Downtown Davenport in Scott County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
First Railroad Bridge Across the Mississippi
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
1. First Railroad Bridge Across the Mississippi Marker
[Left] This boulder marks the site of the western abutment of the first bridge across the Mississippi River, built in 1858 - 1886
[Center] This replica of a pier from first railroad bridge across Mississippi River is located near site of original. Dedicated April 21, 1956 commemorating centennial of first railroad engine to cross the span linking East to West.
[Right]
and rededicated
July 4, 1989
This property is listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
Erected 1928 by Mannan Caldwell Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution • 1956 by Mississippi River Bridge Centennial Committee • 1989 by The Scott County Historical Preservation Society, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. 41° 31.423′ N, 90° 33.816′ W. Marker is in Davenport, Iowa, in Scott County. It is in Downtown Davenport. Marker is on East River Drive (U.S. 67) south of Federal Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Farnam & 5th Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Gannon Home (approx. ¼ mile away); The Sharon Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Armstrong (approx. 0.4 miles away in Illinois); E.S. Barrows House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Armstrong Sesquicentennial (approx. half a mile away in Illinois); Hose Station No. 1 (approx. half a mile away); Site of Fort Armstrong (approx. half a mile away in Illinois). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Davenport.
Also see . . .
1. Bridging the Mississippi: The Railroads and Steamboats Clash at the Rock Island Bridge. National Archives website entry:
The construction and completion of this bridge came to symbolize the larger issues affecting transcontinental commerce and sectional interests. Backers of a railroad across the country were divided between those who favored a northern route and those who advocated a southern one. The bridge also pitted steamboats against the railroads, and these disagreements were decided in the federal courts. (David A. Pfeiffer, Prologue Magazine, Summer 2004) (Submitted on August 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. A pictorial history of the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River and its three success…
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
2. First Railroad Bridge Across the Mississippi Marker (center)
3. The First Bridge Over the Mississippi and the Effie Afton. A steamboat hit the bridge shortly after it was built, prompting a legal case that left the bridge's fate up to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Iowa PBS) (Submitted on August 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
3. First Railroad Bridge Across the Mississippi Marker (left)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 8, 2023
4. First Railroad Bridge Across the Mississippi Marker (right)
via River action, unknown
5. First Railroad Bridge Across the Mississippi
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 5. submitted on August 13, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
