Holiday on Campbell’s Island – circa 1910

Campbell’s Island is an island in the Mississippi River near the city of East Moline, Illinois to which it is connected by a bridge.

The island was a strategic prize in skirmishes with the British in the War of 1812, and was contested in campaigns against indigenous tribes.

In the early years of the 20th century, the island was purchased by a streetcar company who laid trolley tracks across the top of a dam built by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Campbell’s Island became popular “trolley park” offering rides, arcades, and other amusements.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell%27s_Island,_Illinois

Lie other popular resorts, Campbell’s Island had at least one photography studio where vacationers could memorialize their trips.

Sometime around 1910, a group of well-dressed visitors made a postcard photograph as a souvenir.

On the reverse, a thoughtful soul noted the names of almost every member of the group.

Here are:

Minnie Mitchell, Hattie Baxter, Jennie Woodruff, and Bell (Belle?) Smith.

Clint Baxter, and a second man – the writer doesn’t “know his name”.

Campbell’s Island is in northwest Illinois, but the amusement park attracted visitors from far around.

It is possible that our vacationers are from other parts of Illinois, or from Iowa, Wisconsin, or Missouri – states whose borders are close to Campbell’s Island.

One hopes that all persons in the group retained happy memories of their visit to Campbell’s Island.

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