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Category Archives: Local History
Bethel A.M.E. turns 150!
The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Davenport is celebrating their 150th birthday! The November 30, 1865 issue of the Davenport Daily Gazette published the first of many articles focused on the church. The note said that a group of African … Continue reading
Aiming for Success: Davenport High School Girls’ Rifle Club
In March of 1927, 10 girls from Davenport High School formed the Girls’ Rifle Club. Under the direction of Mrs. F. C. Strohbehn, they practiced for a year at a shooting range located in the basement of the closed Adams School, 7th … Continue reading
Buffalo Bill Cody: Birthday Boy
Buffalo Bill. It’s a name that conjures images of the Wild West: cowboys on horseback, wide open spaces, a sky that goes forever, great gun battles, leather with fringe, the list goes on… The best part about Buffalo Bill, though, … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Actors, Buffalo Bill, LeClaire, Wild West, William F. Cody
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Going Local for African-American History Month 2016
Delve into the rich history of the African-American community in Davenport with these resources available from the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center: Oral Histories An oral history of the Black population of Davenport, Iowa. Davenport, Iowa : Palmer Junior College, c1979. … Continue reading
Jewels of the Mississippi for Valentine’s Day
Need ideas for what to give your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day this year? Take inspiration from the jewelry adorning these lovely local ladies from a hundred years ago, photographed by J. B. Hostetler’s studio in Davenport.
Posted in Local History
Tagged 1910s, earrings, Fashion, Hostetler Studios, jewelry, necklace, pearls, pendant, Photographs, Portraits, rings
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Remembering Lorraine Duncan
Special Collections would like to recognize the passing of Vada “Lorraine” Duncan who has been a loyal and generous supporter of the local genealogy community. She passed away in January, just a bit shy of her 95th birthday. Lorraine was … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Library, Local History
Tagged Genealogical research, SCIGS, Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society, volunteers
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Floods of 1916: The February flood of water and ice
One hundred years ago, the Quad City region went through a double flood year. Not something they felt like celebrating, we feel sure. To make things a little more unpleasant; the first flood occurred from about January 30 through February 7, 1916. … Continue reading
Davenport and the Democratic “Reform Caucuses” of 1972
It seems you can’t swing a dead cat in Davenport prior to the start of the presidential primary season without hitting a hopeful come to drum up support among voters. Candidate visits, with their attendant media coverage, are such a common … Continue reading
Ida Johnson and United Neighbors, Inc. of Davenport
In celebration of the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, Special Collections would like to feature Davenporter Ida Johnson, recipient of the 2001 Iowa Commission on the Status of African-Americans’ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award exactly … Continue reading
