1953 Map of Silvis

About this map

The Mississippi River serves as the central artery for this mid-century look at the Illinois-Iowa border, dominated by the industrial and transport infrastructure of the Quad Cities area. Heavily developed riverfronts feature the Aluminum plant and Riverside Power Plant, while the Lock and Dam No 14 near Pleasant Valley regulates the waterway's flow. Transportation networks define the landscape, notably the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific and Chicago Rock Island and Pacific railroads that parallel the river banks. Beyond the industrial zones of Bettendorf, Silvis, and Hampton, the map preserves the location of numerous rural institutions, including Barr School, Stone School, and the State Hospital Cemetery. The inclusion of Campbells Island State Park and Winnebago Island highlights the recreational and geographical significance of the river's larger islands during this era of urban expansion.