Follow us on Instagram!
Category Archives: Local History
A Valentine for Special Collections
Love it! A timely Valentine’s Day surprise arrived this week at the RSSC Center, just as we were puzzling over our blog post about the holiday. It was a box of Valentine’s cards belonging to a Davenport girl! Frances Helen … Continue reading
Winter Works
We salute all those who are working outdoors this snowy, icy, rainy January of 2024! Of the many projects undertaken by the Civil Works Administration in Scott County during the Great Depression, two of those directed by the Davenport Park … Continue reading
Snowy Scenes of Davenport Past
As the second major storm of the second week of 2024 approaches, we invite you to enjoy these snowy scenes of Davenport past from somewhere safe indoors! Unless otherwise noted, the images below are from the Davenport Chamber of Commerce … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Leave a comment
A Winter Library Visit: The Independent Baking Company
We always enjoy looking at this picture taken in the mid-to-late 1910s at the Independent Baking Company at 2429 Rockingham Road. It is a winter scene with the librarian checking books in and out for children dressed against the cold … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged bookmobile, Friendly House, Independent Baking Company, Library Stations, Winter
Leave a comment
Davenporters in the Domain
This coming Monday, January 1, 2024, we celebrate “Public Domain Day,” when copyright protections under U.S. law expire for books published in the year 1928. Works such as D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterly’s Lover, Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, W.E.B. Du Bois’ Dark … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Charles Edward Russell, copyright, Local History, public domain, Susan Glaspell
Leave a comment
Living Memory History: The Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery Christmas display
It started as a very small and simple display during December 1937. Just a manger near a waterfall and lights on two nearby trees. It became what was thought to be the nation’s largest Christmas display with thousands of families … Continue reading
December DOBs in Davenport
These fresh-faced young Davenporters were born in the month of December in the 19-teens, their images captured by portrait photographer J.B. Hostetler. Irene Katherine Stoltenberg was born on December 2nd, 1913, the daughter of John Marcus and Kate Oden Stoltenberg. … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged Genealogy, Hostetler Studios, Photographs, Stoltenberg, Waack, Wilhelm
Leave a comment
In Memoriam: Richard “Dick” Muller
It is with great sadness we have learned of the passing of Dick Muller who not only gifted us with his time and talents, but also volunteered at many other organizations throughout the Quad Cities. Richard George Muller, who went … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Leave a comment
Thanksgiving in Davenport, 1857
On November 26, 1857, the Right Reverend Henry Washington Lee, Bishop of the [Protestant Episcopal] Diocese of Iowa, delivered a Thanksgiving [1] sermon [2] at the recently-constructed St. Luke’s Church on 7th and Brady Streets in Davenport. In “The True … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Bishop Henry W. Lee, Episcopal, Local History, St. Luke's Church, Thanksgiving
Leave a comment
Turkey Notes: Ode to Bill Wundram
It’s Turkey Note time again. Our annual tribute to this uniquely Quad Cities tradition. These three- or four-line poems traditionally wrapped in colorful paper, rolled, and tied on each end with fringed edges were created for Thanksgiving. They brought laughs, … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Alice Downer, Bill Wundram, Harry Downer, Holiday Traditions, poems, Thanksgiving, Turkey Notes
Leave a comment
