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Category Archives: Local History
Albert Nuckols: Two Views
We close out Black History Month 2024 with a comparison of two images of Davenporter Albert Nuckols (d. 1889). The first, dating from 1868 to 1870, conveys the Reconstruction hope for the participation of newly-enfranchised African Americans into United States … Continue reading
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UMVDIA Spotlight: Wolverine Orchestra in the Gennett Recording Studios, Richmond, Indiana
On February 18, 1924, eight men of the Wolverine Orchestra gathered together to record their music in Richmond, Indiana at Gennett Records. This Midwestern recording studio was founded by Starr Piano Company in 1917. It was active from 1917 to … Continue reading
A Valentine for Special Collections
Love it! A timely Valentine’s Day surprise arrived this week at the RSSC Center, just as we were puzzling over our blog post about the holiday. It was a box of Valentine’s cards belonging to a Davenport girl! Frances Helen … Continue reading
Winter Works
We salute all those who are working outdoors this snowy, icy, rainy January of 2024! Of the many projects undertaken by the Civil Works Administration in Scott County during the Great Depression, two of those directed by the Davenport Park … Continue reading
Snowy Scenes of Davenport Past
As the second major storm of the second week of 2024 approaches, we invite you to enjoy these snowy scenes of Davenport past from somewhere safe indoors! Unless otherwise noted, the images below are from the Davenport Chamber of Commerce … Continue reading
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A Winter Library Visit: The Independent Baking Company
We always enjoy looking at this picture taken in the mid-to-late 1910s at the Independent Baking Company at 2429 Rockingham Road. It is a winter scene with the librarian checking books in and out for children dressed against the cold … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged bookmobile, Friendly House, Independent Baking Company, Library Stations, Winter
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Davenporters in the Domain
This coming Monday, January 1, 2024, we celebrate “Public Domain Day,” when copyright protections under U.S. law expire for books published in the year 1928. Works such as D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterly’s Lover, Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, W.E.B. Du Bois’ Dark … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Charles Edward Russell, copyright, Local History, public domain, Susan Glaspell
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Living Memory History: The Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery Christmas display
It started as a very small and simple display during December 1937. Just a manger near a waterfall and lights on two nearby trees. It became what was thought to be the nation’s largest Christmas display with thousands of families … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged cemeteries, Christmas Display, Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery, Raymond Groves
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December DOBs in Davenport
These fresh-faced young Davenporters were born in the month of December in the 19-teens, their images captured by portrait photographer J.B. Hostetler. Irene Katherine Stoltenberg was born on December 2nd, 1913, the daughter of John Marcus and Kate Oden Stoltenberg. … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
Tagged Genealogy, Hostetler Studios, Photographs, Stoltenberg, Waack, Wilhelm
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In Memoriam: Richard “Dick” Muller
It is with great sadness we have learned of the passing of Dick Muller who not only gifted us with his time and talents, but also volunteered at many other organizations throughout the Quad Cities. Richard George Muller, who went … Continue reading
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