Rock Island Arsenal

The Rock Island Arsenal is an active U.S. Army facility, headquarters of the First Army, and located on a 946-acre island on the Mississippi River between the Quad Cities of Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline, Illinois. 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. 

The Rock Island Arsenal is one of the largest and most important employers in the Quad Cities, it is the largest government-owned manufacturing facility in the United States and houses the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC), the Department of Defense’s only vertically integrated manufacturing operation. It also includes the U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District, United States Army Sustainment Command. The Rock Island Arsenal supports upwards of 54,000 active & reserve components, retired military, civilian employees, and family members within a 150-mile radius. It impacts over 15,000 jobs and has a $1.2 billion impact on the local economy 

Attractions on the Island 

The island features many historical attractions including the Rock Island Arsenal Museum, Colonel Davenport House, Memorial Park, Mississippi River Visitors Center, Rock Island National Cemetery and a Confederate Cemetery.  In 1816, the original Fort Armstrong that was built on this Island, was part of a system of forts in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The fort's most important role was keeping the peace when it served as military headquarters during the Black Hawk War of 1832. A replica of one of the blockhouses is still present on the Island.

Visiting The Rock Island Arsenal 

Rock Island Arsenal is an active military installation. All visitors must enter through the Moline (Illinois) gate off of River Drive. Visitors who do not have an approved Department of Defense identification card and are 18 years old or older must obtain a visitor pass at the Moline Gate Visitor Center - Hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If the Moline Gate Visitor Center is closed, visitor passes are issued at the Moline gate. 

To obtain a visitor pass, visitors will need a driver's license, state-issued identification card, or passport. Residents of Minnesota, Missouri, and Washington states will need one form of additional documentation to use with their driver's license or state-issued identification card. Additional acceptable documentation includes social security card or vehicle registration with name and address. Foreign Nationals are not allowed access unless visiting Rock Island Arsenal for Official Business.

All visitors must complete a favorable criminal background check processed at the Visitor Control Center.