Davenport, Iowa

The city of Davenport was incorporated in 1839 and is located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 98,359. The city is part of the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois. The city borders the Mississippi River. Davenport is the home of Palmer Chiropractic College, the birthplace of Chiropractic medicine and wellness technique. Saint Ambrose University is also located in Davenport. Davenport is the county seat of Scott County.

Geography

Davenport is located at 41°32'35" North, 90°35'27" West (41.542982, -90.590745){{GR|1}}.

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 168.2 km² (64.9 mi²). 162.6 km² (62.8 mi²) of it is land and 5.6 km² (2.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.31% water. Davenport has 27 parks with a total of 2,200 acres (8.9 km³) of land.

Related Topics:
United States Census Bureau - Km² - Mi²

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While situated squarely in the path of 'Tornado Alley' Davenport is believed to be protected by a blessing going back to the days when the indigenous population (Sauk and Fox tribes) lived in nearby Saukenuk. To this day no funnel cloud has touched within the city's boundries.

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The influence of the native Sauk and Fox tribes in the Upper Mississippi region, led British emigree George Davenport, in 1805, to establish a home and trading post on Rock Island (Now the US Army Rock Island Arsenal). The Davenport trading post atrracted many entrepreneurs, including part-Native American Antoine Le Claire, who founded a settlement at the bluffs across from "Colonel" Davenport's Trading Post. From a small village of traders, the town became known for transporting cargo up the famous Rock Island Rapids, and became a rough and tumble European community, with heavy German and Flemish settlement late in the 19th Century.

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Davenport was located on the longest stretch of the Mississippi river with rapids. At this point, the river also runs east to west. Anyone who has grown up elsewhere along the river is mildly surprised to see the sun rise and set along its path. Part of the native blessing of the Sauk and Fox is that when the "Father of Waters," the spirit of the Mississippi, flowed south between this portion of Iowa and Illinois, he turned to look with wonder at the great beauty of the valley. Thus, the "nose" of the map of Iowa was created, with Davenport its leading town.

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