Latest News By Telegraph: The Impending Battle of Gettysburg

By the mid-nineteenth century, newspapers were beginning to regularly use information passed through the telegraph for news stories. It was not unusual for some breaking stories to contain misinformation, but that must have been a minor inconvenience compared to the benefit of receiving news within 24 to 48 hours of its occurence.

News by telegraph took on new importance during the Civil War as families on the home front tried to keep up with battles and track their loved ones troop movements. Locally, the Daily Democrat and News printed a section, Latest News By Telegraph, every day. It was filled with the war news received overnight.

In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 – 3, 1863) we are copying the Latest News By Telegraph published on July 1, 1863.

Since June 27th the telegraph had carried reports of rebel troops moving around Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and retreating. Union troops were on the move as well. They would collide at Gettysburg, PA.

The information below is reprinted from the original newspaper:

The Herald has the following:
Columbia via Lancaster, June 30
 
               By rebel information we learn that the enemy is falling back along the entire line. The city of York was evacuated last night or early this morning. Gen Early is reported to have carried off a vast amount of money and stores.
                Deserters from the rebel army say the rebels are concentrating for a great battle with Meade, but this is not believed by those in official stations.
                It is reported that there is a large rebel force opposite McCall’s Ferry. Deserters from York say they heard this spoken of by some of Early’s officers. This is the movement against Philadelphia.
                It is believed that Meade has retaken Hanover Junction.
                All along the line of the Susquehanna above and below here, pickets are stationed in sufficient force to prevent a crossing.
                It is hoped Longstreet’s pontoon train accompanies his troops to McCall’s Ferry.

 

[Special to the Times]
Headquarters Army Potomac,
June 30 – 8 P.M.
 
                 I am just in from the front. The rebel force which made the raid on the Baltimore & Ohio R.R. consisted of Stuart’s whole force. Monday night they arrived at Westminster, threw out strong pickets and shot two citizens trying to escape.
                Early in the morning Gen. Griggs attacked Stuart and drove him from Westminster to Hanover, Pa.
                During this A.M. Gens. Fitz Patrick and Castor drove Stuart from Hanover, after a splendid fight, and are still pursuing him, his force going towards Gettysburg and part towards York.
                During the day Gen. Buford drove a rebel regiment of infantry out of Gettysburg, who retired in a northeasterly direction.
                It is reported that the rebels borned Cashtown, Pa., yesterday.
                The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was repaired last night. The bridge on Piney Run has been restored and the train which left this morning for Frederick and Harper’s Ferry has gone through without interruption.
                The telegraph was repaired in half an hour after rebels disappeared, and in a few hours the bridge track was laid and the rails replaced.
                The rebel cavalry which yesterday attacked a company of the 1st Delaware at Westminster and drove them towards this city, was doubtless the advance guard of Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry leading the way across the country through Baltmore county, to enable them to join the main rebel army in the vicinity of York and Gettysburg.
                The signal pickets put 20 miles out announced a movement in the neighborhood of Westminster of a large cavalry force undoubtedly Fitzhugh Lee’s, which crossed the Potomac on Sunday.
                It is hoped they were intercepted by Pleasonton’s cavalry, who were sent in pursuit.
 
 
 
Harrisburg, June 30
 
                 A citizen of Carlisle, who left there at 11 o’clock today, arrived here this P.M., states that infantry, 40,000 strong, with 40 pieces of artillery, left this morning for Gettysburg. On his way he met nothing but Cavalry pickets.
                During the stay of the rebels they occupied barracks and grounds and most of the prominent buildings which were vacant. The citizens were compelled to furnish rations so far as their means would admit.
                During yesterday the rebel officers appeared uneasy for fear their trains would be destroyed, which were in the rear.
                One hundred prisoners arrived at Carlisle which the rebels captured at Gettysburg, and were robbed of their boots and shoes and all other valuables, after which they were left to go home barefooted as best they could.
                The rebel officers stated that they did not design to burn the barracks, as they intended to return, but at 3 P.M. a loud explosion occurred in that direction, and it is believed that they were blown up.
                Private property was generally respected, but shoe and drug stores were cleared out. Some paid for the goods in green backs and a few in gold and silver.
                It is believed that the main body of the rebel army is in the neighborhood of Shippensburg. They all stated that their destination was Harrisburg, but thought it probable that they might be compelled to fight the Army of the Potomac before accomplishing their object.
                The danger to Pennsylvania and the North is still imminent, everything depending upon an encounter between Lee and Meade. If our army should be defeated we have no hope except in large armies to be raised in the North. No efforts should be spared to hurry forward large military organizations everywhere.
 
 
 
Lancaster, Pa, June 30
[Special to Tribune]
 
               The rebels have fallen back ten miles from Harrisburg.
               Gen Couch and staff crossed the Susquehanna and occupied the south bank of the river. Meade occupies Hanover and York to-night, cutting the rebel lines in two.
               The rebels are rapidly concentrating in the interior.
               Pleasonton makes great havoc in the rear of the enemy’s trains.
               A great battle is thought to be imminent. The rebels must fight on Meade’s ground or disastrously retreat.

 

We now know, the great battle was no longer imminent, but raging on the hot summer fields at Gettysburg.

Nearly 94,000 Union troops and 72,000 Confederate troops met during those three days. The Union losses totalled 3,155 killed, 14,531 wounded, and 5,369 captured/missing. Confederate losses were 4,708 killed, 12,693 wounded, and 5,830 captured/missing.

(posted by Amy D.)

For more Gettysburg telegraph reports, please click here.

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First National Bank of Davenport: 150 years of memories and architecture

This June marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the First National Bank of Davenport.  Although it is no longer with us, its legacy lives on in the architecture of the building that stands at 201 West Second Street.

Image from a 1876 Davenport Business Directory

Image from a 1876 Davenport Business Directory

 The First National Bank was just that—the very first in the country to open under the National Banking Act of 1863, which was passed to ensure stable, uniform currency across the country at a time when many banks were issuing their own private, unregulated tender, making it easy to defraud banks hundreds of miles away.

 The original bank building was three stories high on the corner of 2nd and Main Streets.

First 1st National Bank

Barring a few hiccups, the span of decades between the Civil War and the Great Depression were generally a time of growth for banking houses, and by the 1900s, the First National Building was deemed too small.  It was razed and a six-story building took its place.

According to the January 31, 1923 Davenport Democrat, plans were already underway to replace this building with an even larger one—tenants were given until the first of May to find other offices.  Only a few days later,  a fire raged through the building, and what the flames didn’t destroy was damaged by the heavy ice formed from the spray of the fire hoses.

Image from the February 3, 1923 issue of The Daily Times

Image from the February 3, 1923 issue of The Daily Times

.  Soon after, First National merged with the Union Bank and Trust Company and the newly renamed Union Savings Bank built a nine-story building, designed by Frank A. Childs and William Jones Smith, on the usual corner:

Image from "Welcome to Our New Home" pamphlet, First Bank Center, July 1986 (ephemera collection)

Image from “Welcome to Our New Home” pamphlet, First Bank Center, July 1986 (ephemera collection)

During the 1920s, Union Savings also bought out the Scott County Savings Bank and the Davenport Savings Bank, and their clients considered the bank to be one of the strongest in the area.

But the Great Depression was not a good time for banking houses, or anyone else, and panic destroyed more banks than actual insolvency.  Rumors that Union Savings was in trouble caused a frenzied run on the bank, as frightened depositors lined up to withdraw all their money at once—causing the very failure that they feared.

The Union Savings Bank closed December 26, 1932.  And all the Davenporters who had kept their faith in the fifty-year old institution lost their savings.

But the building, now occupied by a branch of US Bank , still stand as a National and local landmark and an important piece of Davenport History.

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Platting the Past

Maps are fascinating glimpses into the past—but not always for the obvious reasons.

Take this 1940s era plat book for example, which shows us what a modern and attractive home looked like at the time:

PlatMapFront

This set of plat maps is undated, inside or out, which means the publication date needed to be approximated.  We could compare the development of the city to out date maps, or check the city directories to see when the First Federal Savings and Loan Association was in operation, but that gives us a wider range than we’d like.

Luckily, sometimes you can judge a book by its cover!

If you look to the left of the stylish house, you’ll see the words, “G.I. Loans: Home Purchase, Construction, and Repair.”  The term G.I., which refers to the military, came into common usage during WWII, so we can be safe in assuming that this item was printed in the 1940s, once soldiers started to come home.

PlatMapBack

The back cover confirms our assumption—the Centennial Bridge opened July 12, 1940.

Plat maps are used for many purposes—this one, produced by the First Federal Savings and Loan in Davenport, was most likely used to determine available properties for purchase or development in Davenport . . . and also, naturally, to encourage returning soldiers and others to take out loans for the purpose.

The advertisements scattered throughout the book, from wholesale building supplier to realtors, home insurance companies to civil engineers bear this out—in fact, maps of all kinds can often be read as historical business listings:

PlatMap024--ads  PlatMap018--ads

PlatMap019--ads  PlatMap017--ads    PlatMap012--ads

PlatMap007--ads PlatMap006--ads

But of course, plat maps also document the development of a place, and this set does so beautifully, supplying the names of neighborhoods, additions, lot boundaries, cemeteries, parks, schools, and everything else that might have interested a prospective resident or businessman then—and a curious researcher now:

PlatMap022--cropped

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For They Say When you Marry in June . . .

“For they say when you marry in June,
You will always be a bride . . .”

 We can’t be sure whether this rhyme held true for Clara Louise Hass,* who married Walter Kruse on June 2, 1917, but judging from the photographs taken by the Hostetler Studio, her wedding was certainly memorable!

Hass Wedding 1

Miss Hass was the daughter of John H. Hass, president of the Scott County Savings Bank, and her wedding took place in their home on the corner of Forrest Grove Boulevard and East River Drive, in what would eventually be called McClellan Heights.*  The groom was a full partner with Clausen & Kruse, one of the foremost architectural firms in the city.*

Naturally, their nuptials were of great interest to the society section of the Davenport Democrat, which gave almost a full column-worth of description of this singular event in the June 3rd issue:

Hass Wedding 3

 . . . Mrs. Leon Hass, sister-in-law of the bride, was hte matron of honor and a trio of little friends, Catherine Clausen, Frederick Speers and Edward Decker, attended her as flower pages and train bearer.

“The bride was in a gown of white bridal satin, the square neck waist of rose point lace finished with a girdle of white panne velvet. The short sleeves were of shirred tulle, and the full court train fell in graceful folds from the shoulders where it was held with a silver and white chain. The wedding veil of embroidered tulle was held with clusters of orange blossoms and caught to the train with sprays of the same flower.

The bride carried a shower bouquet of lilies of the valley and white lilacs and her only ornament was a sapphire and diamond hair pin, the gift of the groom.

The matron of honor was in Russell pink satin with a bodice of sequins, and  train of rose pink tulle.  She carried a full bouquet of roses and corn flowers.

The flower pages were in rose and white satin vogish costumes of Colonial days.  Miss Catherine’s dress was a slightly hooped skirt of rose satin, slashed, with under ruffles of white embroidered organdy.  She wore a daintily embroidered cap of organdy and lace.  Frederick Speers, who walked with her just ahead of the bride, was in a Colonial caot of rose satin and white satin knee breeches.   Both carried white staff bouquets, formally arranged of roses and corn flowers . . .

Hass Wedding 2The announcement went on to supply a detailed account of the mothers’ outfits and the bride’s traveling outfit, some personal information on the bride and groom, and the names of a few of the out-of-town guests.

It does not mention how the young gentlemen felt about their outfits or their headgear.

This is probably for the best.

_________________________

*We’re aware that we’re taking liberties with song lyrics from the 1954 movie “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” but myths about June brides have been around for centuries . . . and we just couldn’t help ourselves.

**This firm, under several names, designed many of Davenport’s landmark buildings, including the Scott County Savings Bank, the Davenport Municipal Stadium (aka John O’Donnell Stadium, currently Modern Woodman Stadium), and the Petersen Memorial Music
Pavilion in LeClaire Park. The firm is now called SGGM (Scholtz-Gowey-Gere-Marolf) Architects & Interior Designers and is one of the oldest architectural firms in Iowa.

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Aiding the Genealogy Effort: World War I Draft Registration Cards

On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany.  On May 18, Congress passed the Selective Service Act, and every male resident of the United States between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, regardless of citizenship status, was required to register for the draft.

Some men bypassed this requirement by enlisting outright, and a very few managed to avoid it altogether, but all-in-all, about 98% of the male population under the age of 46 filled out a registration card.

The draft was of great assistance to the American War Effort  . . . and the Registration Cards can be of great assistance to the efforts of genealogists researching their early 20th Century male ancestors.

Not only do these cards  supply the birth date and place of the draftee,  but also the citizenship status, employment, employer, marriage status, and information on his dependents or nearest relative–and even a physical description!

The First Registration Day was held on June 5, 1917, for men born between June 6, 1886 and June 5, 1896.  Starting on June 2, The Daily Times newspaper printed a registration card form for any Davenport men aged 21 to 31 who wanted to save time—it also asked that employers allow their workers to drop in during the day, as the registration office didn’t want to be overwhelmed after business hours!

WWI Registration Card

In retrospect, this was a reasonable concern:  Scott County registered 6,827 men between 7 am and 9 pm.

A Second Registration Day was held exactly one year later for men born between June 6, 1896, and June 5, 1897.  This was primarily for men who had turned 21 since the previous Registration Day and for men who had not, for whatever reason, previously registered.  Just to make sure everyone was ‘caught’, there was a supplemental registration held on August 24th.  Scott County rounded up 583 more draftees in 1918.

The Third Registration was held on September 12, 1918, and called for men born between September 11, 1872, and September 12, 1900, who had not previously registered.  This greatly broadened the scope of the draft and Scott County was able to register 2, 267 men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five this final time.

Most of the men in this last registration did not have a chance to serve before the War ended two months later, but their information is still on file—and still accessible to the interested researcher!

Our Special Collections Center has World War One Draft Registration Cards for Scott County and some other Iowa Counties on microfilm, as well as for Rock Island, Illinois.  You may also access these through Ancestry.com—our library has a subscription that you are welcome to use at any of our three locations!

 

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“An Honor to their Friends at Home, to the State, and their Country”

The Davenport Public Library will be closed Monday, May 27, in honor of those who gave their lives so that we could have the opportunity to live ours in freedom.

dplvm89-000636

The Scott County Soldiers’ Monument was erected as a memorial to the Scott County soldiers who died in the Civil War, but over the years, it has become a reminder of all who have fought to defend our country.

It is built of a single piece of solid English granite on a foundation of Nauvoo stone. Fifty feet above the base is a pedestal with an eight-foot figure of an infantry soldier of 1861. On each side are bias relief panels with emblems representing the armed forces of the nation and eulogies for the fallen.

To the south is the United States coat of arms, and the words, “Erected by the citizens of Scott County, In Memory of the Fellow Citizens who Died in Defense of the Union 1861-1865.”

To the west, the sabers and revolvers of the cavalry, and the epitaph, “Proved themselves the Bravest of the Brave—General H. W. Halleck.”

To the east are the anchor and shot of the navy, with, “An Honor to their Friends at Home, to the State, and their Country.”

And to the north, the crossed cannons of the artillery and the quote of another of the fallen: “They died ‘That Government of the People by the People and for the People Might not Perish from the Earth’—A. Lincoln.”

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A Sad Loss: Credit Island Lodge

On the morning of May 2, 2013, Davenport’s history suffered a sad loss: the historic Credit Island Lodge was severely damaged by fire.

Blueprints in the Richarson-Sloane Special Collections Center show the original plans were designed by Clausen & Kruse Architects located at 910 Kahl Building* and dated August 23, 1923.

Credit Island Inn 003

Credit Island Lodge Blueprint – Clausen and Kruse, August 1923

By September 23, 1923 the Davenport Democrat and Leader reported that contractors J. F. Nebergall and Son**  had started work on the building.  It was finished in 1924.

The lodge was originally designed for the golfers enjoying the island’s golf course, and included caretaker accommodations.  The site enjoyed many parties, gatherings, and celebrations over the years as rooms could be rented for events. In 2011 the Lodge’s interior was redone as part of a restoration of Credit Island Park.

dplvm89-000852

Credit Island Lodge c. 1924

Over the years, the building survived wind, weather, and many Mississippi River floods, which eventually ruined the back nine holes of the nearby golf course.  Ironically, the protective barrier still surrounding the building from the previous month’s flood*** posed a challenge to the firemen’s attempts to save the building.

At this posting, the fire has been provisionally determined to be accidental. The City of Davenport does not know if the lodge will be rebuilt or not.

dplvm89-002024

A later view of the Credit Island Lodge

(posted by Amy D.)

_________________________________

*The Kahl building’s street address is 326 W. 3rd Street, Davenport, IA. 910 Kahl Building probably refers to the floor and office space within the building.

**J. F. Nebergall & Son’s office was listed as 301-302-303 Central Office Building in the 1923 Davenport City Directory. The street address would have been 230 W. 3rd Street, Davenport.

***As Credit Island is closed to all but emergency personnel when the Mississippi floods, we have no flood photographs in our collection from the site.

(posted by Amy D.)

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The Colorful Wedding Announcement of Miss Helen Watts

Included in our Hostetler Photograph Collections is a set of glass negatives  showing the former Miss Helen Kelsey Watts in her wedding gown, in which she married Mr. Homer Brown Payne.

Payne Wedding 2

While researching these images, we located a wedding announcement, published in the Davenport Democrat on May 17, 1914—a nice long one, too, as both Ms. Watts and her groom came from well-to-do families.

Finding marriage announcements can be a little tricky—they were published anywhere from the day of to several months after the actual wedding, depending on the time period.  But we have several newspaper indexes that make the search that much easier—one of them is even available on our website, and is accessible from your own home computer.

These article are usually well worth the effort; early wedding photographs may be beautiful slices of time,  but most of them—and all the glass negatives in our collections—predate color photography.

Luckily the newspaper provides all the visual details, but describing the entire scene in loving color:

Payne Wedding1

The matrons of honor…were dressed alike in cream colored silk lace gowns made with dainty apron effect of pink chiffon taffeta edged with knifeplaiting, the girdle of pink satin ending in large butterfly sash bows of the same delicate shade of rose.

They wore pink lace castle caps trimmed in dainty little nosegays and with larger clusters of pink satin rosebuds on each side, and they carried staff bouquets of white baskets filled with lilacs, the basket handles tied with bows of pink tulle…

Payne Wedding

The bride entered on the arm of her father…She was in an exquisite gown of ivory while chiffon panne satin made simply, the drapery falling away into the lines of a long, pointed train; this was caught just above the waist line with a garniture of rose buds. The short tunic-like drapery of the skirt had a deep under flouncing of point d’Alencon, and the bodice with its round neck and short sleeves was entirely of the dainty lace.  The long bridal veil fell to the hem of the wedding gown and was caught with tiny bunches of orange blossoms to the little Juliet cap of tulle.  This had an inner ruching of the point d’Alencon that was fashioned as a frill, the points caught back to the cap. The bride wore the wedding gift of the groom, a ring of diamonds set in platinum, and carried an immense bouquet of lilies of the valley.

Details of the reception, photographs of which are not in our collection, are also thoughtfully supplied:

 The [Outing Club] rooms were all beautifully decorated for the occasion in the lavender and pink bridal colors…The large ball room was trimmed in garlands of huckleberry, the balcony rail stair balustrade, arc ways and openings were all festooned with the foliage, with bridal wreath and lilacs used profusely in artistic arrangement.  The wicker room mantle was filled in a banked with ferns and palms, and baskets of lilacs, snapdragons, roses, lilies of the valley and the different spring flowers in season, were used about the rooms and on the radiators, and in the super room where a buffet luncheon was served during the evening.

The announcement provides more than just color commentary:  the article is packed with choice bits of information about the bride and groom, their friends, their families, and even their financial prospects!  The destination of the honeymoon was apparently kept secret from the newspaper, but it did mention that the newlyweds would be setting up home at 29 Edge Hill Terrace, in the fashionable “Camp McClellan” neighborhood.

Clearly marriage announcement can be a rich source of family history and genealogical shortcuts—short of a time machine, there’s nothing better than a good marriage announcement to fill in the rest of the picture!

(posted by Sarah)

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Throwback Thursday: The Quad-Cities USA Campaign

While adding items to our Ephemera collection, we found brochures for the Quad Cities U.S.A. campaign—and we couldn’t resist sharing!

________________

“A typical Quad-Cities resident lives in one community, works in another and shops in a third city. It’s urban, but also rural; it’s Midwestern, but not small town; it’s sophisticated, but casual; it’s quality within quantity; and most of all, it’s friendly.”

The Quad-Cities U. S. A. promotion campaign began around 1980 when a local radio station wanted to promote our area. The Quad-City Development Group coordinated the program with help from local advertising, public relations agencies and industries.

One of the major purposes of the campaign was to promote unity and identity among the collective residents of the several cities that had merged geographically over the last century.  It was hoped that this sense of interdependent community would help promote the Quad-Cities as a place with the benefits of small town life and the advantages of the big city.

So, what are the “Quad-Cities”?

Officially, the counties of Scott (Iowa) and Rock Island & Henry (Illinois) make up the Davenport-Rock Island-Moline, Iowa-Illinois Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area, DRIM-SMSA.

But practically speaking, the Quad-Cities is the label for fourteen neighboring municipalities: Davenport, Bettendorf, Eldridge, Panorama Park and Riverdale in Iowa, and Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Milan, Silvis, Coal Valley, Carbon Cliff, Oak Grove and Hampton in Illinois.

So why aren’t we called the Tetradeca-Cities?

In the beginning, we were the  Tri-Cities:  Davenport, Rock Island, and Moline.

There are several theories about why “Quad” was added to our name:  Bettendorf finally grew up enough to join the party; a road atlas made a mistake and it stuck; or someone noticed that there were a lot of cities inside the quadrangle created by Interstate-80 and Interstate-280.

But whatever the real reason, as more towns and cities were absorbed, it became clear that it would be extremely inconvenient to upgrade our collective name every few years.

So we didn’t.

What happened during the campaign?

The Quad-City Development Group brought the creative talents and funds together for the project. Over $500,000 in Public service air time and advertising space went into the campaign as well as many hours of perception research and concept development.

Some of the taglines used in their brochures include:

“Quad Cities USA – Where the World’s Busiest Highway Meets The Heartland’s Mightiest Waterway”

“…Where The ‘Father of Waters’ meets ‘The Mother Of Invention’”

“…Where Urban Lifestyle And Rural Beauty Sing In Harmony.”QCUSA

A stylized “Q” to symbolize the union of cities was designed by the Deere & Company visual communications department, and a film mirroring Quad-Cities industry, lifestyle, recreation and agriculture was produced by Forward of Illinois Productions, of Morton.

There was even a song commissioned to convey “the upbeat spirit of our metropolitan life.”  Charlie Teague, of Warren, Anderson, Litzenberger & Teague, Inc., wrote the lyrics and Bob Jenkins Associates, of Chicago, composed the music.

But it wasn’t all fun and games.  Several serious incentives were offered to businesses considering relocation or opening branches in the Quad-Cities—or even transporting their goods through what was advertised as a “personal Port of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone.”

That’s pretty cool! You wouldn’t happen to have a copy of that Quad-City theme song around?

We have a copy on 7 inch vinyl in our collection, which we’ve digitized and posted on another blog post for your listening pleasure. We also have a brochure with the lyrics in our ephemera files.

Lyrics:
I know a place
Where there’s work to be done
Where there’s room for me
and who I want to be.
Somewhere I can do the things
I’m good enough to do.
Where I can build my tomorrow.
Where I can live with the eagles.
Fly with the eagles and be free.
Quad Cities U.S.A.
Lookin’ better every day
Quad Cities, you’re the place I want to be.
I want to be.

There’s a river
A stream that works while it plays.
A road through history
Down to the shining sea.
This mighty, rollin’ river,
tells me that I’m home
Where I can build my tomorrow.
Where I can live with the river
Flow with the river and be free.
Quad Cities U.S.A.
Growin’ stronger every day
Quad Cities you’re the place I want to be.
I want to be.

On this good land
The seasons flavor my life.
And it’s good to know
Of things that live and grow.
I can raise my family
Where the good life’s gonna be.
And I can build my tomorrow.
Where I can live on the good land
Grow with the good land and be free.
Quad Cities U.S.A.
Growing better every day
Quad Cities you’re the place I want to be.

Where I can live with the eagles,
Fly with the eagles and be free.
Quad Cities U.S.A.
Lookin’ better every day
Quad Cities, you’re the place I want to be.
I want to be.
I want to be.

(Posted by Cristina)
_______________________________

Sources:

McGowan, Susi. “Quad Cities USA.” Home & Away (AAA Iowa Motor News), 1982: 16f-16i.

“Quad Cities USA: Looking Better Every Day.” Davenport, Iowa: Quad City Development Group, 1982.

“Quad Cities USA: The Connection.” Quad-City Development Group, 1988.

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A Flood of Images: April 2013

Another flood has come and gone (or at least it is on its way to being gone!). While this one did not crack the Top 10 flood list, it unofficially crested at 19.12 feet on April 21, 2013 at Lock and Dam 15.*

19.12 feet will place this flood at the #13 spot of Historical Crests. It barely edges out the current #13 which was the flood of February 22, 1966 which crested at 19.00 feet.

On Monday, April 22, 2013 pictures were taken of the flood in downtown Davenport. As with A Flood of Images: 2011 photos are shown from east to west in case anyone wants to compare.

***

Looking west from the Arsenal Bridge. River Drive looks like the Mississippi River. Flood Photos - 2013 138Hesco barrier at corner of Iowa St. and River Drive.Flood Photos - 2013 142

Another view Hesco barrier taken from Bechtel Park at Iowa St. and River Drive. Flood Photos - 2013 156Dillon Fountain corner of Main Street and River Drive.Flood Photos - 2013 114

The Levee Inn – Locally famous for the flood crest markings in the corners of the building.Flood Photos - 2013 122LeClaire Park and Bandshell along the river. You can see water up to the tops of the seats. The train tracks are under water too. No jazz concert today!Flood Photos - 2013 128

Modern Woodmen Park – With walkway in place the games go on!Flood Photos - 2013 078

Myrtle Street and River Drive in west Davenport. Skate Park is closed!Flood Photos - 2013 066

River Drive looking east from Sturdevant St. at Davenport City Cemetery.Flood Photos - 2013 050On a positive note, the grass is green and our feathered friends don’t mind the water at all! City Cemetery along River Drive in west Davenport.Flood Photos - 2013 031

As the flood of April 2013 passes there is one question on our minds. With all the snow still up north could this be a repeat of 2008? That year the Mississippi crested on April 29th at 19.24 feet and again on June 16th at 21.49 feet. We certainly hope not!

*Update – June 27, 2013: We are preparing for our 4th crest of 2013. It has been a busy year on the Mississippi River (and other local rivers too).

Following are the crest dates and levels for 2013:

1) Mississippi River crest officially on April 21, 2013 at 19.12 feet. This crest currently resides at #13 in the Top 20 Highest Mississippi River Crests.

2) Crest 15.93 feet on May 14, 2013.

3) Crest 16.34 feet on June 5, 2013.

4) Crest expected July 1, 2013.

(photos and post by Amy D.)

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