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Category Archives: Local History
A Celebration of Spring: Blooms of the Past
We hope Loretta Clayton’s hand-painted/retouched photographs of the floral displays at the old Vander Veer Park Conservatory* have you thinking happy spring thoughts despite tomorrow’s snowy forecast! The conservatory at Vander Veer still creates seasonal exhibits — a perfect place to … Continue reading
The Sarsfield Guards: The first bi-state St. Patrick’s Parades
Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 11:30 a.m., the 33rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Grand Parade will start in Rock Island, Illinois, cross the Talbot Memorial Bridge (formerly the Centennial Bridge), and end in Davenport, Iowa. This much-beloved event is the … Continue reading
1910: “Alien” Women Arrive in Davenport
With the celebration of International Women’s Day this week and Women’s History Month, we are focusing our attention on the women who came to live in Davenport from other parts of the world in the early years of the twentieth … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged 1910 US Census, immigrants, International Women's Day, Women, Women's History Month
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Davenporters of Note: African American Soldiers in WWI
In celebration of Black History Month 2018, we have been searching for information on the African American soldiers from Davenport and Scott County who served in the U.S. Army one hundred years ago in the First World War. In October … Continue reading
Newspaper Love Notes: February 14, 1918
In the February 14, 1918 issue of the Davenport Democrat, the marriage of locals Sgt. George Marsh Sheets and Louise Baird was celebrated in connection with a controversy over the conditions at Camp Cody in Deming, New Mexico. Named for LeClaire … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged George M. Sheets, love, Marriage, Valentine's Day, World War I
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National Pizza Day 2018: The Quad Cities’ Pizza Pie Past
February 9th is National Pizza Day! The first place to serve pizza in the Quad Cities was Tony’s Pizzeria, inside the Paddock Club in Rock Island, Illinois. Oscar Liske took over ownership of the club formerly known as The Horsehoe … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged national pizza day, Restaurants, the paddock club, Tony Maniscalco, tony's pizzeria
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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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