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Category Archives: Local History
Old Jokes: When Genealogists Go Bad
Quizzer— What’s the matter, old man? You look worried. Sizzer— I have cause to. I hired a man to trace my pedigree. Quizzer— Well, what’s the trouble? Hasn’t he been successful? Sizzer— Successful? I should say he has! I’m paying … Continue reading
Posted in Genealogy, Local History
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Floods we have known
The “Flood of the Century”–well, the one in 1965, anyway April showers may bring May flowers, but in Davenport, winter precipitation traditionally brings April flooding. As neither the Mississippi nor Duck Creek appears to be approaching major flood … Continue reading
Whatever Happened To . . .Davis Gardens?
Davis Gardens was a small gardening business started by James W. Davis on April 29, 1911, that eventually grew to be the largest greenhouse operation west of the Mississippi. For years they grew fancy cucumbers and flowers, but ended up … Continue reading
The Mississippi Ice Jam of 1868
March 13, 1868 tells the story of the massive ice gorge that occurred on the Mississippi as the rain and spring thaw caused the ice to go out. The ice gorged above the bridge and at the bend in the … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Bridges, Floods, Ice Jams, Mississippi River, weather
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April Fools? Not Us!
While we love the fun of April Fool’s Day, we have found in our years of work that we have no need, or desire, to fool people. The real facts relating to genealogy and local history are full of surprises. … Continue reading
Celebrating Women’s History Month: Women’s Art – Women’s Vision
The 2008 Women’s History Month theme asks us to honor and recall the originality, imagination and multiple dimensions of women’s lives. A fine example of this would be 70-year-old Mrs. Mary E. Gensley who received a patent in December 1918 … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Inventions, Mary E. Gensley, Patents, Women's History
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St. Patrick’s Day, 1869 — A Tradition is Born
Ahh, St. Patrick’s Day. The wearin’ o’ the green is surely a celebration at its finest! Davenport has a long tradition of observing this delightful day as evidenced in the March 18, 1869 edition of the Davenport Daily Gazette. … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Parades, St. Anthony's Church, St. Mary's Catholic Church, St. Patrick's Day
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For Bix — Happy Birthday
A moment of silence, please, for the jazz musician who didn’t need to read music with his eyes to play notes with his soul. Born March 10, 1903. Died August 6, 1931. His music lives on. And now, a moment … Continue reading
March Madness!
This year’s local high school basketball teams have been extremely successful. The Davenport Central High School Blue Devils and Davenport Assumption Knights have made it to the boy’s state basketball tournament and the Lady Knights from Assumption became state champions … Continue reading
