All the western states and territories . hicago, and 131 N. N. W. ofSpringfield. It is at the foot of the Upper Rapids of the Mississippi, whichextend nearly 15 miles, and in low stages of water obstruct the passage ofloaded vessels. It is a flourishing manufacturing place, at the western ter-minus of the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad. Pop. 1860, 5,130. It derives its name from an island three miles in length, the southern ex-tremity of which is nearly opposite the town. The principal channel of theriver is on the west side of the island, while that on its eastern side has beenso dammed as
All the western states and territories . hicago, and 131 N. N. W. ofSpringfield. It is at the foot of the Upper Rapids of the Mississippi, whichextend nearly 15 miles, and in low stages of water obstruct the passage ofloaded vessels. It is a flourishing manufacturing place, at the western ter-minus of the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad. Pop. 1860, 5,130. It derives its name from an island three miles in length, the southern ex-tremity of which is nearly opposite the town. The principal channel of theriver is on the west side of the island, while that on its eastern side has beenso dammed as to produce a vast water power above and a good harbor island forms one of the capacious buttresses of the immense railroad ILLINOIS. 237 bridge across the Mississippi, connecting tlie place with Davenport, and createaa junction between the raih-oad from Chicago and the Mississippi, and the Mis-souri E,aih-oad through Iowa. Fort Armstrong, on Kock Island, was erected in 1816, by Lieut. Col. .Lawrence, of the United States FoitT .\, KofK Island. It was then in the heart of the In-dian country, and was the sceneof many wild exploits, both be-fore and during the continuanceof the Black Hawk War. Theold chief, Black Hawk, was bornin 1768, on Bock Biver, aboutthree miles from where the fortnow stands. From the time thisfortification was first constructed,until the close of the war abovementioned, this fort was used asa depot of supplies, etc., and fora long time was commanded byCol. Z. Taylor, afterward presi-dent of the United AVilliam Lmvrence, the founder of the fort, arrived here May 10, 1816,with the 8th regiment and a company of riflemen. As soon as tliey hadcompleted their encampment, he employed the soldiers to cut logs and buildstorehouses for the provisions, and had a bake house and oven put up. Thiswas the first regular building erected at this point. The soldiers now set to work to build the fort, which was named Fort Arm-strong!. At
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