Pretty much; I hadn't been there since the late 1960's, so when I made a trip to Silvis around 1990, I could not believe how the older parts of the Quad Cities had rotted away. It only got worse in subsequent years. On the infrequent spousal drag-me-alongs, I go over there with the attitude of a reluctant schlub who is made to dash through the primate cage at a really weird small zoo.
My dad (80+) says the Quad Cities (I think they were the "Tri-Cities" back then) were always rough and dirty, but relatively safe to be in back in the day. He and his brothers thought nothing of hitchhiking in and walking around until thumbing their way back home. Hell, today they'd be in imminent danger of any number of things. Thank goodness today's America is so much more tolerant and civilized, eh?
Mr. niteowl77