Sylvan Island

Like most of the historic buildings on Arsenal Island, this small island, itself, was initially conceived of by General Thomas J. Rodman. Formerly a peninsula on the Illinois mainland, Sylvan Island was created with the cutting of a channel through its neck to facilitate the generation of waterpower for the Arsenal.

The Sylvan Steel Mill, which later became part of Republic Steel Company, was established on the island in 1894. Now a Moline park, it is possible today to explore the foundations of the old steel mill on Sylvan Island.

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