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Category Archives: Local History
Dred Scott Slept Here
In 1833, John Emerson, an army physician, moved to Fort Armstrong on the Mississippi River Island now called Arsenal Island. With him, Dr. Emerson brought his slave, Dred Scott, whom he had purchased in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Emerson became … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Dr. John Emerson, Dred Scott, freedom, The September Project
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A Place to Tap Your Feet – The Col Ballroom
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a hundred times (how many of us heard that saying growing up?), the early Quad City Germans loved to sing and parade through town. It wasn’t just local Germans truthfully. When Davenport held special … Continue reading
The Ephemera Files: Labor News
We hope you had a wonderfully relaxing Labor Day holiday. I took the opportunity to think about what we have in our Special Collections ephemera files that pertains to the labor movement or to local labor organizations and found two … Continue reading
Davenport’s Contemporary Club
The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center welcomes donations that enrich our local history collection, particularly from organizations that have thrived within our Quad City communities. Recently a donation of Contemporary Club papers came to us. The Contemporary Club was formed in … Continue reading
A Veteran’s View: Robert Rubley
In 2001, our own Karen, along with several volunteers, began interviewing local residents for a World War II/Korean War Oral History Project. Our Oral History Collection now includes the war-related stories of 74 veterans, former civilian workers, and even a war bride or two. … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Oral History, Robert Rubley, Veteran, World War II/Korean War Oral History Project
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We’ll Be There at the Mississippi Valley Fair – Part II
“We are here! We are here! We are here! There’s a bright spot in the Mississippi valley Where health, wealth and beauty wins. We invite you one and all to rally In our city where the west begins, We will … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Booster Song, Ethel Dare, fair, Mississippi Valley Fair, Rubin and Cherry Shows
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Racing the Fire: A Close Call for Davenport
“The district where the destruction was complete and which this morning is an area of smoking heap of charred embers is about a third of a mile square and can best be seen from the grounds of St. Katherine’s Hall … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged 1901 Fire, Davenport, East Davenport, Fires, Iowa, Mt. Ida, st. katherine's school, Weyerhauser and Denkmann
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McClellan Heights-The Most Beautiful Spot in All the World for a Home…or a State Park?
The BIX at 6 practice runs and the actual event take many exercise enthusiasts along a course that is both physically challenging and visually intriguing. While jogging, walking or limping through the McClellan Heights area of the course participants can … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Camp McClellan, Civil War, Local History, McClellan Heights
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The Next Best Thing to Calling Upon Santa Claus*
This post might be a little late for the Fourth of July, but since all the fireworks won’t be used up until at least the end of this week, the following ode to a purveyor of these fantastic, explosive creations … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Feeney's Fireworks, Fireworks, Fourth of July, Independence Day
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