History Luncheon -- SCANDALS!!

Scott Community College does a great job with their "Lunch and Learn" series. Here's the write-up for their most recent event:

SCANDAL AT MIDNIGHT

From Rev. William Lloyd Clark's shocking 1908 Expose of the floating log whore houses once tethered on the Davenport levee, to the City Council's ingenious plan to impose a "sin tax" on Davenport "Ladies of the night" and saloon keepers (Davenport's first TIF district!), Madam Karen Rose will lift the forbidden curtains of "Bucktown" for a peek into the dark and dusky back rooms of some of Davenport's most infamous turn-of-the-century saloons and gambling parlors.

WARNING-Nude photos of bare ankles, necks and elbows will be displayed! (Smelling salts available, upon request)

LADIES WILL KINDLY REMOVE THEIR HATS GENTLEMEN WILL REFRAIN FROM SPITTING ON THE FLOORS PISTOLS MUST BE CHECKED AT THE DOOR ABSOLUTELY NO HORSES PAST THE LOBBY!

Their lunches take place at the very elegant, old-school "Outing Club"...where the Davenport elite class used to have their cotillion's...

Sandy and I were lucky enough to get tickets (another SOLD OUT event!)...and the lunch was FABULOUS...

Our favorite local historian, Karen Anderson, was dressed in a PERIOD APPROPRIATE outfit...

She had a slide show that showed what Davenport looked like 100 years ago...

Did I mention the delicious Key Lime pie??

Sandy was taking pictures...

But she had to BE QUICK...cuz I was ready to eat!!

Apparently, during the 1890's, through the Roaring 20's -- Davenport, Iowa was considered "The Wickedest City In America". We had more whore houses (per capita) than any city in the country. Wow. Who knew, eh?

After Karen's presentation during lunch -- there was another aspect to the day. Believe it or not -- there was an actual BUS TOUR -- and we were going to visit the scene of the crimes...!!

Although I was a little disappointed when I saw the three SCHOOL BUSES pull up!!

I needn't have worried.  They were air-conditioned. (it was 92 degrees that day)

We started off at the 11th Street Precinct Fire Station...and, right across the street -- the OLDEST BAR in Iowa!!

Run, continuously, as a bar, since 1860...we went in to order a drink...

On the inside, there was a wall displaying some vintage blacksmith equipment.

The original fire box is now a kind of fake flickering candle...but still effective.

It was so interesting to walk down this street (which I've been on MANY times) and think about the fact that these buildings have been here since the 1860's...wow...

This bar has been here for over 150 years. In my part of the world, that's about as old as it gets...

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!