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Category Archives: Local History
Who Was George Davenport?
The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Department of the Davenport Public Library is pleased to present another installment in our ongoing Local History Lecture Series this coming Thursday evening, August 15th, at 6:30PM in the Large Meeting Room at the Main Street location. … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Library, Local History
Tagged Colonel George Davenport, displays, lectures, LibGuides, Rock Island (Illinois)
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Helen Van Dale: A woman of the criminal underworld Part II
Please read Part I of Helen’s story here. Bold lettered headlines covered the front page of local newspapers on the morning of August 1, 1922 in Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois. William “Bill” Gable, owner of a soft drink … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Crime, Dimples Lee, Eula Elizabeth Lee, Eula Wonders, Helen Van Dale, Irvin Wonders, John Looney, Lawrence Pedigo, Prohibition, Tom Cox, William Gable
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Helen Van Dale: A woman of the criminal underworld Part I
Most individuals living in the Quad Cities are familiar with the name John Looney. From his home base across the Mississippi River in Rock Island, Illinois, Looney created an illegal empire that included gambling, prostitution, protection money, and illegal alcohol … Continue reading
Mr. Feeney and Fireworks: The Prince of Punk
Dazzling displays of pyrotechnics symbolize the sense of exuberance and patriotism felt on the fourth of July, also known as Independence Day. One family helped ensure the children and families of the Quad Cities celebrated with a colorful bang! In … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged 422 Brady Street, Feeney's Grocery Store, Fireworks, John A. Feeney
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Davenport’s First Police Matron: Annie E. Davis
130 years ago this week, Davenport City Council hired Miss Annie E. Davis from Chicago, Illinois to be the first police matron for the city. On June 26, 1889, Miss Davis arrived in Davenport on an early morning train and … Continue reading
Davenport Transport: A Journey Down Memory Lane
This past Tuesday evening, June 18th, local historian and collector Merle Vastine treated the audience at the Main Street library to stories inspired by selection of images from his vast private collection as part of “True Tales of the Quad … Continue reading
Posted in Library, Local History
Tagged automobiles, Merle Vastine, Photographs, Steamboats, trains, trucks, vehicles
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Museum Week: German American Heritage Center
This year’s Quad Cities Museum Week runs from June 8th through the 16th. Participating institutions have special activities, exhibits, and promotions during the week. One participating museum, the German American Heritage Center, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. They … Continue reading
75th Anniversary of Invasion of Normandy
June 6, 1944, marks an important turning point for the Allied powers in the European Theatre. 75 years ago the beaches of Normandy were host to thousands of armed forces from the United States, Britain, and Canadian tasked with defeating … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Invasion of Normandy, Oral History, World War II, World War Two
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Davenport, Past and Present by Franc B. Wilkie
Davenport, Past and Present published in May 1858 by the publishing house of Luse, Lane & Co. in Davenport, Iowa was an anticipated volume recounting the early history of Davenport through personal and anecdotal reminiscences, biographical sketches of influential men, … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Davenport Past and Present, Franc B. Wilkie, John E. Wilkie, Luse Lane & Co
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