Originally called Baker's Ferry after the first settler in 1835, the town's name was soon changed to Fulton in honor of the famed inventor. During the steamboating days, Fulton was a transfer and warehouse port between the upper and the lower reaches of the Mississippi River. Lumbering was also big part of Fulton's past and huge log rafts were floated from northern forests to sawmills in the area. Fulton, situated on a narrow spot on the river, was a prime crossing to westward migration and for many years ferries ran between the Illinois and Iowa banks.

Fulton drew many nationalities of people but those from the Netherlands were especially drawn to it because of it's position on the Mississippi and soon many Dutch families were living in the area. In 1965, the Spring thaw brought a record volume of water down the Mississippi River and, entirely surrounded by flood waters, Fulton becam a temporary island. An extensive levee now protects Fulton from future floods and not only offers a popular biking and hiking trail but reminds one of the dikes in the Netherlands.

Views of the river are accessible for the physically challenged fron viewing vistas at the West end of 10th Avenue. Construction of an authentic Dutch Windmill, at this same location, began in 1999 with completion in Spring of 2000.

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