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Category Archives: Local History
Ringing in the Old
As we approach the New Year, we are featuring some old-but-new books in the RSSC Center’s collection. They are “old” because they have been here in the library for many years, and more obviously, because they were published in the … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Berwald, books, German Americans, Local History, Subscription libraries
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Happy Holidays from Special Collections: Christmas images from Velma Schmidt
Velma Schmidt was born in Davenport, Iowa on March 6, 1886 to Oswald and Agatha (Bruhn) Schmidt. Her father, one of the owners of the Roddewig-Schmidt Candy Company, named a chocolate candy after his oldest child and only daughter. “Velma” … Continue reading
Just Shelved: 2025 County & City Directories
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The 2025 Scott County Iowa Farm & Home Plat & Directory and the 2025 Davenport City Directory are now available in Special Collections. The Scott County Plat & Directory has been published … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Davenport (Iowa), Directories, Just Shelved, Scott County (Iowa)
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Chamber of Commerce Collection Christmases
The images below documenting Davenport’s 1947 and 1950 Christmas parades come from the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center’s “Davenport Chamber of Commerce Photograph Collection” (1986-01). This group of approximately 1,000 images ranging in date from about 1900-1950 was donated to the … Continue reading
Turkey Notes of 2025
Get your pens ready for creating Turkey Notes! For this year’s Turkey Notes blog, we have some special guests who shared their creations with us! As noted in our blog, Turkey Notes: Our 2024 edition, Turkey Notes are a short … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Holidays, poems, Poetry, Thanksgiving Traditions, Turkey Notes
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160 Years of History: The Iowa Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home
It was 160 years ago on November 16, 1865 that the steamboat Keithburg arrived on the levee in Davenport, Iowa. It was an hour earlier than expected, covered in American flags, and carrying 150 children who had lost their fathers … Continue reading
The Haunting Tale of Albert Fahlenkamp
Wilhelmina, or Mina, (Schmidt) Fahlenkamp did not appear to have an easy life. Born to Christ and Maria Schmidt about 1844 in Germany, Wilhelmina had immigrated to the United States with her family in 1860. She married Carsten Fahlenkamp in … Continue reading
Come Visit Special Collections’ New Space!
We’re thrilled to share that the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center is ready to assist patrons with their local history and genealogical questions! Ask our staff members for a tour of our new space. Our hours have been expanded to better … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Davenport Public Library, Museums, Quad Cities Archives Fair
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Pretty in White Crepe de Chine
This negative image was found on our Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive from our Hostetler Photograph Collection. It is of a young woman named Florence Becker. From our research, we believe her to be Miss Florence Becker born on … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged Davenport (Iowa), Hostetler Studios, Photographs, Rock Island (Illinois)
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Mamie and Frank?
This photographic postcard is another “from the purged files at the Annie Wittenmyer Home.” The photographer’s stamp, not visible in this reproduction, reads “Trompter, 520 Edmond St., St. Joseph, MO.” The list of children at the Iowa Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Annie Wittenmyer Home, Cyphers, Donahoo, Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home
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