Rock Island Arsenal

Historically, the Arsenal employed metal smiths who made swords for the US Cavalry.

Rock Island Arsenal Garrison is an active US Army facility located on a 946-acre island in the Mississippi River. 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.

Today, Rock Island Arsenal Garrison is our nation's largest government owned and operated arsenal. The importance of the island was identified as early as 1809, when it was set aside as a federal military reservation by an Act of Congress.