Day in history for March 8, 2004

1854 -- 150 years ago

Monmouth people quite distinctly heard the firing of cannons in Rock Island on Feb. 22, the day the first train arrived on the Chicago And Rock Island Railroad. The distance the sound of the guns carried must be over 40 miles.

1929 -- 75 years ago

Montgomery Ward And Co. has leased the former Illinois Theater building at 16th Street and 2nd Avenue, Rock Island, and plans a $60,000 remodeling of the building into a retail store.

1954 -- 50 years ago

An extra 200 bales of hay is expected Monday morning at Fejervary Park. Normally the park office orders 500 bales for winter use. Inhabitants of the children's zoo have used up all but three weeks' supply. Rabbits, guinea pigs, buffalo, deer and the Mexican burro enjoy the taste of it; hamsters, skunks and woodchucks appreciate the warmth of it.

1979 -- 25 years ago

The Davenport City Council has temporarily blocked expansion of the Northpark Mall. Some council members who opposed the expansion said it would hurt the downtown area. General Growth Development Co., which operates the mall, wants to add two major department stores and 50 small specialty shops.

Back: Available days in March 2004