The railcar ride to this park was much more nerve-wracking. The rushing water between the island and the mainland was spanned by nothing more than a thin track, along which the car rode.
Some people would try to walk across the bridge, stepping over the wood, from slat to slat. Even if these adventuresome types managed to overcome the fear of losing their balance, they still had to contend with the prospect of the railcar crossing the bridge before they could walk all the way across.
Dr. Zimmer remembers riding this line himself.
"I can remember as a kid going over to Campbell's Island with my parents. There was only the wires above and a thin strip that the car would straddle across the water. It was kind of a frightening experience, especially to a little kid."
As the parks flourished, the streetcars continued to be a success in the Quad-Cities, and the industry's ownership continued to change.
In 1897, the Chicago-based Tri-City Railway Co. took over the operation, including Watch Tower Park. One year later, a local group of investors bought the Tri-City Co., bringing ownership to the Quad-Cities.