Day in history for May 18, 2001

1876 -- 125 years ago

No such amount of rain has ever fallen in so short a time in this vicinity within our remembrance, as from 2 to 5 o'clock on Thursday. The streets were a lake, the gutter bridges were carried away, and much damage was done to roads, bridges, fields of growing crops, etc.

1901 -- 100 years ago

The Rock Island High School alumni held a reunion at the Watch Tower Inn.

1926 -- 75 years ago

Dredging in the LeClaire Canal, which has been carried on to clean out the channel of that place since its construction two years ago, has been completed.

1951 -- 50 years ago

The Quad-City Construction Co., Rock Island, with a figure of $459,756, was apparent low bidder on the second stage of the Quad-City Airport improvement program. The bids were opened this morning in the office of Joseph K. McLaughlin, state director of aeronautics, in Springfield. The project comprises grading, drainage, a portland concrete apron, concrete and bituminous taxiways, concrete entrance drives, bituminous parking areas, taxi fingers in tee-hangar area, sidewalks, fencing, turf and approach clearance.

1976 -- 25 years ago

There was nothing terribly unique about the camel-colored, polyester-knit leisure suit which took top honors in the Illinois State Grange Sewing Contest, except its seamstress. Kenneth Wildermuth, a 50-year-old rural Annawan grain farmer, earned best of show and first place in his division.

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