Historic Map - Rock Island, IL - 1874

View of Rock Island, Rock Island County, I.L., 1874 / engraved & published by A. Hagaboeck.

This panoramic print of Rock Island, Illinois was drawn and published by August Hagaboeck in 1874. The town of Rock Island began to prosper in the 1830's, as water power was generated nearby along the Mississippi River. This valuable power source afforded new and promising manufacturing possibilities for Rock Island.

The Chicago & Rock Island Railroad organized and constructed the first bridge at this location across the Mississippi in the mid-1800's.

The island shown at the left was then known as Rock Island. It had served as a prisoner of war camp during the American Civil War. The island is now known as Arsenal Island, maintaining a U. S. military arsenal with manufacturing facilities.

In the years following the civil war, Rock Island’s economic interests returned to lumbering and manufacturing of agricultural implements and railroad supplies.

The image of Rock Island, as seen from Davenport, Iowa, includes riverboat and barge activity in the foreground with featured steamers “Lake Superior”, “Rock Island”, “Alex Mitchell” and “Clinton”.