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Period: to
Civil War Era
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RIA Arsenal Established
An Act of Congress, approved by President Abraham Lincoln, established an arsenal at Rock Island, in the state of Illinois, for the deposit and repair of arms and other munitions of war. See the full document here. -
MJR Charles P. Kingsbury
MJR Charles P. Kingsbury, the first Commanding Officer, arrives to take command of the island. He began a plan to create Rock Island Arsenal for the Ordnance Department. During his tenure, COL Adolphus J. Johnson was also assigned to the island. As Commanding Officer of the Rock Island Barracks, COL Johnson operated a Confederate prisoner of war camp for the Quartermaster Department. -
Clocktower Cornerstone Laid
The cornerstone of the Clock Tower Building, the first permanent arsenal building, was laid. This was the only building built of the three-building arsenal designed by MJR Charles P. Kingsbury, the first Commanding Officer of Rock Island Arsenal. -
COL Thomas J. Rodman
When COL Thomas J. Rodman, a Brevet Brigadier General, was assigned to Rock Island Arsenal, he redesigned the arsenal on a much grander scale. For his contributions as the Commanding Officer from 1865 to 1871, he is known as “The Father of Rock Island Arsenal.” -
Excavation for Shop B
Excavation for Shop B (Building 60), the first of the Rodman-plan, ten stone shops began. Shop B was located on the north side of Main Avenue and was one of five buildings designated as armory row. These buildings were designed for the manufacture and overhaul of small arms. -
Government Bridge Construction
Construction of what would be known as the Government Bridge of 1872 was begun by the Engineer Department, US Army. The bridge was completed in February 1873. It was an iron bridge with a five spans and a draw span. As a double-decked bridge, it had a single-track railroad deck above a wagon deck. -
LTC Daniel W. Flagler
Upon Rodman’s death, LTC Daniel W. Flagler was selected as his successor. Flagler continued to construct the arsenal according to Rodman’s plan until 1886. Flagler eventually advanced to the position of Chief of Ordnance, and played a significant role in using Rock Island Arsenal’s manufacturing capabilities during the Spanish-American War. -
Recasting Civil War Surplus
Permission was received from the Chief of Ordnance to convert Civil War surplus materiel into items needed to build the arsenal and the armory buildings. All scrap iron, including cannon balls and horseshoes, were recast as pillars, shop fixtures, stair treads and risers, handrails, and fences. -
Begin Manufacturing Equipment
The Chief of Ordnance ordered Rock Island Arsenal to begin manufacturing infantry and cavalry equipment. Most of the equipment the arsenal fielded was Civil War surplus. Any equipment of new manufacture was produced in limited amounts. -
RIA Began Repairing Rifles
Rock Island Arsenal workers began cleaning and repairing rifles. Initially, the Model 1873 rifle and carbine, known as the Trapdoor Springfields, were overhauled. Later, the Krag rifle, seen here, and Krag carbine were overhauled. All of these small arms were manufactured at Springfield Armory in Massachusetts. -
Period: to
Spanish-American War Era
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First Target Printing Press
Rock Island Arsenal built its first target printing press as described in Laidley’s Rifle Firing for $88.85. The machine was installed in the basement of Shop C (Building 104) in the spring of 1881 and was in operation by mid-summer. The press printed three sizes of targets: (A) 4 x 6 feet; (B) 6 x 6 feet; and (C) 6 x 12 feet. Paper targets continue to be printed at Rock Island Arsenal today.
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Stone Shop Completion
As the last stone shop constructed, Shop K (Building 68) was begun in July 1881 and was not completed until 1893, 12 years later. The Rodman plan for ten stone shops was complete. The five buildings on the south side were designated arsenal row and were designed for the manufacture and overhaul of general ordnance materiel. The five buildings on the north side were designated armory row and were designed for the manufacture and overhaul of small arms. -
Government Bridge Open to Public
The Government Bridge was opened to the public. As a double-decker bridge, it had double railroad tracks above the roadway deck. We still use it to cross the Mississippi River today, and it is one of two bridges in the world with a swing span that can rotate 360 degrees for river traffic. The other is the Swing Bridge at Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Designed and constructed by Ralph Modjeski, this bridge established his internationally acclaimed career in bridge design and construction.
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Infantry Equipment Produced
The number and variety of items produced for the soldier by the arsenal and its private contractors between April 1 and August 15, 1898 was remarkable. The arsenal produced 6,000 complete outfits of infantry equipment every day, including, 68,798 blanket bags, 143,932 haversacks, and 152,495 haversack straps. -
Period: to
Pre WWI Era
<a http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/ria-1899-1916' >See more on this time period.</a> -
Blacksmith Shop
In 1905, the blacksmith shop employed 120 workmen. The shop was well equipped with forges; drop, steam and helve hammers; punches; and shears. This shop forged various items needed by the manufacturing and assembling departments at the arsenal. -
Harness Shop
The machine room in Rock Island Arsenal’s harness shop was where all heavy pieces and awkward or irregular shapes were cut from leather stock by means of dies and presses. The harness shop employed over 600 men, and they produced artillery harness, bridles, halters, saddles, saddlebags, leather leggings, rifle scabbards, and pack outfits. -
RIA Museum Opens to the Public
The Rock Island Arsenal Museum opens to the public. Originally established as the Ordnance Museum at Rock Island Arsenal, it is the second oldest U.S. Army museum.
Although the museum continues to display firearms that were originally exhibited, the museum’s current mission is to portray the history of Rock Island Arsenal and Arsenal Island. Interpretive exhibits focus on “People, Processes and Products.” -
Invantry Equipment Board Met at RIA
The Infantry Equipment Board met at Rock Island Arsenal in 1909 and 1910. They selected the type and design of equipment an infantry soldier would carry. This equipment was designated the Model 1910. -
Machinist Apprentice School Founded
The Machinist Apprentice School was founded on May 16, 1910. An apprentice in 1916 is learning to operate a milling machine. This program provided skilled machinists for the manufacturing area at Rock Island Arsenal. -
Cavalry Equipment Board Met at RIA
The Cavalry Equipment Board met at Rock Island Arsenal in 1910 and 1911, and posed for this photograph at the conclusion of their project. They considered changes to the cavalry horse equipment, the personal equipment issued to a cavalry soldier, and the cavalry pack. This equipment was designated the Model 1912. -
Gun Carriage
Rock Island Arsenal manufactured the carriages for the Model 1906, 4.7-inch gun and the Model 1902, 3-inch field gun. The guns were manufactured at Watervliet Arsenal in New York, and were mounted to the carriage at this arsenal. The support vehicles for these weapons, like limbers, caissons, and battery and store wagons, were also produced here. -
Fort Armstrong Replica dedicated
From 1816 to 1836, Fort Armstrong was located on the island of Rock Island and served as a cornerstone for the developing local community. Its importance was recognized in 1916 when a committee of local citizens built a replica blockhouse to mark the site of the former fort. The dedication of the replica blockhouse on June 19, 1916, was the central event in a week of centennial celebration activities. The festivities included special church services, the first bi-state parade, and pageants. -
Period: to
WWI Era
<a http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/ria-1917-1934' >See more on this time period.</a> -
RIA Fire Department organized
The Rock Island Arsenal Fire Department was organized. The department of twenty firemen and a fire chief display their fire control equipment exactly one month later, on May 1, 1918. -
Artillery Ammunition Assembling Plant
Construction of Shop L (Building 250 today) as an Artillery Ammunition Assembling Plant began. It was only used for its intended purpose during the WWI. A total of 167,000 artillery shells were loaded for the war effort. -
Last 100 Mark VIII Tanks completed
The last 100 Mark VIII tanks assembled at Rock Island Arsenal were completed. The first lot production of tanks occurred at Rock Island Arsenal. One hundred Mark VIII tanks, also known as Liberty tanks, were assembled from available components. Based on a British design, they were modified for Browning machine guns and Liberty engines. -
Charles Lindbergh Visits
During a campaign to promote commercial aviation, famed aviator Charles A. Lindbergh flew “The Spirit of St. Louis” to the Tri-Cities. He spent the night a Quarters One as the guest of Col David M. King, Commanding Officer of Rock Island Arsenal. -
Sight Department
Established in 1920, the Sight Department was one of only a few in the entire United States equipped to repair and adjust intricate instruments, such as binoculars, scopes, periscopes, and range finders. Located on the top floor of the W1 Warehouse (Building 350), the Sight Department continued to handle complicated repair work at Rock Island Arsenal during WWII. -
Period: to
WWII Era
<a http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/ria-1935-1949' >See more on this time period.</a> -
75mm Guns
Before US involvement in WWII, 75mm guns to be shipped to Europe are posed outside WI (Building 350). This warehouse building was built during WWI. Prior to US involvement in the war in Europe, in 1938, production areas were reopened to provide manufacturing support for artillery, tank parts, and machine guns. -
Vehicles in Shop M
Shop M (Building 220) was initially constructed during WWI for the manufacture of field and siege artillery carriages. The versatility of its Craneway is demonstrated by its support of the arsenal’s mission to develop and produce light tanks and combat cars in the inter-war period. -
Tank/Artillery/Machine Gun Manufacture
An arsenal worker operates a Rockford hydraulic shaper. In 1939, the War Department assigned Rock Island Arsenal the manufacturing responsibility for tanks, artillery, and machine guns. During WWII, the tank mission was reassigned to Detroit Arsenal. -
RIA received first Army-Navy "E"
Rock Island Arsenal received its first Army-Navy “E” award for outstanding achievement in war production. Four subsequent awards were received during WWII. -
Period: to
Post WWII Era
<a http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/ria-1950-1964' >See more on this time period.</a> -
3.5" Superbazooka
Rock Island Arsenal’s most publicized contribution to the Korean War was the 3.5-inch superbazooka. The first shipment of superbazookas was air transported 13 days after US troops were ordered into battle. One week later, on July 20, 1950, seven Soviet tanks were knocked out with the superbazooka in a decisive battle. -
Ordnance Weapons Command headquartered at RIA
The Ordnance Corps established the Ordnance Weapons Command headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal. This command also included Springfield Arsenal in Massachusetts and Watertown Arsenal in New York. -
Tool and Equipment Division
Rock Island Arsenal established a Tool and Equipment Division when the tool mission was transferred from Rossford Ordnance Depot in Ohio. The arsenal was now responsible for stocking and fielding 65,000 different items, including hand tools, band saws, and grinding machines. This remains an important mission for the arsenal today. -
Period: to
Pre Gulf War Era
<a http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/ria-1965-1982' >See more on this time period.</a> -
National Match Rebuild Program Relocated to RIA
National Matches are held each year at Camp Perry in Ohio. The finest rifles and pistols available are provided for use in the National Matches. When Springfield Armory in Massachusetts was closed in 1967, its small arms mission was transferred to Rock Island Arsenal. This arsenal was now responsible for the National Match Rebuild Program that modified the M1 and M14 rifles and M1911A1 pistols for the target shooter. -
RIA on National Registrer of Historical Places
Rock Island Arsenal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. -
Craneway (Shop M)
The Craneway in Shop M (Building 220) shows the heart of Rock Island Arsenal’s manufacturing mission. -
First Howitzers Completed
A ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the first two M198, 155 mm howitzers. The M198 howitzer became one of the arsenal’s most successful products, as the arsenal was involved in its design, development, manufacture, and assembly. From 1979 to 1995, 421 complete howitzers and 1,908 M45 recoil mechanisms were produced. -
President Carter Visits RIA
When President Jimmy Carter stepped ashore on Rock Island Arsenal, he became the only President to visit Rock Island Arsenal while in office. The Carter family was vacationing on the Delta Queen, and a ceremony was held for the President while the boat locked through Locks and Dam 15. The President was greeted by MG Eicher, Commanding General, US Army Armament Material Readiness Command, and COL Kronkaitis, Commanding Officer, Rock Island Arsenal. -
Period: to
Gulf War Era
<a http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/ria-1983-2000' >See more on this time period.</a> -
Groundbreaking on Kingsbury Manufacturing Complex
The groundbreaking ceremony for Project REARM (Renovation of Armament Manufacturing) began a project to modernize the arsenal’s manufacturing facilities. This facility, the Kingsbury Manufacturing Complex, was named for the first Commanding Officer of Rock Island Arsenal. -
Historic District Dedication
COL David T. Morgan, Jr., Commanding Officer of the Rock Island Arsenal, participated in the dedication ceremony held to designate the historic district of Rock Island Arsenal as a National Historic Landmark. -
Contact Maintenance Truck Production
Production of the Contact Maintenance Truck (Heavy) or CMTH began in 1996. A HMMWV (High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle or Humvee) is converted into a mobile repair shop capable of repairing and maintaining tactical wheeled and tracked vehicles. The conversion continues to be performed today at workstations in the Kingsbury Manufacturing complex. -
M60A3 Tank Conversion Project
The project to convert M60A3 tanks to simulate the Russian BMP Infantry Combat Vehicle begins. When the conversion is complete, the BMP is an unmanned, remote controlled target test system. It is designed to train US troops on how to locate and track an opposing army’s vehicle with the use of thermal imaging. -
Period: to
New Millenium
<a http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/ria-2001-2012' >See more on this time period.</a> -
1000th Forward Repair System
RIA-JMTC celebrated the completion of the 1,000th Forward Repair System. Production of the Forward Repair System (FRS) began in June 2000 with the first rollout ceremony in September 2000. The FRS is a mobile, self-contained repair shop for field-level repair and maintenance of major combat systems, such as the Abrams tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle. -
First Army Uncased Colors
First Army uncased its colors and established headquarters at Rock Island Arsenal. LTG Mick Bednarek, First Army Commanding General (left) and CSM Jesse L. Andrews Jr. unfurl the organizational colors. Since 9-11 First Army has trained over 700,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Civilians at its 10 Mobilization Training Centers. -
M14-EBR Enhanced Battle Rifle
The first contract of 5,000 M14-EBRs was completed by TACOM LCMC-RI. The Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) was a reconfigured M14 rifle that was more accurate, had a longer range, and could be used both day and night.
