Author Archives: SCblogger

Library Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday!

Posted on November 26, 2013 by SCblogger

The Davenport Public Library and our Special Collections Center will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 28th and 29th for Thanksgiving. We WILL be open our usual hours on Saturday, November 30th Enjoy your holiday!

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Turkey Fun Turkey Pun!

Posted on November 21, 2013 by SCblogger

It’s time to start thinking about writing those Turkey Notes again! Don’t know what Turkey Notes are? Our best explanation for this Davenport tradition of sharing questionable poetry can be found here. And our best staff efforts this year can … Continue reading →

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Remembering the Rock Island Prisoner Barracks

Posted on November 14, 2013 by SCblogger

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Rock Island Barracks. We remember this event in conjunction with Veterans’ Day. _____ “A Depot for Rebel Prisoners – The Government has concluded to make Rock Island a depot … Continue reading →

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The Brilliant Nuptials of Elise Koehler and Theophilus Brown

Posted on November 6, 2013 by SCblogger

On the 28th of November, 1913, Miss Elise Jane Koehler, daughter of Oscar and Mathilde Koehler, married Theophilus Brown at 7 o’clock in the evening at the Davenport Unitarian Church. The Koehler family was very well known in Davenport, and … Continue reading →

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The West Side Railroad Ghost

Posted on October 31, 2013 by SCblogger

Stories of ghostly lights on railroad tracks may be found all around the United States, and Davenport is no different. In January 1876, the Davenport Daily Gazette covered the adventures of our own ghostly railroad specter. It may have been … Continue reading →

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The Second Chance of Mr. Teeples

Posted on October 15, 2013 by SCblogger

Well, sometimes, it happens. Sometimes the same old story has a twist, and people are given a change to change the ending. There was a fellow in 1857 by the name of Teeples who made the grave mistake of stealing … Continue reading →

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All the Way Bach: The Music Students Club

Posted on October 7, 2013 by SCblogger

On October 7 of 1883, three women met in the Episcopal rectory on 3rd Street to enjoy a musical afternoon. Celestine Fejervary, who was trained in voice, organ, and piano, Miss Gertrude Wilkinson, who also sang, and Mrs. David Garrett, … Continue reading →

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Sequestration Frustrations

Posted on October 2, 2013 by SCblogger

Frustrated with the sequestration?   We are too! Due to the temporary shutdown of the federal government, the Library of Congress is closed to the public and researchers beginning October 1, 2013 until further notice. All public events are cancelled and web … Continue reading →

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Davenporters of Note: Ernest Carl Oberholtzer

Posted on September 26, 2013 by SCblogger

Ernest Carl “Ober” Oberholtzer was born in Davenport, Iowa on February 6, 1884.  His parents divorced when he was six, and he and his mother went to live with his maternal grandparents, Ernest and Sarah Carl, at 126 East 6th … Continue reading →

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Save the Date! October Offerings: Intro to Electronic Subscription Databases for Genealogy

Posted on September 20, 2013 by SCblogger

The Davenport Public Library subscribes to several electronic genealogy databases for our patrons’ research needs, including: Ancestry HeritageQuest Fold 3 Origins Genealogy Bank and Access Newspaper Archive You don’t even have to come down to our Special Collections Center to … Continue reading →

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