Closed for Memorial Day
The Davenport Public Library will be closed
Monday, May 27, 2013
For Memorial Day
We will reopen on Tuesday, May 28, at 9:30.
RSSC’s Featured Image
- How did people keep cool before air-conditioning was invented?
In the 1890s, they used the River!
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For your convenience, please explore our page of upcoming genealogical and local history events in the Quad-City area.
Be sure to mark these dates down in your own calendar!
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Tag Archives: Davenport (Iowa)
Davenporters of Note: Lottie Boies Clapp
Women’s History Month provides reminders of the importance of the contributions of women to our present society, culture, and communities. Many women did this by filling traditional roles, but others took on non-traditional, necessary tasks—and some of them were the … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Clapp Mortuary, Davenport (Iowa), Lottie Boies Clapp, Women's History
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The Rise and Fall of the Hickey Brothers
In 1901, William Hickey and his kid brother Dennis pooled their savings and opened a little cigar store at 123 East Third Street. It did pretty well. So well, in fact, that in five years, they opened a second store … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Davenport (Iowa), Hickey Brothers, Local History, William Hickey
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The Colored School Controversy
In August of 1857, Iowans ratified their State Constitution, including Article IX, which established a popularly elected state board of education authorized to provide “for the education of all the youths of the State, through a system of common schools” … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged African-Americans, Children, Davenport (Iowa), Davenport Schools, Local History, Racism, segregation
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Gordon Van Who?
If you’re new to the Quad-Cities, you might hear someone point to a specific house, maybe a nice Craftsman-like bungalow down East Locust Street or a lovely Tudor in McClellan Heights, and say, “That’s a Gordon Van-Tine home.” And you … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Architecture, Davenport (Iowa), Gordon-Van Tine, Local History, U.N. Roberts
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The Annexation Vote of 1957
At the municipal election on November 5th, 1957, the citizens of Davenport voted on a proposal to annex two separate areas totaling 28 square miles to the City of Davenport. The first area covered 11 square miles west of the … Continue reading
Pop Quiz! Can you name these Davenporters of Note?
Most people know famous Davenporters by name, but can you name them by their photographs? The answers are at the end—let us know how you did in the comments! __________________________________ A. The son of the man who established the first … Continue reading
One hundred years ago: Davenport High School, Class of 1912
In June of this year, around 883 students graduated from our three Davenport high schools. In contrast, eighty-eight students received their diplomas from Davenport High School in June of 1912. It was one of the largest classes on record, and only … Continue reading
One hundread years ago: Tyler School Class of 1912
On June 20, 1912, students from 12 grammar schools in Davenport received diplomas. Due to the large number of graduates that year, the classes were split in two groups. Students from Washington, Monroe, Van Buren, Tyler, Taylor and Lincoln schools had their program at 10:00 … Continue reading
Mrs. Hilda Matthey: Civic Worker or Spy?
Hilda Amalia Mueller Matthey was born in Davenport on July 16, 1869 to Christian and Elfrieda Mueller. She married Dr. Heinrich Emil Matthey on March 3, 1890, at her parents’ home on 530 Ripley Street. They made their home at … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Civic Clubs, Davenport (Iowa), Dr. Henry Matthey, Germany, Mrs. Hilda Matthey, Red Cross, Social Organizations, Spies, Travel, Women, World War I
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“Quietly Utilizing Our Total Ability”: The Davenport Quota Club
Quota Club International Incorporated was chartered on February 6, 1919 in Buffalo, New York. It was the first international women’s club and was made up of professional women. Quota is a Latin word that means “A share of one part … Continue reading