Before Settlement

Settlement & Industry

Channelization

Flooding

Human Impact

Current Management

Bibliography

Settlement & Industry
Steamboats ~ Lumber ~ Factories

The cities soon evolved from small river towns to important manufacturing centers. Businessmen from around the country were drawn by the river location. In 1948 John Deere relocated from Grand Detour, IL to Moline. Moline soon became known as the "Plow City" (American Mosaic 15). More industries were to follow in the area including the Dimock and Gould Woodenware Co, the Buford and Tate Plow Company, and the Davenport Iron Works. All were attracted by the Mississippi River for easier shipping.

The major shift to industry came here in the early 1900’s as it did throughout the country. It was during this time that the cities of Bettendorf and East Moline grew by the river’s edge, each centered around new industry. William P. and Joseph Bettendorf moved their Bettendorf Axle Company from Davenport to a farm town known as Gilbert in 1902. The area was incorporated as Bettendorf in 1903. East of Moline the Marseilles Company, the Union Malleable Iron Works, and the Root and VanderVoort Engineering Company began operations. In 1902 the area was incorporated as the Village of East Moline (American Mosaic 40-41).

The growth of companies accelerated as mergers created even more powerful industries along the river. In 1911 Deere and Company bought six other companies around the nation and in 1918 they bought the Waterloo Iowa Gasoline Engine Company. Moline Plow Company bought 4 other farm manufacturers in 1914 and then merger with a larger company to become Minneapolis/Moline Power Equipment Company. In 1924 the large International Harvester Company arrived. They changed their name to Farmall Works in 1927 and began producing tractors such as the one pictured to the right (American Mosaic 42).

The industries suffered through the depression and time of war but recovered after the end of WWII. In 1945 the Davenport Chamber of Commerce developed a campaign to create new interest in the Quad Cities. Location on the river was one of the unique aspects of the Quad Cities that they stressed. Called the "Thousand Days Program" it was a success and brought major industries to the Quad Cities including Oscar Mayer, Red Jacket Manufacturing, Ralston Purina, and the Aluminum Company of America(ALCOA) (American Mosaic 55). Quad City industries continued to thrive into the 1960’s. Deere and Company led the farm equipment industry in 1963 (American Mosaic 67). But the time of prosperity was drawing to a close. Go to current management to read more about this time in the Quad Cities.