Tag Archives: cemeteries

Living Memory History: The Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery Christmas display

It started as a very small and simple display during December 1937. Just a manger near a waterfall and lights on two nearby trees. It became what was thought to be the nation’s largest Christmas display with thousands of families … Continue reading

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Scott County’s Rotten Bridge

If you read this blog, you already know how much we love solving local history mysteries around here. Our latest one, featuring a peculiar epitaph referring to a tragic death, is perfect not only for this chilly month known for … Continue reading

Posted in Genealogy, Local History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Genealogical Mystery: The Beiderbecke Family

The Beiderbecke name has been made internationally famous due to the talent and success of jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke. Locally, though, the Beiderbecke name has been well-known in the area since 1856 when Charles Beiderbecke, Bix’s grandfather, moved to Davenport … Continue reading

Posted in Genealogy, Local History | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Before the Arsenal

As many of you may have seen in the newspapers, this month marks the 150th anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal, though the Mississippi River Island it sits on has been part of the history of the Quad-Cities since a … Continue reading

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Summit Cemetery: Memories of a Rural Past

It catches the eye.  Nestled amongst more elaborate headstones in Summit Cemetery is a small wooden grave marker.  It is simply engraved “Lena Smith 1915 – 1932.”  One cannot walk by, but feels the need to stop and ponder about … Continue reading

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Cemetery by Any Other Name

In July of 1900, the West Davenport Cemetery Association was looking for a new name for the cemetery. They were worried that it was too easily confused with Davenport’s City Cemetery, which was also located on the west part of … Continue reading

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Orphans of Oakdale Cemetery

One of the most persistent local legends in Davenport centers on Oakdale Cemetery on Eastern Avenue. In this cemetery is a special section where children from the Iowa Solders’ Orphans’ Home*, standing just across Eastern Avenue, were buried. And it is said that if you … Continue reading

Posted in Local History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 45 Comments