Most of us can’t afford to travel the world on a regular basis. Some are fortunate enough to get a few passport stamps, but most of us are too busy and don’t have the funds to travel regularly. Yet, we can learn about the greater world through the history of our own community. The Quad Cities is a community of immigrants, from different parts of the world. The more we learn about our history and our neighbors, the more we learn about cultures around the globe.
Here are just a few of the many communities built and influenced by our Quad Cities immigrant experience:
The Greenbush neighborhood was built by Irish immigrants. You can learn more about the Irish immigrant experience by visiting Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a historical landmark and a QC PastPort destination.
The Floreciente neighborhood is a community of immigrants primarily from Mexico, who came to the West End of Moline after waves of Belgian and Swedish immigrants. WQPT has an excellent series of stories about the neighborhood. The sacrifice of Mexican immigrants in WWII is on display at the Hero Street monument in Silvis.
The German American Heritage Center and Museum is one of QC PastPort’s strongest partners in keeping history alive in our community, and for good reason. In the mid-1800s, millions of German citizens settled as immigrants in the U.S., and Scott County, was the entry point for many immigrants to the upper Midwest.
The Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center at Augustana College is a great place to begin learning about the immense impact Swedish immigrants have had on our community. You can also learn more from QC PastPort destinations such as our destination at the Swedish Zion Lutheran Church.
This is just the tip of the metaphorical iceberg. Immigrants from all over the world make the Quad Cities an incredibly vibrant place to live. Take a look at the QC PastPort map to find destinations to visit and learn about the immigration experience throughout the Quad Cities. New destinations are coming and we will continue to expand the map and keep history alive and celebrate all the people in our communities.