Davenport River Rats Whit

In 1901, the newly formed Davenport "River Rats" became charter members of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. Davenport's "River Rats" nickname corresponds with the city location along the Mississippi River, where it lies directly across from Rock Island, Illinois. The Davenport Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League teams hosted home minor league games at the Davenport Ball Park through 1906.
The ballpark was built in time for the 1901 season, as community leaders sought to upgrade baseball facilities in order to support a minor league team. The ballpark site was located at Bowditch Street & Second Street in Davenport, Iowa.