Author Archives: SCblogger

Scott County Valentines

As we continue to catalog negatives in the Free-Hostetler collection, we were tickled to discover that the young man in this image was born on February 14, 1897 and given the first name of “Valentine!” Valentine was born in Lincoln … Continue reading

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#ColorOurCollections Week Featured Artist: Mary Costello

This week marks another #ColorOurCollections Week. We are pleased to offer the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center’s Coloring Book Volume 3: From the Mayflower to the Lock & Dam. This volume celebrates the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the … Continue reading

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Mayflower Families – George Soule

2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony. Commemorative publications, programs, and tours are planned in the US, the UK, and the Netherlands by various organizations, including the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, … Continue reading

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National Handwriting Day: January 23, 2020

To celebrate National Handwriting Day, we thought we would share handwriting samples from the early years of the City of Davenport. Not only are handwritten documents from the city historically important, but we enjoy the different styles of handwriting shown … Continue reading

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In Memoriam: Patricia Till

We are saddened to hear of the passing of long-time Davenport Public Library employee Pat Till. Ms. Till died Friday, January 10, 2020 at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport. Patricia Emily Till was born July 22, 1949 in Davenport to … Continue reading

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“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

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Exhibit: The 1920s

For our first exhibit of the year, we are taking a look back at life in Davenport a century ago. What kinds of books were children and grown-ups checking out from the library? What were the people attending the symphony … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, Judge John Forrest Dillon

John Forrest Dillon was born in Washington County, New York on December 25, 1831. His family moved to Davenport in 1838 when he was 7 years old. He attended Father Pelamourgues’ school at St. Anthony’s Church until the age of … Continue reading

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New Year’s Eve 1919: Welcoming in a “Dry” 1920

New Year’s Eve 1919 in Davenport, Iowa was a “dry” one. Iowa passed a state prohibition law on January 1, 1916 (one of three states) that included making the production or sale of alcohol in the state illegal. Alcohol was … Continue reading

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In Your Own Words: Oral History Project

Share your stories with us! The In Your Own Words: Oral History Project seeks to involve all individuals willing to tell their own stories as well as the community’s history. This oral history project will focus on specific and relevant … Continue reading

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