Category Archives: Local History

The Claus Groth Gilde Jahrmarkt

“Thanksgiving tide” in turn-of-the-twentienth-century Davenport brought not only family turkey meals and church services, but a popular event known as the “Jahrmarkt.” This fair was a fundraiser for the Claus Groth Gilde, a local benevolent society named in honor of … Continue reading

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Turkey Notes: Our 2024 edition

Since we began this blog in 2008, we have revisited the unique local tradition of the Turkey Note many times over the years. This short poem using three- or four-lines along with the word “Turkey” in the first two lines … Continue reading

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QC Architecture: The Chicago Connection

Join the Scott County Historic Preservation Society (https://www.scottcountyiowa.gov/history/historic-preservation-society) for their November meeting featuring Ellen Shapley, an Iowa native, architectural historian, and a former guide for the Chicago Architecture Center and the Architectural Heritage Center in Portland, OR. She will be … Continue reading

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Hostetler’s Houses: West 8th and Vine Streets

In addition its large number of portrait photographs, the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center’s J.B. Hostetler Studio Collection includes many panoramic images of Davenport and the surrounding area. A few of these feature houses. While Oak Knoll and the World War … Continue reading

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The Steenbock – Pohlers Affair: Part II

If you haven’t read part I of this series we invite you to do so now. When we ended Part I of this blog series, Adolph and Lottie Steenbock had their divorce finalized on October 26, 1933. Lottie had received … Continue reading

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2024 Quad Cities Archives Fair

October 26th, 2024, marks the sixth annual Quad Cities Archives Fair! The Fair will be held at the Credit Island Lodge on Credit Island in Davenport, Iowa, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. We are happy to announce the attendance … Continue reading

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Hostetler’s Houses: 1002 Brady Street

Here at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center we are fortunate to have not just one but three photographs of the house at 1002 Brady Street in our collection of images from the J. B. Hostetler Studio (click side arrows to … Continue reading

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The Steenbock – Pohlers Affair: Part I

The first soap operas began as radio programs in 1930. People soon became absorbed in the lives, and scandals, of these fictional radio characters. It was a welcome break from life in the Great Depression. In 1933, the citizens of … Continue reading

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Autumnal Styles of 1924

Autumn is officially here! With cooler weather, people of the Quad Cities prepare to partake in festive autumnal activities such as visiting fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards. When we think of this seasonal change, we think of warmer … Continue reading

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Hostetler’s Houses: 49 Hillcrest Avenue

The summit of McClellan Heights is graced by the home at 49 Hillcrest Avenue, photographed by J.B. Hostetler: This view shows the rear of the house; the front and one side are visible in this image from the December 31, … Continue reading

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