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Category Archives: Local History
Paranormal Investigating in 1911?
We came across an interesting query from The Daily Times this week. We aren’t sure if this falls into the category of ghost hunting. Unfortunately, we do not know if the Davenport reader received any replies. So far no update … Continue reading
Local Hispanic History on Display
We are lucky to have a collection of items relating to local Hispanic history currently on loan and on display at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center. The majority of the collection relates to the Cook’s Point neighborhood formerly located in … Continue reading
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Scott County Farmer’s Institute Collection
Scott County Farmer’s Institute was organized on February 13, 1896, in Eldridge, Iowa by a group of local men interested in supporting and disseminating “practical and Scientific knowledge pretaining [sic] to agriculture in all its various branches” to farmers in … Continue reading
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The Great Pin-Up Contest of 1944
We learn something new every day in Special Collections. This week’s fun discovery was the City of Davenport had a ship named after it in World War II and that ship inspired a local Pin-Up Girl contest here on the … Continue reading
When Davenport Went Electric
At 6:00 pm on Saturday, September 19, 1891, The Davenport Gas Company flipped a switch to turn electric lights on for the first time in the city of Davenport. Perceptions of electric light varied amongst the Davenport citizens. Many marveled … Continue reading
The Davenport Bank & Trust Co. Building – A 13th floor oasis
On this Friday the 13th with a Harvest Moon expected in the evening, it is easy to think of superstitions. One we thought about earlier today was the superstition of taller buildings retaining or removing the number thirteen associated with … Continue reading
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Tagged Davenport Bank & Trust Building, Penthouse, Superstitions
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Davenporters of Note: Betty Adler
One hundred years ago this summer, Betty Adler was traveling through post-WWI Europe, sent by the Davenport Daily Times to “write special articles showing the effects of the war on the people of the allied countries” and “tell some of … Continue reading
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Tagged Adler Family, Belgium, Betty Adler, Davenport Daily Times, France, journalists, Women, World War I
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The Skelley Girls
In the early 1920s, two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. James Apollinaris Skelley twirled onto the stage. Ann and Monica, the youngest of the Skelley family, delighted in dancing and performing for the local community. The Skelley family was not … Continue reading
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Tagged 1920s, Ann Skelley, Charleston Dance, Dances, Monica Skelley, Rock Island Arsenal
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Woodstock Performers in the QCA
This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, 3 days of Peace & Music at Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel, New York. Many of the musicians who performed at the festival have also played in … Continue reading
