Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, United States
4.5 (109 reviews) Spent 1-2 hours Ranking #3 in Rock Island Historic Sites • Government Buildings
Well worth your time
Rock Island Arsenal is an active US Army facility located on a 946-acre island in the Mississippi River. In 1969, the arsenal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1989, the original arsenal buildings were designated a National Historic Landmark. Today, Rock Island Arsenal is our nation's largest government owned and operated arsenal. The importance of the island was identified as early as 1809, when it was set aside as a federal military reservation by an Act of Congress.
Address
1776 E Street 1 Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, IL 61299
Mobile
Website
http://home.army.mil/ria
Current local date and time now
Saturday, May 11, 2024, 16:01
User Ratings
4.5 based on (109 reviews)
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Reviews
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4Ruppert B 5:00 PM Jul 21, 2020
Fascinating History
Went specifically for a family connection. My father's namesake was interned as a Confederate POW at Rock Island's POW Camp 1863-1865. Fascinating to explore the Confederate cemetary, the National Cemetary, and the area of the old POW camp. The Arsenal buildings are a treasure of architecture along a stretch of the Mississippi River.
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4toelle 5:00 PM Apr 5, 2014
History mixes with real time
The Rock Island Arsenal is an active US Army facility with lots of history. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a landmark, and today is the largest government owned and operated arsenal. To that end, you do need to go through a guard post to get in, and anyone over 16 years of age does need to show a valid ID. You could spend an entire day here. Here are some of the highlights that we did: The Arsenal Museum, which is probably the one thing you should see if you are short on time. Memorial Field, which is dedicated to those in the Armed Forces who died in World War II. Sherman tanks, the "Ontos", anti-aircraft guns are all here. The Confederate Cemetery, which is row upon row of white markers designating confederate prisoners of war who died here, 1,964 in all. The Arsenal Golf Club, which will "wow" you. It is open to the public and you can golf along the Mississippi. The hydroelectric plant that supplies power to the arsenal's buildings. There is much more to see. All interesting and historical.
