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Category Archives: Local History
The Davenport Glucose Works
Corn, as everyone knows, isn’t just for eating on the cob. The possibilities for corn products appear to be endless: ethanol, plastics, liquors, starches, packing material, fabrics—and of course, corn syrups. It seems like corn syrup has been part of … Continue reading
Remembering Police Officer James W. Means
James Wilson Means was born in Pennsylvania around 1824, reared and married in Ohio, and then settled in Davenport around 1855 with his young family. By the spring of 1883, Mr. Means was a respected officer with the Davenport Police Department. … Continue reading
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
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
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
Posted in Local History
Tagged Dick Stahl, Poets and Poetry, Richard Stahl, With a Mississippi Walking Stick
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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
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
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
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
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
