The Daily Times Tuesday, April 16, 1946 Life Was Less Complicated Directory of Year 1878 Reveals Many Interesting Fact About Davenport, Then a City of 16,687-Had 109 Saloons Continued... Mayor Elected Annually In those days of more than half a century ago, it was the custom to elect a mayor each year, and two aldermen from each ward. J. W. Thompson was mayor in 1878, and Harvey Leonard was sheriff. Thomas Scott and Casper Foster represented the First ward as altermen (sic), Otto Klug and John Speetzen the Second, Martin Kunkel and Leo Schumacher the Third, M. L. Marks and O. S. McNeil, the Fourth, A. Burdick and M. L. Gannon, the Fifth and I. H. Sears and John H. Whitaker, the Sixth. As a summer resort Davenport took a back seat for no one 68 years ago. For example, this advertisement: "Linwood White Sulpher Springs, situated on the Mississippi river, six miles below Davenport. Steamer leaves Davenport every day at 3 p. m. H. R. Wood prop." Among other interesting facts which a study of the directory brings out are that there were eight wagon makers, nine wood dealers, seven sewing machine agents, three shirt manufacturers, five veterinary surgeons and one soap and candle factory. The physical well being of the community was looked after by 39 physicians, among the list of whom are such familiar names as W. D. Middleton, J. H. Culp, W. F. Peck and Tomson & Cantwell. Ninety-nine grocery stores, most of which operated a "thirst" parlor in the rear, were in operation, and there were 28 meat markets. This city of a little over 26,000 required 22 merchant tailors to make clothes for its menfolk, and 10 livery stables provided most of the transportation. And believe it or not, there were 24 hotels. These included the St. James, which still is in operation at its original location at the northwest corner of Front and Main; the Ackley House, 210 East Third; Burtis House, Fourth and Perry; Clifton House, northeast corner of Front and Main; Commercial House, northeast corner of Third and Perry; Davenport House, 118 West Front; Germania House, 7121-14 West Second; Schauder's hotel 126 West Front; St. Louis House, 303 West Second, and the Western House, 432 West Second. That the legal profession was a busy one is attested by the presence of 58 attorney's at law, including such well known names as Davison & Lane, forerunners of the present firm of Lane & Waterman, and the late C. A. Ficke, whose gift of his collection of paintings formed the nucleus of the Davenport Municipal Art gallery. Horse Drawn Street Cars Motor coaches did not carry people to and from work, and shoppers to the downtown business section, but the Davenport City Railway, operated by H. Schnitger as lessee and manager, took passengers on the Third street horse car line, with summer and winter time-tables shown in the directory. Instead of garages Davenport supported 25 blacksmith shops, and eight flour and feed dealers. To provide for the thirsty, in addition to the 109 saloons, there were five breweries in operation. And to balance the 22 merchant tailors for men, the needs of the other sex were taken care of by 19 dressmakers. Three colleges were listed as offering intellectual opportunities. They were the Davenport Business college, northwest corner of Second and Brady: Griswold college at Eleventh and Main, site of the present high school building, and the Immaculate Conception academy at Eight and Main. Thirty four churches, of almost all denominations, ministered to the spiritual needs of the city. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES