Henry McNeal would settle in the following year. Wells began ferry service to Iowa in 1829; his horse-powered boat had room for two teams of horses and two wagons. Lucius also built a sawmill a couple of years later. The
Population (2010) 39,018 Introduction Like its neighbors, Rock Island has a compact downtown with plenty of food and drink options and no shortage of activities to keep you busy for a few days. Visitor Information Direct your questions to Visit Quad Cities (563.322.3911). NOTE: See the Quad
Population (2010) 1,863 Introduction Hampton is a quaint, small rivertown with good river views and a couple of good reasons to stick around for a little while. Visitor Information If you arrive in the area on eastbound Interstate 80, there is an Illinois Welcome Center just
The Sauk and Mesquakie nations trace their roots to northeast Canada. Both nations were composed of Algonquin speakers who lived in stable villages; members frequently intermarried. Because of land pressure from advancing European settlements that sent them searching for new hunting grounds and a series of lost battles with the Iroquois, the Sauk and Mesquakie had little choice
More than twenty towns sprang up along the Mississippi River in the first seven years after the end of the Black Hawk War; many disappeared as quickly as they were planned. In one case, a group of investors platted Rock Island City near the site of Saukenuk, purchasing six hundred acres from George Davenport for the
