Rock Island, TX

Rock Island is a city located in Rock Island County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 36,096. It is the county seat of Rock Island County and one of the principal cities of the Quad Cities metropolitan area. The city's name comes from an island in Illinois that was named for Fort Armstrong, which was built on its banks during the Mexican–American War.

Rock Island has been inhabited by humans since at least 9500 BC when Paleo-Indians hunted deer and other game on its prairies. By AD 1700, several villages had developed along the riverbanks and near present-day downtown Rock Island. The first European to visit the area was José de Escandón in 1541 while traveling along the Mississippi River; he named it San Miguel de Gualdape after St. Michael Archangel who had appeared to him in a dream urging him to explore this region further south. In 1853 Stephen F Austin established an American colony at San Marcos on Galveston Bay but it failed due to flooding caused by Hurricane Carla in 1855; settlers instead moved upriver to establish what would become known as Fort Armstrong (named for General James Armstrong who fought with distinction at Buena Vista).

The town grew slowly until railroad construction began in 1873 linking it with other parts of America; this led to rapid growth as businesses and people moved into what became known as "the Hub City". The first railroad depot was built in 1875 and a year later Rock Island became home to two rail lines - one running north-south through town and another east-west connecting it with Chicago via Davenport Iowa - making it an important transportation hub for goods moving between eastern and western America.

In 1886 Rock Island hosted a World's Fair marking its emergence as a major center for commerce and industry; among those who attended were President Grover Cleveland and Queen Victoria who visited during her tour of America that year. In 1889 Rock Islands first public library opened - becoming one of the largest libraries west of Chicago - while local industries including meatpacking, furniture manufacturing, printing press production, brewing beer, flour milling and soapmaking flourished thanks to high demand from expanding populations across America.

During World War I many men enlisted or were drafted into military service leaving women behind to run businesses; this led to increased opportunities for women entering professions such as law enforcement, medicine, education and business which helped shape modern day Rock Island. In 1924 local businessmen formed what would become known as The Quad Cities Chamber Of Commerce which helped promote economic development throughout all four counties comprising what is now known as The Quad Cities Metropolitan Area (Belleville IL / East Moline IL / Homer IL / Rockford IL).

In 1941 during World War II Japanese Americans living on mainland USA were forced into internment camps following Executive Order 9066 signed by Franklin D Roosevelt; many families living in central Illinois were among those affected including those living in Rock Island where more than 2200 Japanese Americans lived before being relocated inland during 1942-1943 . Following Japan's surrender there was mass hysteria across America resulting in violence against Japanese Americans both inside camps & outside ; most internees were eventually released but some remained incarcerated until their release following court cases that lasted until 1948 .

Following World War II there was significant growth within both commercial & residential sectors within downtown Rock Island with new buildings being erected housing both white & black residents ; while new highways such as I-80 & I-290 were constructed linking town with surrounding areas further increasing traffic congestion & pollution levels within urban areas throughout America .

Today DowntownRockIsland retains much of its historic character while also embracing contemporary architecture such as Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House (now used by community organizations) ; meanwhile numerous restaurants , nightlife venues , shopping districts , parks & museums are available for visitors exploring all that DowntownRockIsland has to offer .