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Category Archives: Local History
A Second Flood of Images
As we appear to be facing another round of flood-like behavior from the Mississippi this year, it seems fitting to continue our memorial series of high waters past with these images of the 1993 Flood. This was the flood, you … Continue reading
A Grand Lawn Fete
Iowa’s soft summer evenings beckon us outdoors for parties and celebrations. On June 14, 1897, Henry and Clara Petersen hosted a party for a cause – the Ladies Industrial Relief Society (LIRS) – and they entertained an estimated 2,000 guests! … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Ephemera, Ernst Otto, Ladies Industrial Relief Society, LIRS, Phebe Sudlow
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A Davenport Connection: The Early Life of ‘Big Nose Kate’ Horony
For those fans of the Old West, we present to you the possible early life of Big Nose Kate, also known as Katie Elder, Kate Fisher, and Katherine Cummings–Doc Holliday’s girl, she was, living in Tombstone at the time of … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Big Nose Kate, Doc Holliday, Horony, Mary Katherine Horony
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A Davenport Success Story: Von Maur, Inc.
Way back when Davenport was just getting started, general stores, or dry-goods stores, stocked almost everything a person might need, and maybe a few little extras they might want. At the same counter, one could buy a yard of fabric, … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Petersen and Sons, Petersen Harned Von Maur, The Boston Store, Von Maur
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Elsie Von Maur: Seventy-Five Years of Quad-City Music
The recent passing of Elsie Von Maur at the age of 106 led us to realize that our collection of Symphony programs reflect almost ninety-two years of music, seventy-five of which may be seen as part of Mrs. von Maur’s … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Elsie Von Maur, Music, Quad-City Symphony, Tri-City Symphony
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In Remembrance
Anyone who has gone far enough along Main has passed it– but how many of us have taken the time to look at the large stone memorial in the middle of the street or think twice about why it stands … Continue reading
Now Available! An Online Davenport Newspaper Index!
We are excited to finally be able to offer our in-house local newspaper index online. This is a subject index for events and articles of local interest from the Quad-City Times, the Leader, the River Cities Reader, and other area … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Library, Local History
Tagged Marriage Announcements, Newspaper Index, obituaries
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Just Shelved– Pride in our Hometowns: Portraits of Iowa
Subtitled “Great places to spend the day—or a lifetime,” this photograph-rich book gives both historical and current accounts of twenty-five towns and cities across the state of Iowa. From small (Adel, Pella, Woodbine) to large (Clinton, Mason City, Sioux City), … Continue reading
We never failed to catch em’!
What an appropriate motto for the Hostetler Studio and its owner and chief photographer, John Benton Hostetler! His talent never failed to catch the sparkle in a hopeful bride’s eyes, the wisdom in a patriarch’s wrinkled face, or the mischief … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Advertisements, Hostetler Studios, John Benton Hostetler, Photographs
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Remembering Patrolman Emil Speth
Ninety-one years ago Davenport Police Patrolman Emil Speth walked the streets of Davenport, Iowa, wearing badge number 13. He was appointed to the department on July 13, 1911, according to an entry in the Davenport Police Roll Call Register January … Continue reading
