Brief History

The Indian settlement of Saukenuk was located on the south side of the bluff between the Mississippi River and the Rock River, just above their confluence. This site (now in the city of Rock Island) may have been occupied by Indians as long as 12,000 years ago. In the 1700’s, about 7,000 Sac and Fox Indians lived here in one of the largest Indian settlements in North America. 

In 1816, a garrison of U.S. soldiers arrived and began constructing Fort Armstrong on Rock Island, the largest island in the Mississippi River. Riverboat traffic fueled the growth of several communities in the area. A city plat, under the name Stephenson, was filed in 1835. The name was changed to Rock Island in 1841. 

The first railroad bridge to cross the Mississippi was constructed between Rock Island and Davenport in 1856. The Quad Cities became a major commercial and manufacturing center with roads, rail, and river barge traffic hauling the emigrants, supplies, and produce of the heartland of America. 

The Rock Island Arsenal was established by an Act of Congress in 1862. It is today the largest arsenal operated by the United States, producing munitions for the U.S. Military and 6,000 local jobs for the Quad Cities economy. 

In 1875, Augustana College moved from Chicago to Rock Island and established its campus on the north side of the bluff. 

The Community

Rock Island is located on a bluff on the south bank of the Mississippi River directly across from Davenport. It is the county seat of Rock Island County. In 2007, the city won the “2007 Livability” award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors in the small-city category, making Rock Island real estate even more coveted.  The city covers an area of 15.9 square miles and has a population density of 2,402 people/square mile. Ruhl&Ruhl has the right real estate in Rock Island for you in this very livable community.

 

 

Attractions and Entertainment

 

Attractions and entertainment opportunities for other Quad Cities communities are readily accessible to Rock Island residents. For details, see Our Communities information for Bettendorf, Davenport, Moline, and East Moline. For help selecting real estate in Rock Island call Ruhl&Ruhl today.

Rock Island is home to a variety of historic locations, including the Black Hawk Historic Site on the location of the Saukenuk Indian Village. The John Hauberg Indian Museum provides further insight into Rock Island’s earliest residents. The Rock Island Arsenal has a number of interesting locations including the Arsenal Museum, the original home of Colonel Davenport, and a Civil War Cemetery. The Broadway Historic District preserves a 19th Century neighborhood. The city is well supplied with green space with riverside walks, nine parks, several golf courses, and the campus of Augustana College.

Getting To and From

The Quad Cities area is served by interstate highways I-74, I-80, and I-88. Five airlines provide service from the Quad-Cities International Airport. Davenport Municipal Airport serves general aviation. Amtrak has avstation in nearby Galesburg.

 

Further Information

If you have decided to search for Rock Island real estate, contact Ruhl&Ruhl today.

City of Rock Island Homepage
Quad Cities Homepage
Rock Island Information
City-Data.com/Rock Island