With Easter around the corner we went in search of a photograph with a beautiful hat to honor the Easter parades of the past. Women would dress in their latest spring fashions along with stunning hats for these occasions will men would also be in their spring finery, but with more conservative hat styles. Davenport, like many other local cities, held their own parades.
We chose this photograph taken about 1904 that is labeled “Dolly” as Dolly has a stunning hat trimmed with small flowers and a large bow on top. Her dress would be very practical in our cooler than normal Spring weather we have been having this month. We hope Dolly enjoyed her hat as much as we have enjoyed looking at it.
DPLVolume 8, dplx623. “Dolly”. Hostetler Collection. c. 1904.
We wanted to remind everyone that all branches of the Davenport Public Library and the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Department will be closed on Friday, April 18, 2025. The library branches will be open regular hours on Saturday, April 19th. RSSC will reopen for regular hours on Monday, April 21st.
We here at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center were saddened by the news that Ernest Rodriguez, civil rights activist and founding member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in the Quad Cities, had passed away last Saturday, April 5th at the age of 97.
We are fortunate that he has left us with us two accounts of his remarkable life, a written memoir and an oral history recording as part of the “In Your Own Words, 2099-2020” project. He has also shared his story with the University of Iowa’s Migration is Beautiful digital exhibition.
These images of Rodriguez over the years are from the many articles in the Davenport newspapers documenting his experiences and accomplishments.
Davenport Democrat and Leader, 26 June 1951, page 24.
First meeting of LULAC Council 10, 1959, contributed photo to story on the history of the organization in the Quad-City Times, 06 July 2004, page 16. Rodriguez is 4th from the left in the first row.
“Interviewers Start Study on Poverty,” Times-Democrat, 21 July 1967, page 3.
“Minority Coalition Names Coordinator,” Times-Democrat, 18 May 1970 page 15.
Named coordinator of the Area Board for Migrants established in 1970 by the Catholic Dioceses of Davenport, Peoria, and Rockford, Times-Democrat, 27 February 1971, page 12.
Spanish-Speaking Program Coordinator for the U.S. Army Armament Command at Rock Island Arsenal, “Helping Migrants to Find Stability,” Quad-City Times, 03 August 1975, page 13.
Discussing his family’s experiences of racism in Bettendorf and Davenport, Quad-City Times, 19 Nov 1995, page 6M, “Tiempos Latinos” section in Spanish.
While not an April Fools’ prank, we found this postcard in our collection that made us laugh. This novelty card was printed in 1912 and mailed to Master P. Triem in Monee, Will County, Illinois on July 13th that same year. We wish our produce grew that large here in Davenport!
PC 029.1912. Back
Hopefully, everyone is having a happy and amusing April Fools’ Day.
We thought with the weather warming up to look back at this photograph taken in the 1910s of the iron fountain that stood at the Main Street entrance to Central Park (now known as Vander Veer Botanical Park). The fountain stood where the electric fountain stands today.
DPLVolume171. dplvm89-000311. Iron fountain in spring at Vander Veer Park. 1910s.
The money for the fountain was donated anonymously (at the time) to the park board by park board member A. W. Vander Veer in 1907. 25 feet high with a 30 foot basin at the bottom, the spray fountain can be seen in the above picture surrounded by spring tulips. The trees are budding and the bandshell (now gone) can be seen in the right background of the photo.
The Daily Times, May 28, 1907. Pg. 6.
By 1929, the park board was concerned with the structure as the iron had begun to rust. They feared it would be a safety issue to leave it up. Discussions were underway to replace the fountain when the Great Depression hit Davenport and all projects stopped.
In 1934, with financial support from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, the old iron fountain was removed and work began on the cement and stone electric fountain that still stands in the park today.
DPLVol 246. dplvm89-0921. Construction of new cement and stone fountain 1934/1935.
Vander Veer electric Fountain. Postcards – VV – PC 021.
The old fountain has not disappeared completely from Vander Veer Park though. Two faces from the fountain were saved and incorporated into the windmill feature inside the Conservatory.
Quad City Times, July 22, 2003. Pg. 14.
With the weather warming up, it might be time to go exploring Vander Veer Botanical Park to search for signs of spring and hidden gems.
Miss Emma Harper sent this portrait photo postcard to her friend Mamie Cypers at the Iowa Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home in May of 1914. This would have been a few months before 18-year-old Emma’s marriage to Clarence Van Auken in Davenport.
We assume it is an image of Emma herself, perhaps taken on the occasion of her engagement.
The card was postmarked in Grinnell, Iowa. It is not clear why Emma was there at the time. Perhaps she was working as a household servant, as she had in Wilton Township four years earlier, in 1910 (at age 14), according to the US Census.
If Emma had left the Orphans’ Home by 1910, and Mamie had arrived in 1906, the two would have been there together for a maximum of four years. During that time, Emma would have been 11-14 years old and Mamie 8-11.
Emma and her siblings arrived at the Home from Story County sometime after her their father Isaiah Harper’s death in 1895, probably not until after 1900. She, Nettie, and James Harper were all there in 1905, according to the Iowa state census for that year:
Mamie (May Frances) Harper and three of her siblings were sent to the Orphans’ Home under difficult circumstances:
Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), 31 July 1906, page 6.
Mamie would go on to marry three times, first to Russell Whitaker in 1918, with whom she had a son, Harold; then Helge Jennisch in 1924, and Fred Detlef Claussen in 1933. She died in Davenport in 1938 and is buried at Mt. Calvary.
Emma also had one child, Harriet, with Van Auken. The couple divorced by 1930 and she married Elmer Owens in 1934. She died in 1976 and is buried at the Rock Island National Cemetery.
We are fortunate to have received this and a few other photo postcards “from the purged files of the Annie Wittenmyer Home” via one of our most dedicated volunteers, to whom they were given sometime in the 1970s. We will research these as well!
In celebration of spring we are contemplating the blue skies, green hillsides, and flowing waters in this charming 1875 view of Davenport, a recent acquisition for the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center and a fresh addition to the library’s catalog.
Davenport, Iowa River Front, the Most Beautiful City on the Mississippi, 1875, printed in three colors by the National Lithographic Institute in Chicago, conveys well the exuberance of this quickly-developing center of commerce. Steamboats and other vessels glide on the river as a train speeds across the railroad bridge; loads of lumber on the shoreline are readied for building or shipping out; warehouses shelter trade goods; smoke spills from busy brick manufacturing plants; figures hustle through the streets on foot or by horse and carriage. Shops, public buildings, schools, churches, and residences populate the downtown and along the rise to the bluffs. A closer look:
Representations of the city published before this one, complained the Davenport Democrat at the time, ”sacrificed all the beauties to the purpose of making a map rather than a picture…[b]luffs have been lowered, trees felled, houses magnified, and all harmony, truth and beauty ignored…” [2] In contrast, the newspaper writers felt this view was most faithful; it had no “trade advertising or forcing impossible localities into the picture,” no “huddled houses in it at random.” [3] No less than local worthies Charles H. Putnam, Edward Russell, George Parker, Hiram Price, T.W. McClelland, and the Richardson Brothers, among others, endorsed it as “…by far the best that has ever been offered to the public.” [4]
The person responsible for this superior portrait of Davenport was a man named Frank Ibberson Jervis. An immigrant from England, he had arrived in the city about 1864 via France and New York City. “Artist” is the occupation listed by Jervis’ name when it makes its first appearance in the city directories, in 1867.
Our knowledge of Jervis’ life as an artist in the first several year he resided here is limited, but the local papers reveal more activity once his view of Davenport was published. He was working on similar pictures of Rock Island and Iowa City in August of 1875; in September he was the first-prize winner in the “paintings and drawings” category at the Scott County Agricultural Society Fair for “miscellaneous” watercolors. [5] As a promotion for Hoyt’s music store, ladies were invited to pay a dollar each for a chance to win a large watercolor by Jervis. [6] What might the subjects of these artworks created here in Davenport have been? Where are they now?
In the fall of 1876, after twelve years in Davenport, Frank Jervis and his family moved to Chicago. Though residing in the Kensington neighborhood, he kept a studio downtown in the American Express Building on Monroe Street. From there he exhibited and sold his works, and offered art lessons. He was also an instructor for the women of the Chicago Society for Decorative Art, a member of the South Kensington Sketching Club, and involved with the Lydian Gallery. His artworks were displayed in numerous galleries and at exhibitions in the city. Thanks to art critics in the Chicago newspapers, we have the titles of some, including “A Trout Stream in Wisconsin,” “Israel in Egypt,” “Aisle of Westminster Abbey,” and “Entrance to the Cathedral at Brest.” [7] Jervis also hand-painted a flower design on the front of a dress for his daughter Helen’s bridal trousseau. [8]
Frank I. Jervis was much more than a respected visual artist, however. Stay tuned for Part II, when we explore his other considerable talents, as demonstrated here in Davenport in particular!
(posted by Katie)
Sources: [1] Reps, Cities, page 64. Davenport, Iowa River Front is discussed here along with the earlier views of the city, three of which were produced by the Augustus Hageboeck studio in Davenport, and copies of all of which are held by the Putnam Museum; [2] Davenport Democrat, July 14, 1875, page 1; [3] Democrat, August 31, 1875, page 1; [4] Democrat, July 19, 1875. That the statement in this article that this was a limited edition print is borne out by the fact that we can find no evidence of any other copy than the one held by the Putnam Museum. The RSSC Center’s catalog record is the first to be added to OCLC; [5] Democrat, September 10, 1875, page 1; [6] Democrat, April 19, 1876, page 1; [7] Four other titled works by Jervis are in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; [8] Chicago Tribune, November 26, 1882, page 19.
Looking through our archives, we came across a small book printed in 1913. The Saint Katharine’s Cookery Book is filled with recipes from students, faculty, and local supporters of the former girls’ boarding school. Please click here for more information on the history of St. Katharine’s.
2018-18.0041. Cover.
This book has 195 pages filled with recipes covering traditional cookbook categories including soups, meats, salads and sandwiches, and desserts. We have selected a few samples for you to try at home.
2018-18.0041. Page 7.
Lily Pearl’s Chowder caught our attention under Soups with the recipe being submitted by Alice French. Miss French became a well-known writer under the name Octave Thanet. Not only was Alice known for her writing, but also her cooking. She was a popular hostess whose culinary skills were enjoyed by local families and famous individuals alike. Please learn more about Miss French and her cooking here.
2018-18.0041. Pages 46 – 47.
We have two pages of interesting recipes under the chapter of Meat. The first that caught our attention was Old Colonial Easter Ham as we are one month away from Easter Sunday. Delmonico Hash sounds like an easy evening meal while page 47 features recipes that include mutton and liver in soufflés or stew.
2018-18.0041. Page 83.
Under Salads and Sandwiches, we found Asparagus Salad and Asparagus and Radish Salad which seem like lovely salads for the Spring. There are also three salad dressings in case you would like to make your own.
2018-18.0041. Page 91.
College Girls’ Sandwiches sound like a fun sandwich to try on page 91. Heated marshmallows on a sandwich? We are in! Toasted Cheese Sandwiches sound like a unique take on modern grilled cheese sandwiches. It seems like all these sandwiches would be delish for lunch (or a dessert with marshmallows!).
2018-18.0041. Page 123.
We, of course, need to include a page of desserts. Tutti Frutti caught our attention on this page. This dessert became popular after 1860 when it first appeared in England. Originally the recipe included brandy, but this version is more consistent with the recipe moving towards prohibition. We have to say that all the recipes on this page look delicious any time of the year.
We hope you have enjoyed our selections from the St. Katharine’s Cookery Book. If you try any of these recipes, we would love to hear how they taste. Please visit the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections to view the book in person!
As February ends, we would like to celebrate the month of love with one last photo. This photograph of Frederick and Rhoda Denkmann of Rock Island, Illinois caught our attention with the unusual placement of the subjects facing each other in chairs. Taken around 1912, Mrs. Denkmann is in a coat and elaborate hat with (possibly) a fur muff on her lap while Mr. Denkmann is wearing a suit.
DPLVolume 79. dplx741b.
Frederick Carl Denkmann married Rhoda Lee on October 23, 1884, in Rock Island, IL. Mr. Denkmann was the son of Frederick Denkmann, Sr. who was a founder/partner of the Weyerhaeuser-Denkmann Co. which became a profitable lumber and manufacturing company in the United States. Frederick Carl eventually took over the company from his father.
The couple were married until Frederick’s death from a heart attack on February 11, 1929. Rhoda died on November 28, 1936, after an illness of several months. The couple were philanthropists within their community with Mrs. Denkmann carrying on the tradition after Mr. Denkmann’s death. Together with Mr. Denkmann’s brothers, they founded the Denkmann Memorial Library (now Denkmann Memorial Hall) at Augustana College in Rock Island to honor their family. They also made significant contributions to education and local parks to improve the lives of others.
The couple are buried in the Denkmann family mausoleum in Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island, IL.
One hundred years ago this week, plans to house Charles A. Ficke’s art collection in the renovated Armory building (at 5th and Brady Streets) were presented to the Davenport City Council’s Committee of the Whole. This was the first step towards establishing the prized cultural institution now known as the Figge Art Museum.
This event is recorded in Proceedings of the Davenport City Council (for February 18, 1925, pages 14980-14981), available in both print and microfilm here at the RSSC Center. It was also reported in the Davenport Democrat and Leader (page 12) and The Daily Times (page 20) for that same date:
Davenport newspapers, plus other Scott County and regional papers, are available to view at the Center on microfilm; issues of a select few are also available in the original print!
But why did the Mayor and Council need to be involved in starting an art museum? Charles A. Ficke wished to donate his art treasures to the City so they would be accessible to all the people of Davenport.
Unfortunately, the City was at first unable to accept the gift “…because there was no provision under the law for the expenditure of a single dollar for the equipment or maintenance of a suitable public art gallery.” [1]
Inspired by Ficke’s wishes for Davenport, Scott County Representative John T. Hansen introduced a bill in the state legislature that would give Iowa cities with a population of 50,000 or more “the right to erect and maintain a municipal art gallery.” [2] Having been supported by other large cities in the state with similar ambitions, the bill quickly passed and was signed into law by Governor John Hammill.
As soon as this news was received in Davenport, the aldermen at the March 3, 1925 Committee of the Whole meeting unanimously and officially accepted Ficke’s letter tendering his collection of 330 paintings on the condition that the city “…provide a suitable building to house said collection; that it establish a public art gallery, and that it agree to provide the means for the maintenance of such art gallery.” [3] The ordinance establishing the Davenport Municipal Art Gallery was passed later in the month [4], and work on the Armory building began in earnest.
The Gallery’s exterior is shown in the following photographs from the RSSC Center’s image collection:
dpl2004-70
dplvm89-000560, Vol. 345
dplvm89-001287, Vol. 345
For more information on the history of the Davenport Municipal Art Gallery, please see the resources in our Research Guide on the Gallery and Charles A. Ficke.
We are delighted to join the Figge Art Museum in celebration of its 100th Anniversary!
(posted by Katie)
Sources: [1] The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), January 28, 1925, page 6; [2] Davenport Democrat, February 1, 1925, page 7; [3] The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), March 4, 1925, page 13; [4] Davenport (Iowa). City Council. Proceedings, March 18, 1925, pages 15000-15001.
Staff at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Department at the Davenport Public Library would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day.
dpl 1992-01. Vol. 203. Image 499.
This Valentine’s house was built for the season in the old Conservatory at Vander Veer Botanical Park. Originally built in 1897, the Conservatory above was torn down due to age and structural issues in 1954. The currant Conservatory at Vander Veer sits on the same site and opened in November 1955.
The little cupid in front reminds us of our own Donatello reproduction frieze with dancing cherubs. We also wonder at the steam coming from the chimney and how that was achieved. This slide is from the Grover C. von der Heyde Collection that contains slides of the Vander Veer Conservatory from 1949 – 1954 plus wonderful outdoor scenery.
Monday, February 17, 2025 is Presidents Day. A gentle reminder that all branches of the Davenport Public Library and the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Department will be closed. Looking for something to do? How about a masquerade party in honor of our first President and his wife? The photograph below was from a party thrown by William and Minnie Wiese in February 1900.
dplx223. Vol. 36. X263.
If you are able to recreate this party, we would love to see photographs!
