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Tag Archives: Fire
The Central Junior High School Fire of 1949
It was an unusually warm, but windy evening on Sunday, December 11, 1949. It was shortly before 7:00 p.m. when Ruth Ann Brasnar and Merline Frost were walking near Central Junior High (607-611 21st Street) in Rock Island, Illinois. The … Continue reading
The St. Elizabeth’s Tragedy: Part I of II
In the early morning hours of January 7, 1950, as frigid winter temperatures were made harsher by a strong wind, Mercy Hospital night orderly Murray Francis noted an eerie light glowing outside. Shortly after 2:00 a.m., he activated an alarm. … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Anna Neal, Disasters, Fire, Mercy Hospital, Psychiatric Hospital, Sisters of Mercy, St. Elizabeth's
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A Place to Tap Your Feet – The Col Ballroom
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a hundred times (how many of us heard that saying growing up?), the early Quad City Germans loved to sing and parade through town. It wasn’t just local Germans truthfully. When Davenport held special … Continue reading
A Davenport Landmark: The Old Burtis House
Back in 1857, there was built in Davenport a hotel named the Burtis House (hotels back then were also called houses). The Burtis was built by Dr. J.J. Burtis. Dr. Burtis was not unfamiliar with the hotel business. He had … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Burtis House, Crescent Macaroni Factory, Dr. J.J. Burtis, Fire, Hotels
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Remembering the Effie Afton
Today is the anniversary of the first time a riverboat hit the railroad bridge between Davenport and Rock Island, Illinois. Why is this more significant than any other Mississippi River disaster, or any other time (and there were several) when a boat … Continue reading
Posted in Local History
Tagged Abraham Lincoln, Accidents, Bridge, Effie Afton, Fire, Mississippi River, riverboats, Train
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