Davenport Mayor Mike Matson joined the staff of Visit Quad Cities to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Union Station. Built in 1924, the historic building is located on Harrison Street near the riverfront. Today it is managed by the Riverfront Improvement Commission and serves as an Iowa Welcome Center and Destination Center for Visit Quad Cities, where visitors can get rent bikes, pick up some local swag, and get personalized recommendations to enhance their Quad Cities experience.
Mayor Matson praised the work of VQC to promote the Quad Cities as a must-experience riverfront destination and shared his vision of improvements coming to downtown Davenport that will make a stunning first impression for visitors in years to come. As part of the celebration, VQC also unveiled a time capsule including items representing modern day life in the region.
Union Station History
Union 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.
In 2022, Union Station was reimagined as a modern Destination Center for Visit Quad Cities. This renovation included interactive design features and modern technology aimed at enhancing the visitor experience while preserving the building’s historic charm.