Day in history for March 24, 2002

1852 -- 150 years ago

The Rock Island post office has been moved to the south side of Illinois Street above Eagle (2nd Avenue and 17th Street). The new rooms are larger and better fitted up than the old.

1877 -- 125 years ago

The Harper House in Rock Island always is crowded on Sundays. Travelers make it a point to stop at that finest hotel west of Chicago.

1902 -- 100 years ago

The Rev. George B. Simon preached his farewell sermon at First Baptist Church, Rock Island. The church was packed, the pastor being very dear to the congregation. He resigned because both he and his wife are ill.

1927 -- 75 years ago

Mrs. W.J. Sweeney of Rock Island was elected regent of the Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution.

1952 -- 50 years ago

Little swivel-wheeled platforms, known as gym scooters, have brought joy to gym classes at Rock Island High since they were introduced there last November by the new principal, Charles O. Austin, Jr.

1977 -- 25 years ago

Two-and-a-half years ago Dennis Hitchcock attended a convention where he heard a great deal about dinner theater. He immediately made a connection between the entertainment potential of a dinner playhouse and the Quad-Cities. Today, the Quad-Cities dinner theater envisioned by Hitchcock is getting close to reality. Hitchcock has taken over the Fort Theater in downtown Rock Island and plans to open the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse there this summer.

Back: Available days in March 2002