Day in history for July 13, 2003

1853 -- 150 years ago

Much has been done in the last few weeks to bring sidewalks and streets up to the proper level. It will be some years before all streets can be raised to proper grade. The work must be done gradually, consistent with Rock Island's means. Eventually, this will be a beautiful city.

1878 -- 125 years ago

People flocked from all parts of the county to Rock Island today to see the Great Forepaugh Menagerie. The animals and every other feature of the entertainment was all that was advertised.

1903 -- 100 years ago

Two parties of teachers left by special cars for tours of the east. One group was led by H.B. Hayden, Rock Island superintendent of schools, and the other by S.J. Ferguson, county superintendent of schools.

1928 -- 75 years ago

Because of overcrowding in the schools, the Rock Island board of education decided to reopen Lowell School on 38th Street near 18th Avenue.

1953 -- 50 years ago

Two youthful bandits, one of whom posed as a clerk in Lage's Drugstore, 1306 W. Locust St., Davenport during a holdup and waited on a customer before fleeing with several hundred dollars, were being sought by Davenport police.

1978 -- 25 years ago

What's metal, weighs more than 6,000 pounds, is filled with concrete and is 5 feet in diameter and about 6 feet long? The Rock Island Arsenal Safety Office would like to know. Six of these objects were found late last April in the center of the Ramsey test track.

Back: Available days in July 2003