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Category Archives: Local History
The Origins of Davenport’s Friendly House
Friendly House has been serving the citizens of Davenport since 1896. With services such as childcare, an in-house food pantry, organized local outings, and events for seniors, Friendly House is a space specifically designed to aid and engage people of … Continue reading
Aliens Among Us: Davenport’s German Immigrants and the Alien Enemy Registration Act of February 1918
One hundred years ago, in January of 1918, life during wartime was changing daily for local residents. A stream of federal and state government regulations arrived in Davenport and Scott County. Local officials began preparing for the registration of German alien … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Alien Enemy, Alien Enemy Registration, World War I, World War One
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Be A Tourist In Your Own Backyard
January 12th through the 15th is Be a Tourist in Your Own Backyard Weekend Each year, the Quad Cities Convention & Visitor’s Bureau partners with area businesses to offer deals on hotels, restaurants, shopping and attractions. The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center … Continue reading
Fun in the Snow, 1960’s Style
Happy New Year from the staff at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center! These images from our Davenport Parks and Recreation Department collection show locals enjoying winter weather apparently not as harsh as that of January 2018! The photographs were taken … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Davenport Parks and Recreation, Duck Creek Park, Fejervary Park, Parks, Skiing, Sledding, snow, Winter
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Advertising in the Great War: Supporting “Meatless” and “Wheatless” Days
One hundred years ago, as December 1917 ebbed into January 1918 the United States had officially been in the Great War since April 6, 1917. As more U.S. soldiers entered military training camps and went overseas, the need to ration … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Advertisements, Advertising, Food Rationing, Homefront, World War I, World War One
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Crowdsourcing for Christmas
Consider a gift of knowledge to the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center this holiday season! Help us identify this circus performance at “Santa’s House” that we believe took place at the Davenport Municipal Stadium in the late 1940’s. These images from … Continue reading
Shopping Local for the Holidays in Downtown Davenport
2nd Street was the place to be for holiday shopping in Davenport, say these images from our collection, available via the Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive: Learn more about downtown Davenport shops and department stores, such as Harned and Von … Continue reading
In Memoriam: Eldon Leroy Baxter of Davenport, Survivor of the Attack on Pearl Harbor
Eldon Leroy Baxter was born on August 22, 1920 in Buffalo, Scott County, Iowa, to Jesse Burton Baxter and Mable Laura Porter. He attended the Davenport schools. As a teenager, he worked as a newspaper carrier for the Davenport Democrat, … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged eldon baxter, In memoriam, Pearl Harbor, veterans, WWII
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Don’t forget to purchase your 2018 Special Collections Calendar!
The Davenport Public Library’s Main Street building in downtown Davenport celebrates it’s 50th anniversary in 2018. The mid-century modern “Library of Tomorrow” was designed by renowned architect Edward Durrell Stone, who also designed the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Staff … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Calendar, Davenport Public Library, Edward Durell Stone
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Turkey Notes: A Living Memory View
It’s time! It’s time! It is Turkey Note time! Yes, we get very excited in the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center right before Thanksgiving as we prepare for our annual Turkey Note blog. If you haven’t heard about this fun Quad … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Bill Wundram, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Traditions, Turkey Notes
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