Throughout the Upper Mississippi Valley, George Davenport's name was widely known as a trader with the Sauk and Mesquakie, the U.
Army, and settlers who were attracted to the untapped waterpower surrounding Davenport's home on Rock Island.
The Trader at Rock Island tells the story of George Davenport and his entry into the Indian trade and his eventual transition into services and businesses marketed toward the new settlers.
After the Black Hawk War, Davenport promoted .
