How You Can Explore The Mississippi River In The Quad Cities

All Quad Citizens are welcome to come and explore the river this summer through a program that teaches participants first-hand about the wildlife, history, culture, and the geology of the Mississippi River and its relationship with the Quad Cities. This is done through Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks, through September 5th.

As someone who loves history, and grew up being told about the Mississippi, this kind of event is one I'd love to see.

Events on the river are always a great way to stay cool, but now we also have the opportunity to learn while we're having fun with the family this year on the Mississippi.

When it comes to the times of these events, Channel Cat Talks leave from the Riverbend Commons, 2951 E River Dr, Moline, IL, at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Riverine Walks begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9 a.m. on Saturdays.

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According to VisitQC.com, This trip will focus on why the lock and dam system was constructed, how it has been maintained to date, and the ongoing repairs at Lock and Dam 15. You will experience locking through. Which is awesome! Seeing as though I personally have no idea how Dams work!

The admission fee for this educational event is $15.

More information can be found here, but if you're ready to join them in learning about the unique nature and culture of the Quad Cities. You can check out their schedule and register online:

Click Here For Channel Cat Talks.

Click Here For Riverine Walks.

Happy learning Quad Cities!

Iowa's Island City

There is something unique about every town, but there is really something special about Sabula, IA. Known as "Iowa's Island City," Sabula is the only town in the state of Iowa that is entirely on an island. While not a lot of people have been to, or live in Sabula, it is a quaint little town nestled right on the Mississippi River.

Before we show you around "Iowa's Island City," let me give you the history of Sabula. Sabula was established in 1835, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis. Isaac Dorman and a man named Hinkley crossed the river from the Illinois side on a log and decided to settle on what is now Sabula. An Ohio couple, James and Margaret Woods would settle on Sabula about a year later in April of 1836. Their son, Dr. E. A. Woods would purchase Hinkley's interest in the claim. Charles Swan and W. H. Brown would soon purchase Dorman's interest. The three men, Woods, Swan and Brown later had the land plotted in 1837.

The idea behind plotting the land was because there was no town between Lyons (north Clinton) and Bellevue. The plot of the new town was recorded in Dubuque as this area was part of Dubuque county at the time, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis.

According to Island City Harbor's website, Sabula went through a few names before landing on the official town name. In 1837, Sabula was first called Carrollport. Residents of the town didn't like the name because there was a man's name who was Carroll who had a bad reputation. The town changed its name to Charleston, after early settler Charles Swan. The only issue was that there was already a town called Charleston in Iowa which caused much confusion.

In 1846 the settler’s decided to find a name. Island City Harbor's website says that because of it’s sandy soil, William Hubble suggested the town be called "Sabulum" which is Latin for sand. A party was being held around the time the town name was being discussed, when a woman, supposed to be Miss Harriet Hudson, suggested the town be called Sabula as it was easier to pronounce and sounded more elegant, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis.

Sabula did not actually become an island until 1939. According to Wikipedia, in the 1930's, the Army Corps of Engineers constructed the lock and dam system. In 1939, Lock and Dam No. 13 between Clinton, IA and Fulton, IL was built which caused the bottomlands west of the town permanently flooded. With the Mississippi River east of the town, this created the "Island City." A levee was built around Sabula in 1957 for protection, according to Island City Harbor's website. This also allowed for the south sand pit to be turned into a boat harbor.

I would like to thank my mom Beth, her fiancé Matt, my brother Nolan and my wife Ellie for accompanying me to Sabula. We always have a blast on our trips and this one was no exception.

It's now time to introduce you to Sabula, Iowa, Iowa's Island City.