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Category Archives: Local History
A Record Breaking Moment: The dance marathon of 1928
Doesn’t this ad make you curious? A dance marathon? How exciting! Dance marathons had been becoming more popular after World War I. What started off as little contests to see who could dance the longest and win a small prize … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Col Ballroom, Coliseum, Contests, Dancing, Elizabeth Meyers, Lester Scheff, Marathon, Records
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The Circle of Life…and Deadly Intent
Recently a colleague used the phrase “going down the rabbit hole” and I laughed about it, thinking that happens a lot with family history research. In honor of October’s designation as Family History Month, here is a recent experience illustrating … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged Bombings, Lincoln Township, Murder, Mysteries, Schools
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Davenporters of Note: “Pete” Macías
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month we are featuring Pete Macías, who died on June 10, 2021, at the age of 102. Mr. Macías was interviewed by students at Smart Intermediate in 2006 for the Iowa Stories oral history project. … Continue reading
Becoming Iowa: Upper Mississippi: A Wilderness Saga by Walter Havighurst
2021 marks the 175th anniversary of Iowa’s statehood. On December 28, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state admitted into the Union. Commemorative publications, programs, and other events are planned by the Iowa Department of Culture Affairs and communities across the … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged #iowa175, authors, books, illustrations, illustrators, Iowa History, Mississippi River
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Dear Diary
Dear Diary, on September 22nd each year, we celebrate the way “you” help us document our lives. Diaries offer us a glimpse into how we change and remind us of events long forgotten. Diaries also offer a reference for future … Continue reading
The Davenport Levee: Come one, come all to the Owl Carnival!
With the creation of the Davenport Levee Commission in 1911 and the building of the seawall starting in 1912, life along the river front changed for Davenport citizens. Instead of a garbage filled area used mainly by boats loading and … Continue reading
Davenporters of Note: Jasper Eugene Wood
Jasper E. Wood was born July 27, 1901, in Monmouth, Jackson Co., IA to Everett and Elsie Gertrude (Preston) Wood. His parents divorced soon after and his mom remarried and moved to Tipton, Cedar Co., IA. In 1920 he was … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged biography, Labor Day, Labor Unions, Organizations--Labor Unions
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Davenport in Iowa City and Des Moines
In order to answer questions about the history of Davenport and its people, our reference staff might call upon resources outside the RSSC Center’s own collections and those of other historical organizations in the immediate area. The State Historical Society … Continue reading
SPECIAL EVENT!! SPECIAL EVENT!! #Iowa175 Celebration!!
#Iowa175 Celebration at The Library | MAIN this Thursday, August 19th from 4:30-7:30 PM, kicking off the Alternating Currents weekend with a fun event of history, music, and culture celebrating the 175th anniversary of Iowa’s statehood! This free event features … Continue reading
Posted in Library, Local History
Tagged businesses, Crafts, Davenport, Davenport Public Library, Iowa, Iowa History, Local History, Music, Special Events and Projects
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