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
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
In 1835, the Illinois state legislature bought 62 acres to create a seat of government for Rock Island County. The area, located between 10th and 17th Streets in modern-day Rock Island, was platted into 20 blocks and named after Colonel Benjamin Stephenson in honor of his service in the Black Hawk War. An effort to name
Farnhamsburg was among the first settlements along the Illinois bank of the Mississippi River. Named after Russell Farnham, George Davenport's partner in the fur trading business, the village was founded in 1831, centered around 30th Street and 4th Avenue in modern-day Rock Island. Farnhamsburg became the county seat after winning a contested election with Hampton (read more about it
Lowell was a small village on Van Druff Island, platted in 1841, that was never more than a few cabins, including the one occupied by Joshua Vandruff, who operated a ferry. Lowell became part of Searstown when David B. Sears purchased the island; the former village site is now part of Rock Island. © Dean Klinkenberg, 2009
