History of Moline Illinois

The Quad Cities is an area rich in history. The Quad Cities were first inhabited by Woodland tribes. These tribes left behind burial mounds that are still visible today. These mounds have been dated back to 200 B.C.

The Sauk and Fox Indians were later inhabitants. The Sauk Indians formed a village where the Rock River empties into the Mississippi River. This was the largest Indian settlement in North America with a population of 6,000-7,000. The Mesquakie (Fox) Indian Tribe settled near the Sauk village and created several villages along the Mississippi River. One of their villages later became the downtown Rock Island area.

Arsenal Island was originally purchased by the government in 1804 in a treaty with the Sauk and Fox Indians. As European settlements pushed west, Fort Armstrong was established in 1816 by the United States government on Arsenal Island to provide protection for traders and settlers. Arsenal Island has a rich history and housed over 12,000 Confederate prisoners during the Civil War, manufactured weapons and artillery including tanks, rifles, machine guns, and spare parts during World War I and World War II.

In the 1800's, the westward migration of the United States continued, and the Indians were driven from their lands. Germans, Belgians, and Swedes settled in various areas of what is now the Quad Cities. Many early residents were drawn to working on the steam boats. They were captains, pilots, engineers, and clerks in the river trade. Other residents were drawn to work in the John Deere factory in Moline. The lumber industry became a prominent business as lumber mills employed nearly 2,000 people. Other immigrants to the area included the Irish, French, Greeks, Armenians, English, Welsh, and Mexicans.

The railroads made their way to the Quad City Area in 1854. Commercialism grew even more as the rails transported the goods needed for the residents of the land. The first railroad bridge was constructed in 1856 connecting Rock Island and Davenport.

Originally called the Tri-Cities, Moline, Rock Island, and Davenport became the Quad Cities with the addition of East Moline. Bettendorf soon became one of the Quad Cities, but the name "Quint Cities" never causght on. In Illinois, Silvis, Milan, Hampton, Carbon Cliff, Port Byron, Andalusia, Coal Valley, and Colona are considered a part of the Quad Cities. In Iowa, Eldridge, Long Grove, Park View, Blue Grass, Buffalo, Walcott, Maysville, Mount Joy, Pleasant Valley, Le Claire, Panorama Park, and Riverdale are a part of the Quad Cities.