Main Street North (Madison Park)Site Inventory Form
State Inventory No. 31-05566
New Supplemental
State Historical Society of Iowa
Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.)
Relationship:ContributingNoncontributing
(December 1, 1999)
Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries
National Register Status:(any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE
9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance Number
Non-Extant (enter year)
1. Name of Property
historic name Madison Park
other names/site number
2. Location
street & number Madison Park
city or town Dubuque vicinity, county Dubuque
Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter
(If Urban) Subdivision Block(s) Lot(s) see below
3. State/Federal Agency Certification []
Skip this Section
4. National Park Service Certification []
Skip this Section
5. Classification
Category of Property Number of Resources within Property
(Check only one box)
building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of:
district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing
site 0 buildings 0 1 buildings
structure sites 1 sites
object structures 1 structures
objects objects
0 Total 2 1 Total
Name of related project report or multiple property study
(Enter “N/A” if the property is not part of a multiple property examination).
Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number
The Architectural and Historical Resources of Dubuque, 1833-1955N/A
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions Current Functions
(Enter categories from instructions)(Enter categories from instructions)
01-Domestic/01A02-residence 08-Recreation and culture/08F-outdoor recreation
08-Recreation and culture/08F-outdoor recreation 08F01-park
08F01-park
7. Description
Architectural Classification Materials
(Enter categories from instructions)(Enter categories from instructions)
01-no style, hip roof open pavilion foundation concrete
walls stucco
roof Asphalt
other
Narrative Description
( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria
(Mark “x” representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)
Yes No More Research Recommended A
Property is associated with significant events.
Yes No More Research Recommended B
Property is associated with the lives of significant persons.
Yes No More Research Recommended C
Property has distinctive architectural characteristics.
Yes No More Research Recommended D
Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.
31-05566
DubuqueMadison Park
County Address Site Number
Dubuque
City District Number
Criteria Considerations
A Owned by a religious institution or used E A reconstructed building, object, or structure.
for religious purposes. F A commemorative property.
B Removed from its original location. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past
C A birthplace or grave. 50 years.
D A cemetery
Areas of Significance Significant Dates
(Enter categories from instructions)
Construction date
Architecture1919
check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above)
Architect
N/A Unknown
Builder
Unknown
Narrative Statement of Significance
( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography
See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
10. Geographic Data
UTM References
(OPTIONAL)
Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
1 2
3 4
See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments
11. Form Prepared By
name/title James E. Jacobsen
organization History Pays! Historic Preservation Consulting Firm date June 15, 2005
street & number 4411 Ingersoll Avenue telephone 515-274-3625
city or town Des Moines state IA zip code 50312
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
(Submit the following items with the completed form)
FOR ALL PROPERTIES
1. Map: showing the property’s location in a town/city or township.
2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s).
3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be
curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following
needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:
Roll/slide sheet # 7489 Frame/slot # 14 Date Taken Jan. 2005
Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken
photo & slide catalog sheet
See continuation sheet or attached for list of photo roll or slide entries.
Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file.
FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL
1. Farmstead & District:
(List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or non-contributing status)
2. Barn:
a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn.
b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side.
c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn’s exterior dimensions in feet.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line
Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended
This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district.
Comments:
Evaluated by (name/title): Date:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa
31-05566
Site Number
Iowa Site Inventory Form
Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Madison Park Dubuque
Name of Property County
Madison Park Dubuque
Address City
7. Narrative Description:
Architectural Style And Key Stylistic Elements:
Hip roof open pavilion with stucco corner supports, handicapped ramp, metal rail (recent date, non-
contributing), limestone column base inscribed “Madison Park” (contributing), and park site
(contributing).
Alterations:
Building is likely a replacement.
Outbuildings:
Not applicable.
Setting:
The park occupies a prominent bluff front to the east of the southern terminus of North Main Street.
Sheer limestone bluffs form the southern boundary of the park. The topography falls away steeply to
the east and northeast, but remains level to the north along North Main. Sidewalks and a large
handicapped access ramp are recent modifications.
8. Narrative Statement of Significance:
Historical Notes:
George D. Wood’s Italian Villa style brick house first occupied this site and was the first substantial
house on the hill, presumably c.1868. John V. Rider next occupied it until 1914 when he moved to
California. He gave the property to the city for use as a park, first assuming that the house would be re-
used. The house was finally demolished and the park dedicated in 1919.
Historical Image Notes:
1891 Sanborn map shows a large brick house, 1806 Main, with an elongated centered west front wing,
and squarish core with twin south bays, and a broad wrap-around front porch. A very large L-plan two-
story carriage house is to the northeast.
1909 Sanborn shows a single-story rear wing.
1909/36 Sanborn shows Madison Park and its pavilion on the site.
Madison Park:
Merchant George D. Wood built a prominent Italian Villa style brick house on the brow of
Seminary Hill. Wood was a large man and tired of the uphill trek home. He sold the house to J. V.
Rider. Rider enlarged the house during his lengthy occupancy. The mansion long dominated the south
end of North Main, below Seminary/Clarke Street. Set atop a steep sheer wall of stone (the result of
quarrying), his house occupied what was termed by some residents “one of the most beautiful in the
city.” Rider retired to California and gave his house to the city for use as a public park in August 1914.
Rider also specified the name for the park as “Seminary Hill Park” but it was at least briefly termed “Hill
Crest Park.” His specific desire was that children could enjoy his spectacular vista. It was also his
hope that the house itself could be incorporated into the park facilities. This was not deemed feasible
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa
31-05566
Site Number
Iowa Site Inventory Form
Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Madison Park Dubuque
Name of Property County
Madison Park Dubuque
Address City
and in mid-1918 and Rider agreed with the Park Board that the house had to be removed. Demolition
took place in January 1919. An open pavilion was built and the grounds landscaped. A concrete
th
stairway leading up to the park from West 17 Street was built in 1918. Seminary Hill residents raised
funds to erect a 60’ flagpole (reflective of post-war patriotism). The Herald noted “The flag hanging
from this pole can be seen from the greater part of the city.” Formal dedication of the park took place
on June 26, 1919 although the park first opened in mid-August 1915. The requisite speeches, a two-
hour band concert by John Jenny’s Municipal Band, and the raising of the flag for the first time, all filled
the evening program. The Park Board hoped that all the city residents would use the park and the
board was particularly proud of the artistic stairway. The stucco and tile pavilion was considered a
model for use in any additional small parks that the city might create (Telegraph-Herald, August 25, 30,
September 23, October 29, 1914; August 19, September 17, 1915; January 9, June 24, 27, 1919;
September 23, 1934, August 4, 1937).
Madison Park, view southeast, park pavilion and young tree growth, c.1919
(Center for Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo #8107)
Dedication of Madison Park, 1919, view southwest
(Center for Dubuque History, Loras College)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa
31-05566
Site Number
Iowa Site Inventory Form
Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Madison Park Dubuque
Name of Property County
Madison Park Dubuque
Address City
The image shown above presumably depicts the park dedication and the original park pavilion
building. This is also the only known picture of the park monument of which nothing is mentioned in
newspaper accounts. The base of this obelisk survives.
Head of Madison Park Steps, view southeast, c.1919
(Center for Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo #FBL 4725)
Madison Park, view north, second pavilion, base of obelisk visible at the left
(Telegraph-Herald, July 21, 1937)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa
31-05566
Site Number
Iowa Site Inventory Form
Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Madison Park Dubuque
Name of Property County
Madison Park Dubuque
Address City
Pre-park images:
Sam Root photograph of Woods’ house, and Seminary Hill, c.1870, view northeast
(Center for Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo FMP#3864)
(note the wooden steps leading up the stone bluff)
th
North Main steps at West 17 and Main streets, view north, c.1872
(Center for Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo #HAM 840
)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa
31-05566
Site Number
Iowa Site Inventory Form
Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Madison Park Dubuque
Name of Property County
Madison Park Dubuque
Address City
Woods-Ryder House, c.1897, view northeast
(Souvenir Gems of Dubuque, 1897)
th
Madison Street, Seminary Hill, c.1915, view northeast from West 14
The Woods-Ryder House is visible at the upper right corner
Center for Dubuque History (Hoffman Photo)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa
31-05566
Site Number
Iowa Site Inventory Form
Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Madison Park Dubuque
Name of Property County
Madison Park Dubuque
Address City
9. Major Bibliographical References:
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1884, 1891, 1909/36
Dubuque City Directories, 1902, 1915, 1925, 1934
Bruce Kriviskey, Dubuque, Iowa--Architectural Survey 1978/1979, Atlas of City Wide and District
Survey Maps, Dubuque; n.p., c.1979
Dubuque County Assessor’s Data
Newspapers and other primary sources as noted in the text above.
Historical photographs, Center For Dubuque History, Loras College
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa
31-05566
Site Number
Iowa Site Inventory Form
Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Madison Park Dubuque
Name of Property County
Madison Park Dubuque
Address City
10. Additional Documentation:
Legal Description:
Map:
North Main Area Survey Contour Map
Blackened house locates subject property
(City of Dubuque, 2005)