Author Archives: SCblogger

Becoming Iowa: Upper Mississippi: A Wilderness Saga by Walter Havighurst

2021 marks the 175th anniversary of Iowa’s statehood. On December 28, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state admitted into the Union. Commemorative publications, programs, and other events are planned by the Iowa Department of Culture Affairs and communities across the … Continue reading

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The Polar Bear Regatta

Fifty years ago this week, the Lindsay Park Sailing Club was preparing to hold its 12th Polar Bear Regatta on the Mississippi River. The annual sailing race was advertised in the September 26th, 1971 edition of Davenport Times-Democrat with these … Continue reading

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Dear Diary

Dear Diary, on September 22nd each year, we celebrate the way “you” help us document our lives.  Diaries offer us a glimpse into how we change and remind us of events long forgotten. Diaries also offer a reference for future … Continue reading

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The Davenport Levee: Come one, come all to the Owl Carnival!

With the creation of the Davenport Levee Commission in 1911 and the building of the seawall starting in 1912, life along the river front changed for Davenport citizens. Instead of a garbage filled area used mainly by boats loading and … Continue reading

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Davenporters of Note: Jasper Eugene Wood

Jasper E. Wood was born July 27, 1901, in Monmouth, Jackson Co., IA to Everett and Elsie Gertrude (Preston) Wood. His parents divorced soon after and his mom remarried and moved to Tipton, Cedar Co., IA. In 1920 he was … Continue reading

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Davenport in Iowa City and Des Moines

In order to answer questions about the history of Davenport and its people, our reference staff might call upon resources outside the RSSC Center’s own collections and those of other historical organizations in the immediate area. The State Historical Society … Continue reading

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SPECIAL EVENT!! SPECIAL EVENT!! #Iowa175 Celebration!!

#Iowa175 Celebration at The Library | MAIN this Thursday, August 19th from 4:30-7:30 PM, kicking off the Alternating Currents weekend with a fun event of history, music, and culture celebrating the 175th anniversary of Iowa’s statehood! This free event features … Continue reading

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Ghost Towns of Scott County, Iowa: The town of Bethany

We must admit, our title may be a little bit misleading as the town of Bethany in Scott County, Iowa most likely should fall under the category of the town that never was. But the story of Bethany has inspired … Continue reading

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A Pitbull’s Pedigree

Inspired by “Mr. Worldwide” Pitbull’s performance this weekend at the Great Mississippi Valley Fair we set out to find other notable Quad-City “pit bull” terriers. We found a nice photo of a registered pup owned by William Henry Gosch in … Continue reading

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The Amazons of Davenport

Earlier this month, local officials confirmed e-commerce giant Amazon’s plans to build a robotics fulfillment center west of the Davenport Municipal Airport. This is not the first time, however, an enterprise with the name “Amazon” has done business in this … Continue reading

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