Follow us on Instagram!
Category Archives: Local History
The Mysterious Orphaned Limb of Oakdale Memorial Gardens
There are many mysteries to be found and puzzled over in our local cemeteries. The one that we are asked about most often is a simple headstone found at the end of a very long row in the Iowa Soldiers’ … Continue reading
Scott County’s Rotten Bridge
If you read this blog, you already know how much we love solving local history mysteries around here. Our latest one, featuring a peculiar epitaph referring to a tragic death, is perfect not only for this chilly month known for … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged Bridges, cemeteries, Databases, Frank Meyer, gravestones, Lorraine Duncan, Maysville Cemetery, scharlott blevins, SCIGS, Scott County, tombstones
Leave a comment
A Postcard View: St. Luke’s Hospital 1898
The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center recently received a donation of postcards showing different buildings and scenes around Davenport over the years. The above postcard is a black and white photo of St. Luke’s Hospital taken around 1898. The building was formerly the Daniel … Continue reading
A Genealogical Mystery: The Beiderbecke Family
The Beiderbecke name has been made internationally famous due to the talent and success of jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke. Locally, though, the Beiderbecke name has been well-known in the area since 1856 when Charles Beiderbecke, Bix’s grandfather, moved to Davenport … Continue reading
Guess who’s on the Network to Freedom?
We always knew Oakdale Cemetery was a special place, but it took students from Nebraska to prove it to the National Park Service. A while back, a group of Arlington High School honor students came to Davenport to research the … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Local History, Milton Howard, Network to Freedom, Oakdale cemetery, Underground Railroad
Leave a comment
It Could Have Been Worse: The Centennial Bridge Freeway Proposal
As any Quad-Citian who regularly commutes over the Mississippi can tell you, the Centennial Bridge repair project is ongoing, a new construction project has started on the I-74 off ramps in Moline, and the barges keep stalling traffic over the … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Arsenal Bridge, Brady Street, Bridges, Centennial Bridge, Harrison Street, I-74 Bridge, One-Way Streets, Welcome Way
Leave a comment
A Small German Wedding with Schöne Schuhe
On September 26, 1912, at the early hour of 7:30 a.m., Miss Alma De Beaulieu, a bookkeeper for the Fair Store in Davenport and Dr. William C. Vollstedt, a veterinary surgeon, were married at the Holy Cross German Lutheran Church. … Continue reading
Credit Where Credit is Due: An Invitation for You!
As we’ve mentioned a few times this month, this year marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Credit Island, which took place during the War of 1812, on the fourth and fifth of September in 1814. Our Special Collections … Continue reading
Posted in Library, Local History
Tagged Anniversary, Battle of Credit Island, Credit Island, Events, Fun, Local History
Leave a comment
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due: The Amusement Park Years
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Credit Island, which took place during the War of 1812, on the fourth and fifth of September 1814. Special Collections will be participating in the city’s commemoration of this event on August … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged amusement park, Credit Island, Grand Island, Grand Island Park, Parks, Suburban Island
Leave a comment
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due: The many owners of Credit Island
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Credit Island, which took place during the War of 1812, on the fourth and fifth of September 1814. Special Collections will be participating in the city’s commemoration of this event … Continue reading
