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History of Davenport, Iowa, USA
Journey back in time to Davenport, Iowa, USA
Explore Davenport, Iowa, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Davenport Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!
Davenport, Scott, IA
Alexander Victor from Davenport, Iowa, invented the first electric washing machine for the White Lily Company. He then went on to invent an amateur Motion Picture Camera and Projector and start the Victor Animatograph Corporation in Davenport. This company manufactured the first 16mm motion picture projector, and became a leader in the field of motion picture technology.
Walt Disney applied for his first job at the Victor Animatograph Corp. in Davenport. They didn't hire him.
In 1885, Dr. William West Grant of Davenport, Iowa, performed what is believed to be the first successful appendectomy in the U.S.
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Explore even more about Davenport, Iowa, USA. Keep reading!
Davenport Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Davenport, Iowa, USA
Artwork
Picturesque America... Oliver Bell Bunce, William Cullen Bryant
New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1872-1874.
Davenport, Iowa, USA
Postcard
Davenport, Iowa, USA
Advertisement
So-N-Mor
The Dress-Shield Retainers
A. R. Reese, Davenport, Iowa
The Ladies' Home Journal
July 1898
Davenport, Iowa, USA
Postcard
Natatorium
Davenport, Iowa, USA
Postcard
Second Street, Looking West
Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to DAVENPORT
IOWA ROOTS - I'm from IOWA! Crick and Hot Dish Lover Ceramic Mug
Celebrate your Iowa roots with this charming Iowa-inspired ceramic mug! Perfect for your morning coffee, tea, or any hot beverage, this mug proudly declares, "I'm from Iowa! That explains a lot about my love for calling every creek a 'crick' and every casserole a 'hot dish,' no exceptions."
Discover Davenport: History, News, Travel, and Stories
1854 - Davenport
Davenport, a flourishing city, capital of Scott county, Iowa, is finely situated on the Mississippi river, at the foot of the upper rapids, opposite the town of Rock Island, 330 miles above St. Louis, and 60 miles E. from Iowa City. It has advantages which indicate that it will continue to grow in ex tent and importance. Its prosperity is in creased by the certainty of a connection with the East by means of the Chicago and Rock Island railroad, commenced in 1851. An other railroad is projected from this point to the Missouri river. During low water the navigation is obstructed by the rapids, which extend 20 miles above this place. The project of bridging the " great river" at this point is exciting considerable attention. Two or three newspapers are published here. Stone coal is so abundant and cheap in the vicinity, that steam-power is chiefly used for manufacturing purposes. Davenport is built at the foot of a bluff, which rises gradually from the river, with a chain of rounded... Read MORE...
Davenport, a flourishing city, capital of Scott county, Iowa, is finely situated on the Mississippi river, at the foot of the upper rapids, opposite the town of Rock Island, 330 miles above St. Louis, and 60 miles E. from Iowa City. It has advantages which indicate that it will continue to grow in ex tent and importance. Its prosperity is in creased by the certainty of a connection with the East by means of the Chicago and Rock Island railroad, commenced in 1851. An other railroad is projected from this point to the Missouri river. During low water the navigation is obstructed by the rapids, which extend 20 miles above this place. The project of bridging the " great river" at this point is exciting considerable attention. Two or three newspapers are published here. Stone coal is so abundant and cheap in the vicinity, that steam-power is chiefly used for manufacturing purposes. Davenport is built at the foot of a bluff, which rises gradually from the river, with a chain of rounded... Read MORE...
1895 - Davenport
Davenport, a flourishing city of Iowa, and the capital of Scott co., is pleasantly situated on the N. bank of the Mississippi River, at the foot of the upper rapids, about 335 miles above St. Louis. It is 70 miles (direct) S. of Dubuque, and 183 miles by railroad W. by S. of Chicago. It is the S. terminus of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail road, and is on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Other railroads terminating on the E. bank of the river connect it at the city of Rock Island with the Eastern cities. It is built partly on the slope and top of a bluff, which is moderately steep, and commands extensive and beautiful views of the river and Rock Island. This island, which belongs to the United States and is the site of a United States arsenal and military headquarters, is about 3 miles long, and is diversified with beautiful scenery, and embellished with several costly structures built by the Federal government. A grand wrought-iron bridge, for railroad trains and... Read MORE...
Davenport, a flourishing city of Iowa, and the capital of Scott co., is pleasantly situated on the N. bank of the Mississippi River, at the foot of the upper rapids, about 335 miles above St. Louis. It is 70 miles (direct) S. of Dubuque, and 183 miles by railroad W. by S. of Chicago. It is the S. terminus of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail road, and is on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Other railroads terminating on the E. bank of the river connect it at the city of Rock Island with the Eastern cities. It is built partly on the slope and top of a bluff, which is moderately steep, and commands extensive and beautiful views of the river and Rock Island. This island, which belongs to the United States and is the site of a United States arsenal and military headquarters, is about 3 miles long, and is diversified with beautiful scenery, and embellished with several costly structures built by the Federal government. A grand wrought-iron bridge, for railroad trains and... Read MORE...
1895 - Blizzard - THE STORM STILL HOVERS OVER THE UNITED STATES. IT IS SEVEREST IN THE EAST. TRAFFIC ALMOST ENTIRELY AT A STANDSTILL -- RAILROAD TRAINS BLOCKADED -- BUSINESS PARALYZED -- PEOPLE FROZEN TO DEATH AT SEVERAL PLACES...
...Coldest Of The Winter.
Davenport, Ia., Feb. 9. - Last night was the coldest of the winter, a fitting climax to three weeks of as cold weather as was ever known here. The signal service reported 21 below zero, private thermometers registering as low as 26. There was little moderation today...
The Delphos Daily Herald
Ohio
February 9, 1895
...Coldest Of The Winter.
Davenport, Ia., Feb. 9. - Last night was the coldest of the winter, a fitting climax to three weeks of as cold weather as was ever known here. The signal service reported 21 below zero, private thermometers registering as low as 26. There was little moderation today...
The Delphos Daily Herald
Ohio
February 9, 1895
1897 - EXPLOSION IN A SIRUP REFINERY. Causes a Fire and Loss of Life.
Davenport, Iowa - August 19 - An explosion of dust knocked out two walls of the elevator of the Davenport Sirup Refinery to day.
John RAPP and John RAHN, two men in the cupola, were forced to jump sixty feet and were badly injured.
Wm. WOLF, a farmer, was fatally crushed, and his seven year old daughter was killed.
Frank STEVENS was also injured. The building took fire and was destroyed.
Madison Courier
Madison, Indiana
August 19, 1897
Davenport, Iowa - August 19 - An explosion of dust knocked out two walls of the elevator of the Davenport Sirup Refinery to day.
John RAPP and John RAHN, two men in the cupola, were forced to jump sixty feet and were badly injured.
Wm. WOLF, a farmer, was fatally crushed, and his seven year old daughter was killed.
Frank STEVENS was also injured. The building took fire and was destroyed.
Madison Courier
Madison, Indiana
August 19, 1897
1907 - DIES UNDER CAR WHEELS.
DAVENPORT, Iowa, March 21. - P. J. Kiley, of Boston, Mass., was run over by a train here today and killed. With his wife, he was returning to Boston from St. Elmo, Calif. As their train came to a stop here they alighted for a few moments. When the train started up Mrs. Kiley boarded the train safely but Kiley was struck by a projecting girder and thrown under the wheels.
The Duluth News Tribune
Duluth, Minnesota
March 22, 1907
DAVENPORT, Iowa, March 21. - P. J. Kiley, of Boston, Mass., was run over by a train here today and killed. With his wife, he was returning to Boston from St. Elmo, Calif. As their train came to a stop here they alighted for a few moments. When the train started up Mrs. Kiley boarded the train safely but Kiley was struck by a projecting girder and thrown under the wheels.
The Duluth News Tribune
Duluth, Minnesota
March 22, 1907
1916
Davenport, a city of Iowa, the capital of Scott co., is pleasantly situated on the NW. bank of the Mississippi River, at the foot of the upper rapids, about 335 miles above St. Louis. It is on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, the Chicago, Rook Island and Pacific and other railroads, 183 miles W. by S. of Chicago. It is built partly on the slope and top of a bluff, which is moderately steep, and commands extensive and beautiful views of the river and Rook Island. This island, which belongs to the United States and is the site of a United States arsenal and military head-quarters, is about 3 miles long, and is diversified by beautiful scenery and embellished with several costly structures built by the Federal government. A railroad and wagon bridge unites it with Davenport.
Davenport (which is a Roman Catholic and Protestant Episcopal see) contains a court-house, city-hall, opera- houses, high- and normal-schools, several Catholic institutions for advanced learning (Academy of... Read MORE...
Davenport, a city of Iowa, the capital of Scott co., is pleasantly situated on the NW. bank of the Mississippi River, at the foot of the upper rapids, about 335 miles above St. Louis. It is on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, the Chicago, Rook Island and Pacific and other railroads, 183 miles W. by S. of Chicago. It is built partly on the slope and top of a bluff, which is moderately steep, and commands extensive and beautiful views of the river and Rook Island. This island, which belongs to the United States and is the site of a United States arsenal and military head-quarters, is about 3 miles long, and is diversified by beautiful scenery and embellished with several costly structures built by the Federal government. A railroad and wagon bridge unites it with Davenport.
Davenport (which is a Roman Catholic and Protestant Episcopal see) contains a court-house, city-hall, opera- houses, high- and normal-schools, several Catholic institutions for advanced learning (Academy of... Read MORE...
1923 - 9 HURT WHEN ROLLER COASTER CARS CRASH AT DAVENPORT PARK.
Davenport, Ia., June 18. - One person was seriously injured and eight others received minor injuries in a roller coaster accident at Forrest Park, a local amusement resort Sunday night.
The injured are:
MARY TAYLOR, 16, skull fractured, may die.
WOOD TAYLOR, 29, nose broken.
AUBREY TAYLOR, 18, leg mangled.
CHARLES FORGEE, 20, legs lacerated.
LORETTA THOMPSON, 16, broken jaw.
ARTHUR WENTZ, 18, internal injuries.
ROBERT MONTAGUE, 20, limbs lacerated.
EUGENE ESTESS, 14, leg injured.
FRANCIS WHITAKER, shocked and bruised.
The accident was occasioned by the collision of two cars both loaded with passengers. One car had ascended the incline to a height of 60 feet when an axle broke, allowing it to drop backward down the incline. At the bottom it struck another car which was about to ascend the incline. All the injured are in the hospital.
Waterloo Evening Courier
Iowa
June 18, 1923
Davenport, Ia., June 18. - One person was seriously injured and eight others received minor injuries in a roller coaster accident at Forrest Park, a local amusement resort Sunday night.
The injured are:
MARY TAYLOR, 16, skull fractured, may die.
WOOD TAYLOR, 29, nose broken.
AUBREY TAYLOR, 18, leg mangled.
CHARLES FORGEE, 20, legs lacerated.
LORETTA THOMPSON, 16, broken jaw.
ARTHUR WENTZ, 18, internal injuries.
ROBERT MONTAGUE, 20, limbs lacerated.
EUGENE ESTESS, 14, leg injured.
FRANCIS WHITAKER, shocked and bruised.
The accident was occasioned by the collision of two cars both loaded with passengers. One car had ascended the incline to a height of 60 feet when an axle broke, allowing it to drop backward down the incline. At the bottom it struck another car which was about to ascend the incline. All the injured are in the hospital.
Waterloo Evening Courier
Iowa
June 18, 1923
1950 - January 7 - Mental health wing of Mercy Hospital burns, kills 41 (Davenport Ia)
historyorb.com
historyorb.com
Davenport, Iowa has a lot to offer! Whether you're into outdoor activities, cultural experiences, or just want to chill out, there's something for everyone. Here's a list to get you started:
Vander Veer Botanical Park:
Take a leisurely stroll through beautiful gardens.
Relax by the lily pond or explore the tropical plants in the conservatory.
Figge Art Museum:
Check out a diverse collection of American, European, and contemporary art.
The museum often hosts special exhibitions and events.
Putnam Museum and Science Center:
Perfect for families, with interactive exhibits and a giant screen theater.
Explore natural history, science, and cultural exhibits.
Davenport Skybridge:
Walk across this iconic bridge for stunning views of the city.
It's especially beautiful illuminated at night.
Quad City Botanical Center:
Enjoy the serene atmosphere of this garden oasis.
Check for seasonal events and workshops.
Modern Woodmen Park:
Catch a game of minor league baseball.
The park has a great atmosphere, and the games are family-friendly.
Bix Beiderbecke Museum and World Archives:
Explore the life and legacy of the legendary jazz... Read MORE...
Vander Veer Botanical Park:
Take a leisurely stroll through beautiful gardens.
Relax by the lily pond or explore the tropical plants in the conservatory.
Figge Art Museum:
Check out a diverse collection of American, European, and contemporary art.
The museum often hosts special exhibitions and events.
Putnam Museum and Science Center:
Perfect for families, with interactive exhibits and a giant screen theater.
Explore natural history, science, and cultural exhibits.
Davenport Skybridge:
Walk across this iconic bridge for stunning views of the city.
It's especially beautiful illuminated at night.
Quad City Botanical Center:
Enjoy the serene atmosphere of this garden oasis.
Check for seasonal events and workshops.
Modern Woodmen Park:
Catch a game of minor league baseball.
The park has a great atmosphere, and the games are family-friendly.
Bix Beiderbecke Museum and World Archives:
Explore the life and legacy of the legendary jazz... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Davenport Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Davenport, Iowa, USA
We currently have information about 24 ancestors who were born or died in Davenport.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Ancestors Who Were Married in Davenport, Iowa, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Davenport.View Them Now
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