Category Archives: Local History

A Flood of Images: 2011 edition

Now that the River has receded from its crest of 20.7 feet,* we thought it was time to take a look back at this year’s flood, which knocked the 1892 flood out of fourth place by almost a foot and … Continue reading

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Now, about those flying cars . . .

 All aboard!  Please fasten your seatbelts. Buckle up!  Lift off! If you are traveling to another city, state, or country by land or air—or if you’re even one of the chosen few to travel though space—you have to have vehicle … Continue reading

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Poets and Poetry: With a Mississippi Walking Stick

April is National Poetry Month, so it seems fitting to share  the work of a few of our local poets each week. Richard Stahl was born and raised in Davenport.  He graduated from Central High School in 1957 and later taught English there for 34 years. His … Continue reading

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Early (Early) Education

The Kindergarten was developed by Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) in Blankenburg, Germany, beginning in the 1830’s and 1840’s. Germans that immigrated to the United States brought with them Froeble’s concept. The first English-speaking Kindergarten was opened by Elizabeth Palmer Peabody in … Continue reading

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Poets and Poetry: Sonnets of a Portrait-Painter

April is National Poetry Month, so it seems fitting to share  the work of a few of our local poets each week. Arthur Davison Ficke, son of prominent businessman Charles August Ficke, was born in Davenport in 1883.  Although he … Continue reading

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150 Years Ago Today

April 12, 2011, marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War— a war from which 13,589 Iowa men, and countless others, never returned home. Our Special Collections Center, is home to many interesting primary and secondary resources … Continue reading

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Poets and Poetry: I See the Hills

April is National Poetry Month, so it seems fitting to share  the work of a few of our local poets each week. George Cram Cook, author and playwright, was born in Davenport on October 7, 1873.   Although he considered Greece his … Continue reading

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Flood of Images: the West End Perspective

As we keep a watchful eye on the river levels around here, it might be interesting to look back at the last  few times it rose up to shake hands with Davenport. Here are a some of our favorite flooding … Continue reading

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Celebrate Bird Day – it’s the law!

On April 20, 1923, The 40th General Assembly of the State of Iowa enacted the observance of a new holiday:  Bird Day. It was an act to designate and set apart the twenty-first day of March as a day for … Continue reading

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Did somebody say “spring”?

Daylight Savings Time began yesterday, which means that spring is just around the corner! Are you ready for the warmer temperatures and blooming flowers? Here is an image from our photograph collection that we hope will get everyone excited about … Continue reading

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