Tag Archives: Davenport Fire Department

Davenport Fire Department: The Seagrave Hose Truck 1913

We would like to celebrate with the Davenport Fire Department. On June 20, 2020, the Fire Department announced the addition of a new Truck 1 into their fleet. This new fire truck replaces one purchased in 1996. This, of course, … Continue reading

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National Handwriting Day: January 23, 2020

To celebrate National Handwriting Day, we thought we would share handwriting samples from the early years of the City of Davenport. Not only are handwritten documents from the city historically important, but we enjoy the different styles of handwriting shown … Continue reading

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May the Fourth: International Firefighters Day

Geeks everywhere know what day it is. That’s right, it’s International Firefighters Day! Did you know that Davenport, Iowa is home to the International Fire Museum? The Museum is located in the old Hose Company No. 4 at 2301 E … Continue reading

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Davenport Fire Department: 1928 American LeFrance Hook and Ladder

One thing we have learned in Special Collections is to always look for glimpses of history in unusual sources. We recently caught such a glimpse courtesy of a minor traffic accident that occurred at 15th And Gaines Streets on August … Continue reading

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The Davenport Fire Department: twenty-six years in the making

Whereas, the events of the past week have made it very manifest that a more expeditious method should be adopted of procuring water to extinguish fires than by hauling it in Casks on drays from the river; Therefore be it … Continue reading

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A Fire Engine by Any Other Name

Great excitement greeted the arrival of the month of March in 1866—and it wasn’t weather related!  The citizens of Davenport were awaiting the arrival of their new fire engine with great anticipation.  This wasn’t a simple hand pump type, but a … Continue reading

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A Moment to Remember: Armistice Day, 1925

The ghosts and goblins were gone and local turkeys were still being fattened up in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner. But Davenporters, and most of the world, were about to pause in their holiday preparations on to remember those who fought … Continue reading

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The Fire Fighting Advance that Wasn’t

In 1899, Davenport was a growing city.  This concerned those responsible for public safety, not only because the city was growing out, but because it was growing up.  From a fire department’s point of view, higher buildings mean higher fires—and in … Continue reading

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