Category Archives: Local History

From the Archives: The Masquers

Posted on April 27, 2009 by SCblogger

A recent addition to our Archive & Manuscript collection has brought to the forefront visions of Davenport drama and theater clubs. Davenport’s Friendly House was an early supporter of this creative outlet, first providing the venue for the “Friendly House … Continue reading →

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Fire Fighting Advance that Wasn’t

Posted on April 20, 2009 by SCblogger

In 1899, Davenport was a growing city.  This concerned those responsible for public safety, not only because the city was growing out, but because it was growing up.  From a fire department’s point of view, higher buildings mean higher fires—and in … Continue reading →

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Not Exactly Neighborly: The City Hospital Fire of 1860

Posted on March 24, 2009 by SCblogger

Every city experiences growing pains along the way, and Davenport, Iowa is no different. As population and businesses grew during the nineteenth century the city began to adapt. Davenport’s city council realized early on that two medical facilities to treat … Continue reading →

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bridge Appreciation and the Diary of Benjamin F. Gue

Posted on March 16, 2009 by SCblogger

While walking my dog along the Duck Creek Bike Path recently, I stopped on the little bridge that crosses the creek near our house and listened to the ice creaking and cracking as it was thawing. That brought to my … Continue reading →

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Happy 106th Birthday, Bix!

Posted on March 10, 2009 by SCblogger

As we could not confirm that Bix Beiderbecke ever recorded the “Happy Birthday” song, we present for your listening pleasure,  ‘Singing the Blues” by Trumbauer’s Orchestra.* May we recommend 1:25-1:40?  That right there would be the sound that lives on.** ___ * From … Continue reading →

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just Shelved: Histories of Iowa Counties

Posted on March 2, 2009 by SCblogger

 Thanks to the Scott County Iowa Genealogical Society (SCIGS), our Center can now offer the following reprints of several county histories: •      Harry Church Chappel’s History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its People (1914) •      History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, … Continue reading →

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

A Davenport Landmark: The Old Burtis House

Posted on February 23, 2009 by SCblogger

Back in 1857, there was built in Davenport a hotel named the Burtis House (hotels back then were also called houses). The Burtis was built by Dr. J.J. Burtis. Dr. Burtis was not unfamiliar with the hotel business. He had … Continue reading →

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Review: Outside In : African-American History in Iowa, 1838-2000

Posted on February 9, 2009 by SCblogger

Race is a part of all Americans’ history because we all have assumptions about it that affect how we relate within and across racial lines.  For that reason, Outside In is a book for all Iowans, not just African-Americans.* Outside-In … Continue reading →

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Small Tribute To Early Legends of Rock and Roll

Posted on February 2, 2009 by SCblogger

February 3, 2009 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the plane crash that killed musicians Buddy Holly, J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson, Richie Valens, and their pilot, Roger Peterson in Clear Lake, Iowa.  Holly, Richardson, and Valens were part of the 1959 Winter … Continue reading →

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Urban Recycling–Davenport Style

Posted on January 26, 2009 by SCblogger

The Burtis House was built in 1857 on east 5th Street in downtown Davenport.  Billed as the biggest hotel in Iowa, the Burtis was perfectly positioned to take advantage of the passenger trains coming over the first railroad bridge across … Continue reading →

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments