Author Archives: SCblogger

The Death of Colonel George Davenport

Posted on June 30, 2008 by SCblogger

When most people think of the Fourth of July, they tend to think of freedom, fireworks, and food.  Readers of early Davenport history probably think of the same things, but with one addition—murder. On July 4 of 1845, several men … Continue reading →

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Extraordinary Ordinances

Posted on June 23, 2008 by SCblogger

Often overlooked on the library shelves, City Ordinances offer a unique exploration of a community’s history. The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center has a fine selection of published Revised Davenport City Ordinances on its shelves. Inside we learn how ward boundaries … Continue reading →

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The CCC and the CWA

Posted on June 19, 2008 by SCblogger

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “new deal” established a variety of programs, sometimes referred to as “Alphabet Agencies” with the intent of providing Americans beleaguered by the Great Depression with relief. Two programs created in 1933 which greatly impacted the lives of … Continue reading →

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History’s Mysteries: An Image of Prohibition?

Posted on June 16, 2008 by SCblogger

While researching a possible blog entry about Prohibition and Davenport’s various coping mechanisms, we found an image in our collections that gave us pause: This group image of Thiedemann’s Atheletic Club was taken on April 12, 1933, at Thiedemann’s , a … Continue reading →

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A Second Flood of Images

Posted on June 11, 2008 by SCblogger

As we appear to be facing another round of flood-like behavior from the Mississippi this year, it seems fitting to continue our memorial series of high waters past with these images of the 1993 Flood. This was the flood, you … Continue reading →

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A Grand Lawn Fete

Posted on June 9, 2008 by SCblogger

Iowa’s soft summer evenings beckon us outdoors for parties and celebrations. On June 14, 1897, Henry and Clara Petersen hosted a party for a cause – the Ladies Industrial Relief Society (LIRS) – and they entertained an estimated 2,000 guests! … Continue reading →

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A Davenport Connection: The Early Life of ‘Big Nose Kate’ Horony

Posted on June 5, 2008 by SCblogger

For those fans of the Old West, we present to you the possible early life of Big Nose Kate, also known as Katie Elder, Kate Fisher, and Katherine Cummings–Doc Holliday’s girl, she was, living in Tombstone at the time of … Continue reading →

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A Davenport Success Story: Von Maur, Inc.

Posted on June 2, 2008 by SCblogger

Way back when Davenport was just getting started, general stores, or dry-goods stores, stocked almost everything a person might need, and maybe a few little extras they might want. At the same counter, one could buy a yard of fabric, … Continue reading →

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Elsie Von Maur: Seventy-Five Years of Quad-City Music

Posted on May 29, 2008 by SCblogger

The recent passing of Elsie Von Maur at the age of 106 led us to realize that our collection of Symphony programs reflect almost ninety-two years of music, seventy-five of which may be seen as part of Mrs. von Maur’s … Continue reading →

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In Remembrance

Posted on May 23, 2008 by SCblogger

Anyone who has gone far enough along Main has passed it– but how many of us have taken the time to look at the large stone memorial in the middle of the street or think twice about why it stands … Continue reading →

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