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Category Archives: Local History
The Way to the Hitching Post: A winter etiquette lesson
For those of us who feel that modern society has forgotten common courtesy, it appears that people felt the same way over a hundred years ago: From the Davenport Democrat, February 10, 1885: The Way to the Hitching Post “People who … Continue reading
The Early Bird Gets the Moonshine
Oh, there was always something going on in Scott County, Iowa, in the roaring twenties, from dance marathons to gangsters. At times, the place seemed more like Chicago than a collection of small towns surrounded by farms. Looking back to January … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Moonshine, Mr. Alger, Mr. Hilson, Peter Bein, Prohibition, Raids, Sponge Squad
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Davenporter of Note: Bailey Davenport
January 9th was the 123rd anniversary of the death of Bailey Davenport, the second son of Col. George Davenport. And although he didn’t live in Davenport for a good portion of his life, we think the title of this blog … Continue reading
The Stockmen’s Savings Bank Heist: Part II
Part I of the Heist is here. ________ It was late morning on Thursday, December 15, 1921, that Harry Hamilton and Roy Purple of Davenport put their plan of becoming bank robbers into action. The Daily Times and The Davenport … Continue reading
The Stockmen’s Savings Bank Heist: Part I
December 1921 was not looking to be a merry holiday for many people in Davenport and Scott County. The country was struggling to get out of a sharp recession that had begun in 1920. Times were tough and jobs were … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Bank Heist, Bank Robbers, Harry Hamilton, Iowa, John Looney, Long Grove, R. K. Brownlie, Rock Island News, Roy Purpell, Roy Purple, Stockmens Savings Bank
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A Holiday Gift for Mr. LeClaire
So what do you buy yourself for the holidays when you own nearly the whole town? While that is a question few of us will ever have to ponder, it was probably a yearly dilemma for Antoine LeClaire by the mid-nineteenth … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Antoine LeClaire, LeClaire House, Marguerite LeClaire
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Alexander Clark of the First Iowa African Infantry
Who would have thought that a man from the small town of Muscatine, Iowa, would have been the first person to offer to raise African American troops to serve in the Iowa regiment during the Civil War? First, one probably … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged African-Americans, Alexander Clark, Civil War, First Regiment Iowa African Infantry
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What’s in a Name? The Annie Wittenmyer Home
On November 16, 1865, one hundred and fifty orphans arrived in Davenport to take up residence of the newly established Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home. Over the years, evolved and expanded over the years as the original residents grew up, eventually accepting … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Annie Wittenmyer, Annie Wittenmyer Home, Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home, place names
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The Annexation Vote of 1957
At the municipal election on November 5th, 1957, the citizens of Davenport voted on a proposal to annex two separate areas totaling 28 square miles to the City of Davenport. The first area covered 11 square miles west of the … Continue reading
Just Shelved: Family Trees, Hoosier Histories, and a Generous Legacy
Donald and Marietta Southwood were both long-time supporters of our Special Collections Center. They worked countless volunteer hours indexing and organizing resources and assisting patrons with their research. Mrs. Southwood passed away April 1, 2005, and Mr. Southwood followed on … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Library, Local History
Tagged Donald Southwood, Just Shelved, Marietta Southwood, new resources, Resources
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