Belgians+in+Moline

Original Author: Diana Chan, ENG299 & ENG400, FL10 Revision Author:
 * Belgians in Moline **

The Belgian population in Moline is the second largest in the nation following Detroit and a 1948 estimate showed approximately 5,000 Belgians in Moline (Souvenir 1). As Belgians arrived to America they migrated towards the Mississippi River. The typical travel pattern was to go to St Louis, travel north along the Mississippi and settle on what is now known as Arsenal Island. However, throughout the 1840’s and 1850’s they were forced off the Island as the government took ownership of the Arsenal Island (Morrisey 1).

The Belgians from Flanders found the region to be very similar to their homeland in both climate and geography so it seemed an ideal location in which to settle. Immigration of Belgians to Moline continued and the next wave of immigrants that arrived in 1907 stayed in Moline. By this time, most Belgians who left Belgium did so with family members to greet them in Moline. Most, if not all of the Belgians in Moline are from the Northern most region of Belgium known as Flanders. The typical pattern that existed for most immigrants coming to American in the 19th and early 20th century was to work for a short period of time, earn money, then return home. It would seem since the Belgians were not fleeing due to persecution, they too would follow this pattern. However, most came to stay and this trend proved true for the first wave of Belgian immigrants as well as the second wave of Belgian immigrants who arrived at the turn of the 20th century just prior to World War I. According to Rock Island county court records, most Belgian immigrants immediately applied for United States citizenship. The next step was to purchase property. 95 percent of Belgians who relocated to Moline and the outlying areas became property owners (Norris 1979). The Belgians moved out into Moline as well as what is now known as Henry County. Being primarily farmers in their homeland of Flanders, they sought out the fertile lands in present day Annawan, Atkinson and Kewanee for farming (Morrisey 1).

The Flemish area of Moline was from 1st to 16th street Moline and from 18th avenue to down the hill at 8th avenue. This was due to the fact that by then, 18th avenue was a flourishing Belgian area. One could find Flemish shops, banks, and community centers in the Belgian area of town. De Smet’s tavern was a “’Home away from home’” (Morrissey 1). Belgian men would gather there to not only drink beer, but to play cards and form teams for games of Rolle Bolle, a favorite Belgian sport (Morrisey 1). Anyone who was Flemish could live his life in Moline and feel at home. Businesses in this district served the Flemish speaking population solely. During the 19th and early 20th century, a Belgian could speak only Flemish and not have any difficulties or language barriers while engaging in day to day activities.

While the influx of Belgians to Moline started as early as the 1840s, the largest wave of Belgian immigrants arrived in the later part of the 19th century in response to the boom in industry in Moline. John Deere had a business here and word had traveled throughout Flanders of job opportunities. Belgium being small and densely populated meant a limit in opportunities for these Flemish farmers. Young men especially arrived in large numbers during this period of immigration. Once settled in, they would send for their wives and children in Flanders. The Deere plant was in close proximity to the Flemish area of town and men could walk down the hill to their job everyday (Willard 1978).

Deere was not the only business in town. John Bernard Meersman owned a local brickyard, making all of the bricks for homes, businesses, and roads in the area. Later he handed the business down to his sons Eli and Peter John Meersman. John Bernard then started three Belgian general stores in Moline which he operated until his death in 1934. Another popular and flourishing Belgian business in the area is the Belgian mustard plant, Boetje’s (Morrisey ND). Also the Flemish worked in the automobile plant that was in Moline during that late 19th and early 20th century (Willard 1978).


 * Works Cited **

Morrissey, M. (No Date). Belgians bring more than pigeon racing. Retrieved from the Belgian cultural center. moline, il.

Norris, J ( 1979 3 Jan). Belgian Immigration-From old country farms to… Argus. retrieved from the Belgian cultural center. Moline, il.

Willard, J. (1978 5 Feb). Moline’s Belgian Heritage. The Times.

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