Davenport

The site of present-day Davenport was an early trading post. In 1832, the treaty ending the conflict between the Sac and Fox and the United States, or the Black Hawk War, was signed there. Davenport prospered with the arrival of the first railroad to bridge the Mississippi in 1856 and had heavy river traffic in the late 19th century.

Bridges connect Davenport with the Illinois cities of Rock Island and Moline and together these three communities and neighboring Bettendorf, Iowa, are known as the Quad Cities.

Davenport is the seat of Saint Ambrose College, Marycrest College and the Palmer College of Chiropractic, which was developed by the son of D. D. Palmer. Also in the city are a municipal art gallery, a public museum, a zoo and several parks, including Credit Island, which was a battle site in the War of 1812.

Unlike many other cities on the Mississippi, Davenport does not have a large floodwall, which puts riverfront areas at risk for occasional flooding. A large roller-gate dam and several locks, built there by the federal government, raise the water level of the river.

Davenport is in the southeast of Iowa, on the Mississippi River, some 255 km east from Des Moines and 1170 km west from Washington D.C. The city is a rail, commercial and industrial center. Its chief manufactures are food, fabricated metal products and apparel. There are several hotels and restaurants in town.