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Category Archives: Local History
The Mysterious Poisoning of the Foulk Children
It was a mystery that shocked the state of Iowa in October 1905. Who would leave poisoned candy in the room of an elderly widowed Civil War veteran with a note saying it was for his young children? Children who … Continue reading
The Family of Jasinto Almeida in El Registro Civil
One of the earliest Mexican-born residents of Davenport, according to a search of the U.S. and Iowa state population censuses, was a man named Jasinto (Jacinto) Almeida. Jasinto’s card from the 1915 state census (accessed via AncestryLibrary) shows that the … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged Almeida, Civil registration records, Genealogy, Mexico, Registro Civil, Reveles, vital records, Zacatecas
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Opening the Box: Davenport Gyro Club Records
We’re opening the box of our recent donation of the Davenport Gyro Club Records. We received this collection this past summer. It contains meeting minutes, membership records, publications, and photographs of its membership and activities. This collection helps us to … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Davenport (Iowa), Gyro Club, Local History, organizations, Photographs, Resources
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All Hail the High School Mascots!
Fall in the Quad Cities brings the return of many well-loved things. Beautiful fall leaves along the Mississippi River, pumpkin patches and apple orchards, and Friday night football games. Many of our local high schools have mascots who attend games … Continue reading
Farm Labor in Pleasant Valley, 1940s-1960s
The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center is grateful to Leonard Lopez of Moline, Illinois, for donating a set of photographs that document his family’s experiences harvesting onions and other produce for farmers in Pleasant Valley, Iowa. In fact, we were so … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Farms, Kerr, Lopez, Onions, Pleasant Valley, Ramos, Schutter, Watkins
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Melodies and Lyrics from the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center
Musical collections within the scope of a special collections department may sometimes seem like an afterthought or materials to round out a collection. In Davenport and the Quad Cities region, music was integral to many communities settling in this area. … Continue reading
Posted in Library, Local History
Tagged Davenport (Iowa), Local History, Music, Musicians, Programs, Resources
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The Turnbull Ice Cream Cone Company
In celebration of Labor Day 2023, we are posting pictures of the Turnbull Ice Cream Cone Company which operated in Davenport for a short time in the 1920s and 1930s. Francis W. Turnbull opened the factory in early January 1925. … Continue reading
Coming Up: Ricki King on Iowa’s Black Pioneers!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 9th, when the Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society (SCIGS) and the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center present a talk by Ricki King on “Iowa’s Black Pioneers.” King, a credentialed genealogist and professional researcher specializing in … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged African Americans, Black history, Genealogy, Local History, Ricki King
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Mysteries in the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center: Ettie Hirsch Photographs
In our collections, we preserve the past for present and future users. In some cases, when we receive donations, our donors are unable to share information pertinent to identifying and describing the materials. Thus our efforts to share our history … Continue reading
The F. J. Stahmer Shoe Company
Not only do we encourage you to join the Davenport Public Library’s “QCMade” events for a behind-the-scenes look at the places where local goods are created in present-day Davenport and surroundings, but also to visit us at the Richardson-Sloane Special … Continue reading
