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Category Archives: Local History
A December Thanksgiving in Davenport, 1865
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
Posted in Local History
Tagged Advertisements, Civil War, Davenport Gazette, Edward Russell, shopping, Thanksgiving
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Turkey Notes: The 2015 additions
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
Posted in Local History
Tagged Davenport (Iowa), Local History, Thanksgiving, Turkey Notes
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A Veteran and a Friend
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
A Fearful Halloween Frolic
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
Posted in Local History
Tagged Halloween, Morals, Norman Macdonald, Robert Vernon, Y.M.C.A.
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Boniger’s Fancy Chicks
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
Posted in Local History
Tagged boniger, chicken, Hostetler Studios, national chicken month, Photographs, Portraits, Prizes, september
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Library Cards We Have Known
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! For information on how to obtain a new Davenport Library Card, please visit our website. To celebrate the month we have selected a few samples of Davenport Library cards through the years from our archives. … Continue reading
Posted in Library, Local History
Tagged Davenport Public Library, dpl, libraries, Library card sign up month, Library cards, september
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School Days: The new schools of 1940
Summer vacation has ended in Davenport as children returned to school this past Monday. We thought to celebrate this occasion by revisiting the Fall of 1940. Seventy-five years ago, many of Davenport’s students were entering the hallways and classrooms of … Continue reading
Road Construction: Photographic glimpses of past projects
We once again are surrounded by road construction in Davenport. If you are planning on visiting us at Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center at the Davenport Public Library – Main Street branch between now and the end of December please remember … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged 12th Street, 6th Street, Brady Street, East Locust Street, Gaines Street, Harrison Street, River Drive, Vine Street
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She’s a Real Go-Getter: Wilma Zabel at the 1925 Iowa State Fair
In late August and early September of 1925, Misses Wilma Zabel and Gertrude Koch of the Lincoln Township Go-Getters 4-H Club represented Scott County at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Their demonstration on the making of hooked rugs did … Continue reading
