Davenport, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River
in Scott County
, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat
of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire
and was named for his friend, George Davenport
, a colonel during the Black Hawk War
stationed at nearby Fort Armstrong
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 99,685, making it Iowa's third-largest city. As of 2011, the mayor of Davenport is Bill Gluba
. Davenport is the largest of the Quad Cities
. The Quad Cities also consists of neighboring Bettendorf
and the Illinois
cities of Moline
, East Moline
, and Rock Island
and has a population of 379,690.
Located approximately half way between Chicago and Des Moines, Davenport is on the border of Iowa and Illinois
. The city is prone to frequent flooding due to its location on the Mississippi River
. There are two main universities: Saint Ambrose University
and Palmer College of Chiropractic
, which is where the first chiropractic adjustment took place. Several annual music festivals take place in Davenport, including the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, The Mississippi Valley Fair, and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival. An internationally known 7 miles (11.3 km) foot race called the Bix 7
is run during the festival. The city has a Class A minor league baseball team, the Quad Cities River Bandits. Davenport has 27 parks and over 12 miles (19.3 km) of recreational paths for biking or walking.
Four interstates
and two major United States Highways
serve the city. Davenport has seen steady population growth since its incorporation, with an exception being the 1980s, when the population decreased due to job loss. Davenport has a declining crime rate and a low rate of unemployment, and was ranked as the most affordable metropolitan area in 2010 by Forbes. In 2007, Davenport, along with neighboring Rock Island, won the City Livability Award in the small-city category from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Notable natives of the city have included jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke
and former National Football League
running back
Roger Craig.
The United States acquired 828000 mi2 of land from France under the Louisiana Purchase
in 1803. The land is in the present day central United States. Lieutenant Zebulon Pike
was the first official United States representative to explore the Upper Mississippi River
which runs through the newly acquired land and present-day Davenport. On August 27, 1805, Pike camped on the present day site of Davenport.
A treaty was signed in 1832 by Sauk Indian tribe chief Keokuk
and United States Army General Winfield Scott
to end the Black Hawk War
. The future Davenport founder Antoine LeClaire
served as translator. Chief Keokuk gave a generous portion of the land to Antoine's wife, Marguerite, who was the granddaughter of a Sac chief. Antoine built their home on the exact spot where the treaty was signed, as stipulated by Keokuk or he would have forfeited the land. Antoine did so, finishing the Treaty House in the spring of 1833. Davenport was established on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire, and named after his good friend Colonel George Davenport
who was stationed at Fort Armstrong
during the war. They city was incorporated on January 25, 1839.
Scott County
was formed by an act of the Wisconsin Territorial
legislature in 1837. Davenport and neighbor Rockingham both campaigned to become the county seat. The city with the most votes from Scott County citizens in the February 1838 election would become the county seat. On the eve of the election, Davenport citizens acquired the temporary service of Dubuque
laborers so they could vote in the election. Davenport won the election with the help of the laborers. Rockingham supporters protested the elections to the territorial governor, on the grounds the laborers from Dubuque were not Scott County residents. The governor refused to certify the results of the election. A second election was held the following August. To avoid another import of voters, the governor set a 60-day residency requirement for all voters. Davenport was again the victor by only two votes. Because the margin of victory was so close a third election in the summer of 1840 was held. As the August election drew nearer, Rockingham residents grew tired of the county seat cause, and the efforts of Davenporters were difficult to challenge. Davenport easily won the third election. Consequently, to ensure that the county seat issue would not be played out again, Davenport built the first county courthouse.
Rock Island Railroad built the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River in 1856. It connected Davenport to Rock Island, Illinois
. This railway connection caused transportation and commerce with Chicago to significantly improve.The addition of new railroad lines to Muscatine
and Iowa City, and the acquiring of other lines by the Rock Island Railroad, caused Davenport to became a commercial railroad hub.
Steamboat companies saw nationwide railroads as a threat to their business and on May 6, 1856, just weeks after the bridge was completed, a steamboat captain deliberately crashed the Effie Afton into the bridge. The owner of the Effie Afton, John Hurd, filed a lawsuit against the Rock Island Railroad Company. Abraham Lincoln
was the lead defense lawyer for the railroad company. The decision of the United States Supreme Court upheld the right to bridge navigable streams, therefore the bridge was allowed to remain.
Prior to the start of the Civil War
, Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood
declared Davenport to be Iowa's first military headquarters and five camps were set up in the city to aid the Union
.
The Davenport City Hall
was built in 1895 for the meager price of $100,000 ($ in dollars). Architectural journals of the time poked fun at the project due to the small amount of money budgeted. The skyline began forming in the 1920s with the building of the Kahl Building
, the Parker Building, and the Capitol Theatre during an economic and building expansion.
By 1932 thousands of Davenport residents were on public relief due to the Great Depression
. A shantytown grew in the west end of the city along the Mississippi River. Sickness, hunger, and unsanitary living conditions plagued the area. The situation would soon change, as many citizens went to work for the Works Progress Administration
and Davenport experienced a boom after World War II. Oscar Mayer
, Ralston Purina, and other companies built plants in west Davenport. The Interstate highway network
was brought to Davenport in 1956. By 1959 more than 1,000 homes a year were being constructed. By the late 1970s the good times were over for both downtown and local businesses and industries. The farm crisis of the 1980s negatively affected Davenport and the rest of the Quad Cities, 35,000 workers lost their jobs throughout the entire Quad Cities area. The Caterpillar
plant on the city's north side closed, causing the loss of employment for many residents. The 1990s showed the beginnings of a resurgence for the city. In recent years, many renovations and building additions have occurred to revitalize the downtown area, including repairing Modern Woodmen Park, the building of the Skybridge
and the Figge Art Museum
.
, the city has a total area of 64.9 square miles (168.1 km²), of which, 62.8 square miles (162.7 km²) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) (3.31%) is water. Davenport is located approximately 170 miles (273.6 km) west of Chicago and 170 miles (273.6 km) east of the Iowa state capital of Des Moines
. The city is located about 200 miles (321.9 km) north of St. Louis
, Missouri, and 265 miles (426.5 km) southeast of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Farmland surrounds Davenport, outside the Quad Cities
area.
Davenport is located on the banks of the Mississippi River
and has a maximum depth of around 30 to 40 ft (9.1 to 12.2 ) and is 2217 feet (675.7 m) wide where the Centennial Bridge
crosses it. The river flows from east to west along Davenport's banks, as opposed to its usual north to south direction. From the river the city starts to slope north up a hill, which is steep at some points. The streets of the city, especially downtown and in the central part of the town, follow a grid design. Davenport often makes national headlines when the Mississippi River floods. It is the largest city bordering the Mississippi that has no permanent floodwall or levee
. Davenport prefers the open access to the river for parks and vistas over having access cut off by dikes and levees. Davenport has adopted ordinances that any new construction in the floodplain must be elevated above the 100-year-flood level or protected with walls. As a result, former mayor Phil Yerington publicly expressed the view that if they "let Mother Nature take her course, we'll all be better off". An example of a building that is elevated or flood-proofed in Davenport is the Figge Art Museum.
Under the Köppen climate classification, Davenport is considered to have a humid continental climate
(Dfa). Summers are very warm to hot with high levels of humidity. Winters have cold temperatures and often high winds, with snow likely from November through February. Average snowfall in Davenport is 30.7 inches (779.8 mm) per year. January is on average the coldest month, while July is the warmest. The highest temperature recorded in Davenport was 103 °F (39.4 °C) on July 18, 2006. The lowest temperature, -22 °F, was recorded on February 2 and February 3, 1996. Substantial weather changes frequently occur at three to four day intervals as a result of mid-latitude storm tracks, which is where low and high pressure extratropical disturbances
occur.
While situated squarely in the path of Tornado Alley
no devastating tornado has ever touched down in Davenport. Flooding, however, is often a problem in Davenport due to the lack of a flood wall. During the Great Flood of 1993
, the water crested at 22.63 feet (6.9 m) on July 9. This is nearly 8 feet (2.4 m) above the 14.9 feet (4.5 m) flood stage. Major flooding in Davenport causes many problems. Roads in and around the downtown area, including U.S. Route 67
, are closed and cause increased traffic on other city roads. The effects of major flooding can be long-lasting. For example, during the 2008 flooding, Credit Island
in the city's southwest corner remained closed for 5½ months while crews worked on cleaning up damage and removing river debris. Duck Creek, a stream situated in Bettendorf and Davenport, is also vulnerable to flash flood
ing. Severe thunderstorms on June 16, 1990, created heavy flash flooding in Bettendorf and Davenport that killed four people. Another major flood happened on June 12, 2008, when severe thunderstorms caused Duck Creek to overflow its banks and flood properties and nearby streets (see Iowa flood of 2008
).
Davenport has several neighborhoods dating back to the 1840s. The original city plot was around current day Ripley and 5th Streets, where Antoine LeClaire
had built his house. The city can be divided into five areas: downtown, central, east end, near north and northwest, and west end. Many architectural designs are found throughout the city including Victorian
, Queen Anne
, Tudor Revival
, and others. Many of the original neighborhoods were inhabited by German settlers.
The east side of the city dates back to 1850 and has always contained higher end housing. The proximity and commanding view of the river kept these neighborhoods a fashionable address long after the original families departed. Lindsay Park, in The Village of East Davenport, was used as parade grounds for Civil War
soldiers from Camp McClellan.
In contrast to the east side, the central and west neighborhoods originally contained many of the working class Germans who settled the town. Development on the west side started in the 1850s with extensive construction occurring in the 1870s. Housing was mostly one and a half to two story front gable
American Foursquare
and simplified Queen Anne
style. The central Hamburg neighborhood contains the most architecturally significant residences in the old German neighborhoods. Also in central Davenport, the Vander Veer Park Historic District
is a neighborhood anchored by Vander Veer Park
, a large park with a botanical garden and a fountain. The park was modeled after New York City's Central Park
and originally shared its name. Vander Veer is surrounded by large Queen Anne and Tudor Revival style houses that were built between 1895 and 1915. Development of the Vander Veer Park was one of the first major beautification efforts.
Today the eastern side of Davenport still contains many of the higher class houses in the city. The old Civil War parade grounds, in The Village of East Davenport ("The Village" for short), have been turned into Lindsay Park, which is surrounded by small specialty shops. West of The Village, Downtown contains the two tallest buildings in the Quad Cities: the Wells Fargo Bank Building
, which is 255 feet tall, and the Mid-American Energy Building
, which is 220 feet tall. Other tall buildings include the 11-story Blackhawk Hotel
, the 150 foot Kahl Building
and the Davenport City Hall
.
Davenport uses a mayor-council
form of local government. City government consists of a mayor (as of 2011), Bill Gluba
and a ten-person council. One person is elected from each of the eight wards and two at-large aldermen are elected to represent the whole city. Nonpartisan elections are held in odd-numbered years. The mayor is top elected individual for the city. The mayor's duties include running city council meetings and approves or vetoes all actions taken by the council members, and can vote in case of a tie. He or she also appoints city board members. The city council's job is to make laws and set the city budget. The city administrator, currently Craig Malin, is appointed by the mayor with confirmation by two-thirds of the council. City-wide goals through 2011 include having a financially responsible government, having a growing economy, revitalizing neighborhoods, and upgrading city infrastructure and public facilities. The establishment of Davenport as a political and government unit came in 1839, three years after the city was settled. The city was incorporated as a result of a resolution by Iowa Representative Jonathan W. Parker by special charter in the Iowa Territory
on January 25, 1839. Parker was a resident of Davenport and one of six trustees elected to govern the city with Rodolphus Bennet being the first mayor. Activity for the first four months was minimal as the council failed to meet. In 1842, the city charter was amended for the first time. Changes include having six alderman replace the five trustees, dividing the city into three wards, and appointing a city clerk position to replace the recorder. The charter was amended again in 1851 to expand the city area, provide greater detail of the duties of the mayor, city council, and other officials. During the last half of the 19th century, government assumed expanding responsibilities for public welfare and public works improvements.
The city expanded police protection, even temporarily having volunteer police officers to assist the three paid officers. Fire protection was expanded in 1882, with the city's first 13 paid firefighters. Former mayor Henry Vollmer
accomplished several public works achievements, including large street paving and new sub-divisions being plotted. A large city budget surplus brought the creation of the Davenport City Hall
. After 1900, each mayor brought new agendas for city improvement. Waldo Becker encouraged new railroads for the city. He also promised a more business-like government, in terms of financial responsibility and to depoliticize the police department. In the mid 1920s the city established the first zoning ordinances, electrical traffic signals and street lighting. They city also expanded with the incorporation of the city of Rockingham and the establishment of the Davenport Municipal Airport
.
The 2010 fiscal year budget is $199.2 million, an increase of $35 million from 2009. The city's general fund receives the largest amount of funds from property taxes, followed by service fees such as solid waste collection and swimming pool or golf course admission and 80% of its expenses go to personnel costs. The city has given a few surveys for citizens to rate the quality of life and city services. The largest department in the city is the public works department with a budget of $36.7 million. The police department is second with a budget of $22.4 million, while the fire department has a budget of $15 million. The parks department has $6.1 million, and the Davenport Public Library
has a $3.8 million budget.
At the federal level, Davenport is in Iowa's 1st congressional district
and as of 2011, is represented by Democrat
Bruce Braley
. The two Senators
are Republican
Chuck Grassley
and Democrat Tom Harkin
. At the state level, Davenport is represented by the forty-first, forty-second, and forty-third Iowa Senate
districts and in the Iowa House of Representatives
by the eighty-first, eighty-fourth, eighty-fifth, and eighty-sixth districts.
As of 2011, the forty-first senate district covers the eastern third of the city and all of Bettendorf
, Riverdale
, and Panorama Park
. It is more conservative then other Davenport districts being represented by a Republican since the 1970s. The district is slightly moving more liberal with an increase of 3,000 Democrats between 2006 and 2010. The district is represented by Republican
Senator Roby Smith
. The forty-second district covers the western third of the city along with all of Scott County
that is not in Davenport, Bettendorf, Riverdale, or Panorama Park as well as western and southern rural Clinton County
and is represented by Republican Senator Shawn Hamerlinck
. The forty-third and final senate district covers the central third of the city and is represented by Democrat Joe Seng
.
The eighty-first house district covers the eastern third of the city along with small western portion of Bettendorf. The district shares the same western boundaries as the forty-first senate district. The district is represented by Democrat Phyllis Thede
. The eighty-fourth district covers the western third of the city, and has the same eastern boundary as Senate district forty-two and is represented by Republican Ross Paustian. The eighty-fifth and eighty-sixth districts are made up of the same area as the forty-third senate district. The eighty-fifth district covers the north and west-central area while the eighty-sixth district covers southern and eastern part of the senate district. Both are represented by Democrats with Jim Lykam
representing the eighty-fifth and Cindy Winckler
representing the eighty-sixth. Davenport has a Federal Court House
for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
.
metropolitan area grew to 379,690. As of the 2000 census, there were 98,359 people, 39,124 households, and 24,804 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,566.5 people per square mile (604.8/km²). There were 41,350 housing units at an average density of 658.5 per square mile (254.3/km²). Davenport's population density is 30 times the average density of Iowa and 20 times the average density of the United States. However, it is about a third less than Des Moines and 20 percent less than Cedar Rapids, the only two cities in Iowa with higher populations than Davenport. Sioux City, the next city smaller than Davenport in population, has a density of 5 people more per square mile.
The racial makeup
of the city was 83.68% White, 9.24% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.32% from other races, and 2.36% from two or more races. 5.36% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 39,124 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. Of all households, 29.5% were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.
The percent of all races, with the exception of white, are higher in Davenport, then Iowa averages, with the black population in Davenport four times the average of Iowa. Contrary to Iowa, only whites have a higher percent in Davenport, than in the United States as a whole. In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males All of which are within one percent of United States averages.
is the second largest employer in the Quad Cities, after the Rock Island Arsenal
as a whole. Deere, however, is the largest single employer, employing 7,200 workers in the Quad Cities and 948 on its north side Davenport plant. John Deere World Headquarters
is located in Moline. Other large employers in Davenport and the Quad Cities include, Genesis Health System
with 5,125 employees and 4,900 in Davenport, Trinity Regional Health System with 3,333, regional grocery store Hy-Vee
with 3,138 and the Davenport Community School District with 2,237 employees.
Davenport is the headquarters for department store Von Maur
, which has 24 stores. Davenport is also the headquarters of Lee Enterprises
, which publishes fifty-five daily newspapers and more than 300 weekly newspapers, shoppers, and specialty publications, along with online sites in 23 states. As of September 2009, the unemployment rate in Davenport and the rest of the Quad Cities, had risen to 8.4%.
The median income for a household in the city is $40,378 with families earning $51,445. Males had a median income of $41,853 versus $30,002 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,828. About 10.5% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those ages 65 or over.
Davenport has a lower cost of living than the national average, in 2010 the average home price was $110,000; Forbes ranked Davenport as the best metropolitan area for cost of living, up from second in 2009. CNN Money
ranked Davenport as the 16th most affordable housing in the country.
The surrounding Quad Cities have a few major places of employment, including the Rock Island Arsenal
, which is the largest government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal in the United States. KONE, Inc, a large manufacturer of elevators, is located in Moline, Illinois
. Alcoa
, a large aluminum manufacturer, is located in Riverdale, Iowa
. Other local businesses include Whitey's Ice Cream
, Hungry Hobo
sandwich shop, and Happy Joe's
and Harris Pizza – both local pizzerias (the former of which is also an ice cream parlor).
Downtown Davenport has many points of interest including the Davenport Public Library
, the Davenport Skybridge
, Figge Art Museum
, River Music Experience
, Putnam Museum and IMAX Theater
, the RiverCenter/Adler Theater, Modern Woodmen Park which is home of the Quad City River Bandits baseball team and the Centennial Bridge
. Entertainment venues include the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Freight House
(The Freight House).
Davenport's cultural and educational institutions include the Figge Art Museum
, which houses The National Center for Midwest Art and Design
, and was founded in 1925 as the Davenport Municipal Art Gallery. The Putnam Museum and IMAX, which was founded in 1867 and was one of the first museums west of the Mississippi River. The Quad City Symphony Orchestra
, headquartered in downtown Davenport, was founded in 1915. The Davenport Public Library was opened in 1839. The German American Heritage Center
is located at the foot of the Centennial Bridge
.
Uptown features a few historic landmarks such as the Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home
which took in homeless children from all of Iowa's ninety-nine counties following the Civl War and Ambrose Hall
which was the original building of St. Ambrose University. Aside from landmarks, uptown contains some entertainment venues too, such as the Great Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, which hosts fairs, stock car racing
, and many other events. NorthPark Mall
is the city's main shopping mall and has 160 stores. Its companion, SouthPark Mall
, is located in Moline
. Brady Street Stadium is home to Davenport high school and Saint Ambrose University
football games. Davenport has a number of parks, including Credit Island
park which has a bike path, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and fishing along the Mississippi River. Vander Veer Botanical Park
has a small botanical garden and also features a walking path, a lagoon, and a large fountain.
. The festival was started in August 1971 and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society was founded one year later to organize and sponsor it. 2009 was the 39th consecutive festival. In addition to the Bix Fest, the Wells Fargo
Street Fest features live music, food, and vendors.
The annual Bix 7
is a 7 miles (11.3 km) road race held in late July in Davenport. The race was founded in 1975 by a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa
, who wanted to bring to the Quad Cities some of the excitement he felt when he ran his first Boston Marathon
. The first race had 84 participants, but today 12,000 to 18,000 runners take part. In late July or early August the six-day Great Mississippi Valley Fair features major grandstand concerts, carnival rides, attractions, and food vendors. Sturgis on the River is a large annual gathering of motorcycles which includes bands and food vendors. Another big festival that takes place in Davenport is The Great Mississippi Valley Fair. Others include Stirgus By The River, River Roots Live, Beaxu Arts Fair and many others.
, Germany, became a sister city on June 10, 1960. The coastal city of Ilhéus
in Bahia, Brazil, became Davenport's sister city on January 31, 2005. Davenport and County Carlow
, Ireland, became sister cities on September 26, 2006.
Davenport and the Quad Cities are home to many sports teams. The Quad Cities River Bandits baseball team play games at Downtown Davenport's Modern Woodmen Park. The i wireless Center in Moline
is home to the Quad City Mallards
hockey team. The Quad Cities Riverhawks are a Premier Basketball League
team. They play their home games at Wharton Field House
on the old Marycrest International University
campus. Davenport high schools are in the Mississippi Athletic Conference
for sports.
Davenport has over forty parks or recreational trails. Major parks include Credit Island
, which is a 450 acres (1.8 km²) park in southwest Davenport located alongside the Mississippi River. Fejervary Park
contains a pool and children's zoo and has had approximately 20,000 visitors each year since 1996. Junge Park is situated along the Duck Creek Parkway
and includes baseball and softball fields, sand volleyball, and basketball courts. LeClaire Park is located right on the banks of the Mississippi River next to Modern Woodmen Park. LeClaire Park
hosts many summer events including River Roots Live and Ribfest. Bands for the Bix Fest play in the park each July. Vander Veer Botanical Park
welcomes approximately 25,000 visitors to continuous floral shows.
The city features two recreational trails for biking or walking. Duck Creek Parkway extends from Emeis Park in west Davenport 8.26 miles (13.3 km) east to Bettendorf along Duck Creek. Riverfront Parkway
extends 4.75 miles (7.6 km) along the Mississippi waterfront from Credit Island
to Bettendorf. Both these trails continue into Bettendorf. Plans are being discussed to connect the two trails in Riverdale
. Three public golf courses are offered in the city. For river-related activities, The Channel Cat boat offers rides across the river and has two stops in Iowa and three stops in Illinois and connects the bike paths that each state has on its river front.
There are two major daily newspapers in Davenport. The Quad-City Times
is based out of Davenport and The Dispatch/Rock Island Argus
is based out of Moline. An alternative free newspaper, the River Cities Reader
, is published in Davenport. All four major television networks have stations in the area, including KWQC
(NBC
) and KLJB (Fox
) in Davenport. WHBF
(CBS
) is located in Rock Island
and WQAD
(ABC
) is in Moline
.
The Quad Cities ranks as the 97th largest market for television and the 147th largest market for radio. Radio station WOC made its local broadcasting debut on February 18, 1922. It was the second licensed station on the air. In 1933 WOC hired future president Ronald Reagan
as a staff announcer.
Davenport public schools serve nearly 17,000 students in the communities of Davenport, Blue Grass
, Buffalo
, and Walcott
. The Davenport Community School District is the second largest school district in Iowa. Davenport has three public high schools: Central
, West
, and North
and one private high school: Assumption
. There are six public intermediate schools and 23 public elementary schools. One of the intermediate schools, Sudlow was named after Phebe Sudlow
, the first female public school superintendent in the United States. She was superintendent for Davenport schools from 1874–1878. The high schools are part of the Mississippi Athletic Conference
for sports. The city has four colleges and universities: Palmer Chiropractic College, which is the first chiropractic school and the location of the first chiropractic adjustment in the world, Saint Ambrose University
, Kaplan University
, and Hamilton Technical College
. Marycrest International University
was a university in Davenport from 1939 to 2002, when it closed and became senior citizen housing.
Three interstate highways serve Davenport: Interstate 80
, Interstate 280
, and Interstate 74
. U.S. Route 6
, U.S. Route 61
, and U.S. Route 67
also go through Davenport; U.S. 67 crosses over to Illinois via the Rock Island Centennial Bridge
. Davenport is connected to the Illinois side of the Quad Cities by a total of three bridges across the Mississippi River
. The Government Bridge and the Centennial Bridge connect Downtown Davenport with the Rock Island Arsenal
and downtown Rock Island
, respectively. The I-280 Bridge
connects the western edge of Davenport with the western edge of Rock Island.
Other highways include Iowa Highway 22, which is on the city's southwest side, and Iowa Highway 130, which runs along Northwest Boulevard on Davenport's north edge. For air travel, Davenport Municipal Airport – located adjacent to the city's northern city limits – serves smaller aircraft, and is the home of the annual Quad City Airshow. The Quad City International Airport
across the river in Moline, Illinois
, is the closest commercial airport. Major railroads include the Iowa Interstate Railroad
and the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern
. Two national U.S. recreation trails intersect in Davenport: the Mississippi River Trail and the American Discovery Trail
.
Amtrak
currently does not serve Davenport or the Quad Cities. The closest station is about 50 miles (80.5 km) away in Galesburg, Illinois
. In 2008, the two current United States Senators from Iowa, Tom Harkin
and Chuck Grassley
, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, and former Senator Barack Obama
sent a letter to Amtrak asking them to begin plans to bring rail service to the Quad Cities. In October 2010, a $230 million federal fund was announced that will bring Amtrak service to the Quad Cities, with a new line running from Moline to Chicago. They hope to have the lined completed in 2015, and offer two round trips daily to Chicago. Greyhound Lines
/Burlington Trailways
bus service has a station in Davenport. The building is shared with the local Davenport Citibus. Davenport does not have any river ports.
Davenport has an infamous "truck-eating bridge". The bridge, or rather three bridges, is a set of railroad bridges that cross over north and southbound U.S. Route 61
and another street. Every year an average of 12 semi trucks hit the bridge, usually causing massive damage to the trucks. The bridges, made out of iron, steel, and concrete, are rarely damaged.
. CitiBus has a total of 20 vehicles and covers approximately 30 square miles (77.7 km²) of the city. CitiBus connects with both Bettendorf Transit and the Illinois Quad Cities mass transit system, MetroLINK. In 2007 Citibus saw a ridership of 1,022,815 customers. Ridership as of September 2008 had grown to 1,045,000 due in part to high gas prices.
Electricity to Davenport, and the rest of the Iowa Quad Cities, is provided by MidAmerican Energy Company
. Water is provided by the Mississippi River and is treated by the Iowa American Water Company
. The water treatment facility is located in southeast Davenport.
. Together the facilities, along with two other facilities outside Davenport have 665 beds. The hospitals employ more than 600 physicians and 5,000 staff members. The American Nurses Credentialing Center
, awarded Genesis Medical Center the Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services. Fewer than three percent of hospitals receive this honor.
, after whom the Bix 7
road race and jazz festival are named. The artist Isabel Bloom
was raised in Davenport; she is the creator of decorative concrete figurines that bear her name. Sports figures born in Davenport include NFL running back Roger Craig and former middleweight boxing champion Michael Nunn
. Other natives include the aviation pioneer Samuel Cody
, actors Stuart Margolin
, Lara Flynn Boyle
, and Linnea Quigley
. Otto Frederick Rohwedder
, the inventor of mass-produced sliced bread, grew up in Davenport.
), won the 2007 City Livability Award in the small-city category from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Tom Cochran, Executive Director of the Conference, stated that the award "gives the Conference a chance to highlight mayoral leadership in making urban areas safer, cleaner and more livable." The award acknowledges achievements from the RiverVision plan of Davenport and Rock Island.
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in Scott County
Scott County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 165,224 in the county, with a population density of . There were 71,835 housing units, of which 66,765 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire
Antoine LeClaire
Antoine LeClaire was a US Army interpreter, landowner in Scott County, Iowa and Rock Island County, Illinois, businessman, philanthropist and principal founder of Davenport, Iowa-Early life:...
and was named for his friend, George Davenport
George Davenport
Colonel George Davenport was a 19th-century American frontiersman, trader and US Army officer. A prominent and well-known settler in the Iowa Territory, he was one of the earliest settlers in Rock Island and spent much of his life involved in the early settlement of the Mississippi Valley and the...
, a colonel during the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
stationed at nearby Fort Armstrong
Fort Armstrong
Fort Armstrong , was one of a chain of western frontier defenses which the United States erected after the War of 1812. It was located at the foot of Rock Island, Illinois, in the Mississippi River between present-day Illinois and Iowa. It was five miles from the principal Sac and Fox village on...
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 99,685, making it Iowa's third-largest city. As of 2011, the mayor of Davenport is Bill Gluba
Bill Gluba
Bill Gluba is the current mayor of Davenport, Iowa. Born in Davenport, he received a bachelor's degree in political science from St. Ambrose University in Davenport. He received a master's degree in political science from the University of Iowa. In 1963, he took part in the historic March on...
. Davenport is the largest of the Quad Cities
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
. The Quad Cities also consists of neighboring Bettendorf
Bettendorf, Iowa
Bettendorf is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Bettendorf is the fifteenth largest city in the U.S. state of Iowa and the fourth largest city in the "Quad Cities". As of the 2010 United States Census the population grew to 33,217. Bettendorf is one of the Quad Cities, along with...
and the Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
cities of Moline
Moline, Illinois
Moline is a city located in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States, with a population of 45,792 in 2010. Moline is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois and the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa. The Quad Cities has a population of...
, East Moline
East Moline, Illinois
East Moline is a city in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 20,333 at the 2000 census. East Moline is one of the five Quad Cities,, along with the cities of Rock Island, Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities has a population of 379,690...
, and Rock Island
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
and has a population of 379,690.
Located approximately half way between Chicago and Des Moines, Davenport is on the border of Iowa and Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The city is prone to frequent flooding due to its location on the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. There are two main universities: Saint Ambrose University
Saint Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport. It is located in a residential area of Davenport, Iowa.-History:...
and Palmer College of Chiropractic
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Palmer College of Chiropractic is a chiropractic school located in Davenport, Iowa. It was established in 1897 by Daniel David Palmer and is considered "The Fountainhead" as it was the first school of chiropractic in the world. For many years, Palmer College of Chiropractic was the world's largest...
, which is where the first chiropractic adjustment took place. Several annual music festivals take place in Davenport, including the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, The Mississippi Valley Fair, and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival. An internationally known 7 miles (11.3 km) foot race called the Bix 7
Bix 7
The Bix 7 Road Race and Memorial Jazz Festival is a road race and music festival held annually in Davenport, Iowa. The race and festival commemorate Davenport native and jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke.-Race:...
is run during the festival. The city has a Class A minor league baseball team, the Quad Cities River Bandits. Davenport has 27 parks and over 12 miles (19.3 km) of recreational paths for biking or walking.
Four interstates
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
and two major United States Highways
United States Numbered Highways
The system of United States Numbered Highways is an integrated system of roads and highways in the United States numbered within a nationwide grid...
serve the city. Davenport has seen steady population growth since its incorporation, with an exception being the 1980s, when the population decreased due to job loss. Davenport has a declining crime rate and a low rate of unemployment, and was ranked as the most affordable metropolitan area in 2010 by Forbes. In 2007, Davenport, along with neighboring Rock Island, won the City Livability Award in the small-city category from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Notable natives of the city have included jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke
Bix Beiderbecke
Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke was an American jazz cornetist, jazz pianist, and composer.With Louis Armstrong, Beiderbecke was one of the most influential jazz soloists of the 1920s...
and former National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Roger Craig.
History
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of America of of France's claim to the territory of Louisiana in 1803. The U.S...
in 1803. The land is in the present day central United States. Lieutenant Zebulon Pike
Zebulon Pike
Zebulon Montgomery Pike Jr. was an American officer and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado is named. As a United States Army captain in 1806-1807, he led the Pike Expedition to explore and document the southern portion of the Louisiana Purchase and to find the headwaters of the Red River,...
was the first official United States representative to explore the Upper Mississippi River
Upper Mississippi River
The Upper Mississippi River is the portion of the Mississippi River upstream of Cairo, Illinois, United States. From the headwaters at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, the river flows approximately 2000 kilometers to Cairo, where it is joined by the Ohio River to form the Lower Mississippi...
which runs through the newly acquired land and present-day Davenport. On August 27, 1805, Pike camped on the present day site of Davenport.
A treaty was signed in 1832 by Sauk Indian tribe chief Keokuk
Keokuk (Sauk chief)
Keokuk was a chief of the Sauk or Sac tribe in central North America noted for his policy of cooperation with the U.S. government which led to conflict with Black Hawk, who led part of their band into the Black Hawk War...
and United States Army General Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, and unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852....
to end the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
. The future Davenport founder Antoine LeClaire
Antoine LeClaire
Antoine LeClaire was a US Army interpreter, landowner in Scott County, Iowa and Rock Island County, Illinois, businessman, philanthropist and principal founder of Davenport, Iowa-Early life:...
served as translator. Chief Keokuk gave a generous portion of the land to Antoine's wife, Marguerite, who was the granddaughter of a Sac chief. Antoine built their home on the exact spot where the treaty was signed, as stipulated by Keokuk or he would have forfeited the land. Antoine did so, finishing the Treaty House in the spring of 1833. Davenport was established on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire, and named after his good friend Colonel George Davenport
George Davenport
Colonel George Davenport was a 19th-century American frontiersman, trader and US Army officer. A prominent and well-known settler in the Iowa Territory, he was one of the earliest settlers in Rock Island and spent much of his life involved in the early settlement of the Mississippi Valley and the...
who was stationed at Fort Armstrong
Fort Armstrong
Fort Armstrong , was one of a chain of western frontier defenses which the United States erected after the War of 1812. It was located at the foot of Rock Island, Illinois, in the Mississippi River between present-day Illinois and Iowa. It was five miles from the principal Sac and Fox village on...
during the war. They city was incorporated on January 25, 1839.
Scott County
Scott County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 165,224 in the county, with a population density of . There were 71,835 housing units, of which 66,765 were occupied.-2000 census:...
was formed by an act of the Wisconsin Territorial
Wisconsin Territory
The Territory of Wisconsin was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 3, 1836, until May 29, 1848, when an eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Wisconsin...
legislature in 1837. Davenport and neighbor Rockingham both campaigned to become the county seat. The city with the most votes from Scott County citizens in the February 1838 election would become the county seat. On the eve of the election, Davenport citizens acquired the temporary service of Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
laborers so they could vote in the election. Davenport won the election with the help of the laborers. Rockingham supporters protested the elections to the territorial governor, on the grounds the laborers from Dubuque were not Scott County residents. The governor refused to certify the results of the election. A second election was held the following August. To avoid another import of voters, the governor set a 60-day residency requirement for all voters. Davenport was again the victor by only two votes. Because the margin of victory was so close a third election in the summer of 1840 was held. As the August election drew nearer, Rockingham residents grew tired of the county seat cause, and the efforts of Davenporters were difficult to challenge. Davenport easily won the third election. Consequently, to ensure that the county seat issue would not be played out again, Davenport built the first county courthouse.
Rock Island Railroad built the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River in 1856. It connected Davenport to Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
. This railway connection caused transportation and commerce with Chicago to significantly improve.The addition of new railroad lines to Muscatine
Muscatine, Iowa
Muscatine is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 22,886 in the 2010 census, an increase from 22,697 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Muscatine County...
and Iowa City, and the acquiring of other lines by the Rock Island Railroad, caused Davenport to became a commercial railroad hub.
Steamboat companies saw nationwide railroads as a threat to their business and on May 6, 1856, just weeks after the bridge was completed, a steamboat captain deliberately crashed the Effie Afton into the bridge. The owner of the Effie Afton, John Hurd, filed a lawsuit against the Rock Island Railroad Company. Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
was the lead defense lawyer for the railroad company. The decision of the United States Supreme Court upheld the right to bridge navigable streams, therefore the bridge was allowed to remain.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood
Samuel J. Kirkwood
Samuel Jordan Kirkwood , was an American politician best known as Iowa's American Civil War Governor. He also served in the U.S. Senate and as U.S. Secretary of the Interior.-Early life and career:...
declared Davenport to be Iowa's first military headquarters and five camps were set up in the city to aid the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
.
The Davenport City Hall
Davenport City Hall
Davenport City Hall is the official seat of government for the city of Davenport, Iowa, United States. The building was constructed in 1895. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 1993.-History:Davenport started to...
was built in 1895 for the meager price of $100,000 ($ in dollars). Architectural journals of the time poked fun at the project due to the small amount of money budgeted. The skyline began forming in the 1920s with the building of the Kahl Building
Kahl Building
The Kahl Building, also known as Kahl Building and Capitol Theatre is a building located in Downtown Davenport, Iowa, USA, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is ten-stories tall and constructed with a steel frame. Louis Sullivan’s Wainwright Building, in St. Louis,...
, the Parker Building, and the Capitol Theatre during an economic and building expansion.
By 1932 thousands of Davenport residents were on public relief due to the Great Depression
Great Depression in the United States
The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash of October, 1929 and rapidly spread worldwide. The market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation, plunging farm incomes, and lost opportunities for economic growth and personal advancement...
. A shantytown grew in the west end of the city along the Mississippi River. Sickness, hunger, and unsanitary living conditions plagued the area. The situation would soon change, as many citizens went to work for the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
and Davenport experienced a boom after World War II. Oscar Mayer
Oscar Mayer
Oscar Mayer is an American meat and cold cut production company, owned by Kraft Foods, known for its hot dogs, bologna, bacon and Lunchables products.-History:...
, Ralston Purina, and other companies built plants in west Davenport. The Interstate highway network
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
was brought to Davenport in 1956. By 1959 more than 1,000 homes a year were being constructed. By the late 1970s the good times were over for both downtown and local businesses and industries. The farm crisis of the 1980s negatively affected Davenport and the rest of the Quad Cities, 35,000 workers lost their jobs throughout the entire Quad Cities area. The Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
plant on the city's north side closed, causing the loss of employment for many residents. The 1990s showed the beginnings of a resurgence for the city. In recent years, many renovations and building additions have occurred to revitalize the downtown area, including repairing Modern Woodmen Park, the building of the Skybridge
Davenport Skybridge
The Davenport Skybridge is a pedestrian cable-stayed bridge that spans River Drive in downtown Davenport, Iowa. It connects LeClaire Park and Rhythm City Casino to a courtyard and parking ramp on 2nd Street, located right next to the River Music Experience. The bridge is 50 feet tall and 575 feet...
and the Figge Art Museum
Figge Art Museum
The Figge Art Museum is an art museum in Davenport, Iowa. The Figge, as it is commonly known, has an encyclopedic collection and serves as the major art museum for the eastern Iowa and western Illinois region...
.
Geography
Davenport's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 41.542982, −90.590745. According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 64.9 square miles (168.1 km²), of which, 62.8 square miles (162.7 km²) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) (3.31%) is water. Davenport is located approximately 170 miles (273.6 km) west of Chicago and 170 miles (273.6 km) east of the Iowa state capital of Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
. The city is located about 200 miles (321.9 km) north of St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Missouri, and 265 miles (426.5 km) southeast of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Farmland surrounds Davenport, outside the Quad Cities
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
area.
Davenport is located on the banks of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and has a maximum depth of around 30 to 40 ft (9.1 to 12.2 ) and is 2217 feet (675.7 m) wide where the Centennial Bridge
Rock Island Centennial Bridge
The Centennial Bridge, or Rock Island Centennial Bridge, connects Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. The bridge is long and stands above water level. On September 4, 1988, lights were installed on the arches, which make the bridge a very scenic sight at night.Construction of the bridge...
crosses it. The river flows from east to west along Davenport's banks, as opposed to its usual north to south direction. From the river the city starts to slope north up a hill, which is steep at some points. The streets of the city, especially downtown and in the central part of the town, follow a grid design. Davenport often makes national headlines when the Mississippi River floods. It is the largest city bordering the Mississippi that has no permanent floodwall or levee
Levee
A levee, levée, dike , embankment, floodbank or stopbank is an elongated naturally occurring ridge or artificially constructed fill or wall, which regulates water levels...
. Davenport prefers the open access to the river for parks and vistas over having access cut off by dikes and levees. Davenport has adopted ordinances that any new construction in the floodplain must be elevated above the 100-year-flood level or protected with walls. As a result, former mayor Phil Yerington publicly expressed the view that if they "let Mother Nature take her course, we'll all be better off". An example of a building that is elevated or flood-proofed in Davenport is the Figge Art Museum.
Climate
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
(Dfa). Summers are very warm to hot with high levels of humidity. Winters have cold temperatures and often high winds, with snow likely from November through February. Average snowfall in Davenport is 30.7 inches (779.8 mm) per year. January is on average the coldest month, while July is the warmest. The highest temperature recorded in Davenport was 103 °F (39.4 °C) on July 18, 2006. The lowest temperature, -22 °F, was recorded on February 2 and February 3, 1996. Substantial weather changes frequently occur at three to four day intervals as a result of mid-latitude storm tracks, which is where low and high pressure extratropical disturbances
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
occur.
While situated squarely in the path of Tornado Alley
Tornado Alley
Tornado Alley is a colloquial and popular media term that most often refers to the area of the United States where tornadoes are most frequent. Although an official location is not defined, the area between the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains is usually associated with it.The areas...
no devastating tornado has ever touched down in Davenport. Flooding, however, is often a problem in Davenport due to the lack of a flood wall. During the Great Flood of 1993
Great Flood of 1993
The Great Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Flood of 1993 occurred in the American Midwest, along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries, from April to October 1993. The flood was among the most costly and devastating to ever occur in the United States, with $15 billion in damages...
, the water crested at 22.63 feet (6.9 m) on July 9. This is nearly 8 feet (2.4 m) above the 14.9 feet (4.5 m) flood stage. Major flooding in Davenport causes many problems. Roads in and around the downtown area, including U.S. Route 67
U.S. Route 67
U.S. Route 67 is a 1,560 mile long north–south U.S. highway in the Central United States. The southern terminus of the route is at the United States-Mexico border in Presidio, Texas, where it continues south as Mexican Federal Highway 16 upon crossing the Rio Grande. The northern...
, are closed and cause increased traffic on other city roads. The effects of major flooding can be long-lasting. For example, during the 2008 flooding, Credit Island
Credit Island
Credit Island is an island in the Mississippi River on the south west side of Davenport, Iowa within the Quad Cities area. Its name was derived by the use of the island as an early Indian trading post. Credit could be obtained on the promise of hides and skins to be delivered at a later time -...
in the city's southwest corner remained closed for 5½ months while crews worked on cleaning up damage and removing river debris. Duck Creek, a stream situated in Bettendorf and Davenport, is also vulnerable to flash flood
Flash flood
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields...
ing. Severe thunderstorms on June 16, 1990, created heavy flash flooding in Bettendorf and Davenport that killed four people. Another major flood happened on June 12, 2008, when severe thunderstorms caused Duck Creek to overflow its banks and flood properties and nearby streets (see Iowa flood of 2008
Iowa flood of 2008
The Iowa flood of 2008 was a hydrological event involving most of the rivers in eastern Iowa beginning around June 8, 2008 and ending about July 1. Flooding continued on the Upper Mississippi River in the southeastern portion of the state for several more days...
).
Neighborhoods
Antoine LeClaire
Antoine LeClaire was a US Army interpreter, landowner in Scott County, Iowa and Rock Island County, Illinois, businessman, philanthropist and principal founder of Davenport, Iowa-Early life:...
had built his house. The city can be divided into five areas: downtown, central, east end, near north and northwest, and west end. Many architectural designs are found throughout the city including Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
, Queen Anne
Queen Anne Style architecture
The Queen Anne Style in Britain means either the English Baroque architectural style roughly of the reign of Queen Anne , or a revived form that was popular in the last quarter of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century...
, Tudor Revival
Tudorbethan architecture
The Tudor Revival architecture of the 20th century , first manifested itself in domestic architecture beginning in the United Kingdom in the mid to late 19th century based on a revival of aspects of Tudor style. It later became an influence in some other countries, especially the British colonies...
, and others. Many of the original neighborhoods were inhabited by German settlers.
The east side of the city dates back to 1850 and has always contained higher end housing. The proximity and commanding view of the river kept these neighborhoods a fashionable address long after the original families departed. Lindsay Park, in The Village of East Davenport, was used as parade grounds for Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
soldiers from Camp McClellan.
In contrast to the east side, the central and west neighborhoods originally contained many of the working class Germans who settled the town. Development on the west side started in the 1850s with extensive construction occurring in the 1870s. Housing was mostly one and a half to two story front gable
Gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
American Foursquare
American Foursquare
The American Foursquare or American Four Square is an American house style popular from the mid-1890s to the late 1930s. A reaction to the ornate and mass produced elements of the Victorian and other Revival styles popular throughout the last half of the 19th century, the American Foursquare was...
and simplified Queen Anne
Queen Anne Style architecture
The Queen Anne Style in Britain means either the English Baroque architectural style roughly of the reign of Queen Anne , or a revived form that was popular in the last quarter of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century...
style. The central Hamburg neighborhood contains the most architecturally significant residences in the old German neighborhoods. Also in central Davenport, the Vander Veer Park Historic District
Vander Veer Park Historic District
The Vander Veer Park Historic District is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Over its area, in 1985 it included 66 contributing buildings, 2 other contributing structures, one contributing site and one contributing object.The historic district...
is a neighborhood anchored by Vander Veer Park
Vander Veer Botanical Park
The Vander Veer Botanical Park is a botanical garden in the Vander Veer Park Historic District of Davenport, Iowa. It is believed to be one of the first botanical parks west of the Mississippi River. The park was listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties on August 4, 1993.Vander Veer...
, a large park with a botanical garden and a fountain. The park was modeled after New York City's Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
and originally shared its name. Vander Veer is surrounded by large Queen Anne and Tudor Revival style houses that were built between 1895 and 1915. Development of the Vander Veer Park was one of the first major beautification efforts.
Today the eastern side of Davenport still contains many of the higher class houses in the city. The old Civil War parade grounds, in The Village of East Davenport ("The Village" for short), have been turned into Lindsay Park, which is surrounded by small specialty shops. West of The Village, Downtown contains the two tallest buildings in the Quad Cities: the Wells Fargo Bank Building
American Commercial and Savings Bank
American Commercial and Savings Bank is located at 201-209 Main Street, Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is known locally as the Wells Fargo Bank building.-History:...
, which is 255 feet tall, and the Mid-American Energy Building
Mid-American Energy Building
Mid-American Energy Building is a high-rise office building located in the downtown Davenport, Iowa. The building was built by Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company in 1995. It is a 9-story office building that stands on top of a six story parking ramp. The building stands 220 ft , and is...
, which is 220 feet tall. Other tall buildings include the 11-story Blackhawk Hotel
Blackhawk Hotel
The Blackhawk Hotel is an eleven-story brick and terra cotta building located in Downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It has returned to its original name Hotel Blackhawk. The hotel is located next to the north building of the RiverCenter, Davenport's convention center, and across the street...
, the 150 foot Kahl Building
Kahl Building
The Kahl Building, also known as Kahl Building and Capitol Theatre is a building located in Downtown Davenport, Iowa, USA, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is ten-stories tall and constructed with a steel frame. Louis Sullivan’s Wainwright Building, in St. Louis,...
and the Davenport City Hall
Davenport City Hall
Davenport City Hall is the official seat of government for the city of Davenport, Iowa, United States. The building was constructed in 1895. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 1993.-History:Davenport started to...
.
Government
Mayor-council government
The mayor–council government system, sometimes called the mayor–commission government system, is one of the two most common forms of local government for municipalities...
form of local government. City government consists of a mayor (as of 2011), Bill Gluba
Bill Gluba
Bill Gluba is the current mayor of Davenport, Iowa. Born in Davenport, he received a bachelor's degree in political science from St. Ambrose University in Davenport. He received a master's degree in political science from the University of Iowa. In 1963, he took part in the historic March on...
and a ten-person council. One person is elected from each of the eight wards and two at-large aldermen are elected to represent the whole city. Nonpartisan elections are held in odd-numbered years. The mayor is top elected individual for the city. The mayor's duties include running city council meetings and approves or vetoes all actions taken by the council members, and can vote in case of a tie. He or she also appoints city board members. The city council's job is to make laws and set the city budget. The city administrator, currently Craig Malin, is appointed by the mayor with confirmation by two-thirds of the council. City-wide goals through 2011 include having a financially responsible government, having a growing economy, revitalizing neighborhoods, and upgrading city infrastructure and public facilities. The establishment of Davenport as a political and government unit came in 1839, three years after the city was settled. The city was incorporated as a result of a resolution by Iowa Representative Jonathan W. Parker by special charter in the Iowa Territory
Iowa Territory
The Territory of Iowa was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1838, until December 28, 1846, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Iowa.-History:...
on January 25, 1839. Parker was a resident of Davenport and one of six trustees elected to govern the city with Rodolphus Bennet being the first mayor. Activity for the first four months was minimal as the council failed to meet. In 1842, the city charter was amended for the first time. Changes include having six alderman replace the five trustees, dividing the city into three wards, and appointing a city clerk position to replace the recorder. The charter was amended again in 1851 to expand the city area, provide greater detail of the duties of the mayor, city council, and other officials. During the last half of the 19th century, government assumed expanding responsibilities for public welfare and public works improvements.
The city expanded police protection, even temporarily having volunteer police officers to assist the three paid officers. Fire protection was expanded in 1882, with the city's first 13 paid firefighters. Former mayor Henry Vollmer
Henry Vollmer
Henry Vollmer was an attorney, the mayor of Davenport, Iowa, and a Democratic U.S. Representative from Iowa's 2nd congressional district. Winning a special election in 1914, he served just over one year in Congress....
accomplished several public works achievements, including large street paving and new sub-divisions being plotted. A large city budget surplus brought the creation of the Davenport City Hall
Davenport City Hall
Davenport City Hall is the official seat of government for the city of Davenport, Iowa, United States. The building was constructed in 1895. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties in 1993.-History:Davenport started to...
. After 1900, each mayor brought new agendas for city improvement. Waldo Becker encouraged new railroads for the city. He also promised a more business-like government, in terms of financial responsibility and to depoliticize the police department. In the mid 1920s the city established the first zoning ordinances, electrical traffic signals and street lighting. They city also expanded with the incorporation of the city of Rockingham and the establishment of the Davenport Municipal Airport
Davenport Municipal Airport (Iowa)
Davenport Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport located about north of downtown Davenport, a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The airport, which dates back from 1948, has also been home to the Quad City Air Show since 1987. The air show occurs the last weekend of June every...
.
The 2010 fiscal year budget is $199.2 million, an increase of $35 million from 2009. The city's general fund receives the largest amount of funds from property taxes, followed by service fees such as solid waste collection and swimming pool or golf course admission and 80% of its expenses go to personnel costs. The city has given a few surveys for citizens to rate the quality of life and city services. The largest department in the city is the public works department with a budget of $36.7 million. The police department is second with a budget of $22.4 million, while the fire department has a budget of $15 million. The parks department has $6.1 million, and the Davenport Public Library
Davenport Public Library
The Davenport Public Library is a public library located in Davenport, Iowa. With a history dating back to 1839, the Main Library is currently housed in a 1960s building designed by Kennedy Center architect Edward Durell Stone. The Davenport Public Library system is made up of three libraries--the...
has a $3.8 million budget.
At the federal level, Davenport is in Iowa's 1st congressional district
Iowa's 1st congressional district
Iowa's 1st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Iowa that covers the northeastern part of the state. The district includes Dubuque, Clinton, Davenport and Waterloo....
and as of 2011, is represented by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Bruce Braley
Bruce Braley
Bruce Braley is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district lies in northeastern Iowa and includes Davenport, Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Dubuque, and Clinton....
. The two Senators
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
are Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Chuck Grassley
Chuck Grassley
Charles Ernest "Chuck" Grassley is the senior United States Senator from Iowa . A member of Republican Party, he previously served in the served in the United States House of Representatives and the Iowa state legislature...
and Democrat Tom Harkin
Tom Harkin
Thomas Richard "Tom" Harkin is the junior United States Senator from Iowa and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives ....
. At the state level, Davenport is represented by the forty-first, forty-second, and forty-third Iowa Senate
Iowa Senate
The Iowa Senate is the upper house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 50 members of the Senate, representing 50 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 59,500 per constituency. Each Senate district is composed of two House districts...
districts and in the Iowa House of Representatives
Iowa House of Representatives
The Iowa House of Representatives is the lower house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 100 members of the House of Representatives, representing 100 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 29,750 for each constituency...
by the eighty-first, eighty-fourth, eighty-fifth, and eighty-sixth districts.
As of 2011, the forty-first senate district covers the eastern third of the city and all of Bettendorf
Bettendorf, Iowa
Bettendorf is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Bettendorf is the fifteenth largest city in the U.S. state of Iowa and the fourth largest city in the "Quad Cities". As of the 2010 United States Census the population grew to 33,217. Bettendorf is one of the Quad Cities, along with...
, Riverdale
Riverdale, Iowa
Riverdale is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 656 at the 2000 census.Alcoa has a giant aluminum rolling mill in Riverdale that employs about 2,000 people. The city site is surrounded on three sides by the far larger city of Bettendorf, and on the fourth by the...
, and Panorama Park
Panorama Park, Iowa
Panorama Park is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 111 at the 2000 census. It is completely surrounded by Bettendorf, and is in the Quad Cities metro area.-Geography:Panorama Park is located at ....
. It is more conservative then other Davenport districts being represented by a Republican since the 1970s. The district is slightly moving more liberal with an increase of 3,000 Democrats between 2006 and 2010. The district is represented by Republican
Republican Party of Iowa
The Republican Party of Iowa is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Iowa. The State Central Committee is led by Chairman Matt Strawn and Co-Chairman Bill Schickel...
Senator Roby Smith
Roby Smith
Roby Smith is a Republican politician and legislator from the state of Iowa. He was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2010, and represents District 41....
. The forty-second district covers the western third of the city along with all of Scott County
Scott County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 165,224 in the county, with a population density of . There were 71,835 housing units, of which 66,765 were occupied.-2000 census:...
that is not in Davenport, Bettendorf, Riverdale, or Panorama Park as well as western and southern rural Clinton County
Clinton County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 49,116 in the county, with a population density of . There were 21,733 housing units, of which 20,223 were occupied.-2000 census:...
and is represented by Republican Senator Shawn Hamerlinck
Shawn Hamerlinck
Shawn Hamerlinck is a Republican Iowa state senator, representing the 42nd District since 2008.He sits on these committees: Economic Growth, Education, Local Government, Rebuild Iowa , Ways and Means, Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals, and the...
. The forty-third and final senate district covers the central third of the city and is represented by Democrat Joe Seng
Joe Seng
Joe M. Seng is the Iowa State Senator from the 43rd District. A Democrat, he has served in the Iowa Senate since 2003. He received a DBM from Iowa State University and works as a veterinarian in Davenport, running a veterinary clinic for low income families., Seng serves on several committees in...
.
The eighty-first house district covers the eastern third of the city along with small western portion of Bettendorf. The district shares the same western boundaries as the forty-first senate district. The district is represented by Democrat Phyllis Thede
Phyllis Thede
Phyllis Thede is a Democratic politician, representing the 81st District in the Iowa House of Representatives since 2009., Thede serves on several committees in the Iowa House - the Ethics, Local Government, and Natural Resources committees...
. The eighty-fourth district covers the western third of the city, and has the same eastern boundary as Senate district forty-two and is represented by Republican Ross Paustian. The eighty-fifth and eighty-sixth districts are made up of the same area as the forty-third senate district. The eighty-fifth district covers the north and west-central area while the eighty-sixth district covers southern and eastern part of the senate district. Both are represented by Democrats with Jim Lykam
Jim Lykam
Jim Lykam is the Iowa State Representative from the 85th District. He has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 2003...
representing the eighty-fifth and Cindy Winckler
Cindy Winckler
Cindy Winckler is the Iowa State Representative from the 86th District. She has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 2001. She received her MA from the University of Northern Iowa....
representing the eighty-sixth. Davenport has a Federal Court House
United States Post Office and Court House (Davenport, Iowa)
The United States Courthouse, Davenport, Iowa is a historic post office and courthouse building located in Davenport in Scott County, Iowa. It is a courthouse for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.-Predecessor building:...
for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa has jurisdiction over forty-seven of Iowa's ninety-nine counties. It is subject to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals The United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa (in case citations, S.D. Iowa) has...
.
Demographics
According to the 2010 United States Census estimate, the city population grew to 99,685 and the Quad CitiesQuad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
metropolitan area grew to 379,690. As of the 2000 census, there were 98,359 people, 39,124 households, and 24,804 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,566.5 people per square mile (604.8/km²). There were 41,350 housing units at an average density of 658.5 per square mile (254.3/km²). Davenport's population density is 30 times the average density of Iowa and 20 times the average density of the United States. However, it is about a third less than Des Moines and 20 percent less than Cedar Rapids, the only two cities in Iowa with higher populations than Davenport. Sioux City, the next city smaller than Davenport in population, has a density of 5 people more per square mile.
The racial makeup
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of the city was 83.68% White, 9.24% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.32% from other races, and 2.36% from two or more races. 5.36% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 39,124 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. Of all households, 29.5% were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.
The percent of all races, with the exception of white, are higher in Davenport, then Iowa averages, with the black population in Davenport four times the average of Iowa. Contrary to Iowa, only whites have a higher percent in Davenport, than in the United States as a whole. In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males All of which are within one percent of United States averages.
Crime
Crime in Davenport is on the decline. Violent crimes, which include robbery, rape, and assault, have fallen from 1,274 in 2002 to 712 in 2009. Murders were down from seven in 2002 to two in 2009. Rape is also down from sixty-three in 2002 to forty-nine in 2009.Economy
Davenport's biggest labor industry is manufacturing, with over 7,600 jobs in the sector. John DeereDeere & Company
Deere & Company, usually known by its brand name John Deere , is an American corporation based in Moline, Illinois, and the leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery in the world. In 2010, it was listed as 107th in the Fortune 500 ranking...
is the second largest employer in the Quad Cities, after the Rock Island Arsenal
Rock Island Arsenal
The Rock Island Arsenal comprises , located on Arsenal Island, originally known as Rock Island, on the Mississippi River between the cities of Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. It lies within the state of Illinois. The island was originally established as a government site in 1816, with...
as a whole. Deere, however, is the largest single employer, employing 7,200 workers in the Quad Cities and 948 on its north side Davenport plant. John Deere World Headquarters
John Deere World Headquarters
The John Deere World Headquarters is a complex of four buildings located on 1,400 acres of land in Moline, Illinois, United States. The complex serves as corporate headquarters for John Deere.- History :...
is located in Moline. Other large employers in Davenport and the Quad Cities include, Genesis Health System
Genesis Health System
Genesis Health System is a health system based in Davenport, Iowa that provides health services to a 10-county region of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Genesis Health System operates a hospital with two campuses in the city of Davenport, hospitals in the cities of Silvis, Illinois and DeWitt,...
with 5,125 employees and 4,900 in Davenport, Trinity Regional Health System with 3,333, regional grocery store Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee is an employee-owned chain of supermarkets located in the Midwestern United States. Over 100 of its supermarkets are located in Iowa, with additional stores in Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and now Madison, Wisconsin...
with 3,138 and the Davenport Community School District with 2,237 employees.
Davenport is the headquarters for department store Von Maur
Von Maur
Von Maur is an mid-range specialty department store chain with stores located in the Midwestern United States and newly expansion stores in the Southern United States. The chain, based in Davenport, Iowa, sells mid-priced brand-name apparel, accessories, cosmetics, gifts, jewelry and shoes. As of...
, which has 24 stores. Davenport is also the headquarters of Lee Enterprises
Lee Enterprises
Lee Enterprises is a publicly traded American media company. It publishes 54 daily newspapers in 23 states, and more than 300 weekly, classified, and specialty publications. Lee Enterprises was founded in 1890 by A.W. Lee and is based in Davenport, Iowa....
, which publishes fifty-five daily newspapers and more than 300 weekly newspapers, shoppers, and specialty publications, along with online sites in 23 states. As of September 2009, the unemployment rate in Davenport and the rest of the Quad Cities, had risen to 8.4%.
The median income for a household in the city is $40,378 with families earning $51,445. Males had a median income of $41,853 versus $30,002 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,828. About 10.5% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those ages 65 or over.
Davenport has a lower cost of living than the national average, in 2010 the average home price was $110,000; Forbes ranked Davenport as the best metropolitan area for cost of living, up from second in 2009. CNN Money
CNNMoney.com
CNNMoney.com is the world's largest business website. The site is the online home of Fortune and Money, and serves as CNN.com's exclusive business site. The site, edited by Chris Peacock, together with the three titles, is part of the Fortune|Money Group, and attracts more than 10.8 million unique...
ranked Davenport as the 16th most affordable housing in the country.
The surrounding Quad Cities have a few major places of employment, including the Rock Island Arsenal
Rock Island Arsenal
The Rock Island Arsenal comprises , located on Arsenal Island, originally known as Rock Island, on the Mississippi River between the cities of Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. It lies within the state of Illinois. The island was originally established as a government site in 1816, with...
, which is the largest government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal in the United States. KONE, Inc, a large manufacturer of elevators, is located in Moline, Illinois
Moline, Illinois
Moline is a city located in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States, with a population of 45,792 in 2010. Moline is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois and the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa. The Quad Cities has a population of...
. Alcoa
Alcoa
Alcoa Inc. is the world's third largest producer of aluminum, behind Rio Tinto Alcan and Rusal. From its operational headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alcoa conducts operations in 31 countries...
, a large aluminum manufacturer, is located in Riverdale, Iowa
Riverdale, Iowa
Riverdale is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 656 at the 2000 census.Alcoa has a giant aluminum rolling mill in Riverdale that employs about 2,000 people. The city site is surrounded on three sides by the far larger city of Bettendorf, and on the fourth by the...
. Other local businesses include Whitey's Ice Cream
Whitey's Ice Cream
Whitey's Ice Cream is an ice-cream parlor chain based in Moline, Illinois. This ice cream has been an icon of the Illinois and Iowa Quad Cities since it was founded in 1933.-History:...
, Hungry Hobo
Hungry Hobo
Hungry Hobo is a sandwich style restaurant chain in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa, United States, with eleven locations in the area as well as a location in Galesburg . Pryce T...
sandwich shop, and Happy Joe's
Happy Joe's
Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor is an American pizza parlor chain based in Bettendorf, Iowa. The restaurant chain was founded in 1972 by "Happy Joe" Whitty, a former Shakey's Pizza manager...
and Harris Pizza – both local pizzerias (the former of which is also an ice cream parlor).
Landmarks
Davenport Public Library
The Davenport Public Library is a public library located in Davenport, Iowa. With a history dating back to 1839, the Main Library is currently housed in a 1960s building designed by Kennedy Center architect Edward Durell Stone. The Davenport Public Library system is made up of three libraries--the...
, the Davenport Skybridge
Davenport Skybridge
The Davenport Skybridge is a pedestrian cable-stayed bridge that spans River Drive in downtown Davenport, Iowa. It connects LeClaire Park and Rhythm City Casino to a courtyard and parking ramp on 2nd Street, located right next to the River Music Experience. The bridge is 50 feet tall and 575 feet...
, Figge Art Museum
Figge Art Museum
The Figge Art Museum is an art museum in Davenport, Iowa. The Figge, as it is commonly known, has an encyclopedic collection and serves as the major art museum for the eastern Iowa and western Illinois region...
, River Music Experience
River Music Experience
The River Music Experience is a multi-use music facility and 5013 non-profit organization located on the first two floors of the historic Redstone Building in downtown Davenport, Iowa....
, Putnam Museum and IMAX Theater
Putnam Museum and IMAX Theater
The Putnam Museum and IMAX Theatre is a museum of history and natural science in Davenport, Iowa, United States. The museum was founded in 1867, and was one of the first museums west of the Mississippi River. It houses 160,000 historical artifacts and specimens...
, the RiverCenter/Adler Theater, Modern Woodmen Park which is home of the Quad City River Bandits baseball team and the Centennial Bridge
Rock Island Centennial Bridge
The Centennial Bridge, or Rock Island Centennial Bridge, connects Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. The bridge is long and stands above water level. On September 4, 1988, lights were installed on the arches, which make the bridge a very scenic sight at night.Construction of the bridge...
. Entertainment venues include the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Freight House
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Freight House
The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Freight House was built by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1917 in Davenport, Iowa. The building is rectangular in shape and built of brick. The eastern end is two stories and held the offices...
(The Freight House).
Davenport's cultural and educational institutions include the Figge Art Museum
Figge Art Museum
The Figge Art Museum is an art museum in Davenport, Iowa. The Figge, as it is commonly known, has an encyclopedic collection and serves as the major art museum for the eastern Iowa and western Illinois region...
, which houses The National Center for Midwest Art and Design
The National Center for Midwest Art and Design
The National Center for Midwest Art and Design is based at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa. Founded in 2007, it is an academic institute that promotes the study of art, architecture and design in the Midwestern United States. NCMAD sponsors research, publications, and academic...
, and was founded in 1925 as the Davenport Municipal Art Gallery. The Putnam Museum and IMAX, which was founded in 1867 and was one of the first museums west of the Mississippi River. The Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra is a United States symphony orchestra based in Davenport, Iowa and representing the Quad Cities area. The current music director and conductor is Mark Russell Smith. Established in 1916, the orchestra has a full season, performing six masterwork series concerts,...
, headquartered in downtown Davenport, was founded in 1915. The Davenport Public Library was opened in 1839. The German American Heritage Center
German American Heritage Center
The German American Heritage Center also known as the Germania-Miller/Standard Hotel, is a cultural center and museum in Davenport, Iowa, United States, that chronicles and preserves the history of German-Americans in the Midwest region.- History :...
is located at the foot of the Centennial Bridge
Rock Island Centennial Bridge
The Centennial Bridge, or Rock Island Centennial Bridge, connects Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. The bridge is long and stands above water level. On September 4, 1988, lights were installed on the arches, which make the bridge a very scenic sight at night.Construction of the bridge...
.
Uptown features a few historic landmarks such as the Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home
Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home
-External links:*...
which took in homeless children from all of Iowa's ninety-nine counties following the Civl War and Ambrose Hall
Ambrose Hall (Davenport, Iowa)
Ambrose Hall, located in Davenport, Iowa, is the first building built on the campus of Saint Ambrose University. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-History:...
which was the original building of St. Ambrose University. Aside from landmarks, uptown contains some entertainment venues too, such as the Great Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, which hosts fairs, stock car racing
Stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
, and many other events. NorthPark Mall
Northpark Mall (Iowa)
NorthPark Mall is a shopping mall located in Davenport, Iowa. As Davenport is part of the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa the mall services part of the population of these cities. The mall is located northwest of the intersection of U.S. Highways 61 and 6 at 320 West Kimberly Road...
is the city's main shopping mall and has 160 stores. Its companion, SouthPark Mall
Southpark Mall (Moline, Illinois)
SouthPark Mall is the name of the shopping mall located in Moline, Illinois. As Moline is part of the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa, the mall services part of the population of these cities. The mall is located southwest of the intersection of Interstate 74 and Illinois Route 5 at 4500 16th...
, is located in Moline
Moline, Illinois
Moline is a city located in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States, with a population of 45,792 in 2010. Moline is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois and the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa. The Quad Cities has a population of...
. Brady Street Stadium is home to Davenport high school and Saint Ambrose University
Saint Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport. It is located in a residential area of Davenport, Iowa.-History:...
football games. Davenport has a number of parks, including Credit Island
Credit Island
Credit Island is an island in the Mississippi River on the south west side of Davenport, Iowa within the Quad Cities area. Its name was derived by the use of the island as an early Indian trading post. Credit could be obtained on the promise of hides and skins to be delivered at a later time -...
park which has a bike path, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and fishing along the Mississippi River. Vander Veer Botanical Park
Vander Veer Botanical Park
The Vander Veer Botanical Park is a botanical garden in the Vander Veer Park Historic District of Davenport, Iowa. It is believed to be one of the first botanical parks west of the Mississippi River. The park was listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties on August 4, 1993.Vander Veer...
has a small botanical garden and also features a walking path, a lagoon, and a large fountain.
Events and festivals
Bix Fest is a three-day music festival with many traditional jazz bands held in tribute to internationally renowned jazz cornetist, pianist, composer, and Davenport native Bix BeiderbeckeBix Beiderbecke
Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke was an American jazz cornetist, jazz pianist, and composer.With Louis Armstrong, Beiderbecke was one of the most influential jazz soloists of the 1920s...
. The festival was started in August 1971 and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society was founded one year later to organize and sponsor it. 2009 was the 39th consecutive festival. In addition to the Bix Fest, the Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
Street Fest features live music, food, and vendors.
The annual Bix 7
Bix 7
The Bix 7 Road Race and Memorial Jazz Festival is a road race and music festival held annually in Davenport, Iowa. The race and festival commemorate Davenport native and jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke.-Race:...
is a 7 miles (11.3 km) road race held in late July in Davenport. The race was founded in 1975 by a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa
Bettendorf, Iowa
Bettendorf is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Bettendorf is the fifteenth largest city in the U.S. state of Iowa and the fourth largest city in the "Quad Cities". As of the 2010 United States Census the population grew to 33,217. Bettendorf is one of the Quad Cities, along with...
, who wanted to bring to the Quad Cities some of the excitement he felt when he ran his first Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
. The first race had 84 participants, but today 12,000 to 18,000 runners take part. In late July or early August the six-day Great Mississippi Valley Fair features major grandstand concerts, carnival rides, attractions, and food vendors. Sturgis on the River is a large annual gathering of motorcycles which includes bands and food vendors. Another big festival that takes place in Davenport is The Great Mississippi Valley Fair. Others include Stirgus By The River, River Roots Live, Beaxu Arts Fair and many others.
Sister cities
Davenport has three sister cities. KaiserslauternKaiserslautern
Kaiserslautern is a city in southwest Germany, located in the Bundesland of Rhineland-Palatinate at the edge of the Palatinate forest . The historic centre dates to the 9th century. It is from Paris, from Frankfurt am Main, and from Luxembourg.Kaiserslautern is home to 99,469 people...
, Germany, became a sister city on June 10, 1960. The coastal city of Ilhéus
Ilhéus
Ilhéus is a major city located in the southern coastal region of Bahia, Brazil, 430 km south of Salvador, the state's capital. The city was originally founded in 1534 as Vila de São Jorge dos Ilhéus and is known as one of the most important tourism centers of the northeast of Brazil.The...
in Bahia, Brazil, became Davenport's sister city on January 31, 2005. Davenport and County Carlow
County Carlow
County Carlow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Carlow, which lies on the River Barrow. Carlow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland, became sister cities on September 26, 2006.
Sports and recreation
Moline, Illinois
Moline is a city located in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States, with a population of 45,792 in 2010. Moline is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois and the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa. The Quad Cities has a population of...
is home to the Quad City Mallards
Quad City Mallards
The Quad City Mallards were a professional ice hockey team competing in the AA level United Hockey League. The Mallards played their home games at The MARK of the Quad Cities in Moline, Illinois. Their team colors were forest green and burgundy. They won the Colonial Cup in 1997, 1998 and 2001,...
hockey team. The Quad Cities Riverhawks are a Premier Basketball League
Premier Basketball League
The Premier Basketball League, often abbreviated to the PBL, is a men's professional basketball minor league in the United States that began play in January 2008. The league had ten teams for the 2008 season and thirteen teams for the 2009 season. Nine teams from Canada and the United States...
team. They play their home games at Wharton Field House
Wharton Field House
Wharton Field House is an arena in Moline, Illinois. It hosted the NBA's Tri-Cities Blackhawks from 1946 until they left for Milwaukee in 1951, and the CBA's Quad City Thunder from 1987 until the team moved its home games to the MARK of the Quad Cities in 1993. The arena holds 6,000 people and...
on the old Marycrest International University
Marycrest International University
Marycrest College Historic District is located on a bluff overlooking the West End of Davenport, Iowa, United States. The district encompasses the campus of Marycrest International University, which was a small, private collegiate institution...
campus. Davenport high schools are in the Mississippi Athletic Conference
Mississippi Athletic Conference
The Mississippi Athletic Conference is a high school athletic conference whose members are located in the Iowa Quad-Cities, plus three other schools in eastern and southeastern Iowa.-Member schools:...
for sports.
Credit Island
Credit Island is an island in the Mississippi River on the south west side of Davenport, Iowa within the Quad Cities area. Its name was derived by the use of the island as an early Indian trading post. Credit could be obtained on the promise of hides and skins to be delivered at a later time -...
, which is a 450 acres (1.8 km²) park in southwest Davenport located alongside the Mississippi River. Fejervary Park
Fejervary Park
Fejervary Park is located in the west end of Davenport, Iowa, United States. The park is dominated by rolling green grass hills and trees. It features play ground equipment and an aquatic center...
contains a pool and children's zoo and has had approximately 20,000 visitors each year since 1996. Junge Park is situated along the Duck Creek Parkway
Duck Creek Parkway
Duck Creek Parkway is located in the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in the U.S. state of Iowa. The parkway is 13.5 miles long and passes through multiple parks as it makes its way along Duck Creek. The parkway is the oldest recreational trail in the Quad Cities and has its roots in the...
and includes baseball and softball fields, sand volleyball, and basketball courts. LeClaire Park is located right on the banks of the Mississippi River next to Modern Woodmen Park. LeClaire Park
LeClaire Park
LeClaire Park is a public park located along the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport, Iowa, United States. It is situated between two other riverfront parks: Centennial Park on the west and a new park that is being developed to the east. The park includes monuments, a bandshell. a baseball...
hosts many summer events including River Roots Live and Ribfest. Bands for the Bix Fest play in the park each July. Vander Veer Botanical Park
Vander Veer Botanical Park
The Vander Veer Botanical Park is a botanical garden in the Vander Veer Park Historic District of Davenport, Iowa. It is believed to be one of the first botanical parks west of the Mississippi River. The park was listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties on August 4, 1993.Vander Veer...
welcomes approximately 25,000 visitors to continuous floral shows.
The city features two recreational trails for biking or walking. Duck Creek Parkway extends from Emeis Park in west Davenport 8.26 miles (13.3 km) east to Bettendorf along Duck Creek. Riverfront Parkway
Riverfront Parkway
Riverfront Parkway is located along the Mississippi River in the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in the U.S. state of Iowa. The parkway extends for 11 miles starting at Credit Island on the west passing through Davenport for 7.6 miles before entering Bettendorf. It continues for another 3.4...
extends 4.75 miles (7.6 km) along the Mississippi waterfront from Credit Island
Credit Island
Credit Island is an island in the Mississippi River on the south west side of Davenport, Iowa within the Quad Cities area. Its name was derived by the use of the island as an early Indian trading post. Credit could be obtained on the promise of hides and skins to be delivered at a later time -...
to Bettendorf. Both these trails continue into Bettendorf. Plans are being discussed to connect the two trails in Riverdale
Riverdale, Iowa
Riverdale is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 656 at the 2000 census.Alcoa has a giant aluminum rolling mill in Riverdale that employs about 2,000 people. The city site is surrounded on three sides by the far larger city of Bettendorf, and on the fourth by the...
. Three public golf courses are offered in the city. For river-related activities, The Channel Cat boat offers rides across the river and has two stops in Iowa and three stops in Illinois and connects the bike paths that each state has on its river front.
Media
There are two major daily newspapers in Davenport. The Quad-City Times
Quad-City Times
The Quad-City Times is a daily morning newspaper based in Davenport, Iowa, and circulated throughout the Quad Cities metropolitan area ....
is based out of Davenport and The Dispatch/Rock Island Argus
The Dispatch / The Rock Island Argus
The Dispatch / The Rock Island Argus are daily morning newspapers based in Moline, Illinois, and circulated throughout the Quad City metropolitan area of Moline, East Moline, Rock Island and Rock Island County in Illinois; and Davenport, Bettendorf and Scott County in Iowa.The newspapers are owned...
is based out of Moline. An alternative free newspaper, the River Cities Reader
River Cities Reader
The River Cities' Reader is an independently owned alternative bi-weekly newspaper based in Davenport, Iowa. The newspaper was founded in 1993 and is circulated throughout the Quad-Cities metropolitan area and outlying communities....
, is published in Davenport. All four major television networks have stations in the area, including KWQC
KWQC-TV
KWQC-TV, virtual channel 6 , is the NBC-affiliated television station for the Quad Cities television market . It is licensed to Davenport and is owned by Young Broadcasting...
(NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
) and KLJB (Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
) in Davenport. WHBF
WHBF-TV
WHBF-TV, channel 4, is a television station licensed to Rock Island, Illinois, which serves as the CBS affiliate for the Quad Cities television market...
(CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
) is located in Rock Island
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
and WQAD
WQAD-TV
WQAD-TV is the ABC-affiliated television station for the Quad Cities area of West-Central Illinois and Eastern Iowa that is licensed to Moline, Illinois...
(ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
) is in Moline
Moline, Illinois
Moline is a city located in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States, with a population of 45,792 in 2010. Moline is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois and the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa. The Quad Cities has a population of...
.
The Quad Cities ranks as the 97th largest market for television and the 147th largest market for radio. Radio station WOC made its local broadcasting debut on February 18, 1922. It was the second licensed station on the air. In 1933 WOC hired future president Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
as a staff announcer.
Education
Davenport public schools serve nearly 17,000 students in the communities of Davenport, Blue Grass
Blue Grass, Iowa
Blue Grass is a city in Muscatine and Scott counties in the US state of Iowa. The population was 1,341 as of 2010.Most of Blue Grass is part of the Davenport–Moline–Rock Island, IA-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area, but the Muscatine County portion of the city is considered part of the Muscatine...
, Buffalo
Buffalo, Iowa
Buffalo is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,321 at the 2000 census, and decreased to 1,270 in 2010. Buffalo is located on the Mississippi River. The city is located near the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa.-Geography:...
, and Walcott
Walcott, Iowa
Walcott is a city in Muscatine and Scott counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 1,528 at the 2000 census. Walcott's interchange on Interstate 80 is home to an enormous complex of restaurants, motels and truck stops, including the Iowa 80 truck stop which is the world's largest.Most...
. The Davenport Community School District is the second largest school district in Iowa. Davenport has three public high schools: Central
Davenport Central High School
Davenport Central High School is a four-year comprehensive high school located in Davenport, Iowa. Opened in 1907 as "Davenport High School," Central is one of three public high schools part of the Davenport Community School District. The school, whose western side is located along U.S...
, West
West High School (Davenport, Iowa)
West High School is a public high school located in Davenport, Iowa, United States. The school is one of three public high schools in Davenport; Central and North are the other two.-History:...
, and North
Davenport North High School
Davenport North High School is a high school built in the northern area of Davenport, Iowa. North High School was established in 1985 in the building that was formerly Wood Junior High....
and one private high school: Assumption
Assumption High School (Davenport, Iowa)
Assumption High School is a Roman Catholic high school in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport. Charles Elbert is the current principal of Assumption High....
. There are six public intermediate schools and 23 public elementary schools. One of the intermediate schools, Sudlow was named after Phebe Sudlow
Phebe Sudlow
Phebe W. Sudlow was a pioneer for women in the education field and was the first female superintendent of a public school in the United States. Sudlow also became the first female professor at the University of Iowa in 1878, despite having no formal college degree.-Biography:Phebe W. Sudlow was...
, the first female public school superintendent in the United States. She was superintendent for Davenport schools from 1874–1878. The high schools are part of the Mississippi Athletic Conference
Mississippi Athletic Conference
The Mississippi Athletic Conference is a high school athletic conference whose members are located in the Iowa Quad-Cities, plus three other schools in eastern and southeastern Iowa.-Member schools:...
for sports. The city has four colleges and universities: Palmer Chiropractic College, which is the first chiropractic school and the location of the first chiropractic adjustment in the world, Saint Ambrose University
Saint Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport. It is located in a residential area of Davenport, Iowa.-History:...
, Kaplan University
Kaplan University
Kaplan University is the "doing business as" name of the Iowa College Acquisition Corporation, a company that owns and operates for-profit colleges...
, and Hamilton Technical College
Hamilton Technical College
Hamilton Technical College is a technical college located in Davenport, IA offering programs in Electronics Engineering Technology, Medical Assisting and Medical Insurance Billing and Coding Specialist. The Electronics Engineering Technology program offers Associates and Bachelor Degrees...
. Marycrest International University
Marycrest International University
Marycrest College Historic District is located on a bluff overlooking the West End of Davenport, Iowa, United States. The district encompasses the campus of Marycrest International University, which was a small, private collegiate institution...
was a university in Davenport from 1939 to 2002, when it closed and became senior citizen housing.
Transportation
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
, Interstate 280
Interstate 280 (Illinois-Iowa)
Interstate 280 is a highway that makes up the western and southern portions of the beltway around the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. The freeway starts at I-80 near Davenport, Iowa and ends at I-80 near Colona, Illinois; its eastern part runs concurrent with I-74 to return to I-80...
, and Interstate 74
Interstate 74
Interstate 74 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western end is at an intersection with Interstate 80 in Davenport, Iowa; the eastern end of its Midwest segment is at an intersection with Interstate 75 in Cincinnati, Ohio...
. U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6 , also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, a name that honors an American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to...
, U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
, and U.S. Route 67
U.S. Route 67
U.S. Route 67 is a 1,560 mile long north–south U.S. highway in the Central United States. The southern terminus of the route is at the United States-Mexico border in Presidio, Texas, where it continues south as Mexican Federal Highway 16 upon crossing the Rio Grande. The northern...
also go through Davenport; U.S. 67 crosses over to Illinois via the Rock Island Centennial Bridge
Rock Island Centennial Bridge
The Centennial Bridge, or Rock Island Centennial Bridge, connects Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. The bridge is long and stands above water level. On September 4, 1988, lights were installed on the arches, which make the bridge a very scenic sight at night.Construction of the bridge...
. Davenport is connected to the Illinois side of the Quad Cities by a total of three bridges across the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. The Government Bridge and the Centennial Bridge connect Downtown Davenport with the Rock Island Arsenal
Rock Island Arsenal
The Rock Island Arsenal comprises , located on Arsenal Island, originally known as Rock Island, on the Mississippi River between the cities of Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. It lies within the state of Illinois. The island was originally established as a government site in 1816, with...
and downtown Rock Island
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
, respectively. The I-280 Bridge
I-280 Bridge
The Sergeant John F. Baker, Jr., Bridge, also the Baker Bridge or Interstate 280 Bridge, carries Interstate 280 across the Mississippi River between Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois. The bridge opened in 1973 with a blue and yellow color scheme, thought to be unique in the state. In...
connects the western edge of Davenport with the western edge of Rock Island.
Other highways include Iowa Highway 22, which is on the city's southwest side, and Iowa Highway 130, which runs along Northwest Boulevard on Davenport's north edge. For air travel, Davenport Municipal Airport – located adjacent to the city's northern city limits – serves smaller aircraft, and is the home of the annual Quad City Airshow. The Quad City International Airport
Quad City International Airport
Quad City International Airport is a public airport located three miles south of the central business district of Moline, a city in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. It is owned by the Metropolitan Airport Authority...
across the river in Moline, Illinois
Moline, Illinois
Moline is a city located in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States, with a population of 45,792 in 2010. Moline is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois and the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa. The Quad Cities has a population of...
, is the closest commercial airport. Major railroads include the Iowa Interstate Railroad
Iowa Interstate Railroad
The Iowa Interstate Railroad is a Class II railroad operating in the central United States. The railroad is owned by Railroad Development Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-History:...
and the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
The Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad was a Class II railroad operating in the north central United States. It has been controlled by the Canadian Pacific Railway and operated as a part of its system since October 30, 2008...
. Two national U.S. recreation trails intersect in Davenport: the Mississippi River Trail and the American Discovery Trail
American Discovery Trail
The American Discovery Trail is a coast-to-coast hiking and biking trail across the mid-tier of the United States. It starts on the Delmarva Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and ends on the northern California coast on the Pacific Ocean, and is signed on over of trail. This includes the doubled...
.
Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
currently does not serve Davenport or the Quad Cities. The closest station is about 50 miles (80.5 km) away in Galesburg, Illinois
Galesburg, Illinois
Galesburg is a city in Knox County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 32,195. It is the county seat of Knox County....
. In 2008, the two current United States Senators from Iowa, Tom Harkin
Tom Harkin
Thomas Richard "Tom" Harkin is the junior United States Senator from Iowa and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives ....
and Chuck Grassley
Chuck Grassley
Charles Ernest "Chuck" Grassley is the senior United States Senator from Iowa . A member of Republican Party, he previously served in the served in the United States House of Representatives and the Iowa state legislature...
, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, and former Senator Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
sent a letter to Amtrak asking them to begin plans to bring rail service to the Quad Cities. In October 2010, a $230 million federal fund was announced that will bring Amtrak service to the Quad Cities, with a new line running from Moline to Chicago. They hope to have the lined completed in 2015, and offer two round trips daily to Chicago. Greyhound Lines
Greyhound Lines
Greyhound Lines, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, is an intercity common carrier of passengers by bus serving over 3,700 destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, operating under the well-known logo of a leaping greyhound. It was founded in Hibbing, Minnesota, USA, in 1914 and...
/Burlington Trailways
Burlington Trailways
Burlington Trailways is an inter-city bus company based in West Burlington, Iowa.Burlington Trailways was founded in 1929 as the Burlington Transportation Company, a subsidiary of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad...
bus service has a station in Davenport. The building is shared with the local Davenport Citibus. Davenport does not have any river ports.
Davenport has an infamous "truck-eating bridge". The bridge, or rather three bridges, is a set of railroad bridges that cross over north and southbound U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
and another street. Every year an average of 12 semi trucks hit the bridge, usually causing massive damage to the trucks. The bridges, made out of iron, steel, and concrete, are rarely damaged.
Davenport Citibus
Public transit appeared in Davenport in 1969 when the city created a City Transit Authority. The authority at first provided monetary support to Davenport City Lines Bus Company, which was a privately owned company. After a few years the city purchased the Davenport City Lines and placed the operation of public transportation under the jurisdiction of the City's Department of Municipal Transportation. Today, CitiBus is a division of the Department of Public WorksPublic works
Public works are a broad category of projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community...
. CitiBus has a total of 20 vehicles and covers approximately 30 square miles (77.7 km²) of the city. CitiBus connects with both Bettendorf Transit and the Illinois Quad Cities mass transit system, MetroLINK. In 2007 Citibus saw a ridership of 1,022,815 customers. Ridership as of September 2008 had grown to 1,045,000 due in part to high gas prices.
Utilities
MidAmerican Energy Company
MidAmerican Energy Company is an energy company based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its service area includes almost two-thirds of Iowa, as well as portions of Illinois, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Its territory is wholly encompassed by the territory of the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator...
. Water is provided by the Mississippi River and is treated by the Iowa American Water Company
American Water (company)
thumb|right|350px|The Iowa American Water Company plant in [[Davenport, Iowa]] on the banks of the [[Mississippi River]]American Water is a public utility company operating in the United States and Canada...
. The water treatment facility is located in southeast Davenport.
Health care
Davenport is served by two hospitals: Genesis Medical Center East – Rusholme Street and Genesis Medical Center – West Central Park Avenue part of the Genesis Health SystemGenesis Health System
Genesis Health System is a health system based in Davenport, Iowa that provides health services to a 10-county region of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Genesis Health System operates a hospital with two campuses in the city of Davenport, hospitals in the cities of Silvis, Illinois and DeWitt,...
. Together the facilities, along with two other facilities outside Davenport have 665 beds. The hospitals employ more than 600 physicians and 5,000 staff members. The American Nurses Credentialing Center
American Nurses Credentialing Center
The American Nurses Credentialing Center , a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association , is a certification body for nursing board certification and the largest certification body for advanced practice registered nurses in the United States , currently certifying over 75,000 APRNs...
, awarded Genesis Medical Center the Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services. Fewer than three percent of hospitals receive this honor.
Notable natives
Notable Davenporters include jazz musician Bix BeiderbeckeBix Beiderbecke
Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke was an American jazz cornetist, jazz pianist, and composer.With Louis Armstrong, Beiderbecke was one of the most influential jazz soloists of the 1920s...
, after whom the Bix 7
Bix 7
The Bix 7 Road Race and Memorial Jazz Festival is a road race and music festival held annually in Davenport, Iowa. The race and festival commemorate Davenport native and jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke.-Race:...
road race and jazz festival are named. The artist Isabel Bloom
Isabel Bloom
Isabel Bloom was an artist who was born Isabel Scherer in Galveston, Texas, and raised in Davenport, Iowa. She learned sculpture while studying at the Stone City Art Colony in central Iowa under Florence Sprague...
was raised in Davenport; she is the creator of decorative concrete figurines that bear her name. Sports figures born in Davenport include NFL running back Roger Craig and former middleweight boxing champion Michael Nunn
Michael Nunn
Michael Nunn is a former American boxer. Nicknamed "Second to Nunn," he was a 6' 2" southpaw with great speed. Nunn was the IBF middleweight champion and the WBA super middleweight champion...
. Other natives include the aviation pioneer Samuel Cody
Samuel Cody
Samuel Franklin Cowdery was born in Birdville, Texas, USA. He was an early pioneer of manned flight, most famous for his work on the large kites known as Cody War-Kites that were used in World War I as a smaller alternative to balloons for artillery spotting...
, actors Stuart Margolin
Stuart Margolin
Stuart Margolin is an American film and television actor and director.-Television:Margolin is best known for his role on the television show The Rockford Files, playing Evelyn "Angel" Martin, the shifty friend and former cellmate of Jim Rockford...
, Lara Flynn Boyle
Lara Flynn Boyle
Lara Flynn Boyle is an American film and television actress best known for her performances as Laura Palmer's best friend Donna Hayward in Twin Peaks and Assistant District Attorney Helen Gamble in The Practice...
, and Linnea Quigley
Linnea Quigley
Linnea Barbara Quigley is an American scream queen, B movie actress, and film producer.-Early life:Quigley was born in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Dorothy and W. Heath Quigley, a chiropractor and psychologist. She moved to Los Angeles in the late 1970s to pursue her dreams of acting...
. Otto Frederick Rohwedder
Otto Frederick Rohwedder
Otto Frederick Rohwedder is an American inventor and engineer who created the first automatic bread-slicing machine for commercial use...
, the inventor of mass-produced sliced bread, grew up in Davenport.
Livability Award
Davenport (along with neighboring Rock Island, IllinoisRock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
), won the 2007 City Livability Award in the small-city category from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Tom Cochran, Executive Director of the Conference, stated that the award "gives the Conference a chance to highlight mayoral leadership in making urban areas safer, cleaner and more livable." The award acknowledges achievements from the RiverVision plan of Davenport and Rock Island.
External links
- City of Davenport
- DavenportIowa.us – Local Information
- QCOnline.com – Local information
- QCTimes.com – Local Newspaper
- Visit Quad Cities – Visitor Information
- City Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Davenport