Rock Island Arsenal

Rock Island Arsenal
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Rock Island Arsenal, Quarters 1 (Building 301)
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Location	Rock Island, Illinois
Coordinates	41°31′1″N 90°32′31″W / 41.51694°N 90.54194°W / 41.51694; -90.54194Coordinates: 41°31′1″N 90°32′31″W / 41.51694°N 90.54194°W / 41.51694; -90.54194
Built	1832
Architect	General Thomas J. Rodman et al.
Architectural style	Greek Revival, Italianate
NRHP Reference #	69000057
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	September 30, 1969
Designated NHL	June 7, 1988

The Rock Island Arsenal comprises 946 acres (383 ha), located on Arsenal Island, originally known as Rock Island, on the Mississippi River between the cities of Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. It lies within the state of Illinois. It is home of First Army headquarters. The island was originally established as a government site in 1816, with the building of Fort Armstrong. It is now the largest government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal in the United States. It has manufactured military equipment and ordnance since the 1880s. In 1919–1920 one hundred of the Anglo-American or Liberty Mark VIII tanks were manufactured, although too late for World War I. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Established as both an arsenal and a center for the manufacture of leather accoutrements and field gear, today it provides manufacturing, logistics, and base support services for the Armed Forces. The Arsenal is the only active U.S. Army foundry, and manufactures ordnance and equipment, including artillery, gun mounts, recoil mechanisms, small arms, aircraft weapons sub-systems, grenade launchers, weapons simulators, and a host of associated components. Some of the Arsenal's most successful products include the M198 and M119 towed howitzers, and the M1A1 gun mount. About 250 military personnel and 6,000 civilians work there. The 2000 census population was 145.