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Category Archives: Local History
The Importance of Primary Resources
One of our readers, former Davenporter Brendan Wolfe, wrote to share an interesting story about the only known newspaper interview with Bix Beiderbecke, which was published in the Davenport Democrat on February 10, 1929. Bix Beiderbecke is always interesting, at … Continue reading
The 911 of 1889
On the afternoon of February 8, 1889, the alarm at telephone patrol box number 3 at Front Street between Main and Brady Streets was sounded by an officer on patrol. It was the first alarm sounded on the week-old system that … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Davenport, Davenport Police Department, Patrol Wagon, Telephone, Telephone Patrol Box
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Meet Frank McElroy
Davenport has had its share of inventors and entrepreneurs over the years. Some, like Alexander F. Victor, with his 16mm film projector and eventual 80 patents, were a great success, revolutionizing their particular industry. Some . . . were not. … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Automatic Shoe Shine Company, Frank McElroy, Inventors
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Our “Special” Visitors for 2009
This year, genealogists and history researchers came from all over the country to the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center, to use our wonderful resources. They came from far away to fill in the blank branches of their Family Trees. They found … Continue reading
Come to our Open House Putti Party!
As our loyal readers know, in 1905, W.C. Putnam generously donated to our library a reproduction of a frieze designed by Donatello in the 1400s. The frieze, which hung in the library’s auditorium for decades, was removed when the original … Continue reading
Posted in Library, Local History
Tagged Blackhawk Hotel, Carnegie Library, frieze, W. C. Putnam
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Looking Back, Moving Forward
We at the Special Collections Center spend a lot of time searching the past. For the first post of 2010, we thought we’d take the time (no pun intended) to reflect on our own accomplishments over the past decade. We’re … Continue reading
Winter Wonderland: 1909
Local children are currently doing their best to sled in the Quad City area. The existing snow is beginning to wear thin though, with the fresh white blanket beginning to mix with the dark browns of soil and old leaves. All eyes … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Davenport (Iowa), Local History, Record Cold, snow, weather, Weather Records
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A Quiet Salute to a Friend: Officer Michael Farnsworth
On December 5, 1971, five men entered the Quality Motel on Main Street and forced their way into the room of Davenport Police Patrolman Leon Washington. The men hit Officer Washington and tied him up, then stole three automatic pistols, … Continue reading
Let’s Talk Turkey (Notes)
It’s what you’ve been waiting for all year: our annual Turkey Note blog post! Since we’ve pretty much covered the basics last year, we thought we’d share some staff-created, Special Collections\library-oriented Turkey Notes for the enjoyment of our loyal readers. … Continue reading
Special Collections Closed for Thanksgiving!
Special Collections and the Davenport Public Library will be closed on Thursday, November 26, 2009 so that staff may celebrate Thanksgiving with their friends and family. The library will be open Friday November 27th at 9:30. We apologize for any … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
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