Davenport Iowa History

The Mississippi is an Indian name, "missisipi," meaning, great water. The Rock Island Rapids, occupying 14 miles of the Mississippi River, proved to be a geographical formation that lead to the settlement of the Quad City area, where settlements grew and where steamboats docked just before the rapids. Warehouses stored goods while awaiting passage, and settlements emerged along the river.

The coming of the railroad to the area in 1854 made notable impact on commercial growth, and in 1876 three major railroads served the area, including the famous Rock Island Lines.
Over 18,000 employees began working at the Rock Island Arsenal during World War I. The Rock Island Arsenal was expanded with the construction of several new manufacturing buildings; the substantial number of employees built tanks, artillery, rifles, machine guns and spare parts.