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WATER POWER

This was a narrow escape for the island and proved beneficial in that it attracted the attention of prominent men connected with the government to the value of the island as a military reservation.

In 1837 the Illinois legislature by an act passed in both houses, authorized John W. Spence and David B. Sears to construct a dam across the south channel of the river opposite their lands. In 1839 the charter was extended and in 1841-2 this dam was built as authorized. Mr. Sears also built a dam to Benham's Island, a small island in the main channel just north of the island of Rock Island. The water power created by the building of the Sears dam near the head of the island under the charter of the State of Illinois, drew the attention of those desiring to engage in manufacturing to the upper end of the island, according to a report made to the quartermaster general March 8. 1854, by J. B. Davenport, then custodian of the island.

The following industries had already been located, and were in operation: a saw mill, by Spencer H. White, a saw mill by Atkinson & Chamberlain, a sash and blind factory by Charles Atkinson, a large building 40x100 feet used by Pitts. Gilbert & Pitts for various manufacturing purposes, two shops by S. H. White, two shingle mills by S. H. White, two dry houses, one office and one stable by Dimmock & Gould, together with quite a number of residences and other buildings, all of which were near the main clam. On the other side of the island, near the dam built out to Benham's island by Mr. Sears, were a steam planing mill, operated by Sears, Wood and Houton. and three dwellings, while on Benham's island were Mr. Sears' mill, one dwelling and two warehouses, and it was there that the steam boats landed.

At the time Mr. Danforth made his report there had been six shanties erected by the railroad company for their employes, who cut the timber from a strip 100 feet wide all the way across the island, and were then at work grading for the tracks and quarrying rock for the first bridge across the Mississippi, the site of which, a short distance above and east of the present structure, is shown by one of the stone piers which was recently repaired and suitably marked.

Historic Encyclopedia of Illinois

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Illinois Ancestors

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