12 things to see on the Rock Island Arsenal this summer (2024)

The Rock Island Arsenal is among the top three employers in the Quad-Cities, but the island isn't just for employees. Civilians are welcomed, and encouraged, to see what it has to offer.

Garrison Commander Col. Daniel D. Mitchell has held the post since July 14, 2022. Mitchell is not a native to the Quad-Cities, but has strong family roots in the area. When he first joined the military, he said, his grandmother immediately asked him when he would be stationed at the Arsenal.

An employee of the Arsenal decades before, she was itching to have him close. Mitchell told her he didn't think there was a job for him there, but two years ago when he received word about his new job he called her with the good news. She responded with a request.

"One of the first things she said to me is, 'You gotta open that Arsenal again,'" he said.

Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, security at the Arsenal increased. Gates were put up at both entrances and access to the island wasn't as simple as it once was.

Since then, employees have fought hard to fight the stigma of the Arsenal being only for military personnel and employees.

"It is important that the people of the Quad-Cities know this is their Arsenal," Mitchell said. "We want the people to know this is their Army, this is their Arsenal, and they should come see it."

1. Visitor Welcome Center

Getting onto the Arsenal is as easy as cruising down River Drive in Moline and looking for the overpass. A massive sign with the US Army emblem points the way for drivers to head up the ramp and onto the bridge that connects to Arsenal Island.

After coming around the curve of the bridge, well-maintained parks appear on the outside of the road. A green sign directs visitors to turn right, to the welcome center where the public can retrieve their free pass that will grant them access for the whole year. Then, the fun can begin.

Visitors using GPS can type in 23 Prospect Drive to locate it.

Inside, brochures line the walls offering information and maps for all the sites on the island.

In the middle of the room is a large table with stacks of papers each guest is asked to fill out in order to receive their pass. Those interested must bring their driver's license, state-issued identification card or passport and complete a favorable background check before entry. In all, the process takes about five minutes.

The pass grants guests access to the island any day they want, from any gate they choose. While road work has temporarily closed Government Bridge from Davenport, a second entry point for the Arsenal is accessible via the bridge off 24th Street and First Avenue from Rock Island.

With their pass in hand, drivers can then turn their cars back toward the road and head for the checkpoint gate, where passes are checked by service members.

With the green light, visitors are allowed to drive in from sunrise to sunset and explore what the Arsenal has to offer.

2. Rock Island National Cemetery

One of the first major landmarks guests see is the Rock Island National Cemetery, the final resting place for more than 30,000 people. Established in 1863, the cemetery is among the country's largest and oldest national cemeteries.

Its initial purpose was to bury Union soldiers who died while serving as guards at the Confederate prisoner-of-war camp on the Arsenal.

Today, Rock Island National Cemetery holds soldiers who served in the Civil War, Mexican-American War, American Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korean War, Operation Desert Storm and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to the Army's website.

Notable graves include Eugene Baker, a Davenport native who joined the U.S Navy in 1943 and later went on to become one of the first Black players for the Chicago Cubs in 1950; Rock Island native and U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1969-71 and in Congress for 12 terms; and Marine Corps Pfc. Frank Witek, who was posthumously awarded an Medal of Honor in 2020 for heroic measures while fighting to liberate Guam during WWII.

Adjacent to the cemetery is the smaller Confederate Cemetery, where prisoners of war were buried after dying in the Rock Island Prison Camp, according to the VA.

3. Memorial Field

Just beyond the cemeteries and on the same side of the road is Memorial Field, a park established in 1950 to honor Arsenal employees who died while in combat. Scattered throughout are 26 artillery pieces that pay homage to what was once made on the Arsenal.

Today the park features a splash pad for children, a tennis and basketball court, playground ball field and dog park all free for the public to use. A pavilion with ample picnic tables and bathroom facilities are nearby.

4. Rock Island Arsenal Golf Course

Green space is not hard to come by on Arsenal Island and many visitors will notice construction is underway. The original golf club house from 1897 and established by Col. Stanhope E. Blunt is still standing and is one of the oldest club houses in the region.

A popular attraction on the island, the golf course was established on July 24, 1897, one of the first in the area.

Members used a small building nearby as a locker room until it burnt down in 1905, according to the Arsenal website. The current clubhouse was built in 1906 at a cost of approximately $17,000— nearly $600,000 today.

Through 2009, the RIA Golf Club was managed and maintained by Federal Sports Management, under a lease with the Department of the Army, meaning the course and the club were for arsenal employees and club members only.

In 2010, the golf course was turned over to the U.S. Army's Department of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR). Upon the transition to MWR, the course opened to the public.

The course is now undergoing a makeover and will be reduced from a full 18-hole course to 9-holes. It is expected to open later this summer.

In the meantime, guests can still get their tee times in. The Arsenal has a driving range just across from the clubhouse building that is open from dawn to dusk.

5. Quarters One

It's nearly impossible to miss the giant house surrounded by an iron gate just down from the golf club house. Completed in 1872, Quarters One is the 20,000 square foot home that has housed 38 of the Arsenal's commanders.

The residence housed the most senior officers stationed at Rock Island Arsenal, from Brig. Gen. T.J. Rodman in 1870 to Maj. Gen. Robert Radin, who moved out in 2008. Visitors to the house include Generals William T. Sherman and Phillip H. Sheridan, and members of the Swedish royal family.

The first public gathering held at Quarters One was Rodman's funeral, who died in 1871. More than 100 wagons full of visitors came to pay their respects, according to the Army.

The house features door hinges and doorknobs that were crafted on the base and a few other items that are still original, including a few marble sinks, according to previous reporting.

It was taken off the Army's housing list after a survey revealed it would take $3 million to bring the house up to code. The historic house has hosted all kinds of events since its first floor was refurbished in 2012, from weddings to club meetings to paranormal investigations.

In 2022, tours of the home were brought back after a 10-year hiatus. Tours are available on occasion for a fee and typically announced on the Rock Island Arsenal FMWR Facebook page. The home is also available for rent for parties, weddings and other events by calling 309-782-5890.

6. Outdoor Recreation, Leisure and Travel

Thanks to a recent change, the Arsenal can support the public with just about any outdoor activity, from fishing to camping to skiing, snowboarding and ice skating. About three months ago the Arsenal was approved as the first installation in Army history to open its resources to the public.

The Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) building is located at 2149 Rodman Ave. and houses both the Outdoor Recreation and Leisure and Travel offices.

Everything from bikes to tents to campers — complete with air conditioning — kayaks, coolers and helmets can be rented on the island. Party supplies such as folding chairs, tables, a sno cone machine, bounce houses and a 37' inflatable slip and slide are available for everyone.

The items can be taken off the island and used for private events but must be returned at the end of their rental period. Rentals range from one day to all weekend. A complete list of items and their accompanying rates can be found on the Arsenal's Outdoor Recreation website.

Those who already own their bikes or would like to explore the Arsenal on-foot can do so on the many walking trails around the island. Fishers are also welcomed at any of the approved fishing areas, designated by various signs.

For those who already own their own boat, camper or RV and need a place to store it, the Arsenal can help with that, too. Equipment can be stored in an outdoor lot for a monthly fee.

The Arsenal also rents its pavilions and 10 primitive campground sites through the outdoor rec office. Questions and reservations can be answered by calling Outdoor Recreation at 309-782-8360. The office is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and from 8:15 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Another key component to the outdoor recreation office is the leisure and travel offerings. In addition to extending rentals, the Arsenal can now offer discounted tickets and rates to the general public.

While military members can take advantage of military discounts, the Arsenal is also offered discounts that it extends to civilians. Popular destinations like Disneyland, Universal Studios, LegoLand, Sea World and Adventureland in Des Moines can all be accessed for "the best price in town," said marketing specialist Victoria Kline.

All proceeds made from the two entities go back to supporting soldiers and their families. More information about prices and tickets can be had by calling 309-782-5890.

7. Auto Service Center

Since driving is the only way to get onto the Arsenal, its only fitting it offers car repairs and washes. Located at 1740 North Avenue, the Auto Service Center in Building 351 has a car wash on one side and a full service station on the other.

Everything from oil changes to new tires to belts, hoses and exhaust system fixes can be taken care of by Arsenal mechanics. People with the equipment and knowledge to do these things themselves are also in luck: bays and lifts are available to rent.

Self-serve bays are available on a first come, first served basis. Mechanics in the center will offer help as needed.

Currently, the service center is open Tuesday-Thursday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with full-service available by appointment only. If business increases hours may increase to include more days including weekends.

Appointments for the shop can be made by calling 309-782-8631. A website for scheduling online is expected soon.

8. Mississippi River Visitor Center

Locks and Dam 15, alongside and under Government Bridge, are iconic to most Quad-Citizens. Beside it is a brown, brick building known as the Mississippi River Visitor Center.

Since the early 1800's, the Corps of Engineers has been instrumental in making the river navigable for both commercial and recreational vessels, according to the Corps' website. The Government Bridge connects Iowa and Illinois and has a storied history of its own.

In April 1856 the Arsenal became home to the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River: The Government, or Rock Island, Bridge. However, just 15 days after this wooden, five-span bridge opened, the “Effie Afton” steamboat struck and destroyed a portion of the bridge.

The steamboat was also destroyed — leading to the famous Hurd et al. v. The Railroad Bridge Company court case. This trial was the first to pit the interests of the steamboat and railroad industries against each other, ultimately ending in a hung jury.

The defense attorney in the case was none other than Abraham Lincoln, then a Springfield lawyer. In December of 1862, the Supreme Court ultimately decided a subsequent suit, ruling for the bridge to remain operational.

Today, a monument marks the location of this historic bridge, which was replaced by the first Government Bridge of 1872.

The visitors center is free to the public and handicap accessible. The walls on the first and second floors are lined with wooden replicas of the fish found in the Mississippi River.Along the walls are various pictures with accompanying information, telling the story of the Mississippi River. Upstairs, the center has floor-to-ceiling windows that show off the view of the locks.

Rangers offer tours at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The visitors center is open year-round Wednesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

9. Clock Tower Building

The building across from the visitors center is aptly named the Clock Tower Building for its historic timepiece at the top. Standing on the western tip of the island, the 1867 building is made of LeClaire limestone.

Original plans called for a brick or stone storehouse 180 by 60 feet and three stories high, in addition to a full basem*nt and attic. The portico, 14 by 60 feet, extended from one of the long sides. In the center of the opposite side stood a 34-foot square, 97-foot high tower. This tower would house a clock and serve as the main hoist to the main building, according to the Corps' website.

On April 12, 1864, the cornerstone of the Clock Tower Building was laid. Major Kingsbury placed copies of local newspapers, a 50-cent piece captured in Sherman's raid, and a list of names including President Lincoln, Governor Richard Yates of Illinois, and others, in a tin box, according to the website. The box was placed in a hollowed stone and cemented in place at the northwest angle of the foundation.

The cornerstone was searched for in 1966 as part of the Centennial of the Rock Island District, but was not located. After the cornerstone was laid, Kingsbury ran into a series of problems and construction fell behind. He eventually resigned in June 1865.

He was replaced by General Thomas J. Rodman, who added rustication above the windows and arches, extended the roof cornices, and put balustrades at the top of the tower. The tower was built last, during the summer and fall of 1867. It rises 117 feet — 20 feet higher than the plans called for.

Today the building is the headquarters for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District. Free tours are available through the rangers in the Mississippi River Visitors Center.

10. Rock Island Arsenal Museum

If there's one thing the Arsenal can offer to everyone, it's a slice of history. And that's a tradition that dates back to July 4, 1905, when The Ordnance Museum at Rock Island Arsenal opened. It is the second oldest U.S. Army Museum, behind the West Point Museum, which opened in 1854.

Museum director Patrick Allen said the museum has been in continuous operation nearly the entire time, pausing during WWI, WWII and during COVID. That latest closure proved to be a blessing in disguise, he said.

The 10,500 square foot museum space was set to undergo a renovation and complete re-vamp of the collection. The two-year process turned into a four-year ordeal with the pandemic, which offered Allen time to do more research and add in features he wanted for the updated space.

Now, the museum offers interactive displays from the moment visitors walk in the door. Large displays tell the story of the land from before it was the Rock Island Arsenal all the way to the present day.

Everything from shoes to hats to an 1890s taxidermy horse are on display. The horse was used to test-fit harnesses when the Arsenal was in the height of its leather production to make goods for the time, Allen said.

Construction is underway for an additional 1,500 square feet of museum space that will hold temporary displays. One surrounding the history of the golf course is in the works.

The museum is free, wheel chair accessible open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

11. ColonelDavenport House

The yellow house on thewater is another one that can't be missed.

Colonel George Davenport was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving for 10 years. He came to Rock Island in 1816 as a civilian who had a contract to supply rations to the soldiers at the just-established Fort Armstrong, according to previous reporting. He was the first permanent European resident in what is now the Quad-Cities and built his house in 1833-34.

The Colonel Davenport Historical Foundation has put in extensive work over the years to bring the home back to life and show what life was like in the fur-trading days of the Mississippi.

The home is open for tours Thursday-Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and free for military personnel and children 12 and younger.

12. Oasis Cafe, Lock and Dam Lounge, Arsenal Attic Thrift

All that walking and exploring is bound to make a person hungry and thirsty. The Island Oasis Cafe & Grill at 3395 Rodman Ave.is open to the public for lunch hours serving both hot and cold sandwiches with a variety of sides.

Nearby is the Lock and Dam Lounge at 3055 Rodman Ave., Building 60, which is also open to the public. On the menu are a variety of co*cktails, appetizers and small plates. The lounge is open from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday.

A commissary and exchange are also on the island but only open to Arsenal staff.

Visitors who haven't had their shopping fix are in luck: there's a thrift store on the island, too. Open since 1975, the Arsenal Attic Thrift Shop is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and every third Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The store has everything from clothing to furniture to electronics and jewelry. All proceeds from the store go toward providing scholarships for families associated with the Arsenal. The store also takes consignment items.

The thrift store is located in the same building as the lounge, just a few doors down. Look for the big red sign out front and follow the stairs down.

Reporters Lexi Woodco*ck, Olivia Allen and Brooklyn Draisey contributed to this story.