Author Archives: SCblogger

McClellan Heights-The Most Beautiful Spot in All the World for a Home…or a State Park?

The BIX at 6 practice runs and the actual event take many exercise enthusiasts along a course that is both physically challenging and visually intriguing. While jogging, walking or limping through the McClellan Heights area of the course participants can … Continue reading

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The Next Best Thing to Calling Upon Santa Claus*

This post might be a little late for the Fourth of July, but since all the fireworks won’t be used up until at least the end of this week, the following ode to a purveyor of these fantastic, explosive creations … Continue reading

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KSTT: “Someplace Special”

On July 7, 1946 the radio waves of the Quad Cities changed forever when KSTT went on the air for the first time with a one hour introductory program.  No one knew this dawn to dusk operation would soon become … Continue reading

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Ding, ding, ding, went the Trolleys . . .

In our Special Collections Center, we have hanging on our wall an enormous double photograph showing the southern view from the corner of Third Street and Brady in 1938 and in 1952. The two photographs, separated by only 14 years, … Continue reading

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Socialists and Swimming Pools

Most people find the building of a swimming pool to be an exciting time; waiting for the project to be completed and the weather warm enough to swim in the clear water. Today, Davenport has many city and private pools … Continue reading

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Milestones in local databases

For those of you who  are statistically oriented, we’re very happy to announce that, thanks to dedicated volunteer Janet Greenlee, the 1925 Iowa Census index on our website now includes 9000 names of Scott County residents. The index to the microfilmed Iowa … Continue reading

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Researching the Records of England

If you were fortunate enough to attend the Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society meeting on the first of June, you learned all sorts of interesting things about early English records from Pam Langston.  One thing that really surprised me is … Continue reading

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Graduates of World War II

The beginning of June this year brings two things to my mind: high school graduations and the 65th anniversary of D-Day.  Thinking of those, I began to peruse our year book collection in Special Collections. The 1942, 1943, and 1944 … Continue reading

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Riverboats We Have Known: The W.J. Quinlan

After something of a delay, it’s finally looking like spring in the Quad-Cities: the weather is warmer, the boats are on the Mississippi . . . and the orange construction barrels are in full bloom. The promise of bridge delays … Continue reading

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A Veteran’s View: Harold Labonte

         In 2001, our own Karen, along with several volunteers, began interviewing local residents for a World War II/Korean War Oral History Project.  Our Oral History Collection now includes the war-related stories of 74 veterans, former civilian workers, and even a war bride … Continue reading

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