Military Historian Shares Arsenal's Story
New local book honors Rock Island Arsenal using vintage images.
- Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL (1888PressRelease) December 05, 2014 - Rock Island Arsenal has been supporting the United States Army for more than 150 years. Wanting to tell the story of the arsenal and encourage tourism on the island, local author George Eaton has used his passion and resources to produce Arcadia Publishing's newest Images of America title, Rock Island Arsenal.
Located on an island in the Mississippi River, Rock Island Arsenal has been the center of the Quad Cities Area since 1816. Beginning as a modest wooden fort, the arsenal grew to become the largest federal public-works project of the 19th century, supporting the Army in not only both World Wars, but also in the Frontier Wars, Spanish-American War, Korea, Vietnam, and the Global Wars on Terror. Making everything from saddles and rifles to tanks and heavy artillery, the arsenal has provided supplies and ammunition to the Army on the frontier and all around the world.
Having almost always been the largest employer in the area, many local inhabitants had family members that work on the island. Nevertheless, the history of the Arsenal is still a mystery to some. "Unfortunately, because it was often had restricted access, most living in the area have never been on the Arsenal and do not know what was done at the Arsenal or how large and imposing the buildings are," notes Eaton. "My hope is that this book will inform people about the Rock Island Arsenal and inspire them to come visit the Memorial Park, play a round of golf and visit the museum. Understanding the role of the Arsenal in the local area helps us all understand how our region developed."
Highlights of Rock Island Arsenal include:
• Many photographs and images courtesy of the Rock Island Arsenal Museum
• The first permanent establishment in the area, Fort Armstrong- which will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2016
Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.
Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America's people and places. Discover more than 8,500 small towns and downtowns at http://www.arcadiapublishing.com.
Meet George Eaton
Author of Rock Island Arsenal
George Eaton is a native of Oregon. George first moved to the area in 1976 when he enrolled at Knox College, Galesburg IL. He graduated in 1980 and immediately entered military service. He spent 21 years on active duty in the Army and ended back in the Quad Cities Area in 1998. During his Army career he taught military history at West Point for three years.
Since returning to the area and working on the Arsenal, George has been dismayed by the lack of knowledge about the Arsenal in the local community. He took it as a mission to learn as much about the Arsenal as possible and to try to inform the community about the importance of the Arsenal to the local area. He has written on and completed a large number of TV spots about the Arsenal.
Several years ago George saw Arcadia books about other local communities and wondered why one had not been done about Rock Island Arsenal. In 2013 he was approached by two authors who had developed a concept for a Rock Island Arsenal book, but were departing the area. He was happy to pick up the project as a way to learn even more and try to encourage others to visit the island.
George also teaches history as an Adjunct Professor at St Ambrose University. He is active in the Optimist Club. George is married to Annette Zemek and they have two adult daughters.
What lasting impact do you hope your book will leave?
My hope is that this book will inform people about the Rock Island Arsenal and inspire them to come visit the Memorial Park, play a round of golf and visit the museum. Understanding the role of the Arsenal in the local area helps us all understand how our region developed.
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