As Lin-Manuel Miranda song goes: “Immigrants. We get the job done.” That’s been true of immigrant cultures to the Quad Cities going back many generations, and it’s certainly true of the wave of German immigrants who came to the Quad Cities in the 1850s. Like other immigrant populations of that era, many Germans came here to build the railroad.
The first railroad bridge to cross the Mississippi River was constructed in 1856, between Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. As noted in an exhibit from the German American Heritage Center and Museum, that bridge had to be rebuilt several times, as it was repeatedly struck by steam boats, and even caught fire. Despite those setbacks, that bridge gave more immigrants the opportunity to move to the Midwest. The Chicago-Rock Island Railway was the first railroad to connect the east coast to the western U.S.
The GAHC is well worth a visit if you haven’t been. They have many wonderful exhibits related to German heritage throughout the year. Another good read is this River Cities’ Reader article about early German immigration between 1717 and 1777. Iowa State University has also published work about the influence of German immigrants on the culture of the Midwest.
Whether you have a little German in you or not, this is the perfect time for a deep dive into the last impact German immigrants have had on our community. While you visit, be sure you check out their ornaments and other authentic German books and gifts!