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Author Archives: SCblogger
History’s Mysteries : General Houston (part two)
When last we blogged, General Houston’s life was taking a tragic turn. The devastating Hill’s Block fire in February 1876 must have been a terrific blow to him both professionally and personally and no doubt created hardship within his marriage. … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Court Trials, Fires, General Houston, Hill's Block, Houston Smith
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New Genealogy and Local History database available!
Local newspapers are one of the primary sources for many types of historical research. They are treasure troves of information about the events that have shaped our current lives – from floods to earthquakes to wars and space exploration. It’s … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
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History’s Mysteries : General Houston
Part One On February 22, 1876 one of the first truly disastrous fires in Davenport began when fourteen buildings, including what was known as Hill’s Block, went up in flames. In less than two hours, a half block of Brady … Continue reading
St. Valentine’s Day and Marriage — a Shot in the Dark?
Valentine’s Day is a time of romance. We think about flowers, candy, and cards non-stop for weeks in advance (probably thanks to the many commercials and ads we see). The legacy of Valentine’s Day was already well-known in the United … Continue reading
Davenporters of Note: Milton Howard
Mr. Milton Howard, an African-American, was a man with a unique story. He was born as a free person in Muscatine, Iowa about 1845 (different sources offer different dates). However, as a child, he and his family were kidnapped and … Continue reading
More New Vital Records Have Arrived!
We are currently finding room in our microfilm cabinets for early vital records from five more Iowa Counties: Jefferson, Clayton, Jones, Wayne and Mahaska. Please see our online catalog for details! (hint: type “County Name vital records” in the search window … Continue reading
Davenporters of Note: Popcorn Pete
Pete Duex made a career out of popcorn. Back in the early 1900s, Duex was a familiar sight on Davenport streets as he moved through the downtown area selling popcorn from a horse and wagon. Time moved on and he … Continue reading
City Cemetery Sexton Records Found
One of the oldest cemeteries in our city is located in an area that is anything but peaceful. Cars and semi-trucks roar by the grounds where some of the poorest citizens of Davenport lay resting in a Potter’s Field and … Continue reading
Davenport Boys coast to victory!
As winter snow blankets the Midwest, you can hear the cries of children as they careen down Iowa hills on their sleds. In the late 1880s, children enjoyed sledding, or coasting, just as much–in fact, in Davenport, they not only … Continue reading
