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Category Archives: Local History
The Early Days of the Davenport Civil Rights Commission
The current controversy over the proposed restructuring of the Davenport Civil Rights Commission harkens back to the difficulties it experienced during the earliest days of its existence. In fact, much argument over the Davenport Human Relations Commission’s purpose and powers … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Catholic Interracial Council, Charles Toney, Davenport Civil Rights Commission, Davenport Human Relations Commission, fair housing, Harry S. Roberts, Henry Vargas, Jack Wolter, John Jebens, Lawrence Satin, LULAC, Milton Rosenfeld, Paul Ives, race relations, Ray O'Brien
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Bix in Context: Jazz Music on the Mississippi
We are getting “jazzed” for this weekend’s 47th annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, or “Bix Fest,” by taking a closer look the local music scene that nurtured Davenport’s world-renowned cornetist. In the summertime months, the place to be was … Continue reading
A German-American Contribution to Davenport’s History: Turnverein, the Turner Movement
Be sure to check out “Sound Mind Sound Body: Turnverein Traditions,” the latest exhibit presented by our fellow downtown Davenport history and cultural institution, the German American Heritage Center. In support, we offer this brief history of the Turner Movement … Continue reading
History and Legacy of the Bix 7 Road Race
What does a jazz cornetist have to do with running? Find out this Monday, July 23rd at 6:30 pm at the Davenport Public Library | Main. Representatives from the Bix 7 will be on hand to talk about the history … Continue reading
Living Memory History: The Flood of ’93
The last 1.32 inches of rain that fell in two hours on Thursday, July 8, 1993 helped put 1993 into local history record books. It was the year the Mississippi River once again rose to challenge – and then pass … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged 1993 Flood, Centennial Bridge, Davenport Police Historic Association, Floods, John O'Donnell Stadium, LeClaire Bandshell, LeClaire Park, Mississippi River, Modern Woodmen Park, President Riverboat Casino, Stanley Talbot Memorial Bridge, The Dock Restaurant, Top Ten Floods, Union Station, W. D. Petersen Memorial Pavilion
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Summertime Fun in Davenport, 1918
In planning this week’s blog we thought of two possibl topics: the start of summer (June 21st) and what was happening here in Davenport and the Quad Cities a hundred years ago. Both ideas came together when we found some … Continue reading
This Day In History: Roller coaster crash at Forest (Schuetzen) Park
On Sunday, June 17th, 1923, a near record crowd of 3,640 people attended the annual basket picnic of the Davenport lodge No. 28, Loyal Order of Moose at Forest Park. Attendees enjoyed a program of games and outdoor sports, including … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Accidents, amusement park, Disasters, Forest Park, roller coaster, Schuetzen Park
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Celebrating the Figge Art Museum for Quad Cities Museum Week
Happy Quad Cities Museum Week! The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center celebrates the Figge Museum of Art (the Davenport Public Library’s partner in this year’s Read Wild Summer Reading Program) by sharing these examples of its commitment to local artists and art … Continue reading
Investigate the Past: Annie Wittenmyer Complex Program
Have you ever been curious about the Annie Wittenmyer Complex (the former Iowa Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home) on Eastern Avenue in Davenport? This coming Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at 4:30 p.m., the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center of the Daveport Public Library … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Annie Wittenmyer Home, Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home, Programs
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A Memorial Day Remembrance: Private Arthur C. Franz
Memorial Day 1918 was a somber day in Davenport. Not only were local citizens remembering those fallen in wars past, they were also mourning the first soldier from Davenport to be lost (only weeks earlier, in France) in the current … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Arthur C. Franz, Arthur H. Beck, Memorial Day, Myrtle Beck, World War I, WWI
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