Day in history for August 11, 2001

1876 -- 125 years ago

The Western Union R.R. is about to put new sleeping coaches on its night train between Rock Island and Milwaukee and Racine.

1901 -- 100 years ago

The largest raft of logs ever towed down the river by any boat in the history of the Mississippi navigation was brought down by the steamer, Perley Davis, with the tow boat, Zulus Davis. It is estimated there were over 3,500,000 feet of lumber in the raft.

1926 -- 75 years ago

The question of the purchase of a site for Rock Island's new $1,000,000 high school building and campus was revived by the board of education.

1951 -- 50 years ago

A Hereford steer, which earlier this week won top honors at the Henry County Fair, earned new honors today for his owner, Lowell Nelson, 17, Orion, when he was named reserve champion in the junior beef show at the Illinois State Fair. The steer was in stiff competition, being up against 45 head of top quality baby beeves.

1976 -- 25 years ago

Rock Island city officials have unveiled plans for a nearly $3.5 million downtown convention facility in a bid to further their lead in the municipal civic center race. Rock Island so far is the only city to announce definite plans for a civic center, although groups in both Moline and Davenport are also working on plans. The proposed block-long structure would be built on a 13-acre tract on the east side of 20th Street between 1st and 3rd Avenues.

Back: Available days in August 2001