ROCK ISLAND CITY, p-v., capital of Rock Island co., Ill, 150 Springfield, 879 W. It has been laid out on an extensive scale, at the junction of Rock r. and the Mississippi. It has been in contemplation to cut a canal from the Mississippi, above the rapids, to Rock r., by which an immense water power would be gained. It contains a court house, 12 stores, and about 300 inhabitants. (Haskell's Complete Descriptive and Statistical Gazetteer of the the United States...,1840)
ROCK ISLAND A flourishing city, capital of Rock Island county, on the Mississippi river at a point where it takes a westerly course, two miles above the mouth of Rock river, and 181 miles west-by-south from Chicago. It is situated at the foot of the upper rapids, which extend nearly fifteen miles, and is one of the most important points in the state. The place derives its name from an island, three miles in length, the southern extremity of which is nearly opposite the town. On this end of the island is situated Fort Armstrong, erected in 1816 under the direction of Lieut. Colonel Wm. Lawrence. In the vicinity of the city, the great Indian Chief Black Hawk, and his band, lived for many years. Of late this place has become quite famous, as being the point where the great railroad bridge spans the "Father of Waters." Rock Island is connected with the east by means of the Chicago & Rock Island railroad, and west by the Mississippi & Missouri railroad, which is now completed as for as Iowa City. For manufacturing, there is no city in the west offering greater advantages than this, having an immense water power, near access to coal and facilities for the transportation of wares and merchandise to and from the various commercial points of the south and cast. A large number of foundries, factories, flouring mills, etc., are in successful operation. The city contains a number of churches, which, in point of artistic beauty, are rarely exceled. The principal ones are the First Presbyterian, 0. S., Second Presbyterian, N. S., Methodist Episcopal and Catholic. The schools are conducted on the union principal, which, since its introduction, has proved entirely successful. Several fine brick buildings have recently been erected for school purposes. There are two newspaper offices, the Islander and Argus and the Advertiser ; the first issuing daily the latter weekly. Directly opposite Rock Island, on the Iowa side of the river, is Davenport, one of the most flourishing cities of Iowa. The stranger, who may visit this city for pleasure, will find many objects of interest, such as Black Hawk's Watchtower, Chippiannock Cemetery, Fort Armstrong, etc., and will be forced to acknowledge this one of the most interesting points in the state. Population, 10,000. L. M. Webber, Postmaster. (Hawes' Illinois State Gazetteer...,1859)