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Category Archives: Local History
A Winter Library Visit: The Independent Baking Company
We always enjoy looking at this picture taken in the mid-to-late 1910s at the Independent Baking Company at 2429 Rockingham Road. It is a winter scene with the librarian checking books in and out for children dressed against the cold … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged bookmobile, Friendly House, Independent Baking Company, Library Stations, Winter
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Davenporters in the Domain
This coming Monday, January 1, 2024, we celebrate “Public Domain Day,” when copyright protections under U.S. law expire for books published in the year 1928. Works such as D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterly’s Lover, Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, W.E.B. Du Bois’ Dark … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Charles Edward Russell, copyright, Local History, public domain, Susan Glaspell
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Living Memory History: The Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery Christmas display
It started as a very small and simple display during December 1937. Just a manger near a waterfall and lights on two nearby trees. It became what was thought to be the nation’s largest Christmas display with thousands of families … Continue reading
December DOBs in Davenport
These fresh-faced young Davenporters were born in the month of December in the 19-teens, their images captured by portrait photographer J.B. Hostetler. Irene Katherine Stoltenberg was born on December 2nd, 1913, the daughter of John Marcus and Kate Oden Stoltenberg. … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged Genealogy, Hostetler Studios, Photographs, Stoltenberg, Waack, Wilhelm
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In Memoriam: Richard “Dick” Muller
It is with great sadness we have learned of the passing of Dick Muller who not only gifted us with his time and talents, but also volunteered at many other organizations throughout the Quad Cities. Richard George Muller, who went … Continue reading
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Thanksgiving in Davenport, 1857
On November 26, 1857, the Right Reverend Henry Washington Lee, Bishop of the [Protestant Episcopal] Diocese of Iowa, delivered a Thanksgiving [1] sermon [2] at the recently-constructed St. Luke’s Church on 7th and Brady Streets in Davenport. In “The True … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Bishop Henry W. Lee, Episcopal, Local History, St. Luke's Church, Thanksgiving
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Turkey Notes: Ode to Bill Wundram
It’s Turkey Note time again. Our annual tribute to this uniquely Quad Cities tradition. These three- or four-line poems traditionally wrapped in colorful paper, rolled, and tied on each end with fringed edges were created for Thanksgiving. They brought laughs, … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Alice Downer, Bill Wundram, Harry Downer, Holiday Traditions, poems, Thanksgiving, Turkey Notes
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In Honor of Our Quad-City Veterans
On this Veterans Day 2023, we invite you to explore our collection of interviews with local men and women who served in the United States military during World War II and the Korean War. With support from the Riverboat Development … Continue reading
Unsolved: The death of Martha Kistenmacher
The evenings had just begun to get darker sooner due to the end of Daylight Saving Time on October 29, 1978. The darkness and colder weather of autumn had begun to take over, leaving the lighter evenings of summer just … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Clara Schiele, Main Street, Martha Kistenmacher, Murder, Purse Snatching, Unsolved Crimes
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2023 QC Archives Fair at the Hauberg Estate
Join us in celebrating the fifth annual Quad Cities Archives Fair on Saturday, October 28th from 1-4 PM! This year’s Archives Fair will be held at the Hauberg Estate located at 1300 24th Street, Rock Island, 61201. Quad Cities Archives … Continue reading
