Stories about the people, places, and events along the Mississippi River.
Cyrus Hill; Revolutionary War veteran I have an unnatural interest in graveyards, I suppose. When I was a more active genealogist a few years ago, trips to cemeteries were just part of the routine. While I always hoped that the next cemetery would be the one with critical clues to open up a new generation
In honor of Election Day, I offer three short stories of nineteenth century political games in Mississippi River towns. As new areas were settled, communities fought contentious political battles over the location of the county seat, like these places did. Enjoy! Rock Island County (Illinois) In 1833, Hampton and rival Farnhamsburg (now Rock Island) competed
I’ve been reading a lot of local histories lately. As I come across stories that get my attention, I'll share them with you, like this one from Potosi, Wisconsin. During the pioneer years in Potosi, brothers Samuel and Henry Redman were ornery cusses. They lived in Dutch Hollow, a German community that began life as
In 1918, the United States government bought 13,000 acres of sand prairie next to the Mississippi River as a site to test artillery. In short order, the Savanna Proving Grounds boomed to life with the firing of 75mm and 155mm howitzers. After WWI, warehouses were built to store ammunition, and Savanna Ordnance Depot was born.
I have remained a baseball fan virtually all of my life, even as I have grown weary of the changes in the Major League game – few players who stick with one team for their careers, owners who bilk every last cent out of the fans who bother to show up, and the increasing separation
