MOLINE, ILLINOIS (September 12, 2024) — Visit Quad Cities invites the community to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Union Station in downtown Davenport on Thursday, September 26, 2024. The historic building, located at 102 S Harrison St, has served as a transportation hub and historic landmark for generations. Now operating as a Visit Quad Cities Destination Center, Union Station offers visitors and residents a range of services to help explore the region’s unique attractions and hidden gems.
Destination Experience Specialists are available to provide information, directions, and personalized recommendations to enhance the Quad Cities experience. Visitors can browse local QC merchandise, rent bikes for a scenic ride along the riverfront trails, and pick up a complimentary QC Destination Guide.
An open house will take place 3-7PM, and will include live music, remarks from Quad Cities leaders, and a special announcement at 3:30PM. Visitors can enjoy a performance by the Edgar Crockett Trio, a local jazz band, 3:30-5:30PM. One of the event's highlights will be the unveiling of a 2024 time capsule, which will be filled with items representing the current era of the Quad Cities.
“Union Station is a symbol of our region's rich history and growth,” said Lindsey Row, Director of Public Relations and Communications at Visit Quad Cities. “As we celebrate its 100th anniversary, we look ahead to its continued role in welcoming visitors and activating this historic space as a dynamic hub for engagement, exploration, and celebration of the QC's vibrant culture.”
Union Station History
Union Station, constructed in 1924 by the Davenport, Rock Island and North Western Railway Co, along with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul and Pacific Railroad, and the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad. The station was built to replace three separate stations located in downtown Davenport and served as a hub for passengers and freight, with an adjacent Package Express Building. The station’s prime location near the Arsenal Bridge and Crescent Railroad Bridge helped cement Davenport’s importance as a railroad center.
Throughout the mid-twentieth century, the station played a key role in connecting the Quad Cities region via rail, but by the 1950s, as passenger-rail service declined, it transitioned into a bus terminal and, later, a visitor center. In recognition of its architectural and historical significance, Union Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
In 2022, Union Station was reimagined as a modern Destination Center for Visit Quad Cities. This renovation included design elements by Edwards Creative, interactive features, and modern technology aimed at enhancing the visitor experience while preserving the building’s historic charm.
About Visit Quad Cities
Visit Quad Cities is the region’s official destination management and marketing organization (DMMO), serving as a trusted resource for tourists and locals alike. Through its Destination Centers, Visit Quad Cities provides a hub for information, events, and experiences that highlight the vibrancy of the Quad Cities area.
