Davenport, Iowa, USA
1854 - Davenport

Davenport, a flourishing city, capital of Scott county, Iowa, is finely situated on the Mississippi river, at the foot of the upper rapids, opposite the town of Rock Island, 330 miles above St. Louis, and 60 miles E. from Iowa City. It has advantages which indicate that it will continue to grow in ex tent and importance. Its prosperity is in creased by the certainty of a connection with the East by means of the Chicago and Rock Island railroad, commenced in 1851. An other railroad is projected from this point to the Missouri river. During low water the navigation is obstructed by the rapids, which extend 20 miles above this place. The project of bridging the " great river" at this point is exciting considerable attention. Two or three newspapers are published here. Stone coal is so abundant and cheap in the vicinity, that steam-power is chiefly used for manufacturing purposes. Davenport is built at the foot of a bluff, which rises gradually from the river, with a chain of rounded hills in the background. The scene ry around the town is scarcely surpassed by any on the river. It was first settled in 1837, and is now incorporated as a city. Population in 1853, estimated at 4500.


A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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