Campbell's Island is named after Lt. John Campbell, who commanded a regiment of 120 soldiers during the War of 1812. Campbell was moving from St. Louis to Prairie du Chien when they were attacked by Chief Blackhawk and a group of 500 Indians. Campbell lost the battle, but escaped alive. The defeat put the Mississippi River in the hands of the Indians and their British allies.

Today, Campbell's Island is a community that is an unincorporated part of East Moline, Illinois. Folks who live on the island have a small town feel, but they are just down the road from a large population center (Quad Cities). Earlier in the 1900s, the island was a resort area and featured a race track. Recently, the residents voted down a proposal to sell out to a developer who wished to build a resort and casino on the island.

The first bridge at this location was a trolley trestle that had wood planks put down for auto traffic. That bridge likely dated back to the 1880s. A modern automobile bridge was built in 1938. That bridge was totally rebuilt in 1999.