Cook's Point Collection
Content Description
1 oversized box of memorabilia used at reunions for Mexican-American local neighborhood called "Cook's Point".
Dates
- Creation: 1970-2010
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Materials are available for use in the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center only.
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Biographical / Historical
Cook’s Point was a settlement on the west end of Davenport where River Drive runs, between Howell Street and Schmidt Road.
Ebenezer Cook owned 28 acres of property on which a sawmill was erected. Eventually it was razed. In the early 1900’s Hispanics following the railroads north became squatters on the land, putting up shacks, living in railroad cars, sharing one community water faucet in order to be close to the railroad yards where they worked. Thirteen homes were within one hundred yards of the city dump.
The property was sold in 1942 to Al Uchtorff, who charged rent at $2 a month per lot plus 50 cents a month for water use.
At its height, about 350 people lived at Cook’s Point.
In 1950, 50 to 60 families were told to find a new home. By 1952 all of them had moved.
Former residents have held reunions each year since 1974.
Sources: Leader newspaper Wed. 31 Aug. 1988 pg. A1 & A6 By staff writer Brenda Fullick
QCT 8 Oct 2002 “Cook’s Point in the spotlight again” B1 by John Willard; assisted by Henry Vargas
Extent
1 Box(es)
Language of Materials
English
Physical Location
Range 42 Section 9
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center Repository
321 Main Street
Davenport IA 52801-1490 United States
specialcollections@davenportlibrary.com