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Category Archives: Local History
Happy Birthday, Judge John Forrest Dillon
John Forrest Dillon was born in Washington County, New York on December 25, 1831. His family moved to Davenport in 1838 when he was 7 years old. He attended Father Pelamourgues’ school at St. Anthony’s Church until the age of … Continue reading
Posted in Library, Local History
Tagged Ana Price Dillon, birthdays, Davenporters of Note, John Forrest Dillon, Judge Dillon, Paintings, Portraits
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New Year’s Eve 1919: Welcoming in a “Dry” 1920
New Year’s Eve 1919 in Davenport, Iowa was a “dry” one. Iowa passed a state prohibition law on January 1, 1916 (one of three states) that included making the production or sale of alcohol in the state illegal. Alcohol was … Continue reading
In Your Own Words: Oral History Project
Share your stories with us! The In Your Own Words: Oral History Project seeks to involve all individuals willing to tell their own stories as well as the community’s history. This oral history project will focus on specific and relevant … Continue reading
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A Little Poinsettia Magic: Vander Veer Park Style
In advance of Poinsettia Day next week (December 12th), we thought we would share some Poinsettia exhibit pictures from the old Conservatory at Vander Veer Botanical Park in Davenport. The Conservatory featured in these images was built in 1897 and … Continue reading
20 Years of the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center
The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center celebrates 20 years since its dedication on November 26, 1999. It was a culmination of years of effort and dedication come to fruition, ensuring Loren Ted and Alice (Richardson) Sloane’s dream of a “premiere genealogy … Continue reading
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The Sauk and Fox of the Mississippi Valley
The following publications, many of which are available at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center, represent differing views of the native peoples who inhabited this region in the early 19th century. With the exception of Black Hawk’s Autobiography (originally published in … Continue reading
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Turkey Notes: The 2019 additions
Please type the words Turkey Notes into the search bar on the right to find past Turkey note blogs. Thanksgiving is fast approaching so we thought we would try to get in the holiday mood this week. For those individuals … Continue reading
In Commemoration of Veterans Day: Lieutenant Edward R. Guyer
The observance of Armistice Day began officially on May 13, 1938, through an act of legislation. The holiday was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’” (52 Stat. 351; 5 … Continue reading
A Tragic Love Triangle of 1879
To most residents in the apartment above the J. M. Glaspell Grocery Store at 215 East 3rd Street life may have seemed happy and content. Harry C. Watt was the head of that household. At age 31 years, Harry was … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Amelia Filter, Harry Watt, John Schoening, Louisa Filter, Love Triangle, Mary Ann Watt
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Quad Cities Archives Fair This Saturday 10/26!
The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center will join libraries, archives, and museums from around the area at the Quad Cities Archives Fair this Saturday, October 26, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at the German American Heritage Center, 712 W 2nd St. in Davenport. Institutions … Continue reading
