Local newspaper coverage of the Apollo 11 moon landing and images in government document publications from the Federal Depository Library Program.
NASA, The First 25 Years 1958-1983. (Washington, DC: GPO, 1983), 80.
Space Flight: The First 30 Years. (Washington, DC: Office of Space Flight, 1991), 14-16.
Space Flight: The First 30 Years. (Washington, DC: Office of Space Flight, 1991), 14-16.
(posted by Cristina)
Most individuals living in the Quad Cities are familiar with the name John Looney. From his home base across the Mississippi River in Rock Island, Illinois, Looney created an illegal empire that included gambling, prostitution, protection money, and illegal alcohol starting in the early 1900s. His control included Rock Island, Davenport, and surrounding towns.
It was only with his permission that “disorderly houses” or “resorts” (which involved gambling, prostitution, and later illegal alcohol) could be opened. Protection fees were paid by the owners to Looney along with his input in how many women could work at the resorts and who supplied the alcohol to the establishments. Many of these businesses operated under legal business titles such as soft drink parlors, boarding houses, or hotels.
Looney’s underworld empire flourished until 1922, when the murder of saloon owner William “Bill” Gable on July 31st of that year led to a gang war that soon resulted in the death of Looney’s only son and the arrest of notable underworld figures including Looney himself. However, this blog isn’t about John Looney, but someone else.
One woman played a central role in this criminal world from the late 1910s into the early 1920s. Her name was Helen Van Dale. She arrived in the Quad Cities an unknown young woman soon involved in prostitution, but Helen would rise to local prominence by the early 1920s, so the rumor goes, as the one person John Looney feared.
Then just as quickly as Helen Van Dale became a frequent headline in local history, she disappeared into the unknown until recently.
With a few genealogical clues, we were finally able to piece the details of Helen’s life together and have an ending to her story. We thought we would share her story in her birthday month of July. We will only touch on the underworld crime scene of the Quad Cities in the late 1910s into the 1920s here, but we strongly encourage readers to do more research on this fascinating subject.
We have put together a history of Helen Van Dale’s life and the lives of those involved with her for this blog.
On July 18, 1893, Eula Elizabeth Lee was born in Paris, Edgar County, Illinois near the Indiana border to James Perry and Nancy Jane Lee. Through U.S. Census research, we find in 1900 the family of three living in Paris, Illinois with James working as a day laborer.
By the 1910 U.S. Census, the family had grown with the birth of Eula’s sister, Lillis (recorded in the census record as “Dimples”, her lifelong nickname), in 1902. The family had left Paris and moved to Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois near the Rock Island/Davenport area. James Lee was now a fireman working with the railroad.
This is the last U.S. Census we find James and Nancy living together. Soon after 1910, James relocated to Peoria, Illinois and remained there. His family did not move with him. He filed for divorce from Nancy in Peoria County, IL. The divorce was finalized September 17, 1926.
Delayed birth certificate for Eula Elizabeth Lee. Delayed birth certificates were not uncommon for 1890s births.
Dazzling displays of pyrotechnics symbolize the sense of exuberance and patriotism felt on the fourth of July, also known as Independence Day. One family helped ensure the children and families of the Quad Cities celebrated with a colorful bang! In 1898, John A. Feeney established a grocery store called Feeney’s Grocery which had several locations throughout its history. During the early days of his business, Mr. Feeney sold fireworks alongside the produce and dry goods.
Mr. John A. Fenney photographed by J.B. Hostetler ca. 1912
In 1927, Mr. Feeney saw an opportunity to grow the fireworks section of his business by renting empty store fronts in Davenport and Rock Island for the month around July 4th. He stocked his stores with a delightful array of firecrackers including: roman candles, lady fingers, Vesuvius fountains, and more. Mr. Feeney’s four sons: Herbert, John Jr., Loras, and Harold, also known as Pete, helped their father at the various fireworks stores selling the fireworks to the eager children and making sure that the stores were protected from fire starters. The risk of fire loomed over a store packed with explosives, but there was only one close call that was quickly swept out the door.
“Mr. Firecracker.” The Quad City Times, July 4, 2004.
Feeney’s Grocery garnered the communities affection even more by offering the first 200 children a free bag of firecrackers including: “a sky rocket, a Roman candle, a package of Attaboy fire crackers, and a punk” on their opening day (Wundrum, “The Prince of Punk”). Some may be wondering what a punk is—a punk is a smouldering stick used to light fireworks. It looks like a tiny cattail. For children who wish to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, this is a safer alternative than burning the tips of their fingers.
The joyous celebrations of lighting off your own fireworks display lasted until Janurary 1, 1938, when a law prohibiting the sale of certain fireworks was passed. The law also provided a caveat which “only allows fireworks displays by municipalities, fair associations, amusement parks or other organziations with the permission city, town, or township authorities” (“Iowa Law Forbids Fireworks Without City or Town O.K., The Daily Times, 8). For the citizens of Davenport, this changed how they celebrated this national holiday.
“Iowa Law Forbids Fireworks Without City or Town O.K.” The Daily Times, June 24, 1938.
Although this law probihited the sale and use of fireworks, it did not prevent the community members of the Quad Cities from remembering the Feeney’s and their fireworks stores. One of the contributing factors for enacting this was the devasting fire that burnt down most of the city of Remsen, Iowa in 1936. It started when a fireworks stand exploded.
Arpy, Jim. “Who can Forget the Feeneys and their Fireworks Stores?” Times-Democrat, July 4, 1965.
Slideshow of fireworks advertisements:
Feeney’s Grocery was last located at 422 Brady Street and closed its doors in February 1970. Its history and legacy of fond memories of firework displays are remembered by all its customers.
Wishing you all a Happy Independence Day!
(posted by Kathryn and Cristina)
130 years ago this week, Davenport City Council hired Miss Annie E. Davis from Chicago, Illinois to be the first police matron for the city. On June 26, 1889, Miss Davis arrived in Davenport on an early morning train and immediately was shown to City Hall to be sworn in by Mayor Earnest Claussen.
By late morning she was already at work.
The Davenport Democrat Gazette, June 26, 1889. Pg. 1
The role of police matrons had begun in larger cities across the United States in the 1880s as part of an ongoing national reform movement. Police matrons worked in police stations and houses of detention with women and children brought in for various illegal activities such as prostitution or pick-pocketing. Others in their care had become homeless or suffered from alcoholism. For the first time, women and children were separated from male prisoners and placed under the care of female police matrons who not only took care of their physical needs while in custody but also worked to find safer situations for those who wished to leave the lives they were living behind.
Many of Davenport’s social organizations and charities had worked for months to bring a police matron onto the Davenport Police Force. This was considered an experiment by many in the community. Would this reform approach work in Davenport? Only time would tell.
Police Matron Record, June 26, 1889 – Dec. 30, 1896. First page of Police Matron record written by Annie E. Davis with women brought in to her care.
Little has been known of Annie E. Davis in our records, but through research and luck, we finally have learned a little about her life.
Anne E. Davis (referred to as Annie in newspaper accounts and documents) was born March 17, 1855, in Cincinnati, Ohio to John and Mary Davis who had immigrated a few years earlier from Wales. The 1860 United States Census lists Annie as living on a farm in Madison, Jackson County, Ohio with her parents and three brothers. The 1870 United States Census lists Annie living with her parents still in Madison, Ohio on a farm. Another brother and sister had been born into the family during the early 1860s.
By 1880, Annie and her family moved to Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana. Annie was 25 and unmarried in the census record, which was not extremely uncommon for a woman her age during this time period. Many young men died during the Civil War and those who survived or were too young to join had begun leaving the settled areas of the mid-west to go further westward to cheaper land and new opportunities. Many women of Annie’s age may have struggled to find suitors. These factors, or a lack of interest in marriage, left her as a single adult female in her parents’ household.
We learn through genealogical research that Annie’s mother dies in 1882 and her father in 1883. Around this time, Annie moves from Indiana to Chicago, Illinois to live with extended family and becomes a police matron at the Des Plaines Street Station for the Chicago Police Department.
A great deal of Annie’s work background comes from two newspaper articles published around the time of her hiring by The Davenport Democrat Gazette (June 26, 1889. Pg. 1) and The Morning Democrat (June 27, 1889. Pg. 4). The newspapers describe a well-built woman of about 35 years of age who talked about her previous job of several years with the Chicago Police Department and her efforts at reform with women and children. The one thing she noticed about Davenport was its lack of a house of detention for only women and children. When she was hired, women and children would be kept in the same general area as men.
By October 1889, a house of detention for women and children had been created at 124 W. 5th Street. Once home to Company B of the United States Army, the building was given to the city and renovated to not only house women and children in three rooms with bunks, but to serve as stables for police horses and wagons as well (it would later be known as the Ambulance Barn). Police Matron Davis had living quarters in the building as well. She was paid $50 a month to live onsite and was available 24 hours a day. The average salary listed for male police officers in the Davenport Police Department roll call books during this time was $55 a month.
The Davenport Democrat, March 14, 1892. Pg. 2.
Police Matron Davis’ duties were largely confined to the house of detention and court appearances. She was not considered a female police officer nor was she expected to patrol. Newspaper accounts would sometimes heap praise on her work while other times critique it strongly. The question that always surfaced, it appeared, was trying to reform these women and children actually working?
The Davenport Democrat, April 7, 1891.
In May 1893, a movement began in City Council to try to reduce the police matron’s salary from $50 a month to $25 dollars to save money. Annie Davis still lived in her quarters attached to the house of detention and was considered on duty 24 hours a day. This motion by some in council failed to pass.
We do not know if the attempt to reduce her salary was a factor, but on May 28, 1893, Annie E. Davis resigned as Police Matron of Davenport, Iowa effective May 29, 1893.
The Morning Democrat, May 28, 1893. Pg. 1.
The newspaper articles seemed to indicate regret at her leaving her position. All that was known was she had no position awaiting her and she returned by train to the train Station on Des Plaines Street in Chicago. It was assumed she was going to stay with family.
For many years our hunt for what happened to Annie E. Davis ended with these last newspaper accounts in May 1893. All we knew of Annie came from local newspaper articles during her service. She was a single woman of about 35 years old who came from Chicago, Illinois and returned there after she left Davenport in 1893.
Annie Davis – we quickly learned was a very common name in Chicago, Illinois in the 1880s and 1890s. So very common.
It wasn’t until a staff member came across an item in The Morning Democrat from May 25, 1892, on page 4 that we had our break in research.
The Morning Democrat, May 25, 1892. Pg. 4.
Annie E. Davis had a sister married to an Elmer Scott from Madison, Wisconsin. We quickly searched census records of Madison, Wisconsin to find no Elmer Scott listed. Not one.
Knowing local newspapers frequently made mistakes with names and places listed under the personal items, we expanded our search to nearby states. With luck, we finally found the connection. Mrs. Elmer Scott of Madison, Indiana was born Emma Davis in 1860. She was Annie Davis’ younger sister.
Once this connection was made, we finally learned what happened to Annie E. Davis, the first Police Matron for the Davenport Police Department.
After leaving Davenport, she did return to her extended family in Chicago, Illinois. In the 1900 United States Census, Annie E. Davis is living with her aunt, Annie Francis, who ran a boarding house in Chicago. No job is listed for Annie E., but she may have been assisting her aunt with managing the boarding house.
By 1910, the United States Census shows Annie E. living with her sister and her family in Madison, Indiana. Emma Davis Scott passed away on June 23, 1910, from typhoid fever.
Annie remained living with her brother-in-law and helped raise her sister’s children until her death on October 18, 1913. Her obituary in The Madison Daily Herald (Madison, Indiana Pg. 4) on October 18, 1913, mentions an illness of five months preceded her death.
Annie E. Davis was buried in Springdale Cemetery in Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana near her sister Emma and parents.
The position of police matron did not end when Annie E. Davis resigned in May 1893. Mrs. Sarah Hill was the next police matron from July 24, 1893, until November 1, 1920. Miss Tillie Boettcher became the third police matron from November 1, 1920, through May 15, 1948. Both Mrs. Hill and Miss Boettcher lived in Annie E. Davis’ living quarters at the house of detention and maintained the same 24-hour duty as she did.
With the retirement of Tillie Boettcher in 1948, the position of police matron was ended in the Davenport Police Department and the house of detention at 124 W. 5th Street closed. Modern facilities and services made the position of matron and the house of detention obsolete.
It was an experiment in social reform that began on June 26, 1889, with Miss Annie E. Davis during a time when many women and children were overcome by their life circumstances. It is amazing to see the dedication of Miss Davis, Mrs. Hill, and Miss Boettcher had to helping others.
(posted by Amy D.)
This past Tuesday evening, June 18th, local historian and collector Merle Vastine treated the audience at the Main Street library to stories inspired by selection of images from his vast private collection as part of “True Tales of the Quad Cities: Photographic Memories.” His presentation focused on various modes of transportation in Davenport’s past, including autos, railways, streetcars, steamboats, firetrucks, and horse-and-buggy delivery vehicles. Mr. Vastine has graciously granted us permission to share the slideshow of images here on our blog. Enjoy, and stay tuned for his next visit to the DPL!
Don’t forget that the RSSC Center’s own Photograph Collection includes approximately 60,000 images of Davenport, Scott County and Quad-City area people and places, many of which may be viewed online via the Upper Mississipi Valley Digital Image Archive. Our staff is always available to help you!
This year’s Quad Cities Museum Week runs from June 8th through the 16th. Participating institutions have special activities, exhibits, and promotions during the week.
One participating museum, the German American Heritage Center, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. They were incorporated on August 4, 1994.
Their mission:
“The German American Heritage Center seeks to preserve the heritage of our German ancestors for present and future generations, to enrich our knowledge of the German Immigrant experience through the creation of a library archives and museum, and to encourage German American cultural exchange programs”
Signers of the Articles of Incorporation:
Scharlott Goettsch Blevins, Kory Darnall, Michael Hustedde, James Stelk, Shirley Glover, Rose Marie Rivera, Michael Hibbs, Fred Jansen, Arlene Vogel Phillips, Richard Muller, Wayne Jens, Glenn Sievers, and Robert Voelcker.
Soon after they purchased a building at 712 W 2nd Street to use as a museum. Built in 1868, this hotel for new German immigrants was first called the “Germania House”. In 1876 it was purchased by John Fredrich Miller and renamed the “Miller Hotel”. In 1924 the name changed to the “Standard Hotel”. The upper floors of the building were used as hotel rooms while the first floor housed restaurants and bars over the years. The basement even was home to a barber shop in the early days of the hotel business. The hotel closed in 1990.
The museum opened in the first floor of their new home on May 27th, 2000. They added a gift shop the following year. An elevator was needed so that the rest of the building could be restored and used by the public.
2019 also marks the 10th anniversary of their interactive permanent exhibit, “The German Immigrant Experience”, which opened on the second floor of the building on October 3rd, 2009.
Visit their website gahc.org for information on current exhibits, tours, and events!
These are membership brochures from our collection:
The German-American Heritage Center will also be the host location for the Quad Cities Archives Fair to be held on October 26, 2019:
Sources:
Infoblatt 21, no. 1 (Spring 2019)
Infoblatt 14, no. 4 (Fall 2009)
Infoblatt 6, no. 3 (Summer 2001)
Willard, John. “Willkommen! German American Heritage Center unveils museum”, Quad-City Times (May 23, 2000)
“The journey of the German American Heritage Center”, Quad-City Times (September 27, 2009)
June 6, 1944, marks an important turning point for the Allied powers in the European Theatre. 75 years ago the beaches of Normandy were host to thousands of armed forces from the United States, Britain, and Canadian tasked with defeating the German forces. D-Day is the more common appellation of the amphibious invasion of France also known as Operation Overlord.
With this anniversary, we remember the soldiers who fought in this battle. In 2014, we showcased oral history conducted by Special Collections of World War II veterans. These men and women featured in this blog tell of their D-Day stories. We would like to share these memories with the community again.
On June 12th at 6 PM at The Library | Eastern, the Army Sustainment Command will be presenting the history of Invasion of Europe 75th Anniversary & Battle of Normandy. All are welcome to come to this event.
Helps us to celebrate this day in history by reading the blog mentioned above or attending this presentaiton.
Davenport, Past and Present published in May 1858 by the publishing house of Luse, Lane & Co. in Davenport, Iowa was an anticipated volume recounting the early history of Davenport through personal and anecdotal reminiscences, biographical sketches of influential men, and descriptions of the characteristics comprising the city.
The local printing press of Luse, Lane & Co. drummed up excitement about this work by printing an announcement about its status of being “now in Press” in The Davenport Democrat on April 30, 1858.
The May 1st release date was postponed until the end of May when the book received another mention in The Morning Democrat when it “at last appeared” for the public to purchase from either subscription or from bookstores.
“Davenport Past and Present” article published in The Morning Democrat on Thursday, May 27, 1858.
In 1898, The Davenport Democrat published an article about John E. Wilkie, son of Franc Wilkie. The article reflects on the importance of the father’s contribution to the study of early Davenport:
The Davenport Democrat published on May 8, 1898 on page 6.
In 1903, the impact of Wilkie’s work is explored through an interview with this son, John. The article consciously acknowledges the successes and failures of this volume while extolling the importance of the work in capturing the intriguing time in Davenport’s history. It publish a serialization of the book in this edition of The Daily Times.
“Davenport Past and Present” – History of the Early Days published in The Daily Times on December 19, 1903.
In addition to the text, the book boast of expertly made illustrated plates of prominent personages, scenes, and buildings in Davenport. A select sampling of this illustrations in directly below:
Frontispiece of Davenport, Past and Present depicting a view of Davenport.
The man behind the storied historical account of Davenport, Iowa was the notable Franc B. Wilkie who was a well-known reporter and editorial writer of Chicago and other area newspapers. He was born in West Charlton, Saratoga County, New York on July 2, 1832. He was a war reporter during the Civil War sharing information about the western battles. Wilkie’s Davenport, Past and Present provides an essential glimpse into early history of Davenport and the peoples who lived there.
“Death of Franc B. Wilkie” published in the Davenport Weekly Times on April 16, 1892.
Davenport, Past and Present is available for perusal at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center and online through HathiTrust Digital Library.
(posted by Kathryn)
Jonathan Smith Slaymaker was born in York, Pennsylvania on March 31, 1835. He worked as a civil engineer for the railroad. He came to Davenport and lived with his uncle Henry on Brady Street, between 14th & 15th.
Brigham’s Twin Cities Directory and Business Advertiser for 1861 & 1862
On April 24, 1861, Slaymaker enlisted in Company C of the 2nd Iowa Regiment of Volunteer Infantry. He mustered out on May 2nd, 1861 with the rank of First Lieutenant. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Captain on October 3, 1861.
Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations From the State of Iowa
Slaymaker’s words to a friend at the time of his enlistment:
“Shall I be one of those destined to be left behind when the conquering hosts return to receive the thanks of their fellow countrymen for the precious service they have rendered? is a question that frequently suggests itself to my mind. One thing I know: I enlisted in this war from principle, and I feel that I am willing to make any sacrifice that is in my power, to assist in our good and just cause. I shall not want to return unless we gain our end.”
Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of Rebellion
Captain J.S. Slaymaker died at Fort Donelson, Tennessee on February 15, 1862. In a letter from Fort Donelson sent to the Editors of the Democrat and news on February 24th and published on March 7th, 1862, a soldier in his company wrote:
“Of the five killed in our company, four fell before reaching the entrenchments. Captain Slaymaker fell within about twenty feet of the works, while gallantly cheering on his men; he strove to regain his feet, a moment after falling, but finding it impossible, rested himself on one arm, and with the other waived his sword above his head and shouted ‘Charge, boys charge!’ They were the last words he was heard to utter, for the line swept on, and before any one could return to him after the rebels were driven from their works, he was dead. Thus fell one of the noblest of men and best of Captains. His death is deeply regretted by the whole regiment – in which he was a general favorite – but by none so much as his own company, who feel that, in loosing him, the have lost one whose place can never be filled.”
Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, compiled 1861–1865.
Brigadier General Lauman wrote:
“Poor Jack Slaymaker lost his life in one of the most brilliant charges on record. He had, with his regiment, reached the breastworks and passed in, when a ball shot him in the thigh and severed the main artery. He bled to death in five minutes. I enclose a lock of his hair, which I secured myself, that you will hand to his bereaved parents. He was as gallant a soldier as ever carried a sword. After he was wounded, he raised himself on his side, waved his sword and called his men to go forward, then sank down and died. He was a good steadfast friend of mine, and I mourn him much. It is melancholy to think, that the first time he was under my commend should be his last. But he died gloriously. What more can a man do for his country?”
Atlas to accompany the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. Plate 114 No. 5
Reverend Albert Barnes wrote to his parents:
“My heart bleeds for you in your loss. Your son was lovely in his life – in appearance, in his manner, in his spirit, in his hopes and promises in regard to future life, in all that could bind the hearts of loving parents to a son. God has done it, whatever be the instrument. It seemed good to God, that he should fall as he has done. When you gave him to God, you gave him to Him to live as long as He should please, to serve Him in any way He should direct, and then to lie down and die when, where and how God should appoint. ‘I opened not my mouth’, said the Psalmist, ‘because thou didst it.'”
J. S. Slaymaker’s burial monument.
Captain Slaymaker is buried in section 1, lot 69 of Oakdale Memorial Gardens. A marble monument was completed in July 1863 with the following inscription:
“He was among the first to volunteer in the defense of the Union. After laborious and valuable service in Missouri, he fell at the memorable siege at Fort Donelson, Tenn., while gallantly leading his command to victory.”
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated vol.13 pg 357 April 12, 1862
—————————————
The Annals of Iowa 1, No. 6 (Apr 1864): 283-5
Roster and records of Iowa soldiers, war of the rebellion Vol. 1, p. 201
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper 13, (April 12, 1862): 357
Brigham’s Twin Cities Directory and Business Advertiser for 1861 & 1862 p. 92
Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations From the State of Iowa on Fold3
Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, compiled 1861–1865. on AncestryLibrary
Atlas to accompany the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. Plate 114 No. 5
“Beautiful and Appropriate Monument”, Daily Democrat and News 8, No. 234 (July 31, 1863): 1
“Letter from Fort Donelson”, Daily Democrat and News 7, No. 120 (March 7, 1862): 2
(posted by Cristina)
As the Quad Cities moves into May we are at 49 days and counting above flood stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Rock Island, IL. This breaks all previous continual flooding records at that lock. (Update 05/13/2019 – At 3:00 p.m. on May 12th the Mississippi River at Lock and Dam 15 fell to 17.9 feet for the first time since March 23rd. The new continual flooding record is now 51 days)
As indicated in our April 18, 2019 blog, extremely cold weather, heavy snowfall in the north, and a wet spring contributed to a new #8 flood record on April 8 – 9 with an unofficial record of 20.68 feet.
Since that blog, heavy rains locally and more snow up north have kept the Mississippi River rising through many cities including Davenport. This led to two recent flood-related events: a break in the Hesco Barrier near Pershing Avenue and River Drive which caused flooding in downtown Davenport on April 30, 2019 and a new historic crest level of (unofficially) 22.7 feet on May 2 – 3, 2019. The July 9, 1993 record of 22.63 feet is now ranked #2 in historic crests at Lock and Dam 15.
As we have done since 2008, photos were taken during this recent crest on May 3, 2019. Higher flood waters this time prevented us from taking photos at the locations usually used, but we tried to get near those familiar markers for perspective and comparison value.
We will share a few photos from this historic crest in comparison to photos taken on April 9, 2019.
No pictures were taken from the Arsenal Bridge or in Bechtel Park this flood due to high water conditions.
2019-11 – 0423 – Photo taken April 9, 2019 from the Arsenal Bridge looking west along River Drive. Bechtel Park would be on the right of the photo before the Hesco Barrier.
2019-12 – 0638 May 3rd – Photo taken on 2nd Street facing the Arsenal Bridge. This area was affected by the Hesco Barrier break on April 30, 2019. Past flood photos have been taken while standing on the bridge and Bechtel Park on the right next to the submerged orange road construction sign. The blue object in the road is a dumpster.
2019-11 – 0466 April 9th – Main Street facing south to Dillon Fountain with LeClaire Park and Mississippi River beyond.
2019-12 – 0713 May 3rd – Main Street facing south to Dillon Fountain with LeClaire Park and Mississippi River beyond. Same street and same barriers as April 9th.
2019-11 – 0459 April 9th – Taken from corner of Main Street and River Drive on parking ramp steps facing Dillon Fountain with LeClaire Park and Mississippi River beyond. Levee Inn, a historic flood marker, is the last building seen in the middle.
2019-12 – 0705 May 3rd – Taken from corner of Main Street and River Drive on parking ramp steps facing Dillon Fountain with LeClaire Park and Mississippi River beyond. Levee Inn, a historic flood marker, is the last building seen in the middle with water to the roof.
2019-11 – 0472 April 9th – Taken from the upper deck of the Skybridge facing west towards LeClaire Park and Modern Woodmen Park Stadium beyond. Note the Levee Inn.
2019-12 – 0660 May 3rd – Taken from the upper deck of the Skybridge facing west towards LeClaire Park and Modern Woodmen Park Stadium beyond. Union Station on the right was flooded after river water rose through the ground inside the barrier area.
2019-11 – 0548 April 9th – Photo taken from Talbot Memorial Bridge (formerly Centennial Bridge) facing east showing Modern Woodmen Park Stadium on right, railroad tracks down middle, and parking lots on left side.
2019-12 – 0842 May 3rd – Modern Woodmen Park Stadium on right side, railroad track (with kayakers) in middle, and parking lots on left. The yellow railings were part of an elevated walkway installed to allow pedestrians to cross over recently elevated railroad tracks during the flood.
2019-11 – 0566 April 9th – Davenport City Cemetery. New headstones marking the graves of Civil War soldiers. River Drive should be on the left.
2019-12 – 0737 May 3rd – Due to flooding of City Cemetery staff was unable to recreate the photo taken on April 9th. The Civil War Soldiers’ headstones are visible next to the large tree in this photo.
2019-11 – 0589 April 9th – Davenport City Cemetery corner of Sturdevant Street and River Drive.
2019-12 – 0803 May 3rd – Davenport City Cemetery corner of Sturdevant Street and River Drive from a distance due to flood conditions.
A few additional photos:
019-11 – 0447 April 9th – Close up of Hesco Barrier (since frequently referenced in flood photos) on Main Street facing south to Dillon Fountain. Figge Art Museum on right side of photo.
2019-12 – 0675 May 3, 2019 – Taken from Skybridge upper deck facing the Arsenal Bridge. Location of the long yellow color building is River Drive and Pershing Avenue.
2012-12 – 0625 May 3rd – Perry Street facing River Drive with City vehicle.
2019-12 – 0662 May 3rd – Taken from upper deck of Skybridge facing west to LeClaire Park showing band shell and Ferris wheel with baseball stadium beyond. Built-in seating in front of band shell completely covered by water.
2019-12 – 0803 May 3rd – Corner of Ripley Street and River Drive showing flooding around the Freight House building between Union Station and Modern Woodmen Park Stadium.
2019-12 – 0886 May 3rd – Hesco Barriers placed on either side of the Talbot Memorial Bridge (formerly Centennial Bridge) to prevent flood waters from closing the access to the bridge on the Davenport side.
As the water begins to recede we are hoping for a calmer late spring and summer. We admit to feeling just a little weather nervous at this time.
(posted by Amy D.)
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