Author Archives: SCblogger

Closed on Presidents Day

Sadly, no one we know has planned a “Martha Washington Party” as was held in February 1900 by Mrs. William Henry (Minnie) Wiese. We do hope your Presidents Day is a wonderful day. We look forward to seeing everyone when … Continue reading

Posted in Library | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Valentine for Special Collections

Love it! A timely Valentine’s Day surprise arrived this week at the RSSC Center, just as we were puzzling over our blog post about the holiday. It was a box of Valentine’s cards belonging to a Davenport girl! Frances Helen … Continue reading

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Happy Retirement, Karen!

Another happy and sad moment for the Davenport Public Library and especially the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center. Karen O’Connor is retiring today, February 2nd, 2024 after 24 years and eight months of dedicated service. Karen started in Special Collections on … Continue reading

Posted in Library | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Winter Works

We salute all those who are working outdoors this snowy, icy, rainy January of 2024! Of the many projects undertaken by the Civil Works Administration in Scott County during the Great Depression, two of those directed by the Davenport Park … Continue reading

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Winter Fashion: Mrs. Therese Krouse

We found this delightful image of Therese (Steffen) Krouse taken about 1910 that reminded us of winter. Taisy, as she was nicknamed, was married to John Edwin Krouse who was President of the Davenport Pearl Button Company. Mrs. Krouse was … Continue reading

Posted in Genealogy | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Snowy Scenes of Davenport Past

As the second major storm of the second week of 2024 approaches, we invite you to enjoy these snowy scenes of Davenport past from somewhere safe indoors! Unless otherwise noted, the images below are from the Davenport Chamber of Commerce … Continue reading

Posted in Local History | Leave a comment

A Winter Library Visit: The Independent Baking Company

We always enjoy looking at this picture taken in the mid-to-late 1910s at the Independent Baking Company at 2429 Rockingham Road. It is a winter scene with the librarian checking books in and out for children dressed against the cold … Continue reading

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Davenporters in the Domain

This coming Monday, January 1, 2024, we celebrate “Public Domain Day,” when copyright protections under U.S. law expire for books published in the year 1928. Works such as D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterly’s Lover, Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, W.E.B. Du Bois’ Dark … Continue reading

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Living Memory History: The Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery Christmas display

It started as a very small and simple display during December 1937. Just a manger near a waterfall and lights on two nearby trees. It became what was thought to be the nation’s largest Christmas display with thousands of families … Continue reading

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

December DOBs in Davenport

These fresh-faced young Davenporters were born in the month of December in the 19-teens, their images captured by portrait photographer J.B. Hostetler. Irene Katherine Stoltenberg was born on December 2nd, 1913, the daughter of John Marcus and Kate Oden Stoltenberg. … Continue reading

Posted in Genealogy, Local History | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment