Silvis

Silvis Shops

Used with permission from Lake County Discovery Museum

Silvis was originally called Pleasant Valley. Silvis took it's name from Richard Shippen Silvis who was among the original settlers whose family operated the Silvis Mining Company.In 1902 the Rock Island Railroad bought 900 acres and built the largest locomotive repair shop in the world in Silvis. The railroad shops of the CRI and PRR at one time were also located in Silvis.

On December 1, 1906 an election was held for village organization.On January 12, 1907 an election was held to elect the trustees for Silvis. Elected were F.J. Ball, James Shannon, R. Walsh, J.W. Pike, Herbert Love, William Emmert.

In 1920 Silvis became a Mayor/Council government with 8 coucilmen elected, two from each of the 4 wards. In 1868 John Deere opened a foundry in Silvis but then discontinued operations in the 1980. It's now the River Bend Industrial Center.

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