Davenport, IA Summary

Davenport is Iowa’s third-largest city (population 95,000) and the largest of what are known as the “Quad Cities” urban complex, which also includes Moline, East Moline, and Rock Island, all across the Mississippi River in Illinois.

Incorporated in 1838, eight years before Iowa became a state, its riverfront location was the site of the first railroad bridge to span the Mississippi River, in 1856. The development of both river and rail transportation assured the city’s growth as a trading center. Main industries today are food processing, clothing, and farm machinery.

Of interest is the Village of East Davenport, a 120-acre historic district including homes dating to the 1830s and six blocks of specialty shops. Next door is Lindsey Park, offering stunning riverfront views; it was the site of Camp McClellan, a major Civil War training post for Union soldiers from Iowa and Illinois.

Davenport has two recreational trails—the Great River Trail runs 61⁄2 miles along the Davenport Riverfront, and the Duck Creek Parkway is a 13-mile trail along Duck Creek through Bettendorf.