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Category Archives: Local History
The Truth Will Out: Annie Wittenmyer
In preparation for a recent program featuring Annie Wittenmyer and the orphanage she is forever linked to in Davenport, Iowa, inconsistencies within reference works were found bringing up a number of questions. Turning to some basic documents used for family … Continue reading
Mujeres Latinas: The García Sisters & Their Friends
This snapshot of 4 teenage girls was taken in the Cook’s Point neighborhood in Davenport around 1942. It is part of accession #2016-39 Cook’s Point and Fichtner Family Image Collection, 1913-1950. Photo identification is written in the back in blue … Continue reading
The Davenport Conspiracy
Mid-September through mid-October marks Iowa Archaeology Month, the perfect occasion to tell the story of Davenport’s most notorious adventures in archaeology. In January of 1877, the Reverend Jacob Gass, a Swiss-born minister serving the First Lutheran Church and aspiring antiquarian, … Continue reading
Found in a Library Book: A Davenport Mayor Connection
We find curious artifacts in books from time to time. A couple of weeks ago when we were featuring our collegiate yearbooks we found two pen drawings by an Art Kroppach. Davenporters should be familiar with Mr. Kroppach. He was … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Arthur Kroppach, Davenport (Iowa), drawings, Mayors of Davenport, university of Iowa
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In Memoriam: Queen Elizabeth II
As we learn of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, it brings to mind her long and full life of service as head of state to her country and causes one to reflect on her decades of dedication to duty. Up to … Continue reading
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International Association of Machinists Biennial Convention of 1911
The 14th biennial convention of the International Association of Machinists took place right across the street from us at the Hotel Davenport. The convention lasted nearly 2 weeks, beginning on Monday, September 18th, and closing on September 29, 1911. The … Continue reading
Heading Back to Campus: Collegiate Yearbooks
As college campuses revive with the activities of students moving into the dormitories, attending classes, and studying in every conceivable place, we wanted to share a resource for those searching for faculty, students, and other aspects of collegiate life over … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Davenport (Iowa), Genealogy, Iowa, Local History, Yearbooks
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“Last Seen” and the Black Community in Davenport
A valuable resource for discovering more details about the families of Davenport’s post-Civil War Black community is Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery, an online database of advertisements “placed in newspapers across the United States (and beyond) by formerly enslaved … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged African Americans, Ashe, Black history, Cooper, Davenport (Iowa), Genealogy, Local History, Pitts, Reynolds, Robinson, Simons
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A Century of Back to School
A new school year is upon us! Fresh pencils, new beginnings, stomach butterflies, and of course…. NEW SHOES AND CLOTHES! Here is a century of back-to-school fashion from 1900-2000 available from our local business establishments! The 1900s The 1910s The … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Advertisements, Clothing, Davenport (Iowa), newspapers, Schools
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In Memoriam: Rochelle Ann Murray
We were saddened to learn of the passing of longtime Davenport Public Library Children’s Librarian, Miss Rochelle Murray, who died on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at the age of 85. Rochelle Ann Murray was born December 14, 1936, at Mercy … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
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