Celebrate 100 Years of History at Union Station’s Open House
September 12, 2024
Quad Cities (September 26, 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 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and will include live music, remarks from Quad Cities leaders, and a special announcement at 3:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a performance by the Edgar Crockett Trio, a local jazz band, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 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 & 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.”
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Special Announcement & Remarks: 3:30 p.m.
Live Music: Edgar Crockett Trio, 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Union Station, 102 S. Harrison St., Davenport, IA
No RSVP or media credentials necessary
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-20th 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
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the region's official destination management and marketing organization (DMMO). Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine that drives economic opportunity through tourism, builds our authentic brand, tells and sells the Quad Cities story, and enhances Quad Citizens’ quality of life and place.
Media Contact
Lindsey Row, MBA, Director of Public Relations and Communications at Visit Quad Cities at [email protected] or (815) 806-5427.
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