Davenport - All Veterans Memorial GPS Coordinates: 41.566450 by -90.560650

This is an impressive memorial to veterans of all wars, from the Revolutionary War to the first Persian Gulf War. The Civil War panel includes etchings of Civil War figures including President Lincoln, General Grant and Annie Wittenmyer. There are also memorials and flags related to different military services. It is located in the back of Davenport Memorial Park, 1022 East 39th Street. Thank you to Dustin Oliver for notification and information about this memorial. Photos taken 9/28/12.

Davenport - Camp McClellan Marker GPS Coordinates: 41.530916 by -90.542983

Many newly formed Iowa Regiments trained here before heading south on the Mississippi River. As mentioned on the marker, Sioux Indians captured in the 1862 uprising in Minnesota and the Dakota Territory were held here as prisoners. Thanks to John Sachs for informing me of this historical marker. This is located in Lindsay Park on East 11th Street overlooking the River. It is next to the Village of East Davenport. The marker and boulder are in a nicely landscaped area near the street. Photos taken 10/9/20.

Davenport - Black Hawk War Treaty Plaque GPS Coordinates: 41.518766 by -90.577316

This boulder and plaque are on the spot in Davenport where treaty negotiations took place with General Winfield Scott and Chiefs Keokuk and Waupella, ending the Black Hawk War. The treaty was signed on September 21, 1832. General Scott was a hero in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War. He was the General in Chief at the start of the Civil War but was replaced due to his age and poor health. This plaque was erected by the DAR in 1917. It is near the Harrison Street entrance to LeClaire Park - it sets near the walk along the River. Photo taken 6/10/11.

Davenport - First Bridge Across the Mississippi Monument GPS Coordinates: 41.523766 by -90.563600

This monument marks the western abutment of the first bridge across the Mississippi which was built in 1856. Two weeks after completion, the steamboat Effie Afton hit the bridge, caught fire and burned to the water line. The steamship companies sued the railroad but, defended by Abraham Lincoln, the railroad prevailed and the bridge remained open. Besides the significance of Lincoln's involvement, this was very important to Iowa's development in opening commerce to the east. The original bridge no longer exists - it is near today's Government Bridge which connects to Arsenal Island. It is along the north side (or side away from the river) of River Drive at the intersection of East Fourth Street. The DAR plaque was dedicated in 1928 and the large monument was dedicated in 1956. Photos taken 6/30/09.

Davenport - Iowa Soldiers Orphan Monument GPS Coordinates: 41.547233 by -90.546800

Annie Whittenmyer, along with many other accomplishments, started orphan homes for children of Civil War Veterans. The Davenport home was across the street from Oakdale Memorial Gardens and 246 orphans are buried here. This monument was erected in 1884. The entrance to the cemetery has a map showing the location of the Orphan's Lot. Oakdale Memorial Gardens is located at 2501 Eastern Avenue. Thank you to Dustin Oliver for information about this monument and the Orphan's Lot. Photos taken 10/9/20.

Davenport - Memorial Hill in Scott County Park GPS Coordinates: 41.708767 by -90.523117

Memorial Hill consists of a circle of sidewalk. Inside the circle is a flagpole and an engraved boulder dedicated to the GAR. Outside the sidewalk is a semi-circle of tablets. This includes a bronze rendition of the Gettysburg Address and three tablets from the old Courthouse engraved with the names of pioneer settlers of Scott County. On either side are relief sculptures - one is inspired by the Iowa Seal with a Civil War soldier holding the U.S. flag. The other features an eagle perched on a plow inside a shield. The memorial is located inside Scott County Park north of Davenport. Take exit 129 from Highway 61 - east on 267th Street - north on Scott Park Road - then east on 270th to the Park entrance. Memorial Hill is on the eastern edge of the park. Once inside the park, take the first right turn. Thanks to Dustin Oliver for providing the excellent description of this impressive memorial. Also thanks to Dustin for the photo of the pioneer settlers tablet taken 8/2/08. Other photos taken 9/28/12.

Davenport - Oakdale Soldiers Lot GPS Coordinates: 41.545650 by -90.546483

There are 71 Civil War Veterans buried here in Oakdale Memorial Gardens in what technically is part of the Rock Island National Cemetery. The National Cemetery owns and maintains this small piece of land. There is a map at the cemetery entrance with directions to the "U.S. Veterans" lot. Oakdale Memorial Gardens is located at 2501 Eastern Avenue in Davenport. Thanks to Dustin Oliver for notification. Photos taken 9/28/12 and 10/9/20.

Davenport - Dred Scott Marker GPS Coordinates: 41.521197 by -90.571886

Dred Scott was a slave who was owned by Dr. John Emerson. Dr. Emerson was a surgeon in the Army and was transferred to posts throughout the country including a number in free states. Scott sued for his freedom - eventually the Supreme Court ruled against him in 1857 in what has been called the "Dred Scott Decision". This created an outrage in the North, particularly among abolitionists, and was an important factor in creating tensions which led to the Civil War. This historical marker is located at 217 E. 2nd Street. On a visit 10/9/20, the store at this address was Cookies and Dreams. The small bronze plaque reads "On this site was located the home of John Emerson, post surgeon at Fort Armstrong, and of his famous slave, Dred Scott." It states it was erected by the DAR chapter in 1928. Thank you to Dustin Oliver for notification of this monument, providing directions, and the photo. The photo was taken 7/18/09.

Davenport - Civil War Soldier GPS Coordinates: 41.531233 by -90.575566

This large monument is located in the middle of Main Street. It is 50 feet high. It was dedicated July 4, 1881. Shown are inscriptions on the four sides. It is located up the hill on Main Street several blocks from the business district. Photos taken 10/9/20. There is also a copy of an old undated postcard provided by Danny Krock.

Davenport - Annie Wittenmyer & Camp Roberts/Kinsman Markers GPS Coordinates: 41.547066 by -90.552166

There are markers on this site locating a Civil War camp and, later, an orphanage founded by Annie Wittenmyer. General Benjamin Roberts established the camp which was later renamed in honor of Colonel William Kinsman of the Iowa 23rd Infantry Regiment who died as a result of wounds at the Battle of Big Black River Bridge on May 16, 1863.

Annie Wittenmyer of Keokuk, Iowa was best known for founding the diet kitchens for hospitals during the Civil War. General Grant said, "No soldier on the front line gave more heroic service than she rendered." After the war, she founded several orphanages in Iowa for children of fallen soldiers including this one in Davenport. She later was a founder and served as the first president of the Women's Temperance Union.

It is believed that the buildings standing today were constructed after the war. Today it is a home of Family Resource, Inc. It is directly across from Oakdale Memorial Gardens. The markers are on the lawn in front of the buildings. The original Camp Roberts Marker, erected in 1929, had deteriorated and a second one was dedicated in 1996.

Thank you to John Sachs for notifying me of this historical location. From Locust Street, take Eastern Avenue north to the Annie Wittenmyer Home. Photos taken 3/6/09 and 9/28/12.