Author Archives: SCblogger

Famous Beards of Davenport

In case you need some inspiration for No-Shave November, here are some fantastic historic beards from our Hostetler Studio Photograph Collection. The Dumbledore look: The circus ringleader/movie villain look: The beard-scarf, for the predicted cold temperatures:   The Abe Lincoln muttonchops … Continue reading

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The Much Photographed Wedding of Anna Streckfus and Edward Manthey

Anna Streckfus married Edward Thomas Manthey on November 12, 1913. The bride was the daughter of Captain John Streckfus, owner of the extremely successful Streckfus Steamboat line, and the groom was from a wealthy and influential New Orleans family. According … Continue reading

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Still Doing His Rounds: The Haunting of 723 Main Street

Join us tonight at 7pm at the Fairmount Street Branch Library for a spooky talk from Terry Fisk, author of The Iowa Road Guide to Haunted Locations. Mr. Fisk’s book includes two entries for Davenport.  One is on the “Banshee of … Continue reading

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Mark Your Calendars: Plus-60 Club Genealogy Event at the Library!

The Quad-City Times Plus-60 Club is hosting an Introduction to Genealogy Research Event on October 30 (this Thursday) from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the Film Room of the Main Street Davenport Library. Following a presentation, given by our our … Continue reading

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The Mysterious Orphaned Limb of Oakdale Memorial Gardens

There are many mysteries to be found and puzzled over in our local cemeteries. The one that we are asked about most often is a simple headstone found at the end of a very long row in the Iowa Soldiers’ … Continue reading

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Scott County’s Rotten Bridge

If you read this blog, you already know how much we love solving local history mysteries around here. Our latest one, featuring a peculiar epitaph referring to a tragic death, is perfect not only for this chilly month known for … Continue reading

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A Postcard View: St. Luke’s Hospital 1898

The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center recently received a donation of postcards showing different buildings and scenes around Davenport over the years. The above postcard is a black and white photo of St. Luke’s Hospital taken around 1898. The building was formerly the Daniel … Continue reading

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What are you doing this Sunday?

Are the nuts in your family tree so well hidden you suspect that squirrels may be involved? We in the Special Collections Center understand.  And we are once again opening our Center on a Sunday to give you a little … Continue reading

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A Genealogical Mystery: The Beiderbecke Family

The Beiderbecke name has been made internationally famous due to the talent and success of jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke. Locally, though, the Beiderbecke name has been well-known in the area since 1856 when Charles Beiderbecke, Bix’s grandfather, moved to Davenport … Continue reading

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Guess who’s on the Network to Freedom?

We always knew Oakdale Cemetery was a special place, but it took students from Nebraska to prove it to the National Park Service. A while back, a group of Arlington High School honor students came to Davenport to research the … Continue reading

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