The MLK Interpretive Center in Davenport, IA

What is the MLK Interpretive Center?

Donate Here to Preserve Local Cultural and Ethnic History

The MLK Interpretive Center is in downtown Davenport between Brady and Perry, just north of the railroad tracks. It is housed in a building that includes mixed income housing. The land adjacent to the Interpretive Center will one day become a memorial plaza. The Friends of the MLK Interpretive Center is a charitable, 501(c)(3) non profit that, as one of its missions, supports development and maintenance of the interpretive center and adjacent memorial plaza.

How Will the Funds Raised by PACG Help
​the MLK Interpretive Center?

The MLK Interpretive Center will have large and small display screens (kiosks) with local African American history, as well as other cultural and ethnic history (eg, Mexican American, Native American). Some of the screens will be interactive. The picture below shows what the kiosks look like. One of the large display screens has already been installed. PACG hopes to fund the installation of one of the remaining large display screens.

Also notice the beautiful mural depicting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, as well as other figures and elements tied to the history of our community.

Donate Here to Preserve Local Cultural and Ethnic History

The History of the MLK Interpretive Center

The Martin Luther King Plaza and  Interpretive Center was founded to commemorate the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 2014 the Davenport City Council voted unanimously to use the 5th Street lot between Brady Street and Perry Street for the development of the Davenport, Iowa Martin Luther King Memorial Park.
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This site was chosen due to its significant history, including:

1. The property was the location of mixed race restaurant, entertainment, and rooming houses from at least the 1880's to the 1940's.
2. The first African American owned business was located on the property. Linsey Pitts was a former slave from Missouri and a veteran from the Civil War. Before his business he worked as a laborer and a barber. Eventually, Linsey opened the very first African American saloon at 120 E 5th St.
3. The area along 5th Street was derogatorily called "Africa Row," "Darktown Row," or "Ethiopia" by local newspapers.
4. The area was frequented by famished African American train passengers getting off the train at the nearby Chicago, Pacific, and Rock Island depot.
5. The property is possibly the location of the Blue Bird Tavern, a legendary hot jazz and dance spot in the "Black" part of town. Legend has it that young talents such as Bix Beiderbecke also performed here after hours.