Author Archives: SCblogger

Museum Week: German American Heritage Center

This year’s Quad Cities Museum Week runs from June 8th through the 16th. Participating institutions have special activities, exhibits, and promotions during the week. One participating museum, the German American Heritage Center, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. They … Continue reading

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75th Anniversary of Invasion of Normandy

June 6, 1944, marks an important turning point for the Allied powers in the European Theatre. 75 years ago the beaches of Normandy were host to thousands of armed forces from the United States, Britain, and Canadian tasked with defeating … Continue reading

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Davenport, Past and Present by Franc B. Wilkie

Davenport, Past and Present published in May 1858 by the publishing house of Luse, Lane & Co. in Davenport, Iowa was an anticipated volume recounting the early history of Davenport through personal and anecdotal reminiscences, biographical sketches of influential men, … Continue reading

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Captain J.S. Slaymaker

Jonathan Smith Slaymaker was born in York, Pennsylvania on March 31, 1835. He worked as a civil engineer for the railroad. He came to Davenport and lived with his uncle Henry on Brady Street, between 14th & 15th.   On April … Continue reading

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A Flood of Images: May 2019 – a new historic crest

As the Quad Cities moves into May we are at 49 days and counting above flood stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Rock Island, IL. This breaks all previous continual flooding records at that lock. (Update 05/13/2019 – At 3:00 … Continue reading

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May Flowers: 20 Years Ago at Vander Veer Park

Enjoy these beautiful photographs taken 20 years ago at Vander Veer Botanical Park. These images are part of Acc #2003-09 Davenport Leisure Services & Facilities Collection.   (posted by Cristina) Acc #2003-09 Box 81 Folder 839

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A Flood of Images: April 2019

We are beginning to wonder if we will be “weather challenged” in 2019. January started off with four new weather records as recorded by the National Weather Service in Moline, IL.* January 30th gave us a new record daily low … Continue reading

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“Libraries = Strong Communities”: DPL in April 1919

As our way of celebrating National Library Week (April 7-13) here at the RSSC Center, we are looking at examples of how the Davenport Public Library of one hundred years ago fits well into 2019’s theme: “Libraries = Strong Communities.” In … Continue reading

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A Flood of Images: A small sample from 1916, 1920, and 1993

Spring has once again brought rising waters for our local rivers. We are currently very fortunate to not have experienced the major flooding that the western part of our state has gone through in recent weeks. As we wait for … Continue reading

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Henry Farnam’s Life and Work Near the Mississippi

The name Henry Farnam is not unheard of in this area. Mr. Farnam’s legacy and his influence was felt in the world of railroads, particularly the ever-growing network of railway lines spreading from the East. He was born in Scipio, … Continue reading

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