Category Archives: Local History

A Look Back: Snow removal in the 1940s

Posted on December 30, 2015 by SCblogger

We thought we would take a look back this week at snow removal in Davenport as we wait to see what kind of winter awaits us in 2016. The picture below shows the Davenport Public Works department hard at work … Continue reading →

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Closed for the Holidays

Posted on December 23, 2015 by SCblogger

The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center and the Davenport Public Library will be closed Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th in honor of the Christmas holidays. We will be re-open on Saturday December 26th from 9am – 5:30pm. We would … Continue reading →

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A Christmas “Fowl” on West 6th Street

Posted on December 17, 2015 by SCblogger

While the holiday season is known for its colorful lights and joyful atmosphere, many of us find the hustle and bustle to be a little stressful as well. While we like to imagine that holidays past were more peaceful, we … Continue reading →

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Riefe’s Restaurant: A sad goodbye

Posted on December 10, 2015 by SCblogger

It was 66 years ago that a father and son team opened what would become a landmark restaurant in west Davenport. Orval Riefe and his son, Del, opened Riefe’s Sno-Cone Drive-In at 1737 Fillmore Lane in 1948. Located between West … Continue reading →

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A December Thanksgiving in Davenport, 1865

Posted on December 3, 2015 by SCblogger

One hundred and fifty years ago this coming week, on December 7, 1865, Davenporters observed a memorable National Day of Thanksgiving. In the words of Iowa Governor William M. Stone’s proclamation, printed in the Davenport Daily Gazette on the 6th, … Continue reading →

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The St. James Thanksgiving Feast: 1891

Posted on November 25, 2015 by SCblogger

We have located another wonderful hotel menu printed in a local newspaper highlighting the amazing Thanksgiving feast awaiting hotel patrons at a local establishment. This year’s selection is from the Davenport Daily Leader, published on November 25, 1891 on page 5. The … Continue reading →

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Turkey Notes: The 2015 additions

Posted on November 19, 2015 by SCblogger

As loyal readers of this blog know, this is the time of the year when we share our favorite Turkey Notes submitted by staff of the Davenport Public Library. If you are not among our regular readers, our best explanation is … Continue reading →

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A Veteran and a Friend

Posted on November 10, 2015 by SCblogger

In honor of Veterans Day we would like to share a portion of an Oral History interview conducted on June 4, 2001. Interviewer: Susan Carlson, WWII/Korean War Oral History Project Veteran: Army PFC Kenneth Roy Plumb Enlisted June 1954. 82nd … Continue reading →

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A Fearful Halloween Frolic

Posted on October 29, 2015 by SCblogger

Children involved in Halloween mischief has always been a concern for adults in Davenport. From outhouse tipping to pumpkin smashing or worse; adults have tried to keep children busy on Halloween night and away from trouble. The Davenport Y.M.C.A. had those thoughts … Continue reading →

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Boniger’s Fancy Chicks

Posted on September 10, 2015 by SCblogger

September is National Chicken Month! It’s the perfect time to share one of our favorite photos from the Hostetler Studio Collection, Mr. Boniger’s prize winning chicken. Emil C. Boniger won many prizes for his chickens, as you can see from this … Continue reading →

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