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Tag Archives: Rock Island Arsenal
The Quad Cities Museum Alliance
In honor of Quad Cities Museum Week, we’re looking back at previous collaborations by area museums, galleries, and other historical & cultural institutions. 12 major area museums and art galleries got together in 1986 to form the Quad Cities Museum … Continue reading
“Pershing Day,” January 6, 1920
One hundred years ago, the turn of the new year brought great excitement to the citizens of the Quad-Cities. The occasion was a visit from General John J. Pershing, commander in chief of the American Expeditionary Forces and hero of … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged American Legion, Hotel Blackhawk, John J. Pershing, Rock Island Arsenal, World War I
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In Commemoration of Veterans Day: Lieutenant Edward R. Guyer
The observance of Armistice Day began officially on May 13, 1938, through an act of legislation. The holiday was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’” (52 Stat. 351; 5 … Continue reading
The Skelley Girls
In the early 1920s, two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. James Apollinaris Skelley twirled onto the stage. Ann and Monica, the youngest of the Skelley family, delighted in dancing and performing for the local community. The Skelley family was not … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged 1920s, Ann Skelley, Charleston Dance, Dances, Monica Skelley, Rock Island Arsenal
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Veterans Day 2016: Images from the Great War
In honor of Veterans Day we have chosen to post a few photographs from World War I that reside in the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center image collections. Our first photograph is of Major Arthur M. Compton. He was born in Davenport, … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Arthur M. Compton, Great War, Rock Island Arsenal, Soldiers, Veteran's Day, World War I
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Happy Sesquicentennial to the Rock Island Arsenal!
On July 12, 1861 Senator James W. Grimes of Illinois presented Bill S. 19 in the United States Senate. It read as follows: A Bill To establish a national armory on Rock Island, in the State of Illinois. Be it … Continue reading
Before the Arsenal
As many of you may have seen in the newspapers, this month marks the 150th anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal, though the Mississippi River Island it sits on has been part of the history of the Quad-Cities since a … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Black Hawk, Black Hawk War, cemeteries, George Davenport, Makataimeshekiakiak, Rock Island Arsenal
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A Frightful Anniversary
Autumn in the Midwest is usually a time of great beauty and activity. In Davenport the trees begin to glow red and yellow, orange pumpkins appear on doorsteps, and crops are brought in from the fields to provide food and … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Health, Pandemic, Rock Island Arsenal, Spanish Influenza, World War One
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