Davenport’s Contemporary Club

Posted on August 24, 2009 by SCblogger

The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center welcomes donations that enrich our local history collection, particularly from organizations that have thrived within our Quad City communities. Recently a donation of Contemporary Club papers came to us.
The Contemporary Club was formed in Davenport in 1896 by Rev. Hamilton Schuyler, Dean of Davenport Cathedral. He founded the Club with the purpose of discussing current problems involving the public welfare in a serious but friendly way in order to better understand and become equipped to solve these issues.
The Weekly Outlook, a local publication “Devoted to Home and Outing Life, Literature, Art, Music, and the Drama” first reported on the fledgling club in mid-October 1896. It stated that:
“… meetings will be held every third Thursday night, at which time one of the party is to tell all he can about a certain subject assigned him by a committee. He is given half an hour to do this, and then each member present will have an opportunity to deny his premises, jump his logic, and challenge his facts for five minutes. There is no doubt but that this club will prove a lively and interesting one.”
The “by invitation only” membership was originally limited to twenty-five but was soon raised to thirty-three men. Early meeting places included Lee Hall, Library Hall at 6th & Brady, the Commercial Club, and for many years the Outing Club. Members soon referred to themselves in meeting minutes as “the Immortals” presumably because their words would live on in these scholarly papers examining contemporary issues. Over the years Contemporary Club members have included politicians, journalists, lawyers, doctors, architects and educators and the Club continues to thrive.
Stop by Special Collections sometime to view the many different and timely topics discussed in these papers ranging from serious to tongue-in-cheek. You may be surprised at how timely the topics from the early 20th century are today, such as “The Future of Credit Island”, “Prison Reform”, “Feeding a Hungry World”, or “The Influence of Modern Journalism”.
Posted by Karen

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A Veteran’s View: Robert Rubley

Posted on August 17, 2009 by SCblogger

 In 2001, our own Karen, along with several volunteers, began interviewing local residents for a World War II/Korean War Oral History Project.  Our Oral History Collection now includes the war-related stories of 74 veterans, former civilian workers, and even a war bride or two.

 Rubley-1    

  Robert Rubley signed up for the draft in 1943 at the age of
  18. Despite being born and raised in Davenport, he did
  not suffer from seasickness– he claims that this is why
  he was appointed a 2nd class quartermaster aboard the
  USS Compel, a M162 auxillary minesweeper. 

  After the War, Mr. Rubley earned a  GED and attended
  St. Ambrose University.  He is retired from Central State
  Steel and still makes his home in Davenport. 

 If, after hearing this brief recording, you would like to hear the rest of Mr. Rubley’s story, you are welcome to bring your favorite set of headphones to our Center!

Podcast: Download

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We’ll Be There at the Mississippi Valley Fair – Part II

Posted on August 10, 2009 by SCblogger

“We are here! We are here! We are here!
There’s a bright spot in the Mississippi valley
Where health, wealth and beauty wins.
We invite you one and all to rally
In our city where the west begins,
We will give you the best there is in us,
And take the greatest care,
To furnish you snappy entertainment,
At the Mississippi valley fair.
You’ll be there! We’ll be there!
At the Mississippi valley fair,
Where is the fair?
In the place of glee and fun and sport
In dear old Davenport!”*

What wonderful lyrics.  Who knew that the Mississippi Valley Fair had its own song (maybe you did after reading last Thursday’s blog)?  The “Mississippi Valley Fair Booster Song” was written and published in 1924 by Albert Petersen, Director of Petersen’s Band.  The song made its official public debut in a concert at Fejervary Park on July 6, 1924.  Then it was taken on the road.

Albert Petersen had been the fair booster band director since 1922. Yes, the fair had its own booster club with members of local civic organizations and citizens supporting it.  The job was simple, travel to local cities in the weeks leading up to the fair to attract visitors to the big event.  Apparently Mr. Petersen thought these booster trips needed a little boost and wrote this wonderful song.  Mr. Petersen taught members of the group the song and even sold copies to fans in Davenport and in the towns they visited.

July 31st, August 1st and August 2nd were the big booster trips for 1924.  On the first trip local towns between Davenport and DeWitt, Maquoketa, Clinton, Princeton, and LeClaire were visited.  The second trip included Sheffield, Kewanee, Galva, Cambridge, and Aledo. The final booster run hit Durant, Wilton, Muscatine, Columbus Junction, Washington, West Liberty, Iowa City, Tipton, and Bennett.  The trips took place via train or car caravan. 

On July 31st the first trip set off, but not before parading through downtown Davenport.  The band played the new booster song while a man named Peter MacArthur sang the lyrics for the gathered crowds.  The group that day also included two men dressed as twins, several clowns, a small calliope called a “Tangley”, a Kiwanis quartet, and much more.  Over 200 people were reported to have made the excursion that day.  The next two days saw similar numbers of members partaking in the event.  The local newspapers reported the travelers were warmly welcomed at each stop.  From lemonade to cigars to chicken dinners, the towns visited played host graciously to the probably overheated, but motivated boosters.  The last trip on August 2nd was a 300 mile trip via train – all done in one day!  The boosters seem to have done their job well as fair attendance that year was estimated at 71,443 people.

The boosters’ job was to create interest to visit the fair, but something had to keep people there once they arrived.  Starting from the first fair in 1920, entertainment was always a priority.  The 1920 fair featured such excitement as Ethel Dare who jumped from plane to plane in mid-air, horse races of all kinds, “Siege of the Dardanelles” fireworks display, and auto polo and racing.  The 1924 fair featured another fireworks display called “The Destruction of Tokyo: The Great Japanese Earthquake Disaster”, auto races, horse races, and Rubin and Cherry Shows (a traveling carnival).  Of course livestock, agricultural and industrial exhibits were always a major attraction for fair visitors.

These events were certainly something to see and talk about for months afterwards.  Even today this is true.

As the Mississippi Valley Fair has drawn to a close once again we can console ourselves with the thought that wonderful entertainment and exhibitions will return August 3 – 8, 2010.   If that seems to far away, stop by (or email or call) to see our copy of the booster song so you are prepared for next’s year’s fun.  See you at the fair!

*”Mississippi Valley Fair Booster Song” written by Albert Petersen, copyright 1924.
(Amy D.)

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We’ll Be There at the Mississippi Valley Fair – Part I

Posted on August 6, 2009 by SCblogger

 

“We are here! We are here! We are here!
There’s a bright spot in the Mississippi valley
Where health, wealth and beauty wins.
We invite you one and all to rally
In our city where the west begins,
We will give you the best there is in us,
And take the greatest care,
To furnish you snappy entertainment,
At the Mississippi valley fair.
You’ll be there! We’ll be there!
At the Mississippi valley fair,
Where is the fair?
In the place of glee and fun and sport
In dear old Davenport!”*

Something exciting is happening in “dear old Davenport” this week!  From August 4th – 9th the Mississippi Valley Fair will be held.  In fact, this tradition of “glee, fun and sport” is marking its 90th year at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in western Davenport.  Anyone interested in going?

This modern fair dates back to late 1919 when eighty-five acres of land was purchased for $91,000 according to an August 16, 1920 front page story in the Daily Times.  The fair association needed space for their grand vision: The Mississippi Valley Fair and Exposition.  The concept was simple: create an event not only for entertainment, but also as a way to share ideas and inventions between professionals and the general public. 

Des Moines had (and still has) the state fair, but few local residents had the ability to attend the grand event on the other side of the state.  The Mississippi Valley fair board not only wanted intellectual concepts  such as those on display in Des Moines to be shown here in Davenport, but they even encouraged other towns to hold their own modern fairs.  The board felt knowledge should be shared to make progress possible in a changing world.

The first Davenport fair reportedly occurred in 1854.  Held on one acre of land and hosted by the Scott County Agricultural Society, the fair focused on produce and animal displays and sales.  Over the years, the location of the fair was moved from site to site in search of a permanent home.  Locations included what is now Oakdale Cemetery (before it was a cemetery of course), the area around present day 16th and Main Streets, and on thirty-three acres of land including what is now Vander Veer Park. 

With the purchase of land in western Davenport in 1919, the Mississippi Valley fair association quickly began to build structures on the new fair grounds.  A new half-mile racing track was installed, an auto park created (that would be our present day parking lot), a 6,000 seat grandstand, comfort stations, grand entrance, exposition building, barns, and more.  All of these additions cost the fair association around $200,000 in 1920s currency.  The fairgrounds were a showcase when completed with modern day ammenities for all to experience.

The first Mississippi Valley Fair and Exposition opened on August 16, 1920 and ran through August 21st.  The fair was so exciting that Davenport Mayor Barewald declared Thursday August 19th a half work day for city and local businesses so everyone could attend the event.  Even the local retail merchant board held a special meeting and approved the mayor’s proclamation.

An estimated 115,262 persons attended the modern Mississippi Valley Fair and Exposition that first year.  The fair was a success and has been a crowd favorite for 90 years.  Anyone else feeling like eating cotton candy right now?

If you are wondering about the booster song at the top of this article, you will need to come back on Monday August 10th to find out the interesting history of the fair song and about the entertainment showcased at the first Mississippi Valley Fair and Exposition!

*”Mississippi Valley Fair Booster Song” written by Albert Petersen, copyright 1924.
(Amy D.)

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The Best Excuse Ever for Being Late.

Posted on July 27, 2009 by SCblogger

If you are planning to visit the libraries of Davenport later this week, please note that all locations—including the Main Street location, which houses our Center—will be opening late this Friday (July 31). Doors will open at 1 pm, instead of 9:30 am.

Are we undergoing universal repairs? Attending an  in-service? Perhaps an all-staff hula-hoop contest?

No, better than that!

p1020164-300x225

We will all be attending the groundbreaking\tree planting ceremony for the library’s new Eastern Avenue location.  And you are all invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place at 6000 Eastern Avenue at 10:30 am.

If the historic occasion isn’t enough, there will also be cookies and a neighborhood open house for the new homes in the area, and children will be given a tour of the equipment being used on the site.

So if you were planning on visiting the library on Friday, it looks like you might have some free time on your hands–so why not join us?   Just turn north on Eastern Avenue off of 53rd Street and keep going until you see our sign!

Want more information on our Eastern Avenue location?  The project blog can provide photos, timelines, and commentary.

See you there!

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Racing the Fire: A Close Call for Davenport

Posted on July 20, 2009 by SCblogger

“The district where the destruction was complete and which this morning is an area of smoking heap of charred embers is about a third of a mile square and can best be seen from the grounds of St. Katherine’s Hall . . . Here were gathered a great part of the people of the city last evening to witness the vast fire just below them, filling the valley, clear down to the bank of the river . . . “ 

Davenport Democrat, July 26, 1901.

 This coming Saturday marks not only the 35th anniversary of the annual Bix 7 road race, but the 108th anniversary of a far less pleasant event:  the 1901 East Davenport Fire.

No one really knows how the fire started, although there were rumors that a couple of fishermen were seen rowing quickly away from the probable point of origin, along the banks of the Mississippi River near East 4th Street. 

But that was speculation after the fact—once the flames spread to the Weyerhauser and Denkmann lumberyard, there was no time to waste on theories.  The lumberyard provided the perfect fuel for a growing fire, and it soon took off west down River Drive. 

The Rock Island and Moline fire departments raced to help the Davenport firefighters, but the combined forces couldn’t do much but evacuate the neighborhoods just ahead of the fire— even dynamite didn’t divert its relentless path—and put out the small fires started in the Mt. Ida District by embers tossed by the wind. 

The fire pushed on to Tremont Avenue, directly towards the observatory at St. Katherine’s School.  Volunteers managed to remove the telescope before the building was destroyed; luckily, the fire did not harm the rest of the school.  Nearby, in a desperate attempt to save homes further up Sixth Street, residents on both side of the street broke up their outbuildings, some of which were already alight, and scattered the pieces so that the fire would have no easy path to reach the houses.  It worked, although nine houses had already burned to the ground.

Unhampered by all outside efforts, the fire burned itself out later that same day.  It left behind more than eight city blocks in ruins and almost fifty homeless families.  The newspapers called it the “Million Dollar Fire,” and reported that the damages far exceeded the amount of insurance for any of the lost properties.  It was considered a miracle that no one was killed; in fact, no one was so much as seriously injured, including the exhausted firemen.

The library will be closed for the Bix 7 Run, but a few of us in the know will spare a thought for the fire 108 years ago that, but for the whim of the wind, could easily have destroyed the beautiful scenery that will be enjoyed in passing by hundreds this Saturday.

 

—-

Sources: 

Downer, Harry E.  History of Davenport and Scott County, Iowa.  (Chicago, Ill.: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co), 1910.

“Million Dollar Fire,” Davenport Daily Leader, July 26, 1901, p.1.

“One Million Dollars Up in Flames,” Davenport Democrat, July 26, 1901, p.1.

Svendsen, Marlys.  Davenport: A Pictorial History, 1836-1986.  ([S.L.]: G. Bradley Publishing, Inc), 1985.

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McClellan Heights-The Most Beautiful Spot in All the World for a Home…or a State Park?

Posted on July 13, 2009 by SCblogger

The BIX at 6 practice runs and the actual event take many exercise enthusiasts along a course that is both physically challenging and visually intriguing. While jogging, walking or limping through the McClellan Heights area of the course participants can enjoy the stately homes and lush landscape of this historic neighborhood. But did you know that at one time it was thought to be the perfect location for an Iowa state park?

In 1904, when Charles S. Reed, the President of the Camp McClellan Land Company, had finally acquired the land and blueprints for his proposed residential tract on the former site of the Civil War era’s Camp McClellan he touted it as “The Most Beautiful Spot in All the World for a Home”. Ads claimed 2,000 old forest trees on the grounds, fresh air, no smoke, no old houses, no saloons and no little corner stores, and seven miles of heavy macadam park boulevards. Interestingly enough, a suggestion surfaced that it should instead be used for exactly that – a State Park. It was described by Park supporters as having “all the charm of watery vistas afforded by the nearby Father of Waters and in addition the panorama of the great government island and the three sister cities…” according to local newspapers.

In fact, a bill was introduced in the state legislature asking for an appropriation of $50,000 with which to purchase the nearly 215 acres of ground in partnership with funding from the city of Davenport. Supporters included G. A. R. posts and a special “Committee for Park Promotion” made up of Davenport’s most prominent leaders: Joe R. Lane, C. M. Waterman and others.

One can only imagine the deals that were being tossed around supper tables. A February article in the Davenport Daily Leader newspaper indicated Reed would oblige, but only for a price of $750,000. Evidently he reconsidered – or at least considered – a more neighborly option when he suggested in March that he would sell the forty acres the original camp actually occupied, amounting to about four blocks in Reed’s planned residential tract, and suggested a stately monument could be erected there; all for the price of just $100,000.

Neither the state park nor Reed’s plans came to fruition however. By November the Tri City Star reported that Camp McClellan Land Company sold the 214+ acres for the sum of $50,000 to a Cleveland firm. The park bill never passed the legislature, and in January of 1906 the city of Davenport approved the official Plat of McClellan Heights First Addition to the City of Davenport in accordance with the desire of The Davenport Land & Improvement Company, owner thereof – signed and dated by company President Joe R. Lane and the title certified as free and clear by the law firm of Lane and Waterman, ironically members of that “Committee for Park Promotion” just a few years earlier.

Fortunately the city of Davenport took note of “the charm of watery vistas” establishing Lindsay Park just south of the Heights. So next time you are on the BIX course take in some of the beauty of the McClellan Heights area. It truly is a “park like” setting.

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The Next Best Thing to Calling Upon Santa Claus*

Posted on July 6, 2009 by SCblogger

This post might be a little late for the Fourth of July, but since all the fireworks won’t be used up until at least the end of this week, the following ode to a purveyor of these fantastic, explosive creations might not come amiss.

What would a good old fashioned Fourth of July be without Roman candles, one and two pound flowerpots, lady fingers, sky rockets, torpedoes, Vesuvius Fountains and punk?  Before 1937, Iowa allowed the sale of fireworks, and everyone laid in stock for Independence Day.  And odds were that if those dazzling beauties were purchased in the Tri-Cities, the money was spent in one of the half dozen temporary Feeney’s Fireworks stores.

Feeney’s Fireworks was the brainchild of John A. Feeney, who had sold fireworks in his store at 228 East Third Street from about 1920 to 1927.   He had the idea of renting several empty store buildings in Davenport and Rock Island and stocking them up as temporary fireworks stores. These stores were decorated, too, with flags and bunting in patriotic colors—and if that wasn’t attractive enough, Feeney also gave away a packet of fireworks free to the first hundred, hundred and fifty, or two hundred kids who visited his store. 

The children would spend all day choosing their favorites, only spending a dollar or two extra, but it all added up.  Sales must have been spectacular—according to newspaper accounts,* the evening skies around here shone like a colorful high noon, the air smelled like burnt matches and cordite, and the sidewalks were ankle deep with the remains of spent firecrackers.  Needless to say, the noise was incredible. 

In 1937, Iowa passed a law forbidding the sale of fireworks, and Mr. Feeney closed his temporary stores for good.  While the pets of Iowa no doubt rejoiced, the human population, especially the younger set, probably did not. 

As for the Davenport lovers of fireworks, they most likely paid a surreptitious visit across the river and returned with bulging pockets and oddly-shaped packages, just in time to celebrate the Fourth with a fiery—and loud—show of independence. 

And maybe for the following week as well.

 _____

*”Who Can Forget the Feeneys and their Fireworks Stores?” Times-Democrat   July 4, 1965 page 4D   by Jim Arpy

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KSTT: “Someplace Special”

Posted on June 29, 2009 by SCblogger

On July 7, 1946 the radio waves of the Quad Cities changed forever when KSTT went on the air for the first time with a one hour introductory program.  No one knew this dawn to dusk operation would soon become one of the most popular radio stations in the area.

Originally produced from the sixth floor of the Hotel Davenport (right across from the Davenport Main Street Library) the original programs included on-the-hour news, music segments from big band leaders like Jimmy Dorsey and Perry Como, and a daily farm report.  Local newspapers carried a daily program schedule, like today’s television show schedule, so listeners would not miss their favorite segments.

By the mid-1950s, KSTT 1170 AM had made the switch from Big Band to Top 40. From the 1950s into the 1970s, dance parties and music contests attracted large numbers of young adults to both events and radio programs.  One dance party was the “Concert of Stars” on January 29, 1959 with performers such as Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson playing for the crowds at the Capital Theatre in Davenport.  Only days later on February 3, 1959 Holly, Valens, Richardson and their pilot were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

In 1963, KSTT moved to its new building on 1111 E. River Drive in Davenport.  Located right on a major thoroughfare, the studio had a large glass window were passing cars and pedestrians could see the DJ’s playing their favorite records.  One former KSTT DJ known as “Spike at the Mike” would eventually leave the station and finish his career as “Spike” O’Dell on WGN-AM.

By the mid-1980’s, competition from other Top 40 and rock stations led management to begin to make changes in programming style.  After a brief try as an Oldies station, KSTT moved to a sports theme by the early 1990s.  On March 1, 1993 KSTT 1170 AM, the station that introduced thousands of Quad Citians to popular Top 40 music ended its run on the radio dial. The KSTT call letters were retired and replaced with KJOC.  Today KJOC 1170 AM is a news/talk format.

For many years KSTT had a slogan “Someplace Special.” For many people, KSTT will always have a special place in their memories.

(Posted by Amy D.)

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Ding, ding, ding, went the Trolleys . . .

Posted on June 22, 2009 by SCblogger

In our Special Collections Center, we have hanging on our wall an enormous double photograph showing the southern view from the corner of Third Street and Brady in 1938 and in 1952.

The two photographs, separated by only 14 years, are quite similar.  The cars are slightly different in the newer image, and the huge RKO Orpheum sign has shrunk to a tasteful marquee, and the remainder of the bricked street has been smoothed over.  And, of course, all those rails and electric cables for the streetcars have all disappeared—

What?  Oh, yes, Davenport had streetcars.  In fact, the city depended on them for the better part of a century.

The first streetcars appeared in the 1860’s, each route controlled by a different company.  Ambrose Fulton operated the Third Street Route, taking residents around the downtown area for work or shopping, and Judge James Grant’s Brady Street line ran to the fairgrounds north of the city.*  The standard fare was a nickel.

These early streetcars were open trolleys and literally horse-powered, which was troublesome in the winter.  The wooden cars couldn’t be heated without causing fire hazards, and snow made for slow-going, especially up Brady Street hill, which was probably no treat for the horses on a dry road in the summer.

Steam cars made their debut in 1878, which made the hills easier on all concerned, though the contraption apparently smelled of smoke and made quite the racket.  Even with the extra power, horses were needed to help the “Brady Street Brute” on its way.

The Tri-City Railway Company, owned by the Holmes Syndicate of Chicago, formed in 1888 out of many of the smaller railway systems.  Dr. D. W. Allen, owner of the Davenport Central Railway, resisted the merger, and electrified his line the same year.  This made Davenport the first city west of the Mississippi to have an electrically-powered street railway—and the second city in the entire country. 

By 1890, all the railways were united under Tri-City, and all were electrically powered, though several routes to less populated areas or ‘occasional routes,’ including Oakdale Cemetery, were dropped out of necessity.  Soon, Davenport was festooned with cables and lined with rails and remained so for forty-odd years.

The advent of bicycles and the growing ownership of personal automobiles took a large bite of the streetcar business throughout the decades, but it was the introduction of motorbuses to Davenport, in 1926, that signaled the end.  Buses were cost effective, comfortable, and required no special equipment; routes could be modified, or added, without major investment.  Despite an extensive advertising campaign by the Tri-City Lines, using the tagline, “The Accepted Way,” ** it was clear that the streetcar’s time had passed.

The dismantling of the railways began in the early 1930s, and by 1936, only the Bridge line, running out to Arsenal Island, was still in operation.   By 1940, Davenport’s streetcar system was gone.  Many of the old streetcars were purchased by A. D. Harris, a Rock Island entrepreneur, who sold them as chicken coops, sheds, diners, or even as a different kind of ‘mobile home.

There are a few residents who might still remember childhood rides on the streetcars with their parents, but mostly this chapter of Davenport transportation history is recorded only in the history books or in photographs, like the one hanging on our wall.

You really should come down to see it.  Just hop on the nearest stree—oh, wait.  Well, there’s plenty of metered parking, bike racks out front, and a bus stop just around the corner.

___

*Present day Vander Veer Park.

**Davenport Democrat and Leader, March 24, 1929, p. 25, col. 1.

Sources:

“Autos Force Economy by Streetcars,” Davenport Democrat and Leader, June 3, 1925, p. 2.

“Busses for Davenport,” Davenport Democrat and Leader, July 15, 1926, p. 6.

“Local Legislation in a Short Time,” Davenport Tribune, July 21, 1892, p. 2. (About electrifying the railway route along 15th Street)

Svendsen, Marlys.  Davenport: A Pictorial History (1986)

Wundram, Bill. A Time We Remember (1999)

 

(Posted by Sarah)

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