Millworking Historic District National Register NominationPlanning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 phone
(563) 589-4221 fax
(563) 589-6678 TDD
planning@cityofdubuque.org
THE CITY OF
DuB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
April 28, 2008
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall-50 W. 13t" Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: National Register Nomination -Dubuque Millworking Historic District
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
The City of Dubuque Historic Preservation Commission has reviewed the above-cited
request. The nomination, staff memo and related materials are attached for your review.
Discussion
Jim Avery, property owner at 168E 10'" St. was present to address the Commission. Mr.
Avery supported the Dubuque Millworking Historic District nomination to the National
Register of Historic Places.
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the criteria for significance. He noted the nomination
indicates that the property is significant under criteria A and C. Criterion A is a property
that is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad
patterns of our history. Criterion C is a property which embodies the distinctive
characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a
master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable
entity whose components lack individual distinction.
The Commission reviewed the nomination and noted it meets significance criteria A and
C for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The Commission discussed the
potential for the nomination to also meet criterion B, property that is associated with the
lives of persons significant in our past. The Commission believed that the people and
businesses historically in the millworking district pioneered the millworking industry and
made a significant impact on the development of the nation. The Commission felt listing
on the National Register of Historic Places is a great opportunity to promote the historical
importance of the Dubuque millworking industry and foster redevelopment.
Recommendation
By a vote of 6 to 0, the Historic Preservation Commission recommends the nomination of
the Dubuque Millworking Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places
based on their significance under criteria A, B and C.
CLG NATIONAL REGISTER REVIEW
CLG Name Dubuque Date of Public Meeting
Property Name Dubuque Millworking Historic District, White, Jackson, Washinoton, Elm between East 6th and
East 11th Streets, Dubuque, Dubuoue County
1. For Historic Preservation Commission:
Recommendation of National Register eligibility
Recommendation of National Register ineligibility
Signature
Print Name
Title
Reason(s) for recommendation:
Nomination meets Criteria A, B, and C.
See enclosed informaton.
2. For Chief Elected Local Official:
Recommendation of ational Register eligibility
Recommendation ational Register ineligibility
Signature
Print Name
Title
Reason(s) for recommendation:
3. Professional Evaluation:
Recommendation of National Register eligibility
Recommendation of National Register ineligibility
Signature
Print Name
Title
Reason(s) for recommendation:
RETURN TO: State Historical Society of Iowa, ATTN: National Register Coordinator, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines,
IA 50319
CLG NATIONAL REGISTER REVIEW
CLG Name Dubuaue Date of Public Meeting
Property Name Dubuaue Millworkina Historic District White, Jackson Washington, Elm between East 6th and
East 11th Streets Dubuque, Dubuque Countx
1. For Historic Preservation Commission:
® Recommendation of National Register eligibility
^ Recommendation of National Register ineligibility
Signature ~G~~ ~~7/° g Date
Print Name GF-~~~S7J N E ~N-P~ ~ c Sc~~
Title ~PC- ltfl9-lam
Reason(s) for recommendation:
Nomination meets Criteria A, 8, and C. See enclosed informaton.
2. For Chief Elected Local Official:
^ Recommendation of National Register eligibility
^ Recommendation of National Register ineligibility
Signature
Date
Print Name
Title
Reason(s) for recommendation:
3. Professional Evaluation:
^ Recommendation of National Register eligibility
^ Recommendation of National Register ineligibility
Signature
Print Name
Title
Reason(s) for recommendation:
Date
RETURN TO: State Historical Society of Iowa, ATTN: National Register Coordinator, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines,
IA 50319
H[sT~o~cnr.
~OcWA°f
A Division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
April 4, 2008
Mr. Dave Johnson
Dubuque HPC
Planning Services Department
City of Dubuque City Hall 50 W 13th St
Dubuque IA 52001
RE: Dubuque Millworking Historic District, White, Jackson, Washington, Elm between East
6th and East 11th Streets, Dubuque, Dubuque County
Dear Mr. Johnson:
The State Nominations Review Committee (SNRC) plans to consider the property referenced above for
nomination to the National Register of Historic Places during their June 13, 2008 meeting. As a
participant in the Certified Local Government Program, Dubuque HPC is required to review and
comment on proposed National Register nominations of properties within its jurisdiction. The State is
required to provide you with a 60-day period for the review, unless we mutually agree to expedite the
process. I am contacting you to ask that you initiate the review process for the Historic Preservation
Commission. Enclosed are copies of the nomination, photographs, and the review form. The review
process will require the following:
• The Historic Preservation Commission should review the nomination during one of their meetings.
Send a formal invitation to the Mayor with a copy of the nomination. Send a formal invitation to the
property owner/owners. If they are not familiar with the National Register, be sure to include an
explanation. Make sure that a copy of the nomination is available for public review before the
meeting. For example, leave a review copy at the courthouse or public library. Indicate in your
meeting announcement that a review copy of the nomination is available and where the review copy
can be found.
• The question to answer when reviewing the nomination is whether the nominated property meets the
National Register of Historic Places significance criteria. If the Commission feels that the
nomination makes the case for meeting significance criteria, the Commission should check the box
recommending that the property be listed. If the Commission feels that the property does not meet
the significance criteria, then check the box recommending that the property not be listed. The
Mayor should use the same approach when reviewing the nomination.
• You might want to invite the individual who prepared the nomination to attend the public meeting
and present the nomination. Keep a record of the meeting (copy of notice, agenda, minutes, list of
attendees). At the conclusion of the meeting, the Commission should make a motion regarding their
recommendation. The Chairman of the Commission will complete Item #1, the Commission's
portion of the review form. Be sure to fill in the date of the public meeting, sign the signature line
600 EAST LOCUST STREET, DES MOINES, IA 50319-0290 P: (515) 281-5111
and record any comments that were made. If the Mayor attended the public meeting, inquire if
he/she is prepared to complete Item #2 on the review form.
• In the event that the Mayor was unable to attend the meeting. The Commission Chairman should
forward the Review form to the Mayor for review and comment. Have the Mayor sign the form and
return it to the Historic Preservation Commission.
• Item #3 on the Review form asks for the review and comment of a preservation professional. If your
commission does not have a professionally qualified historian or architectural historian who can
complete this part of the form, you may leave Item #3 blank and I will arrange to have a State staff
member complete that part of the form.
• After you have completed Items #1 through #2 (through #3 if a preservation professional is
available), please make a copy of the completed review forms for your file and send the original
copies of the completed forms to me.
• The Commission should keep the nomination and photographs. File them together in your
inventory, as you will need the information for future reference. If a State preservation professional
was needed to complete Item #3 on the review form, I will return a copy to the commission for
filing.
If the Historic Preservation Commission and the Mayor disagree with one another on the property's
National Register eligibility, both views will be presented to the SNRC for their consideration during
review of the nomination. If both the Historic Preservation Commission (by Commission majority) and
the Mayor do not consider the property eligible for National Register listing, we must halt the
nomination. Be advised that when a nomination is halted, the property owner, the person who prepared
the nomination or any interested party may appeal the decision. In addition, the nomination will still go
forward to the National Park Service for an official "Determination of Eligibility."
Please contact Paul Mohr at 515/281-6826 with any questions or concerns regarding the CLG program
or the process for this review.
Sincerely,
~~,~~~ ~
Elizabeth Foster Hill
Tax Incentive Programs Manager/
National Register Coordinator
Planning Services Department
City Hall
50 West 13t" Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
(563) 589-4210 phone
(563) 589-4221 fax
(563) 589-6678 TDD
planninq~a.cityofdubugue.org
THE CTTY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
April 9, 2008
Dear Property Owner,
This letter is to inform you that the Historic Preservation Commission has
received a nomination for nomination of the Millworking Historic District to the
National Register of Historic Places. The Historic Preservation Commission will
review the nomination at their April 17, 2008 meeting and you are welcome to
attend. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber (2"d
Floor) at the Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6t" Street.
Enclosed is a CD of the Millworking Historic District National Register of Historic
Places nomination. A paper version of the nomination can be viewed between
the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm in the Planning Services Department at City
Hall, 50 W. 13t" Street.
The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural
resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to
coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect
historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the Register include
districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American
history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The National Register
is administered by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S.
Department of the Interior.
Listing in the National Register contributes to preserving historic properties in a
number of ways:
• Recognition that a property is of significance to the Nation, the State, or
the community.
• Consideration in the planning for Federal or federally assisted projects.
• Eligibility for Federal tax benefits.
• Qualification for Federal assistance for historic preservation, when funds
are available.
Structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places only are not subject
to a design review by the Historic Preservation Commission. The properly
owner may make exterior and interior alterations to the structure without Historic
Preservation Commission review. The Historic Preservation Commission
reviews exterior changes to structures located in locally designated historic
districts.
If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Planner David Johnson at
(563) 589-4210.
Sincerely,
~~
~~/~~
Chris Olson, Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
MAR 2 8 2008
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 10024-0018
(Oct. 1990)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Registration Form
This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the Nations/
Register of Historic P/aces Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering
the information requested. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural
classification, materials and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative
items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items.
1. Name of Property
historic name Dubuque Millworking Historic District
other names/site number
2. Location
street & number White, Jackson, Washington, Elm between East 6th and East 11th Streets [N/A] not for publication
city or town Dubuque [N/A] vicinity
state Iowa code IA county Dubuque code 61 zip code 52004
3. State/Federal Agency Certification
As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this [X] nomination [
] request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of
Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property
[X] meets L] does not meet the National Register criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant
[, nationally ~] statewide L] locally. ((~ see continuation sheet for additional commentsl•
Signature of certifying official/Title Date
State or Federal agency and bureau
In my opinion, the property (-] meets [~ does not meet the National Register criteria. ((~ See continuation sheet for additional
comments.)
Signature of certifying official/Title Date
State or Federal agency and bureau
4. National Park Service Certification
hereby certify that the property is: Signature of the Keeper Date of Action
U entered in the National Register.
U See continuation sheet.
[~ determined eligible for the
National Register.
Lj See continuation sheet.
L] determined not eligible for the
National Register.
U removed from the National
Register.
(~ other, (explain:)
iubugue Millworking Historic District
lame of Property
~. Classification
)wnership of Property
heck as many boxes as apply)
[X] private
L] public-local
L] public-State
L] public-Federal
Dubuque, Iowa
County and State
Category of Property Number of Resources within Property
(Check only one box) IDo not include previously listed resources in the count.)
L] building(s) Contributing Noncontributing
[X] district 19 0 buildings
[~ site
L] structure 0 sites
[~ object
0 structures
objects
24 0 Total
Jame of related multiple property listing
=nter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.)
~he Architectural and Historical Resources of Dubuque, 1833-1955
i. Function or Ilse
historic Functions
=nter categories from instructions)
~dustry/ProcessingExtraction/Manufacturing Facility
~dustry/Processing/Extraction/Industrial Storage/VVarehouse
'. Description
\rchitectural Classification
=nter categories from instructions)
.ate Victorian/Renaissance
ate 19"' & 20"' Century Revivals/Late Gothic Revival
Number of contributing resources previously listed
in the National Register
Current Functions
(Enter categories from instructions)
Industry/Processing/Extraction/Manufacturing Facility
Industry/Processing/Extraction/Industrial Storage/Warehouse
Materials
(Enter categories from instructions)
foundation Stone
Concrete
walls Brick
Concrete
Roof Asphalt
other
narrative Description
describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.)
Dubuque Millworking Historic District
Name of Property
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance
(Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property (Enter categories from instructions)
for National Register listing.)
L] A Property is associated with events that have made Industry
a significant contribution to the broad patterns of
our history.
[~ B Property is associated with the lives of persons
significant in our past.
L] C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics Architecture
of a type, period, or method of construction or
represents the work of a master, or possesses
high artistic values, or represents a significant and
distinguishable entity whose components lack Period of Significance
individual distinction. 1881-1958
[~ D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield,
information important in prehistory or history.
Criteria Considerations Significant Dates
(Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) 1 906, 1910, 1917, 1919, 1924
Property is:
[~ A owned by a religious institution or used for
religious purposes.
Significant Person
L] B removed from its original location. (complete it criterion B is marked above)
N/A
L] C a birthplace or grave.
Cultural Affiliation
[~ D a cemetery.
[_] E a reconstructed building, object, or structure.
[~ F a commemorative property.
L] G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance Architect/Builder
within the past 50 years. Burdt, Frederick C.
Heer, Fridolin Joseph, Sr.
Narrative Statement of Significance
(Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.)
Dubuque, Iowa
County and State
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography
(Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.)
Previous documentation on file (NPS): Primary location of additional data:
L] preliminary determination of individual listing L] State Historic Preservation Office
(36 CFR 67) has been requested [~ Other State agency
L] previously listed in the National Register L] Federal agency
L] previously determined eligible by the National (~ Local government
Register [~ University
[~ designated a National Historic Landmark L] Other
L] recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # Name of repository: #
[X] recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey (IA-31-Dubuque-13)
Dubuque Millworking Historic District
lame of Property
0. Geographical Data
\creage of Property 17.61 acres
ITM References
'lace additional UTM references on a continuation sheet.)
[1l5] [6]9]2]16]0] [4]7]0]8]3]0]0]
Zone Easting Northing
.[1]5] [6]9]1]0]8]0] [4]7]0]8]8]9]0]
/erbal Boundary Description
describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.)
toundary Justification
xplain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.)
1. Form Prepared By
2[1]5 [6]9]1]9]4]0]
Zone Easting
4[1]5] [6]9]1]9]3]0]
L] See continuation sheet
Dubuque, Iowa
County and State
[4]7]0]8]2]0]0]
Northing
[4]7]0)8]0]0]0]
game/title James E Jacobsen ]email address: hp@raccoon.com)
organization History Paysl Historic Preservation Consulting Firm date _March 28, 2008_
treet & number 441 1 Ingersoll Avenue telephone _51 5-274-3625
ity or town Des Moines state IA zip code 50312-241 5
\dditional Documentation
ubmit the following items with the complete form
:ontinuation Sheets
+(aps
A l1SGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location.
A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources.
'hotographs
Representative black and white photographs of the property.
\dditional items
heck with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items)
'roperty Owner
~omplete this item at the request of SHPO or FPO.)
lame See continuation sheet
treet & number
ity or town
telephone
state zip code
'aperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate
properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a
Benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.).
:stimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including time for reviewing
istructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of
his form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 2001 3-7 1 27; and the Office of
/lanagement and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Projects (1024-0018-, Washington, DC 20503.
NPS Form 10-900-a OMBApprovalNo. 1024-0018
IS-861
[Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 7 Page 1
Dubuque Millworlcin~ Historic District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque Cou:
7. Narrative Description:
This 19-building industrial complex comprises the core buildings of two giant Dubuque millwork companies, Carr,
Ryder and Adams and Farley and Loetscher. The district also comprises the only intact cluster of surviving major industrial
buildings in Dubuque. The massive buildings are without doubt the largest Iowa examples of their era and their structural
design is a worthy subject of extensive investigation and documentation. The north four blocks represent the buildings of the
Carr, Ryder and Adams Company while the south three blocks are represents Farley andLoetscher Company. There are
additional buildings that could be added to the district. It is possible that these will be added to an amended district at some
future point.
The district is located immediately southeast of the Dubuque downtown proper. Figure 1 depicts its location. The
elevated U.S. Highway 61/151 helps to form the southern and eastern natural boundaries of the district. The district boundary
includes all or parts of 9 blocks. The general boundaries are East 11"' Street as a north boundary, Elm Street on the east, the
highway on the south and White Street to the west. Figure 1 also locates several nearby Dubuque landmarks; the courthouse, the
Town Clock pedestal, and City Hall.
Figure 1:District location map (2000 aerial photo base map, City of Dubuque GIS)
PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
.[nited States Department of the interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
iection number 7 Page 2
)ubugue MillworlcinE Historic District
OMS Appro va! No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
The defining characteristic of this industrial district is the concentrated array of full-block or half-block buildings that
ange in elevation from two to five stories. These are all of heavy mill construction with load-bearing perimeter walls and
ieavy timber interior support systems. Some were built as a single design while others were built incrementally with a unified
exterior design. The buildings are architecturally elaborated with pavilions, pilasters, massive entry arches, decorative
pediments and parapets, and other distinctive features. Still, it would be difficult to specify a building style across the district.
,he Carr, Ryder & Adams buildings as of late 1932 consisted of 12 percent reinforced concrete construction, 59 percent
boards on joists," and 29 percent plank on lumber skeleton construction.
Composite blocks that evolved over time are counted as single buildings as long as the height and exterior architecture
re unified. Buildings that are a part of a larger complex but have differing architecture, exterior materials or elevation, are
ounted as individual buildings even when there is unified ownership of the complex. Detailed descriptions of multiple
omponent complexes, counted as single buildings, are given as each is described.
The district includes all or portions of 9 city blocks. Six full blocks are included. Two of these are completely
occupied by full-block buildings; while three blocks have single buildings that occupy an entire half-block. Vacant blocks are
ninimal, totaling a half block (site of a demolished building), quarter block (a parking lot), and a half block (also the site of
lemolished buildings). The larger buildings align along the south end, western edge and northeast corner of the district.
,lleyways, a few of which have been vacated and infilled, orient northwest/southeast. The Streets, save for Washington Street
north of East 10~' Street remain open. East 10~' Street, east of Washington Street, was long closed off and remains unpaved.
'he original street grid remains intact save for the east district boundary where Elm Street has been vacated and Pine Street re-
outed to the west. This cleared area, now parking, has been for the most part excluded from the district.
A unified commercial/industrial style defines the district. Just one building warrants a distinct stylistic attribution.
,his is the office of the Carr-Ryder-Adams Company, building #4. This is the only separate office building that is distinctively
lesigned and placed. Even in this instance, style is limited to a minimal overlaying of decorative stone above the double-door
ntrance and the use of stone belt courses at the raised water table and second floor lintel levels. Fenestration on the facade is
ymmetrical but limited, providing only the entrance with transom, single narrow flanking sidelights on the first floor, and a
ive-window set centered above the entrance. The sidewalls are fully fenestrated, including the basement level. The raised
parapet is simply ornamented with a row of broadly spaced brick dentils with intervening corbelled brick panels. This feature is
.laced just below the top of the tile-capped cornice. The other more ornamental design is the Farley and Loetscher building
#18) at 750 White Street. Since it included company offices and because it fronted directly on the county courthouse (due
vest) and White Street, it was designed with more attention to style and detail. Pilasters and recessed intervening wall sections
livide the facade into three bays. The first story is of cut stone construction (emulating the local industrial tradition of both
ising stone and raising the foundation). On the side walls broad flat pilasters separate recessed panels that continue from the
econd through the fourth floors. Paired window sets on each floor within these panels are separated by recessed brick
pandrels and elaborated with stone sills and lintels. The northeast and southeast corners are angled. The first floor end walls
gave double door entrances with cut stone bracketed canopies and the walls are fully fenestrated. The attic level is distinctive
.y the use of continuous individual windows, three per bay. Overall, the style is best described as Second Renaissance Revival.
t is interesting that the design avoided the Romanesque, particularly the use of any broad circular entries such as building #9.
NPSFOrm 10-900-a OMBApprovalNo. 1024-0018
18-861
Clnited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Dubuque Millworkins Historic District
Carr-Ryder-Adams Power Plant (left), Farley and Loetscher Entry (center) and
(photos by J. Jacobsen, September 2007)
Architectural distinctiveness is otherwise imparted in two other instances where companies expressed their identities in
permanent form. Most notable, is the Farley and Loetscher ornamentation on that company's office building front (building
#18, 750 White Street). It consists (Figure 2) of an inscribed stone shield that bears the company initials and a diagonal
inscription that reads "QUALITY." Below the parapet base and above the shield, is a building date stone. Kretschmer
Manufacturing (building #16) has a metal nameplate sign and the company initials appear on the elevator penthouse. The Carr,
Ryder & Adams power plant (building #10) had an enlarged second floor window and a company nameplate set above it. For
the most part, painted signage was used by the major millworking firms, to identify their largest buildings. This signage, in long
large format bands, was placed between the floor levels and much of these bands remains legible.
Another architecturally distinctive form found within the district is that of prominent pediments. Most notable is the
stepped pediment front (Figure 2) on the power plant of Farley and Loetscher (building #10). The two tallest reinforced
concrete warehouse buildings (buildings #2 and 5), both located in the north end of the district, employ an elongated stepped
pediment form. Otherwise the district buildings present flat parapet profiles with fairly plain brick parapets and cornice lines.
There are no metal cornices within the district.
An interesting decorative massing effect is found on two of the Farley &Loetscher buildings (#13, #18). These half-
block long buildings feature a tri-parte pavilion effect, with a slight projection of a central unit, and each end unit. The effect is
exaggerated in several of the promotional company overviews (also found in the Carr, Ryder & Engler images) where the
parapet levels of these pavilion components are vertically exaggerated.
The major buildings almost exclusively abide by an architectural design rule that all facades consist ofpilaster-defined
bays that have paired full sized windows balanced within each bay. This tradition was followed even when reinforced concrete
construction was introduced into the mill buildings. While most of the district buildings pre-dated the use of reinforced
Section number 7 Page 3
PS Form 10-900-a
3-86)
lnited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
fVational Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 7 Page 4
)ubugue Millworlcin~ Historic District
OMB Approval No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County Iowa
oncrete, four buildings utilized it. But just two of these have exposed structural concrete on their exterior walls. Building #19
vas the first reinforced concrete design (1917) but its exterior follows the conservative traditional brick exterior tradition.
3uilding #2 (1919) is the glaring exception with its exposed concrete frame and the use of metal industrial sash. Building #5
1924) is a curious mix, with a reinforced concrete base and heavy timber superstructure, and its exterior is all in brick with the
raditional windows. Building #6 (1937) is a two-story reinforced concrete design and it made no effort to hide its concrete
3entity, but it was a minor building within afull-block complex when it was built. The use of reinforced concrete was by no
Weans an inevitable substitution for load-bearing brick within the district and its use was frequently hidden from view. There
re several instances where building interiors were gutted and replaced with reinforced concrete floors and coluim~/beam
lesigns (the north end of Building #13, undated, and the entire interior of Building #16, 1911). in both instances brick exteriors
vere retained.
The earlier buildings (#2, #9, #10, #13, #16, #19) tend to have more deeply recessed window panels between the
pilasters and there is commonly is a corbelling out of the brickwork at the top of the window panel. The panels are
minterrupted between foundation and parapet base. Semi-circular brick window arches are found on the earlier designs, while
he later ones (Buildings #4, #18, #19) have flat-topped arches. Building #19, like building #18, adds a plain attic level without
Blasters, but with the same fenestration pattern being continued upwards from the bays below. Building #8 places single
vindow openings, vertically aligned, within each of its bays.
Save for the industrial window sash, original window sash are a rarity in the district. The Carr, Ryder & Adams
wilding (building #9) is exceptional because it retains many all of its original windows and acquired reproductions when the
ilm FIST was made in 1978. Avery early metal sash, with wire glass or clear glass infill, is found on many of the Carr-Ryder-
~dams buildings (buildings #2, #9) and also on the Kretschmer Building (#16) (Figure 3). These occur in 2/2 and 4/4 pane
rrangements.
Figure 3: metal window sash (Building #16) (photo by J. Jacobsen, September 2007}
Buildings # 9 and #5 engulfed north/south running alleyways either incrementally or all at once. The vacated alleyways
;ontinued to be used to haul materials into the building complexes so broad arched entry doors were necessary (Figure 4).
NPS Form 10-900-a
18-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 7 Page 5
Dubuque Millworking Historic District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0078
Figure 4: Large semi-circular alleyway door, building #9, north side, view southwest
(photo by J. Jacobsen, September 2007)
The millworking district was well located vis-a-vis the threat of flooding and even the recor~
impacted only the area south of East 7`'' Street. Nearly every building was built with a full raised ba;
limestone blocks that typified Dubuque construction. These basements were fully fenestrated and m
entrances. Figure 5 illustrates the infilling of what was ablock-long open exterior window well at 9
#9). Basements were extensively used from the start but there is some evidence that the basement le
deepened in more recent times. A few buildings have sub-sidewalk underground extensions, mostly
in one instance, an entire railroad car was buried alongside the Jackson Street side of Building #13 f
container. None of these open wells survives today. The south end of building #13 is a good examp
limestone column footings are now exposed for several feet due to the deeper excavating of the cell
buildings have even deeper boiler rooms. The best example of this is found in the Kretschmer Build
foundation wall footings were stepped outwards at their bases. The north end of building #13 offers
where a former courtyard was enclosed and the basement was also deepened (Figure 6). The larger
13 and 18) had large interior court yards or light wells which were open at least from the first floor t
alongside 750 White (Building #18) being exposed by the loss of the building to the east. At one tin
Farley- Loetscher power plant provided steam heat to many of the district buildings through a systen
(Figure 7).
floods of 1951-52
;ment, using the massive
ny had basement level
~ Jackson Street (Building
els of some buildings were
Iced for water services, but
-use as a storage
;, where the spread
floor level. Many
ig (Building #16). Stone
In excellent example
zildings (Buildings 2, 9,
~. All of these remain, that
(c. World War II) the
of large clay pipes
PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
]nited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
iection number 7 Page 6
)ubugue Millworkins Historic District
OMB Approval No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 5: infilled basement windows and exterior window well, building #9, view north
(photo by J. Jacobsen, September 2007)
Figure 6: exposed spread stone foundation, interior west wall, building #13
(photo by J. Jacobsen, September 2007)
NPS Form 10-900-a
IS-861
united States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 7 Page 7
Dubuque Millworking Historic District
Iowa
z
~....v h"°~ +e%A~.w:,.ir e+r ji. t ...s~`*~i.",~~i Y . .4 ..
s ~}~~+ -
~. ., r
'' , v°'" u`~~~ d,.. ~i~r'G'". ,>Y~~~ - .~a~. .,.~.~t-nom .;.'~~°•y
`~ {{y 1
~ ~ ~ ~ Pl~ ~ ~ x e,.~i v °"~ ~, ~,,= ~ r,
~~ ~ „ ~
f ~~ r i ~
y ~~
.~J~} } _ w 5".f
' ..mot' F
ar,-
' ~.~~Z ~1
•w a F
A k 'SZ~i~ K AWE ?#~"~.
~ ~ ± n
- ~,
,,} ,°a'
r ~ ~ ~~
., ~x, ra. ~ . ,. _ -~~ . _.,
~~~ ,
~ ~ ..:.
d3^~
ry'
Figure 7: the steam heat pipe, Jackson Street, building #13
(photo by J. Jacobsen, September 2007)
A broad variety of internal support systems are found throughout the district. These consist of column and beam
arrangements or of wooden or metal trusses. The majority of columns are wood and heavy mill construction techniques typify
most of the buildings. Metal columns are also found as are reinforced concrete columns. The wood columns diminish in
section floor by floor as the live load lessens vertically. Metal collars that support the beams and the succeeding column are
quite varied and these are a ready means of distinguishing the boundaries and building dates of buildings that grew
incrementally. Collars range from crude custom welded examples to fairly ornate mass-produced designs.
Wood trusses are found in the two buildings that do not have flat roofs. The most important examples are found in
building #7 that dates c.1873-81 (Figure 8). These may not be the original trusses but they are structurally of interest. A key
feature is the use of metal wedges beneath the end members and metal shoes between the wood and frame members. The form
uses no vertical posts, rather tension rods where posts might be expected. Newer truss examples are found in the 1924 building
#17 where the chords consist of two layers that are bolted together to tie in the vertical components (Figure 9).
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 7 Page 8
)ubugue Millworking Historic District
OMB Approval No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Mill construction necessarily produced very large floor plans that were open in plan save for columns, stairs and freight
levators. Interior brick load-bearing walls, often with infilled window and door openings, mark where buildings were
xpanded. Floors are mostly wood, frequently laid diagonally with narrower hardwood flooring, or laid straight using rougher
nd larger boards.
Brick Streets and still-functioning railroad spurs add key distinctive features to the district and these are each counted as
n additional contributing structure. Brick Streets are exposed on Jackson Street between East 11~' and East 7`h Streets and on
'Vashington Street between East 8"' and East 9`i' Streets. Railroad tracks, double tracks for the most part, extend along each of
nese bricked street sections, but also continue south along Jackson Street below East 7"' Street.
Figure 8: Truss in Building #7, view southeast
(photo by J. Jacobsen, September 2007)
Figure 9: Truss in building #17, view southwest
(photo by J. Jacobsen, September 2007)
NPS Form 10-900-a
IS-861
united States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 7
Page 9
OMB Appro va/ No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Dubuque MillworlcinE Historic District
Block-long metal awnings that cover raised concrete loading docks, survive on two buildings (Buildings #19, #13)
along the west side of Jackson Street. These are also found on the east and south sides of building #19, the east front of
building #16, and the west alley wall of building #2.
Enclosed steel catwalks were commonplace within the district (a total of six structures) but those that crossed Streets
were removed as companies closed and their variances expired. One major multi-story structure survives and crosses the
vacated Washington Street between buildings #2 and #5. A single-story catwalk crosses the same street, just to the north,
between buildings #3 and #5. A third single-story catwalk crosses a vacated alley between buildings #13 and #17. These
structures are counted in the district building tally. In the present district area, overhead pipes cross the Streets at a number of
points and evoke the form at least of the removed catwalks.
Architects:
Christian Loetscher is said to have designed and supervised the construction of all of his own buildings. Carr, Ryder
and Adams designed at least their later large buildings and plans for Building #5, lacking any architect's identification, confirm
the company's use of their own in-house designers. Charles W. Skemp and Frederick C. Burdt are both credited with designing
buildings or additions for Carr, Ryder, Adams Company but it is not known which ones. Local architect Franklin D. Hyde and
Lawther, of Chicago are both credited with designing the first Carr, Ryder and Adams Company building (Building #9) and
it is probable that Hyde continued to produce designs for the successive additions to what would become a full block of three-
story factory buildings. Hyde also designed the Linseed Oil Works (northern portion of Building #13) and the Linseed Oil Paint
Works (south half of Building #12). Fridolin Heer designed a building for the Iowa Iron Works (possibly Building #7 or #8).
Alterations:
The level of integrity is surprisingly high, despite the tendency of industrial buildings to be considerably altered over
time. Because of its near pristine industrial condition the district served as the primary filming site for the film F.I.S.T. in 1978.
It was thought to be a perfect substitution for a storyline that took place in Cleveland, Ohio.
The district necessarily evolved over time as new buildings replaced others. The number of surviving early buildings is
rather remarkable given this tendency of the larger mill working firms to take over entire blocks and then groups of blocks.
Demolitions have been few in number but they have not been small in scale. The most critical loss was the half-block
sized four-story original Farley and Loetscher building that was east of building #18. It and its north and south catwalk
connectors were summarily demolished when the company closed down in 1962. The half block remains empty and is used for
parking. Otherwise demolitions have involved the removal of catwalks, prominent brick chimneys, rooftop tanks, and the loss
of most of the Klauer Manufacturing buildings (the remnants being buildings #6-8). All of these latter changes have been
relatively recent, post-1988. Many doors and windows have been in-filled and basement openings were uniformly closed and
infilled. Later-date construction added two loading docks, the south half of building #16 gained a fourth and metal-clad floor.
The replacement of wood with fiber resulted in the installation of numerous prominent roof-top tanks, conveyors and pipes in
the south part of the district. Today these features, along with their sound and their generous distribution of a daily dosage of
sawdust, continue the industrial tradition of the district.
On the positive side, buildings #11 & #12 lost their metal slip screen covers and the white paint was removed from
building #12 exposing a most interesting building evolution. A three-story side-gable brick building gained a fourth floor, the
former roof having been capped and leveled and the additional floor placed on top of it. The new floor, being of white brick,
PS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
t-861
anited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
rational Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
-ection number 7 Page 10
)ubugue Millwor(cinE Historic District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
necessitated the painting of the lower three floors. Today, the most distinctive fourth floor with its buried roofline profile, is
quite striking.
The Millworking District maintains a high degree of all seven aspects of integrity: location, design, setting, materials,
vorkmanship, feeling, and association. The integrity of the immediate setting of the buildings, illustrated by its industrial
etting and Streetscapes, contributes to the district's ability to maintain integrity of feeling and association. The massive form
nd scale of the key district buildings, combined with the surviving lesser buildings survives and reflects a building assemblage
hat has remained unchanged once it assumed its intended scale just after World War I. The retention of railway spurs and the
(rick Streets as well as the continued industrial uses of many of the buildings further conveys a historical continuity with the
last millworking glory of the district. The 1988 construction of the adjacent Highway 61 followed a historic railroad right-of-
vay. It is elevated along the district's south and east boundaries, but it is closest to the district at the district's southern end. To
he east a substantial grassed open area and parking to the east of the former Elm Street, separates the highway and the district.
,he highway construction demolished a number of lesser individual buildings, none of which directly addressed the major
millworking firms or the other companies that are central to the districts significance. The Kauer buildings were demolished at
he same time but this was not related to the highway construction. The highway has the impact of visually isolating the district
'rom its historic riverfront associations, but none of the other major factories that stood further east survive. The highway also
iow frames and highlights the district as well.
Figure 10: District parcel map (2000 aerial photo base map, City of Dubuque GIS)
Many district buildings had no permanent street addresses so they have been numbered to identify each of them.
NPS Form 10-900-a
IS-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 11
Dubuque MillworlcinE District
OMB Appro vaf No. 1024-0078
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
8. Architects, Continued
Hyde, Franklin D.
Lawther,
Skemp, Charles W.
8. Significance Statement:
The Millworking District is locally significant and National Register of Historic Places eligible under Criterion C,
Architecture and Criterion A, history. Architecturally, the district comprises the core of Dubuque's only concentrated cluster of
substantial industrial buildings (additional buildings qualify and might be added in a future amended application). Historically
the district represents the industrial transition of Dubuque from lumber production to millwork production, and the replacement
of Upper Mississippi River timber sources with West Coast sources. Two industrial giants, the Farley and Loetscher Company,
which claimed to be the largest millworking firm in the world, and the Carr, Ryder and Adams Company, emerged over time
and dominated the district with their respective warehouse and factory complexes. These collectively illustrate both the styles
and the building technologies of this class of building. Historically, the district is directly associated with Dubuque's industrial
history. As of 1870, Dubuque was the most industrialized city in the state and that economic sector remained vital to the city's
continuing prosperity. Some of the buildings and firms included in this district were the largest of their trades in the world.
The district contains the majority of the key buildings that were associated with the Carr, Ryder & Adams and Farley-
Loetscher millwork companies, two firms that were leaders in the city's industrial sector. Lumber-processing was a major
Dubuque industrial sector and the long-term success of these firms transcended the regional demise of lumber shipping and
processing that otherwise ended along the Mississippi River during the years prior to World War I. The beginning year of the
period of significance, 1881, is based on the oldest surviving building, while the closing date, 1958 corresponds to the 50-year
significance cutoff. The period of significance could logically end in 1962 when Farley &Loetscher closed, given that this
short extension beyond the 50-year cutoff would be justified given that the preponderance of significance, relative to that firm
and the district context, pre-dated 1958. Caradco did not close until 1970, so using that as a closing date for the district would
be considerably post-1958. The significant year dates of 1906 (Building #18, half), 1910 (Building #2, half), 1911 (Building
#18, half), 1916 (Building #4), 1917 (Building #19), 1919 (Building #2, half) and 1924 (Building #5) correspond to the years
during which the most substantial buildings were constructed.
Multiple Property Document Linkage:
The applicable multiple property documentation form is James E. Jacobsen's ,Dubuque-The Key City: The
Architectural And Historical Resources of Dubuque, Iowa, 1837-1955. This MPDF was first developed in June 2002 and has
been sequentially expanded and refined over each of the successive five survey, re-survey and district nomination phases
through 2004. This document defines four chronological historical contexts, establishes registration requirements for industrial
buildings, and recommends the National Register eligibility of this district under three of the four contexts, these being "The
Key City, 1859-1893;" "Fitful Growth and Maturation, 1894-1911," and "An Era of Stability, 1911-1955." The district and the
buildings meet the registration requirements as set forth in the multiple property documentation form. The district was surveyed
and documented during the Phase III Dubuque Downtown Survey in 2003 and an Iowa Historic Site Inventory Form was
prepared and submitted for SHPO review (Jacobsen, pp. 43-50, 90-96, 126-132, 154, 284, 293, 299 and 311). The district
period of significance is extended to 1958, the fifty-year cutoff point (from 2008, the year that this district will be formally
listed). The 1955 date was the cutoff point when the MPDF was developed. The historical significance of the district continues
PS Form 10-900-a
t-86)
lnited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
.National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 12
lubugue Millworlcinu District
OMB Appro va! No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County Iowa
~eyond 1958 given that the two principal millworking firms continued in operation until 1962 and 1975. No attempt is being
Wade at this time to develop a case for exceptional significance to extend the period of significance past 1958 however.
Historic preservation consultant Clayton Fraser, of Loveland, Colorado, documented most of the district buildings
ndividually as a part of the U.S. Highway 61 relocation and bridge approach survey of 1988. He noted that many of the
Buildings were individually National Register of Historic Places eligible.
;ontextual Background History
Dubuque emerged as Iowa's foremost city almost from its founding in 1837. Dubuque was the state's largest city by
population until 1870 when it was eclipsed by another German river city, Davenport. Second place was retained until 1890, and
hen regained in 1900. The city continued to grow slowly but other developing cities exploded in population and Dubuque
anked fourth place in 1910 and fifth in 1920. The city retained its number one position as the most industrialized Iowa city and
s of 1870, Dubuque was the 93rd largest industrial city in the United States, as measured by gross product. Twenty years later
t was ranked 70"'. Lead mining and processing were the initial basis of the city's wealth. Dubuque had no local fuel source
.part from its timber and this source was quickly exhausted. Beginning in the late 1830s pine timber from the Upper
/Iississippi River Valley was being rafted down river to Dubuque and by 1861, this industrial sector, the production of lumber
nd building materials, had attained substantial scale. By late 1869 the Dubuque lumber market claimed to be "the largest
umber market on the Mississippi River above St. Louis" (Herald, December 29, 1869; Jacobsen, pp. 34, 85; Wilkie, p. 333;
ohnson, pp. 166, 234-39).
Critical mass was achieved during the early 1870s as Dubuque perfected an excellent railroad-shipping network. One
:ey industrial sector, destined for explosive growth, was the local value added processing of lumber in the forms of vehicles,
urniture, and doors, sash and blinds (Jacobsen, p. 44).
The lumber industry on the Mississippi River was reduced in scale as the upriver timber sources were exhausted,
Beginning in the mid-I890s. Between 1900 and 1903, the number of Mississippi River sawmills above St. Louis declined from
.0 to 36. The last river lumber raft floated downxiver to the city in 1915 but Dubuque was already out of the lumber sawing
Business, its vast yards and facilities having burned in a series of massive fires in 1911 (Jacobsen, p. 49; Lyon, p. 366).
The lumber planing and its allied manufacturing interests co-existed with the lumber companies that turned out the
ough lumber. In Dubuque this vital industrial sector produced products valued at $3.5 million in 1889 and this figure peaked in
923 when that value was $23 million. Dubuque's industrial base necessarily included other vital sectors. These included meat
-acking, wagon and vehicle production, and foundries. Massive industrial complexes, all non-extant, and all located just east or
outh of the Millworking District, were the A. Y. McDonald Company (maker of plumbing materials), the Adams Company
maker of gears and transmissions) and the Key City Furniture Company (all being non-extant). The latter two firms still exist
n Dubuque at other locations. Had these buildings survived, the industrial district would be considerably larger and inclusive
>f these other industries (ibid.).
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
Clnited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 13
Dubuque Millworlcing District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 11: View of the southwest portion of the district, c.1902, view northeast, from the county courthouse
(Courtesy of Tim McNamara)
Figure 11 offers a rare detailed overview of a part of the district at a point in time prior to the erection of the largest
millworking buildings. Prominently depicted are the Dubuque Linseed Oil Works (right foreground, note the three storage
tanks), and Carr, Ryder and Engler, which dominates, right of center. This is the only known visual depiction of the two linseed
oil factories and clearly shows the original elevation and roof line of building #12.
It was the two principal millworking firms, Farley &Loetscher and Carr-Ryder-Adams (Caradco) Company that
assumed immense scale and national and international markets for their products. Collectively the two giants accounted for
virtually all of the Millworking District. Figure 12 depicts how Farley &Loetscher dominated the south half of the district,
while Caradco, the final incorporation of Carr, Ryder and Adams Company, did the same in the north half. Caradco's holdings
extended to East 11~' Street, the northern boundary of the district.
PS Form 10-900-a
5-861
.lnited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 14
)ubugue Millworking District
OMB Approval No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
~
:
~' t
%
^Y
}'
~
.
i
:
z
5 ~,
32si~.
3.: r
;' r ..
4'
l
It i~ Yf•
3>.
. +;,
N
:gin
~~:.
~~.
s :.
~~
.~
< ~-~ ~ ax -<- t~:.a ~ r~ - ~ ~..__
f ~y ~ s~ ~ Yu~ ~ "i ~ 3 ~.Aa
1 ~y
"~ _' , C~~
-. ^'1
': ~. '. '.v ' " '
\~` t ?
W ~ ,l
r ~ r" a2. ::f.%
t Z
Figure 12: Dominance of two millworking firms, 1962
(Telegraph-Herald, January 12, 1962)
In early 1930 the Telegraph-Herald noted "Lumberwork and millwork has always stood as the principal product in
Dubuque's industrial history," adding "Dubuque today is the home of several of the largest millwork plants in the world."
Dubuque Business, a few months previously, pronounced "Five Great Industrial Plants and Mills Assure Dubuque's Position as
['he World's Greatest Millwork Center." It continued:
The woodworking industry, one of the oldest Dubuque industries, is also the greatest. Dubuque, the largest
millwork center in the world, has five separate companies, two of which are the greatest of their kind, engaged
in the manufacture of products in this class, and operating branch factories and warehouses in practically every
section of the country.
NPS Form 10-900-a
B-S6)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
OMB Appro val No. J024-0018
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 15
Dubuque MillworlcinE District
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
These five companies include:
The Farley &Loetscher Manufacturing Company
The Carr, Ryder & Adams Company
The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company
The Metz Manufacturing Company
The Hurd-Most Sash and Door Company
These companies employed a total of 2,500 persons, utilize raw material from widely separated parts of the
country and turn out manufactured products, the combined value of which is many millions of dollars each
year."
The international market included Canada, South America, Mexico and Cuba. The two largest firms had a combined total of 11
branch factories with five distribution warehouses and wholesale distributors in 30 major cities and at many other points
(Telegraph-Herald, Apri130, 1930).
The District as Icon:
Figure 13, Farle
y &Loetscher building #18, viewed northeast from East 7~' and White Streets, April 1940
(Photo by John Vachon)
The sheer scale and the monumental smokestacks of the district made them ready symbols for Dubuque's industrial
might. During the Great Depression Federal photographer John Vachon regularly used the plants as symbols of the city and in
contrast to the unemployment and poverty that were in close proximity to the busy mills. In 1978 the district and particularly
the Caradco building #9 was the scene of the filming of the film F.I.S.T. staring Sylvester Stallone. The film, its storyline set in
Cleveland during the 1930s, was shot in Dubuque because the factory buildings were more authentic and because of the lack of
intrusive roof top satellite receivers in the city. The key building received new windows during the filming and many of these
were smashed out during the filming and replaced in kind when the film was finished.
PS Form 70-900-a
3-86)
.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 16
>ubugue Millworking District
OMB App~ova! No. 7024-0078
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 14: Building #13 is visible to the far right, the block in the foreground is non-extant, view northwest
along Jackson Street, from near 7`'' Street, April 1940 (Photo by John Vachon,)
Figure 15: Building #18, Farley & Loetscher Company, viewed to the south from White Street, April ly4u
(Photo by John Vachon)
NPS Form 10-900-a OMS Appio val No- 7024-0078
IS-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 17
Dubuque Millworkina District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
District History:
From the earliest years this part of the city was dominated by industrial land uses. As early as 1856, a local newspaper
reporter visited the area and tallied off a list of the factories that were in operation near Jackson and East 10`" Streets; Farley &
Rouse (machine shop), Cummings & Matthews (threshing machine manufacture), J. L. Dickinson (sash and door factory),
Herancourt (cabinets, bedsteads and chairs). This was just a sampling "of a number of other foundries and shops carrying on in
the different mechanical branches." By 1867 eight manufacturing firms occupied sites within the district. These were the
Rouse and Dean Foundry (later Novelty Iron Works), Washington and 9~' Streets, the Dubuque Manufacturing Company
(foundry), 10"' and Washington Streets; William Marshall's boiler works, 9`" and Washington Streets; L. Gordon and Company,
planing mill (later Patch & Waite and then W. W. Carr), 10~' and Jackson Streets; the Key City Planing Mill (later Farley &
Loetscher), 8`'' between Washington and Jackson Streets; H. Lembeck and Company (planing mill), Washington and 11"' Streets
the Dubuque Cabinet Makers Association, foot of 9`'' Street, and V. Herancourt's Cabinet Factory, Elm and 11`h Streets.
Washington Street was more substantially industrialized than was Jackson Street, a block west (Daily Herald, June 27, 1856;
Herald, December 15, 1867).
Figure 16: The district as of 1872
(Koch, Augustus, "Birds Eye View of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, 1872")
PS Form 10-900-a
t-861
.Inited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 18
lubugue Millworkin~ District
OMB Approvaf No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
The millworking district developed during the 1870s and early 1880s in a relatively flood-proof level area that was
~cated immediately east of the downtown proper. The high water mark lay between Washington and Elm Streets. Marshall's
oiler works was located on then northeast corner of Washington and 9`'' Streets as early as 1881. After experiencing the
loodtide of October 1880, the buildings were raised two and a half feet to avoid the experience once again. Marshall's firm
vas later engulfed by the expanding Carr, Ryder and Adams Company sometime after 1891. The Iowa Iron Works, located a
dock to the east of Marshall's, also suffered periodic inundations along its eastern edge. That company also hauled in fill to
levate its new foundary, built in 1867, above the flood level. To the north, the foundry at Novelty Iron Works was flooded out
n the June 1880 rise. The real flooding, as measured by the record June 1880 flood, was north of 11~' Street and from Jackson
street east. Lumberyards, with their vast piles of open-air lumber had dominated land use in the area. A particular push for
ndustrialization in the area came in 1881-1882 when such newly-established firms as the Dubuque Linseed Oil Works and the
)ubuque Oat Mill built new and extensive brick factory buildings at 9`I' and Jackson Streets (building #12) and 7`Y' and
Washington Streett (non-extant, power house demolished 1988) respectively (Historic American Building Survey, cited
Hereafter as HABS, 31-Dubu-AU; Herald, May 1, 1867; June 18, 22, 1880; Apri123, 1881).
Figure 16 depicts an emerging industrial district that is largely dominated by lumber drying and storage yards on the
outh end. Four industrial firms are already on the ground. Klauer Manufacturing Company (#1), Eagle Planing Mill, the
ntecedent of Farley & Loetscher Company (#2), Novelty Iron Works F#3), and the Patch & White Company (a Carr & Austin
cquisition that brought that firm to this location) are all present by this time. No surviving district building was extant at the
ime this image was drawn. Railroad spur tracks have already been laid on Jackson and Washington Streets. By 1884, these
iad both been extended north to East 11`h Street, thereby defining the northern reach of industrial development within the
leveloping district.
Railroad spur lines developed within the district as factories required them. The lumber yards, clustered east of the
ailroad tracks and close to river shipping along Waple's Cut, drew the woodworking factories into the area. Once these were
:stablished, and were joined by new factories like the Linseed Oil Works and the Linseed Oil Paint Works, the tracks followed.
ackson Street, between 7`}' and 10th Streets was impeded with new tracks as of October 1881 and the City Council instructed the
llinois Central Railroad to put those streets "in the condition it was in before their track was laid in said street, and to fill the
nside of their track in accordance with the ordinance in relation thereto." Both Washington and Jackson Streetswere single-
racked as far north as 11`" Street as of 1884, but Jackson had a switch and spur track that serviced the Linseed Oil Works at 9"'
street. Elm Street, a block west of Washington Street was the right-of--way of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad.
,racks were laid both on Elm and Washington Streets, beginning in early January 1884 because residents were irritated by the
vork (Herald, October 4, 1881; Sanborn Maps; Die Iowa, January 3, 1884).
In successive years, the factory buildings that comprise the district would be built or re-built largely from north to south.
~s the two principal millworking firms grew, most of the district acreage was built up by those two companies. The district
iistorically was immune to catastrophic fires, save for those somewhat peripheral to it, these being the catastrophic lumberyard
fires of 1911 and 1915.
The district witnessed Dubuque's longest and largest labor strike in 1911. While Dubuque was heavily industrialized,
here was little corporate tolerance for unions, particularly in the larger companies. The city advertised that Dubuque was a
;heaper place to live than most comparable factory cities and apparently this claimed advantage was deemed sufficient as
>enefit to the workers. The city had experienced massive transit strikes in 1903 and there was a good history for strikes
Carr, Ryder & Adams Company at least briefly closed during the 1903 strike, but only 50 workers were effected (Cedar Rapids Gazette,
une 22, 1903).
NPS Form 10-900-a
IS-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 19
Dubuque MillworkinE District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0078
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
leading up to the millworking strike of 1911. Union organizers organized and recruited the United Brotherhood of Carpenters
Local 1289 beginning in February 1911. Encouraged by a successful short strike by the employees in late March, the strike was
called to push for a shorter workweek and union scale wages. Over 12,000 workers struck and the strike would last over ten
months. The community was strongly supportive, the strike was non-violent, the courts were even supportive by refusing to
grant an injunction against the strike. The mills brought in strikebreakers who actually were paid the wages demanded by the
strikers. In the end, the strike failed although the strike goals were soon achieved anyway, although the union was not
immediately accepted (Knuth, pp. 56-74; Herald, March 28, 31, 31; April 12, 14, 22; May 25, 1907; January 30, 1908; Semi-
Weekly Waterloo Courier, Apri126, 1907; Daily Courier, Apri123, July 10, 1907).
The Carr-Ryder and Adams Company was the first to voluntary adopt the National Recovery Act code of 1933. That
code implemented a 40-hour workweek and raised pay scales, in an effort to increase employment nationally. A brief strike
against both of the giant millworking companies took place in mid-August 1935. Almost immediately, the employers called
upon the governor to call out National Guard troops and Carr, Ryder and Adams placed advertisements for strikebreakers. A
total of 1,400 workers were on the picket line but settlement was quickly made with the Farley &Loetscher Company, and all
were back at work in just over two week's time (Telegraph-Herald, August 6, 1933; August 11, 15, 22, 23, 1935).
Farley and Loetscher Company alone endured a strike that lasted five weeks and four days in early 1939. Nine hundred
unionized mill workers (Local 1646 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters) struck on April 17 after their contract expired.
Demands included a wage increase, closed shop steward system and a 40-hour workweek. As the strike continued, both sides
used to newspaper to stake out their negotiation positions. After four weeks, the company announced plans to reopen and asked
for a court injunction to prevent any obstructing of the plant. In a tense series of events, 160 strike breakers were beseiged in
the plant. Plant superintendent Robert Loetscher was charged with "assault" on a female observer and thousands were drawn to
the plant to observe events. The strikebreakers, armed with oak clubs, were finally evacuated. The injunction was issued on
May 18 and restricted the strikers to having just two pickets at each of the three company gates (the east side of White Street,
between 7`i' and 8`i' Streets; the Warehouse entrance on the south side of 7`I' Street, between White and Jackson Streets; and the
north side of 8~' Street, between White and Jackson Streets). Aback story of the strike was the necessity to support the strikers.
Catholic Charities was instrumental in both providing that support and in negotiating an end to the strike. Smoke from the
factory preceded the actual settlement, which occurred on May 26. The strikers realized little from the strike but they did keep
their jobs without recrimination (Telegraph-Herald, April 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, May 2, 10, 11, 12„ 13, 14, 16, 19, 20,
21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 1939).
The buildings of the district and a range of related but less substantial factory buildings to the southeast and east
remained virtually intact until quite recently. The latter were demolished in 1988 to make way for the elevated U. S. Highway
61/151 that now forms the eastern and southern boundaries of the district. The lost buildings and most of the surviving ones
were documented by the Historic American Building Survey in 1988.
PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 20
)ubuque Millworking District
OMB Appro va/ No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
The city emerged as a major lumber manufacturer given its ideal up-river location relative to the Upper Mississippi
river Valley timber supply. By 1869 there were already eight firms in Dubuque that were milling and processing the raw
umber. These were Carr & Austin, Patch & Wait (J. L. Dickinson's), Clark & Cowles, Pelan & Randall, E. R. Lumber,
)ubuque Lumber Company, Clark & Scott, H. Lambeck, E. R. Lumbert, Peterson & Company. These firms were particularly
vulnerable to disastrous fires, the last named just having been destroyed. Over time, numerous successor firms appeared along
vith a number of lumber supply firms such as Standard Lumber Company. These withered or burned away prior to World War
and just two firms, Carr, Ryder & Adams and Farley &Loetscher would survive into recent times (Times, January 1, 1869).
The district also includes a range of lesser industrial firms, a cracker factory, a remnant of the Iowa Iron Works,
portions of the linseed oil company works and the like. Many of these example buildings survive nowhere else in the city.
Figure 17 depicts how the present district was developing from the north end south. Again, numbers locate key
manufacturing companies. Klauer Manufacturing Company (#1) has expanded to occupy its entire block and two surviving
Buildings are shown (see keyed 1891 Sanborn Map). Carr, Ryder and Adams Company (#2) also occupies a full block, half of
vhich is covered by surviving buildings (see keyed 1891 Sanborn Map). Novelty Iron Works (#4) has occupied a full block and
t least two surviving buildings are in place (see keyed 1891 Sanborn Map). The Dubuque Linseed Oil Works and Linseed Oil
'aint Factory building straddle 9~' Street, two of which survive (see keyed 1891 Sanborn Map). Farley &Loetscher Company
#5, #6) has erected its first massive half-block sized building. This building was demolished in 1962 but the company would
expand to occupy most of the south half of the district.
Figure 17: Detail of Perspective Map of Dubuque, 1889, view northwest
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-861
l.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 21
Dubuque MillworkinE District
OMB Approval No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
r ~ f ~~ ~ _-
,
•
c;
a
~.. ` ! , - ~ ~
.
_
1y I~
~, .i
..~._~
.
.
.
~
i
.~ 5 ,.
-: J
~ -~
,,:. a ,~
>. _,
C SC]5 u
' n t'
t i +#'
"• ~`G
~~ 5C>frA
# ~ ~
, 1 :. i i.. ..- . .. .
Z }~ 'i
~~if s ~ ,• i
1 ~
A ~..w +.+~ ..min ~~
j
`: f JQ J
z~_
;,''
i ~; -
_.
.-
~'
;.
d„ r:..wor - ,~,
r :...
,. .-. _.._~~. ..._...., to
~'i ~ ,
j>
ik
off`
~.A : a .
._....ii _': 0_ ._
I
~~
f ^~
Figure 18: 1884 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Detail
District boundaries marked with black line, extant buildings are shaded
PS Form 10-900-a OMB App~o va/ No. 1024-0018
3-861
lnited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 22
)ubugue MillworlcinE District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
}..
...~.._ ...~..,J
4,... ~~~...
r,
__ ~~
r ~ i =,t ~ .z ~~ ;c -
i
~~
t r -•~~x s ~ x ~,
z
1 ~ `-
}' 4 r
{ ~. ~ - ry . a z.. ,,, 2 ~
T
,. ~.. i
t ~c
} i`-' ~ I ~ "~`
z -.
..._ ;
~ k
~ ~ '
. __,
..., ,
~._. -.r
..--- __ i
a ,'='~ 3 ~.^~
:. 5 r ~ 3i ~ ,...1
.,, f _r . ~ _ ... i _._ . _.
/.
,.
:s3, L ..
y
~f I .. ~ ,}
t ~ re.-. f ~ ~ i i..
A ~ s i '>. ... u' ~~ ~'~~~~~ i~~r ,~~
... ....~... t
J _ _.
~r_.>: _..: ..
,~ 1 I
;..
:;r; ~~i. 4 .,..
F,,i. t ~
- ..
.. _ ~ 7. .. .~ J
,i
a: _
iiI ~( ~'i ICS ,'~
``I ~a / ~
2 g O
c A
r _ `i
z ~ ~ /' ~~
/'
/~
~~!
f
~
,
~
.
..
r
Ni
,_ , r..-
~ ..
h
.._ ;_r
~~ 4
i , 1
>.
ri
l _
.
t # ~ f
.......; ry
.. .. A a 13
^
. ~ - :.=.; _
' ~a
_
r s t
~.. -- _ _
7~.;
~
f
-- i
~~ a
;~
Figure 19: 1891 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map lletaii
District boundaries marked with black line, extant buildings are shaded
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 23
Dubuque MillworkinE District
OMB Appiova/ No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 20: 1906 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Detail
District boundaries marked with black line, extant buildings are shaded
PS Form 10-900-a OMB Appiova! No. 1024-0018
t-861
.Inited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
rational Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 24
)ubugue Millworking District Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
-:::: ~--____ ..
- ~ ._ ~t...._
..
~ v ~ - I`
_
~ ~`
,
! ~ - ~t ".....
., ,., _ .
~,._ c.
~ ,.
. F
_:
I
„.
i
.'. ....
. ~. ......... ~„~;;...g~~..... ..-..
.::.a
s i - -. ..jy-
a (~ - llCC~ -~ ~ ,
ca 7 'a
:~
4
.,~. v,f2. k
, y
L`:~. ,- ~
~.
_~
..> -: ~ i
e.,. ~._ <,. _,
__
~ ~ ,.
_.. ! ; , ,
~:
.'
t,__ ~-
,.
~~.~ _.~,
~..~
....,.,.. OS - i «.
~~' ',.
r ._ . .
_.. ~ ~
t _. ,.
i ~
i
i
..~
1 '
. ; ~ - .. r F. '.
t~ ~j...-. t ~
} ..'
! ~ ' '
l y V
r .w.:
r'o. _ .
i
~.,..
i
t
e
~
~
;
'
1 ~
'
`
i .
i•
t ,.
Y~
-,.
~~
Figure 21: 1909 Sanborn r'ire Insurance Map lletall
District boundaries marked with black line, extant buildings are shaded
NPS Form 70-900-a
18-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
OMB Approval No. 7024-0078
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 25
Dubuque Millworldng District
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
1
~..... j ,
;~
3.
' ~ +
u ,
''
. 4 ~-...
~_t .
.; _~pk
•~
~.,
}
fi /!~. .
( ~
L' -;` ?-
e.:i
~~ ~ ~~;
l ~~,.~ Y 3 L ,. .yid.-~',€.) ~{
}
~~~
j ~ ~~
~ ~ T~
{ ~ 1xt ~ at
I. ~~' .~. : c'rn k
Figure 22: 1936 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Detail
District boundaries marked with black line, extant buildings are shaded
PS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0078
3-861
lnited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 26
)ubugue Millworking District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque Count, Iowa
f~.
' z
; f _
s ~ }f
._, ,„„
..i~ ~~:.
„
t ,. _..
~
5 ~- .
( 1
~~
~`~ _ :.~ ~ ~ ~k~
-~ N7' I
S ,~ s _ ~ z r '~'~
ter - _1
.~,1 ~~
~ ..y 2
,t , -}
T~ ,
,• ,
x
f ',
G s ~~
~r i
s ~\ r; I
,- ~ -
_. ! -..,
•o,,
' ~~ I
_. , k~ ~ a
~J
F> ~' N
~ ..
K
,.
S
,~~ .:r # e
~. p
.::
j
j1~ r
r _. ( ... 7
.. f - _._
,. ~ ~
~~ 3 _... _ _.
j
~
. ;~
i A4'
~ d
_ ~'
. ~
i % r
l
r
~9
~
.
__. ...
,,,
~ f
. ,. _. r ro > ~ ~
-
_ ., .
;,,
a'
~~__- -~
{Y _ ~ ~Y
.
.
,e_ ,
Y9 11
i'
'!Y
~ ~ ~ i ~
;1
~ {{
n~ R 1.1
~
: y. ~n
i
U ". ~ °~
tf
b
k 1~
i ..
,:
-• r
~~s
f `• a
~a
't
~:. .. ... ''J . u
1 ,r+:
..
k __
X11
Figure 23: 1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map lletail
District boundaries marked with black line, extant buildings are shaded
t ~_.
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
18-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 27
Dubuque MillworkinE District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
~ ~~ ~t
:.~
4
.~~ Y i
iy ~ 5t ~`
1 } ~' ~
._ ._ ~ W`
.~. _ plea z ~ ~
~
'~
~: .. , F
_ c
' (i
.
~ .~' i~P R1
~
~
x d ~ ~ .;
q
_ ~ +
i N r~~ ~
1 ~
' t ~+'
4 j -,ryZ~~w : [
~ ~ ~
«.•^X..
1 1~Q ~' 1 q ~-krr{:~xr,~ ~ r
t r ar , ., i' ~' ti
~- J-+.N ~ t
-~ ~ ~. ~. ~I ~~
_ , , _ _ ,~, ~ ~r
I ~7~ 1
r SN .,L 1
s. '. ~ ,tiy ! '.
~.~ .. ..
..
pL~.f..,R ~ ,~:H ~ ~ .,~ ~ f v? 7 :>. l 1.
Y
-~. ~. Il
~ .. / ~
3~ - . --- :~~ s ~
r ~ ,, ~
~.,. ; i ~ 4 d ~ ~ !tY ,fir ~J" "' Y 5,
..
;~
. ,. ._ _ ,,
~> ~ i~ !_ !~ ~~~
I J :.'~` .~~f
i. ~ I ,+,~ ~ ~' f r 1.,.
tt!! •'~If '{ 1
i~ ~ 1 ~ t 9 3 +.r +-s+~. r.~ ~ ~. 4
i f ~~
> ~ a H --
r & 1~1
~(
__ `
3 i
(i.
~_ .. ~~ i_lf, ~!
~,•- r
,: ,
r ~ ~r
~} ,..
~\.•
j f- i Y
f F S' ~
'~ o ` -
'i? ~..
- s
L~ ~ ~'
i
i d
~ti ~
,'s
rigure 24: Iy62 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Detail
District boundaries marked with black line, extant buildings are shaded gray
PS Form 10-900-a
3-86)
.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 28
)ubugue Millworlcin~ District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0078
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Individual Company Historical Overviews:
~arr Rider and Adams Compan~Caradco:
By 1895 this firm was termed "one of the largest concerns in this country, devoted to the manufacture of sash, doors,
Minds, etc." By 1911 this leading Dubuque millworking company occupied a dozen acres of ground and claimed to be "the
argest producer in the world of white pine doors and sash." During its 112-year long presence in Dubuque, Caradco claimed
hat it manufactured over 30 million doors and 55 million windows. What Dubuque historian Randolph Lyon described as "one
.f the nation's premier millwork companies" claimed that its products were found in the White House, at West Point, at
lorthwestern University (Evanston, Illinois) and at the University of Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa). As early as 1895, company
products could be found as far away from Dubuque as the Forth Worth County Courthouse (Fort Worth, Texas) (Daily Herald,
anuary 1, 1895; Greater Dubuque, p. 16; Lyon, pp. 56-57).
Farley &Loetscher Company sold off its plastic sheet manufacturing patents and facilities to Caradco in 1960 and when
he other mill buildings were closed in 1962, Caradco acquired many of the buildings and became the largest millworking firm
n the country. During World War II the company produced footlockers and ammunition boxes for the war effort. In 1958 it
Became Caradco and continues under that name today. At one time the company had extensive branch plants and subsidiaries
nd these were divested of after World War II. The Scoville Manufacturing Company acquired Caradco in 1968 and over time
11 manufacturing was removed to Rantoul, Illinois. Door manufacturing continued until October 1978 when 84 jobs were
discontinued (Lyon, pp. 56-57; www:jeld-wen.com).
William Wyatt Carr (1824-1909) reached Dubuque in 1866 from New York State. He partnered with W. H. Austin and
he Carr & Austin Company was established in 1866. He was credited "with a rare foresighedness that few men have, he
iscovered that Dubuque was a good distribution point for sash and doors, near the Wisconsin timber and a veritable empire at
is western gateway..." The Carr family name has the distinction of surviving as the lead name in each of the successive
orporate name changes. The firm occupied two other sites and was burned out twice, in 1871 and again in 1879. It purchased
he Patch & White Sash, Door and Blind Company and Planing Mills, located on the east side of Jackson Street, between East
~`I' and East 10"' Streets. That acquisition brought their company into the district. Two early partners, A. B. Carlin and J. A.
:ickard, later worked with Christian Loetscher. The company went through numerous reorganizations during its history (Daily
herald, May 21, 1881; Telegraph-Herald, December 4, 1909):
1866: Carr & Austin Company
1887: Carr, Ryder & Wheeler Company (incorporation July 1, capita1125,000)
1890: Carr, Ryder & Engler Company (stock increased to $150,000)
1897: Carr, Ryder & Adams Company
1938: Carr, Ryder & Collier Company (James Collier joined the firm in 1895, and was president 1939-47)
1958: Caradco (Lester G. Wendt joined the company in 1915, and served as president 1947-63+)
John Taylor Adams (1862-1939) was a key leader in the company's history and was a nationally significant political
operative in the Republican Party. He was aware that the company needed a new timber source and that that source was to be
he West Pacific Coast. The western wood source was Sugar and Ponderosa pine in contrast to white pine. As of 1900 a
eveloping western lumber industry was failing because they didn't understand how to properly dry the cut timber. Adams was
ailed west in mid-1901 to help the struggling West Side Timber and Flume Company of Tuolumne, California. The company
owner, William H. Crocker, was a conservative Republican leader who was along-time ally of Adams during his political
areer. Adams and at least seven other company employees remained with the California company for three years and they too
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-861
Clnited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 29
Dubuque Millworking District
OMB Appio val No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
invested in the operation. The Dubuque group quickly turned things around. Adams was instrumental in helping his proteges,
George D. Rose and Charles J. Spahn, Jr. in financing and founding the Spahn & Rose Lumber Company (see below), upon
their return to Dubuque. John Adams' prescience was invaluable to the company's long-term survival but it also helped that the
factory location, while originally close to the lumberyards, was also directly accessible to the Illinois Central Railroad
(Telegraph-Herald, May 22, 1927; October 29, 1939; Lyon, pp. 56-67, 418; White, p. 3;
http://www.tuolumnemuseum.org/rt0905 .htm).
Politically, Adams served as the vice chairman of the Republican Central Committee from 1917-21, and as national
chairman from 1921-24. In Iowa he was instrumental in preventing the progressive Republican Iowa Governor Albert B.
Cummins from replacing Senator William B. Allison in the U. S. Senate in 1908, and he helped William Howard Taft secure the
1912 GOP presidential nomination against Cummins. This work was awarded with a state seat on the party's Executive
Committee. Pro-German pre-war letters prevented his selection as national chairman in 1918, but his efforts during the 1920
election campaign for Warren G. Harding, and a timely retirement, secured that position for him in 1921. Adams redefined the
role, bringing business practices to the office. One major reform was making the chairman the distiller and marketer of the core
party message and Adams gave particular attention to the introduction of women voters to the presidential campaign process.
This new role of policy promotion got Adams into serious difficulties in mid-1923 when Adams deviated from President
Harding by opposing American support for the World Court. The president acquiesced, and then died in August 1923, and
Adams survived. Calvin Coolidge was the accidental president. Adams continued as he had and further distanced himself with
the new president as the Teapot Dome scandal began to unfold in the fall of 1923. Adams resigned his chairmanship and
limited his political activities to political strategy as a member of the party's "Old Guard" (White, pp. 3-10, 12, 31-36, 40-43,
46-47, 68-70, 76-78, 82-83, 92-97).
~:S`1'ALI,iSFi~D ls.3k3~.
CARR,
RYDER &
Doors, Glazed Sash,
NEWELL POSTS,
SPECIALTIES ,={
F9vnn tiL,ttiUKF;U:uut 1111:1 illil1i11 I'INlinnd
Fioe front Doors and Frames,
1'F.\1' F,ti1)~, I'CI.1'1'I' Di:~ t8, .pan ;V;I'91;
13:'1.\.B.:1nt1 ti`I'OI.tL lJUONTEIi,ti,
.i~.id In>;i~lu Fluixhing~.
WALNUT & ASH FLOORING
h'e me '11E:11)(~C'.llt9`E1L8 Tnr
ILVWtI:~~. cr~i.,, mn, .,
~NHEELER,
Blinds, Mouldings, .Stairs,
BALUSTERS and BRACKETS.
Figure 25: Carr. Ruder & Wheeler Facterv (Ruildin~ #91. 9~' and Jackson- view east
(Dubuque Trade Journal, August 21, 1882)
PS Form 10-900-a
3-86)
,Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 30
)ubugue Millworlcin~ District
OMB Appro va/ No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuaue County Iowa
Figure 25 is the earliest depiction of the Carr, Ryder & Wheeler plant. The entirety of the company fits within a single
dock, although the image strives to make the whole all the more impressive. Carr & Austin were completely burned out in
lovember 1879 and moved to a new location. Their plant again burned in May 1880. These early plants were relatively
nodestly in scale and the second fire loss totalled just $12,000. Rumors circulated to the effect that the firm would relocated to
Wisconsin but in mid-November 1880 the company purchased lumber yard to the east of the railroad and between 11 cn and 12`"
streets. Proximity to "the lumber interests" was a key factor in the new location. Within the district, they also acquired "a
piece of ground diagonally opposite to the new linseed oil factory, on which they will erect a warehouse." (Die Iowa, November
:0, 1879; May 26, 1880; Times, November 11, 1880; Herald, November 12, 1880).
Architect F. D. Hyde was preparing plans for a new sash, door and blind factory as of late November 1880 and it was
loped to start the foundation work within a few weeks, weather permitting. Things did not proceed so very quickly and in early
anuary the company reorganized as Carr, Ryder & Wheeler, N. C. Ryder having joined the firm. The enlarged partnership had
;hanged the company's building plans. Originally the Jackson and 9"' Streets site was envisioned as a warehouse and shipping
point, while the factory itself was to have been on the other site well to the north. But additional land on Jackson Street and
existing facilities became available in early February, as this account details:
Sale of a Planing Mill
Messrs. Carr, Ryder & Wheeler have purchased, from A. Kaiser, the old Patch & Waite
property, including the stone planing mill and other buildings. The new firm intend to build
additional buildings covering the ground as far south as Ninth street, making it the largest sash,
door and blind factory in the city or perhaps in the west. The price paid for the Patch property
is between $8,000 and $10,000. This purchase changes the proposed erection of a factory on
the Langworthy lots, as the grounds offer ample room for sash works and warehouse.
~t any rate, architects Keenan and Hyde were once again revising the plans for what was described as being "larger than those
[estroyed by fire." Architect Hyde called for stone foundation bids for "our warehouse and factory" in mid-March. William J.
Noods (Woods, Butt & Frick) received the brickwork contract in early February. Work was underway by mid-April.
ncredibly the company's temporary quarters burned in late May, so they quickly assembled a temporary worksite. New
nachinery for the permanent plant was arriving from Pennsylvania by mid-September. (Herald, November 23, 1880; January 7,
February 2, 8, March 16, April 12, May 21, September 10, 1881; Times, April 12, 1881).
Stone walls from Patch's plant survive in the northwest portion of Building #9 and Figure 26 shows the combined
>uildings with a unified brick fagade, the whole of which comprised most of a half city block. Supportive structures including
vood drying kilns and the like occupied the half block to the east. Typical of industrial lithographs, the plant is shown divorced
rom its surrounding milieu. Much of the core building was built in 1881-1882 at a cost of $35,000. Substantial additions
ollowed in 1883, 1888, 1890, 1892, 1897, 1901-02, 1903 and 1905. The 1903 addition infilled along 10`'' Street and "added
;neatly to the appearance of the factory." The 1905 addition, 100 feet square, added a third story to apre-existing two-story
crying kiln that occupied the northeast quarter of the block (the kiln units remain in place). This improvement added 50,000
square feet to a plant total of 200,000 square feet (Daily Times, November 11, 1880; Apri121, 1881; Herald, May 21, December
1, 1881; December 19, 1883; March 15, 1888; January 18, 1891; December 25, 1892; January 5, 1898;August 2, 1901;
l'elegraph-Herald, December 13, 1903; May 12, 1905; Enterprise, June 20, 1903).
By the end of 1882 the company facilities were termed "one of the most extensive planing mills and sash and door
actories in the west." The company's market area was rapidly expanding as newspapers reported large shipments as far distant
is Texas and Mexico. At that same time, it was reported that 32 carloads of lumber were accumulated on nearby railroad tracks
NPS Form 70-900-a
18-56)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 31
Dubuque Millworkin~ District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0078
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
for the firm, and several cars were arriving daily. The firm consumed "immense quantities of lumber for their business."
(Herald, December 6, 8, 1882).
Sash and door factories were obviously prone to fire but also to boiler explosions. The company's brick powerhouse
was destroyed in a late May 1884 explosion that killed five, including two neighborhood children who were struck by the flying
debris. Damage totalled $5-6,000 (Die Iowa, May 29, 1884).
The company's growth, following its relocation into comparatively fireproof quarters was greatly hindered by the
national economic downturn of the early 1880s. A company report for 1884-85 noted that while the company was operating at
the same volume during those two years, prices for their products were lower and "they [the prices] had been lowering steadily
since the spring of 1881, but have now probably reached bottom" (Herald, December 20, 1885).
The 1888 factory addition was contracted to C. Burdt in mid-April (Herald, April 11, 1888).
The company began what would be a national market development in 1892 with the establishment of a first jobbing
house in Omaha, Nebraska. Driven by its own production level, the single jobbing warehouse outlet grew to eight by 1916 with
factories located in Des Moines, Peoria, Indianapolis, St. Joseph, and St. Louis. Each of these was separately incorporated and
was operated from Dubuque and had Dubuque company officers. By late 1929 it was noted that while Dubuque was smaller
than any of the cities that housed the branch factories, the Dubuque company complex was "larger than any two of the branch
plants." Wholesale distributors extended the market nationally and internationally across North America (Telegraph-Herald,
Apri130, 1930; Dubuque Business, December 1929, p. 11).
(Center for Dubuque History, Nagle Photo Collection, #1709)
PS Form 10-900-a OM8 Approval No. 1024-0018
3-861
,lnited States Department of the Interior
Jational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 32
lubugue Millworking District Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
By the end of 1894 the company was termed "one of the largest concerns in this country, devoted to the manufacture of
ash, doors, blinds, etc." With 300 employees, the company had its own water and electric plants and the steam plant powered
ngines having a total of 500 horsepower. While factory work was dangerous and working conditions harsh, workers were, by
893, given ten days off, likely without pay, so that they could attend the county fair. These lengthy shutdowns, often
ccomplished in early January, also allowed for the refitting of machinery and equipment. The early 1902 shut down lasted a
ull three-weeks for example (the prolonged closing was due to the installation of four new boilers that replaced those that had,
z turn, replaced the ones that exploded in 1884). By the end of 1894 the entire plant was protected by a Grinnell water
prinkler system. The improvement resulted in a legal battle with the water company when the latter demanded a $100 per year
ee for it in lieu of the usual meter based system. A railroad spur line was added on Washington Street, along the east side of
Ze factory, in 1897. In 1901 the plant installed an extensive new mill outfit for the manufacture of sash, doors, etc. "that will
mploy not less than 100 men." By mid-1902 the block to the northeast, the. former Novelty Iron Works, was leased for
dditional factory space and daily door production increased from 1,500 units to 2,500. The work force was 350 men,
xcluding the office and sales force. It was then locally rated as "the largest [complex] of its kind in the Northwest." The block
ras finally purchased and it would be solidly built up and expanded as the company continued to expand. In 1903 a 10`'' Street
oid in the original factory was infilled with a new three-story building. A company official reported that 1905 was likely the
firm's "banner year" for business. That same year saw the final infilling of the original factory, adding 50,000 square feet to
chat was a plant that occupied an entire block to the three-story level. By 1906 the company's business was large enough that
fficials declined to provide cost estimates on its continued expansion. The Telegraph-Herald estimated $25,000 in
nprovements made that year and reported that the company had acquired adjoining buildings to its parcel on the west side of
ackson Street (Daily Herald, July 4, 1893; January 1, December 29, 1895; Decembe 22, 1896; October 13, 1897; Telegraph-
~erald, January 9, June 8, 1902; December 13, 1903; May 12, 1905; December 30, 1906).
The company also expanded westward across Jackson Street, between East 9"' and East 10"' Streets. Anew power plant
building #10) was built on the west side of Jackson Street and the five-story reinforced concrete building (building #3) was
uilt to the northeast, at Washington and East l lt'' Streets. The company had also expanded to the east where they had leased
ze entire Novelty Iron Works, adding another full block to company operations. The lease was in place by August 1901 and an
ntire set of sash and door machinery was placed in the buildings by October 1901. An additional 100 employees worked in
zese new facilities. At that time they had a railroad switch located within a building east of Washington Street. In early March
16 inch wide iron pipe was erected across the same street, between the two buildings, to move wood shavings. The
onsiderably enlarged plant now emboldened the Telegraph-Herald to proclaim that the factory was "the largest of its kind in
ze Northwest." The company offices were also remodeled and enlarged at this time, "forming a splendid suite commensurate
rith the growth and prosperous condition of the business" (Daily Telegraph, August 2, 1901; Telegraph-Herald, March 4, June
1902; Enterprise, October 20, 1901).
Further construction work was envisioned on the newly-acquired block above East 10~' Street. The Times-Journal
escribed the planned work:
Immense Factory Plant: Carr, Ryder & Adams Co. Plan A Gigantic Structure:
What will be the largest single factory building in the city will be the immense new plant which Carr, Ryder &
Adams Co. will start work on as soon as spring opens up. The plans as prepared contemplate improvements
that will more than double the present capacity of the company.
The new factory plant will be on the south side of Eleventh Street on Washington, and will be 171 by 187 feet,
five stories and basement. It will be of brick and stone and of fire proof construction modern in every detail
and built especially for factory purposes.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-861
l.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 33
Dubuque Mill~vorkin~ District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
It will be built in two divisions with fire walls and fire proof openings between. It will have a fire proof tinned
roof, and metal window frames and wire glass.
In contemplation of the great addition to the capacity of the factory, a new power station is to be erected
across Jackson street from the present factory north of the Biscuit Company's plant, where Carr, Ryder &
Adams Co. recently purchased three lots. Contracts for this building were let last week and the foundation for
the great smoke stack was put in last fall.
This power station will be 40 by 100 feet, and will be a two-story brick building with wide entrance and large
windows.
The present plant now covers the entire block between Tenth and Eleventh, from Jackson to Washington
Streets and part of the block east. The completion of the new building with other improvements which the
company contemplates will give it a plant of solid buildings covering more than two and a half blocks. The
plans for the new building are practically complete and the contracts are to be let and arrangements made for
beginning work as soon as spring opens up.
The "entire block" reference should read from Washington to Elm Streets. Apparently just half of this planned
building was built, the north half being added, using reinforced concrete construction, in 1924 (Times-Journal,
January 21, 1910).
The year 1910 also marked the first city allowance for carrying overhead pipes across Jackson Street. This feature
would and still does typify the district. A year later, in 1911, building #10 was expanded to the north and south with a
warehouse to the south and a 40 feet by 100 feet warehouse to the north at a cost of $50,000 (Times-Journal, January 21,
October 2, 1910; January 1, 1911; Building Permits).
The company suffered the loss of lumber sheds and lumber in the great fires of May 1911 and April 1915. Losses in the
latter, which consumed the entire company lumberyard and 2.5 million board feet of seasoned pine and hardwood lumber, were
$150-175,000 (Times-Journal, May 27, 1911; Telegraph-Herald, Apri127, 1915).
A $200,000 160,000 square foot storage building addition was built in 1919 and was notable for both its wintertime
construction and the fact that a building of this scale was unusual at a time when very little new construction was underway.
The contractor was the George Stiles Construction Company, which claimed to be the only builder capable of doing winter
building using concrete. Smoky "salamanders" or open stoves heated the new concrete to allow for the concrete to cure. The
new building, intended for storage, had a live load rating of 259 pounds to the square inch. The north half of building #3, a
five-story reinforced concrete design valued at $400,000 was built in 1919. The first of three block-long lumber warehouses
was built east of Elm Street in 1948 (non-extant, outside of district boundary). The final major building (building #5), an
"absolutely fireproof 'five-story combination warehouse and factory, was built on the northeast corner of Jackson and 10~'
Street in 1924. Its completion would add 100 men to the company workforce and its estimated construction cost was $100,000.
A research building was built in 1954 (Times-Journal, December 19, 31, 1919; Telegraph-Herald, January 4, December 28,
1924).
PS Form 10-900-a
3-86)
.Inited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 34
)ubugue Millworkin~ District
OMB Approval No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
As of 1911 the block in the foreground of Figure 27 was completely residential, save for Marshall's boiler plant. The
power plant in the center includes Building #10 in the district. The matching raised corners on the two main blocks might have
peen planned but they were never actually built. The entire block to the left (northeast) post-dated 1909, as did the smokestack
nd relocated power plant, moved from the far right to the center for the convenience of this presentation. The lumber
varehouses (rear left, built 1915, non-extant) were also moved and turned so as to be visible.
r"figure Z"/: Carr, Kyder ~ aaams complex, view souineas~, iyi i ~Urea~cr LUUU~UG, 1,7L ~~
Figure 28: c.1920 aerial photo, view east
(Dubuque County Historical Society)
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Appro va/No. 1024-0018
(8-861
united States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 35
Dubuque Millworkin~ District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque Countv, Iowa
Figure 28 depicts the expansion of Can, Ryder and Adams from its original block (building #9, visible right center)
north and northeast. A second full block had been built up and a warehouse and company office had been completed to the
west. The old Morrison Boiler Works still stands (just below the diagonal catwalk). The company lumber warehouses are just
visible in the upper left corner.
By 1930 the company's product list consisted of "sash, windows, screens, doors, frames, blinds, mouldings, stairwork,
cabinet work, panel cases, ironing board cabinets, wardrobes, radiator covers, book cases, breakfast nooks, colonnades, mantels,
mantel shelves, porch work and garden furniture." A 400-page color catalog enumerated the product details (Telegraph-Herald,
Apri130, 1930).
During World War II the company, like the American home front, was completely committed to the war effort, both in
terms of production and the support of the 118 company employees who were in the service. A monthly "Bilt-Well
Serviceman's Bulletin" was issued throughout the war. The bulletin tallied the five employees who died in service, encouraged
the writing of letters to the servicemen and otherwise kept employees and servicemen in touch. Special "VE" and "VJ" issues
celebrated the milestones in winning the war.
During the war the company provided anything that could be made out of wood. This included 382,000 105 mm
howitzer shell crates, 75,000 boxes for 3-inch gun ammunition, and 25,000 foot lockers along with other packing forms and
furniture. Building materials also absorbed much of the plant's manufacturing capacity. The company produced 100,000 cello-
glass sash and screens for South Pacific building construction, as well as woodwork for such domestic facilities as ordnance
plants, the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, naval bases in Trinidad and Newfoundland, hospitals in the Pacific and US, war
housing and essential service needs ("Bilt-Well Serviceman's Bulletin," August 1945).
Figure 29: wartime view of the main plant, view northeast
("Bilt-Well Serviceman's Bulletin," July 1944)
PS Form 10-900-a
~-861
,Inited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 36
)ubugue Millworking District
OMB App~o va/ No. 1024-0078
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
#
j
Q
~ ~
!
(
i
%
i ~
i'
t
i
t
i
;
a ~
'i
~
,. ...
i
~ 1
~ i
i
~.£`
j
i x
'~
Maur- . ~, ~
~x~'"u..~x. ~'> .,.~:n
r+~+~ x '~ ~ ..-
3 t~L'T~
k. C w
~ rU s~
~
x„r,
w R ~
-.
k ~
c '{-^4487.
,yp:
50 b
_ ,e
-~. ... .... .. ~ .~ Y..+~ .w. - :.
~<-
- ~ i d.Tik3 E E.L
w~aac
~
~
Figure 30: Wartime depiction of the Carr, Ryder, Collier Company, view southeast
("Bilt-Well Serviceman's Bulletin," August 1944)
Figure 30 takes the usual amount of artistic license so as to show all of the company's Dubuque buildings. The
Buildings themselves are spread out so as to enhance their individual visibility and the lumber storage sheds, visible at the far
eft, are moved west two blocks and turned so as to depict them as well. Wartime lumber was being shipped to the company
rom California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho ("Bilt-Well Serviceman's Bulletin," August 1944).
Figure 31: Aerial view of the Carr, Adams ~i (:olher company plant, view soutneast
("Bilt-Well Bulletin," November 1947)
NPS Form 10-900-a
(5-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 37
Dubuque Millworking District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 31, an actual aerial photograph, can be compared to the previous artistic image, Figure 30. This image places the
company complex within the urban context. Note that the sloughs associated with the Mississippi River were just three blocks
to the east of the district. In this image, # 2 properly places the lumber warehouses well east of the plant (non-extant, outside
district boundaries). Otherwise the buildings as shown are those extant today, excluding the massive brick smokestack on the
company power plant (#9 in the image) ("Bilt-Well Bulletin," November 1947).
r
Fs._ ~
}~~
i`3
`~ r~F ~.~ -~ e { Eq, }*
~~ `~ ~. vc4 r ~!, _3 p 8 $ j .Y ~~4. ~,~
P ~
#
`
7;
~
~ 4~ ~ ~ :~ ear ~.
•
g#,
t4-
s
'
'
~
~
~
~ "
wy'x*'m tt
~ i@~
`~1 '(~~
a6_:. x`~A"~L ~. 3
E M.
R
~
. 3h
V i
y ; y Y
y
~
]
f a .r~ i~
n i ~J # P".m~
£~, ~~~.
1x
f ~5~ r j W' ~ ~' ~' .,.~ A ~ M1Y ~ WP~ ~1' S` y''~* ~y
~T ~ '~}
2
'3
e
` ., % tS
'
&ia 3E4 Ax
( ~~
:I A~r ±-
'~
s
~
t
~ 1K~/. I M
~ p~.~~ ~ ~ ~f° ~ d sM:R "-d; .a '~5
na
'~~~
-
,
~'s {:
`wM'}~Y~
;
_
.» 5 ~ yr yw
e."
"
~~y
~
'~ ~~ ~~N?._ ~~ ~ .~!{ ~ p
YAW
y ~ }T°' a ~` ~y~
"0. .'~ ~ ~
4 ~l+' E'
d
. ~ ~tl
le -it
st ~
+ ~
„
T
't
L
~ s i
3
,y
e ~~
n '•
~
y
°~~~'y'y9' r
l ~ ~ ' ~~ n.
.x'. ~ ~ `
fix-
' i #~ ! 4 ~.
.,4 ~ ~e ; ~ ~ ~ ~ -. p, ~
',
~.
~
~
~~
- 'M} t o t'~ Mf~vi1 Mj ip4"~{ 'A
.~
~h'
~ .s'~'ax
\
F ~ - ~~
~~
b ~"` 44__
` 4
n Jg
~ ii ke~rY
°L.;.:
'
"Ri~~
'
~
-
!. w. ~ `yvr , .,
~r~~ ;a-. i...
" n
d~
".
YF
~
° ~
A i .~
'
tt t;
a" ~ a,~.
~ ~~
aa' stl!
-
L-
;. .:.,
Figure 32: Aerial view, 1950
(Dubuque County Historical Society)
Figure 32 proves that even a photograph can be manipulated if the goal is to depict the company complex without any
interruptions. In this example building #18 has disappeared and the company buildings to the south have been moved
northward (lower right hand corner).
PS Form 10-900-a
t-861
lnited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 38
lubuque MillworldnE District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 33: Caradco, 1951, view to southeast (Dubuque, Iowa, As A J'tranger J'ees It)
Figure 33 depicts industrial expansion to the north of the plant. The two blocks located north of East 11"' Street were
ompletely residential as late as 1950. The image shows the company research center, as it was envisioned in 1951. Built in
954 it was considerably less imposing that this picture anticipated. The empty block shown in front of the new building was
till residential as late as 1962 (Building Permits, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps).
~~
g~~l~~el~~, ,
tLh96ER SFtEDS~
(~~~ I
1-_._____M_~
-r-t rya--+--f- - ~ ~ t
,~
BUli,piNG NQVELtY
23 $UIl.DiN6
BUIID[N6 24
MtLI '~-~+ MAIN PLANT
OFFICE (~"(~
FIIOFFI E II
POWEri
PLANY
~ ~ ~-
PLAN OF PLANT BUILDINGS
and MAIN OFFICE
Figure 34: Caradco plant layout (partial district boundary marked with black line)
The third floor mill office area noted in Building #5 has been preserved although enlarged for office use
("Bilt-Well Bulletin," September 1955)
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
18-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 39
Dubuque Millworlcin~ District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
,_ ~, r ~: _ ~ .y , I
a~ 4
~- i ~ ~
~,,,,i'i'~ ";t`"' ,. LVMBER 3TORAGE 4.~ ~ ~~ ~ S r .3~,. ~:
~.,A
. a ' ,mac ~ ~'+4:
;~ ... .l F;.,
n~ '
g,":~ ~~.... ~ '/ 4 ~ ~\ ~~~~@. ~~ tea:- PP,, C. i.~~
~~ ~"~~tlk i~Yri1N MAN~U F}t(.~L-URI C~COMP EX_ -.~ E5'; i
f~~ ~ },9~EHOU SE
DUREL ,
y f t 4 ~.
7 ~ 6UI1:0 NG'~~ " WA OUSE "~~
Figure 35: Caradco plant layout, aerial view southeast
The proper scale of the research building, north of the plant, and the actual lumber storage area are accurately depicted, also
indicated are Caradco's southward expansion using former Farley & Loetscher buildings
("At A Glance," 1966)
ter,
» ~r~
~;~,
q~~:
_~ mtii rrar' -ors 'tamer sr~
a ~ ±
Figure 36: 1909 Washington Street Catwalk, view south, this was before the street was
vacated and infilled with a loading dock ("At A Glance," 1966)
PS Form 10-900-a
3-86)
.Inited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 40
)ubugue Millworlcing District
OMB Appio val No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Caradco acquired five of the former Farley &Loetscher Company buildings in 1962 and also acquired that company's
Mastic sheet production patents and facilities. Beginning in 1967, intensive research and development, costing a million
ollars, focused on wood fiber as a substitute material for making doors. The first molded fiber door was introduced to the
ational market in the fall of 1970. The last all-pine door was produced on February 5, 1971, marking the end of an era
"Caradco Century," Vol. #5, Issues #2, 1970, same, 1971, Issue #1).
'arley-Loetscher Manufacturing Company:
The Farley &Loetscher firm was less loath to make big claims in contrast with Carr, Ryder & Engler, but by 1911 it
laimed the distinction of having "the world's largest plant of its kind in the world." It's enclosed lumber shed, occupying a full
lock, was similarly claimed to be the world's largest such structure and Dubuque's largest building up until the construction of
he John Deere plant after World War II. A year earlier the Times-Journal credited the expanding firm with ten acres of
loorspace and was "the most modern and best equipped industrial plant in the world for the manufacture of millwork of all
inds...The millwork of this company is found in every state and is favorably known from coast to coast" (Times-Journal, June
3, 1910; Greater Dubuque, 1911, p. 32).
Farley &Loetscher and Carr, Ryder & Engler produced virtually the same range of products but Farley &Loetscher
ocused much of their early business on designing, producing and marketing hardwood trim work in addition to making sash,
oors, blinds and mouldings. The products from the company were found in the Dubuque-built United States Navy vessels, the
s'riccson and the Wisdom, and comprised the entire interiors of such notable buildings as the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C.
'he First and Second Dubuque banks along with innumerable city halls, hotels, post offices (including Dubuque's) and major
esidences across the country used the company's products. The company was also a leader in recognizing the need to obtain a
'Vest Coast lumber source at an early date and Christian Loetscher is credited having "pioneered the use of west coast white
pine lumber in 1900." While few details are known about this aspect of company operations, it is known that the company
mended its articles of incorporation in January 1903 to increase the capitalization to $400,000. The move was "made
ecessary by reason of the fact that the company has large lumber interests in California, which require the addition of more
Honey in order to advance the enterprise." It was also claimed that the growing company successfully penetrated under-served
narkets in St. Louis and Chicago. In later years the firm was notable for its research and development. It was the first domestic
Figure 37: The gradual infilling of the Washington Street Catwalk, 1950-1970
("The Caradco Century," 1970)
NPS Form 10-900-a
18-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 41
Dubuque Millworlcing District
OMB Approval No. 7024-0078
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
firm to research and produce a successful particle board (1929-36) and it developed and produced a range of innovative plastic
products, including plastic sheeting and even plastic propeller blades during World War II. In 1951, Robert F. Loetscher was
the recipient of the annual National Manufacturer's Award, the only Dubuque firm to be so honored (Telegraph-Herald,
January 23, 1903; Lyon, p. 145; http~//nmal.us/recognition/National Awards.htmin.
Christian Loetscher (1850-1922) was born in Switzerland and was apprenticed there as a cabinetmaker. He emigrated
to America in 1868 and first worked on the Pacific Coast prior to coming to the city in 1872. He first worked for Patch & Waite
at 9"' and Jackson Streets, a firm that was later acquired by Carr & Austin Company. In mid-1875 he started his own millwork
firm in a small space leased from the Key City Planing Mill, located at Jackson and East 8~' Street. His solo effort was soon
integrated into that of his landlord and in 1879, the Farley &Loetscher Company, and then in 1881 it became the Farley-
Loetscher Manufacturing Company (its final name change), with partner Jesse P. Farley (1813-1894). Curiously the company
subsequently dated its founding from 1876 (Lyon, pp. 145-146, 269).
Jesse Farley was always the passive investing partner so it was Christian Loetscher who made the company a success,
"largely because of his sagacity and foresight, his practical knowledge and executive ability." Loetscher was a national leader
in the United States wood working industry and was a notable Dubuque community leader, serving for many years as a Director
of the University of Dubuque (Lyon, p. 145; Myers, pp. 64-65; Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and
Clayton Counties, p. 195).
Figure 38: Original Key City Planing Mill
Eighth and White Streets, view southeast (Greater Dubuque, 1911)
Figure 38 depicts the first Key City Planing Mill and Figure 39 indicates that a much more substantial replacement
building, housing Farley &Loetscher, continued to bear the preceding firm's name on its East 8th Street frontage. The building
became the north part of a full-block building (building #13), the west half of which remains extant.
Ps Form 10-900-a
-86)
lnited States Department of the Interior
Jational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 42
lubuque Millworkin~ District
OMB Approval No- 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 39: Farley & Loetscher Manufacturing (:ompany, view southwest
(Dubuque Trade Journal, August 21 1882)
Figure 39 depicts the original company buildings. At the south end of the half-block was the $15,000 planing mill, built
n late 1879 to replace the original mill pictured in Figure 38. To the north was a factory that was built just north of the Key
:ity Planing Mill, begun in April 1880. Further north was a warehouse that was built the next spring. The new building
ctually consisted of two buildings, a factory addition (40 feet by 52 feet, reported as four stories in height but actually was
hree with a raised basement), that was done by mid-summer and a 100 feet by 50 feet warehouse that was finished in late
ummer. Another addition, completing the half-block frontage on the east, was constructed in the fall of 1882. The company
vas far behind in fulfilling its orders even with all of these expansions. At this same time, the first of what would be a solid
our-story building was added to the center of the half-block, raising the roof by 24 feet. The company's yards and planing mill
vere located across Jackson Street to the immediate east of the factory and a railroad spur to the mill was laid in November
882. By January 1883 the first purchase of the west half of the factory block was made. In September 1883 plans were
.nnounced for athree-story addition to be built on the southwest corner of the half-block (Times, November 16, 1879; Herald,
April 18, July 30, 1880; May 20, 1881; August 10, September 7, November 21, 1882; January 4, September 6, 1883; Die Iowa,
august 7, 1882).
By early 1883 the company's business had expanded to such an extent that it was unable to suffice on lumber that was
procured from the several substantial local lumber yards. The company by this time had the will and the wherewithal to solve
he problem and one million board feet of "dry upper lumber" was contracted at Wausau and other points in Wisconsin (Herald,
February 13 1883).
The land on the west half of the factory block provided room for a new and much enlarged boiler room and power plant.
Che old boilers were relocated to the new plant in late July 1883. Novelty Iron Works produced the new flywheel for the power
plant. It weighed 22,000 pounds and was delivered to the plant in early September 1883. The massive new engine was first
ested in mid-October (Herald, July 25, September 20, October 13, 1883).
NPS Form 10-900-a
18-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 43
Dubuque Millworlcin~ District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Some insights are known about the social aspect of the growing company workforce. When worker J. T. Nowlin died in
late 1882, possibly in awork-related accident, one hundred fellow workers collectively purchased a floral wreath for the
funeral. A year later, the entire workforce was conveyed by two canopied ominbuses and a bandwagon to a company picnic
that was held at McKnight's Springs (Herald, December 16, 1882; August 14, 1883).
Figure 40: Farley &Loetscher Manufacturing Company, view northwest (cover, 1883 Dubuque city directory)
This view, figure 40, made a year later, is directed to the northwest, from East 7"' and Jackson Streets. The entire half-
block has been filled in as has each corner, back to the alley. The new power plant is shown on the west half-block. This entire
building is non-extant, and is now the vacant half block to the east of Building #18. It was this building that suffered a $50,000
loss in an August 1891 blaze. Improvements valued at $10,000, made during 1892, likely repaired the fire damage (Herald,
August 19, 1891; December 25, 1892).
When, in 1883, the company secured a trimwork contract for the Dakota territorial capital building, the Herald observed
that "Dubuque is getting a name in the west for fine work." The company was shipping nationally from an early point, but this
particular sale caught local attention and perhaps marked what was a fast growing trend, the development of a national market
for the company's products (Herald, October 13, 1883).
Even today, the issue of sawdust everywhere, remains a concern. It is in fact almost a defining characteristic of the
district. Farley &Loetscher had a particular reputation for producing "shaving dust" and the City Council sent an alderman to
look into the matter in the fall of 1897. Alderman Lagen reported back that "the proprietors have promised to use either water
or steam to keep the shaving dust from annoying any one." The company was given 30 days to fix the matter. The plant
already had a sprinkler system and that protection saved the factory when the boiler house burned in late March. The boiler
roof was partly burned and the boiler room interior nicely scorched, but the factory was spared. Another improvement, made in
1899, was the electrification of the entire factory. The Star Electric Company was contracted to set up an independent electric
PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
,[nited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 44
)ubugue Millworlcing District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
plant and to wire the buildings for 25 arch lights and 350 incandescent lights. Carr, Ryder and Adams had electrified years
Before, but the massive Dubuque Brewing and Malting Company had just been electrically lighted a few years after it was put
nto operation, so that was at least one incentive for Farley and Loetscher. Was increased business the final justification? Did
he electric lights allow for more continuous plant operation? (Herald, March 24, 1896; September 8, 1897; July 14, 1899).
The company, while no small operation, was just realizing a regional scale of market success by 1894, by which time its
narket area included Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota. The company
workforce was 175 workers with two salesmen. By that time, the company's specialty was "producing fine interior house
finishing material in all the different kinds of hardwood" commanding "a trade from New York to the Pacific Coast (Portrait
nd BiograUhical Record of Dubuque Jones and Clanton Counties, p. 195; Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones
nd Clayton Counties, Iowa, p. 126).
The national financial panic that began in 1893 served as a brake on the company's expansion. This most
omprehensive account of the effects of that depression ws offered in 1898 by Charles M. Peaslee, who was writing in
,imberman Magazine:
...In 1897 some Iowa cities did a very large amount of building, but this year there seems to have been a lull.
Iowa has had a rather peculiar record since the panic of 1893. It took two or three years for its people to find
Figure 41: Farley &Loetscher, view northwest, 1887 (Dubuque 1 rade Journal, llecember Lu, 1 ~~ i~
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB App~ova/ No. 1024-0018
IS-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 45
Dubuque Millworking District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
out that there has been any panic, and prosperity prevailed while most states were complaining bitterly of
business depression ;but in 1895 there began to be some falling off in requirement [of sash, doors, etc.], which
was greater in 1896; and even the tremendous spurt of demand in the fall of last year was not so noticeable in
Iowa as in most Western states. This year there is a very fair volume of business in lumber, but the sash and
door and interior finish trades do not seem to be profiting in proportion. Still the Farley &Loetscher factory
has been kept fairly busy all the seasons, and particularly so on stock goods which it has supplied in large
quantities to the jobbing trade....(Herald, August 26, 1898).
Incendiarism was another obstacle. The first of several lumber fires struck the company in 1899. This one targetted Farley &
Loetscher and these losses were severe because they destroyed expensive high quality dried hardwood stocks (Cedar Rapids
Gazette, Apri16, 1899).
The Dubuque Enterprise termed the firm as "among the largest manufacturers of fine interior finish, doors, windows,
blinds, mouldings and fine mill work in general in the entire country" by 1902. The same source noted that the firm was notable
both for its national market and its national reputation for quality workmanship (Enterprise, August 10, 1902).
The plant of the company is one of the most extensive of its kind in the United States, compromising, as it
does, a mammoth four-story structure, covering an entire block 100 by 225 feet in dimensions. It is needless to
say that in the equipment of this immense plant the company have called to their aid all the latest improvements
in wood-working machinery (ibid.).
A year later, the same source added:
Sash and door manufacturing is one of the leading industries in the city and the great factories of Farley &
Loetscher Mnfg. Co., and the Carr, Rider [sic] & Adams Co. each occupy solid blocks and employ between
them upwards of 750 men (Enterprise, January 24, 1903).
Farley &Loetscher accounted for 350 of this total worker figure, and was the lesser of the two firms at least by that measure.
The company plant, enlarged by the addition of a fourth floor, continued to occupy all of one city block (Figure 41).
PS Form 10-900-a
-86)
1 nited States Department of the Interior
Jational Park Service
~ ational Register of Historic Places
;ontinuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 46
-ubugue Millworkin~ District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 42 shows that at some undetermined point, since 1891, the main plant had gained a fourth floor. Recalling that
he company had amended its articles of incorporation in January 1903, the capitalization had been advanced to $400,000. A
onsiderable company expansion followed and most notably, the half-block fronting on Jackson Street, between 8`n and 9`n
streets, was acquired. The massive three-story Dubuque Linseed Oil Works, unused since 1901, occupied the northern two-
hirds of the half block. The new building filled in the south end of the block with afour-story brick building, and very likely
dded a fourth floor to the oil works building. The exterior facade matched that on the factory block to the south. The core of
he linseed oil plant, and particularly its west wall, survive within the enlarged block (Building #13). The City Council passed
n ordnance that allowed the company to build and maintain a bridge (26 foot elevation) over 8`~ Street, linking the two factory
alf-blocks. They also were allowed to bridge the alley behind the original factory (elevation of 12 feet) and to move the oil
plant's Jackson Street railroad switch south 150 feet. This addition prompted the company to term its plant "the largest
nstitution of its kind in the western country and one of the very largest there is." A first for the district was the City Council's
pproval of a connective catwalk across East 8`n Street (Figure 43). The very ornamental design provided connections on the
,ppermost two floors and used steel framing so as to create a clearspan over the street (Enterprise, January 24, 1903;
elegraph-Herald, March 3, April 13, 1903).
Figure 42: Farley & Loetscher Manufacturing Company, (Enterprise, January 24, 1903)
NPS Form 10-900-a
18-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 47
Dubuque Millworldn~ District
OMB Appro vaJ No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 43 depicts the company plant, now doubled in size. The image also depicts the entire factory layout of the
company as of 1903. Figure 44 depicts the connective catwalk between the original plant, on the south, and the enlarged former
linseed oil plant to the north.
higure 4j: Iiuildmg #tl3 to the right, block to the Lett non-extant (~nterprtse, June ZU, lyU3)
Figure 44: Catwalk, view west (non-extant, demolished 1962)
(courtesy of Tim McNamara, property owner)
PS Form 10-900-a
-86)
lnited States Department of the Interior
Jational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 48
Dubuque Millworking District
OMB Appro va! No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Some humility remained in local newspaper circles as of late 1906 when the plant was termed "one of [the] world's
iggest" and it was acknowledged that Farley &Loetscher was "sharing with another Dubuque institution the honor of being
ze largest sash, door and blind factory in the world..." Anticipating the building work to be accomplished three years later, it
gas stated that the factory complex "rising five stories in height and covering two whole city squares...entirely without regard
~ the warehouse which covers another entire square." In fact, the factory fully occupied two half-blocks, neither of which
cached five stories absent counting the raised basements. Five hundred employees and 25 traveling salesmen were also tallied,
le exponentially larger latter number representing real progress in growing a national market since the mid-1890s. The Times-
ournal observed that "whole forests are cut down every year to supply the lumber which this factory uses" and that all of the
nnual building realized in Dubuque could be supplied with just a fortnight's production from this factory (Times-Journal,
eptember 30, 1906).
The north five-story section of building #18 was built in 1906. The foundation was finished by July 1. The ground
loor was faced with Bedford, Indiana, limestone. The building was completely fireproof, with the subwalls and a brick veneer.
'he company offices occupied the first floor and the upper floors, devoid of any heavy machinery, were to be used for the
finishing of fine products, free from dust. The building ws the first local use of the Kahn system of reinforced concrete and it
lso employed the first gasoline engine powered hoist used in Dubuque (Telegraph-Herald, August 5, 1906).
Julius Kahn contributed to the development of reinforced concrete construction by advocating that the nature of the
°inforcement was more critical than was the quality of the concrete and its mixing. He developed a system of reinfonnent that
°lied on broad concrete-encased horizontal beams that worked with the reinforced columns. He advocated for this approach in
n article titled "A Plea For Reinforced Concrete," which appeared in The American Architect on January 30, 1904. While
ver-built, his approach enabled the confident construction of massive experimental buildings, the most noteworthy and early
eing the 15-story Marborough Hotel, built in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1905-06. The Farley &Loetscher building, built in
906, pre-dated Kahn's patents by a full year and represents what might have been a first large-scale use of reinforced concrete
onstruction in Dubuque at least (Wafer, p. 8-3).
Four years later, the same newspaper was content to count Farley &Loetscher as "one of the most mammoth industries
i the country." It observed:
...Because such great industries as the Farley &Loetscher Manufacturing Co. are leading the city and its
kindred interests to better and more prosperous times through its own spirit of enterprise and determine effort
[Dubuque] is forging to the front, greater than ever before...
This architecturally beautiful manufacturing plant covers more than ten acres of floor space, its buildings
cover block after block. Its dry kiln and lumber sheds are enormous in size, Streets are artistically bridged as
thoroughfares from one department to another, its equipment embraces every known modern design for the
accurate and thorough development of finished work...As an entirety the Farley &Loetscher Manufacturing
Co. is the most modern and best equipped industrial plant in the world for the manufacture of millwork of all
kinds..."
Nell there it is, maybe not the world's largest such plant but the most modern in its equipment (Times-Journal, June 23, 1910).
NPs Form 10-900-a
IB-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 49
Dubuque Millworking District
OMB App~ova! No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST
Farley Loetscher Company Manufactures Sash and Doors on Mammoth Scale
Sharing with another Dubuque institution the honor of being the largest sash, door and blind
manufactory in the world is the Farley-Loetscher company, of Dubuque, Ia. Its tremendous size
is one of the most impressive facts in the industrial life of Dubuque and accounts of additions
and enlargements threaten to become an old story.
The undirected visitor to the factory is practically sure to become lost. Rising five stories in
height and covering the two whole city squares the main buildings of the company afford a
remarkable amount of floor space and this is entirely without regard to the warehouse which
covers another entire square.
Likewise impressive are the facts regarding the number of hands and travelling men. Nearly
five hundred of the former and twenty-five of the latter are kept busy throughout the year and in
addition an office staff which is larger than the total number of empoyees in some factories not
contempible in size.
Whole forests are cut down every year to supply the lumber which this factory uses in making
doors and sash and in general and special mill work.
Large as it the amount of new building every year in Dubuque, the total here would not keep
going the Farley-Loetscher company a fortnight (Times-Journal, September 30, 1906).
The next building project, accomplished in 1909-10, added afive-story half-block sized southward extension to the
1906 building on White, 7`h and 8~' Streets. The new building, costing $100,000, contained a replacement power plant site and
housed finishing rooms that were completely separated from any operating machinery. It also housed the company offices
(Fraser, HABS Iowa 31-DIBI-I3-AC, Greater Dubuque, p. 32).
Great Factory Addition: Farley &Loetscher Mnfg. Co. To Push Work In Spring:
Only the excessive cold weather has put a stop to the work on the great addition which the Farley &Loetscher
Mnfg. Co. is building to its plant. This building will cover the entire west half of the block on White, between
Seventh and Eighth Streets, and it is one of the very largest factory projects the city has ever had.
The fifty feet fronting on White at the Seventh street corner was built up last year, and is a five story and
basement structure. It is the intention to build up the remainder of the block, 206 feet front, the structure to
conform to the corner in style and design. This will make a solid five story and basement structure covering the
entire east [west?] half of the block. Its dimensions will be 100 by 256 feet. Since the entire east half of the
block is occupied by the present factory, the completion of the new building will give the company a factory
plant covering a solid block, 220 by 256 feet.
The largest single building under one roof in the city is its lumber sheds and dry house on the block east of the
factory block, this being a brick structure also 220 by 256 feet. In addition to these two solid blocks the
company several years ago built up the half block on Jackson, from Eighth to Ninth, which is north of the
factory plant, with a four story and basement brick building for warehouse and shipping purposes. This plant of
two and a half blocks is unquestionably not only the largest factory plant in Iowa, but one of the very largest in
the western country.
The new building will be of fireproof construction throughout and is designed for the special purposes of the
company.
PS Form 10-900-a OMB App~ova! No. 7024-0018
t-861
lnited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 50
lubugue Millworkin~ District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
The enlargement of the plant which the new building will effect has made necessary the installation of a
complete new power plant, the new smokestack for which is 153 feet high and the largest in diameter of any in
the city.
The development of the Farley &Loetscher Mnfg. Co. is indeed marvelous. It was started in 1875, thirty-five
years ago, by Mr. Christian Loetscher, the present head of the business, and the genius of its development, and
the late Jesse F. Farley, under the style of Farley &Loetscher. Its beginning was indeed modest, it being a
planning mill occupying a story and a half frame at the corner of Jackson and Eighth Streets. The first brick
building was put up on the site of the frame structure in 1879,and from this has been developed the immense
business of today, which takes rank as the largest sash and door factory in the world.
Mr. Christian Loetscher is the president, James M. Burch, vice president and treasurer, and J. A. Loetscher,
secretary. These with Messrs. Eugene Ryan and A. A. Loetscher comprise the board of directors.
Mr. Christian Loetscher, who has designed and personally superintended all the building operations and other
improvements is giving his personal attention to the new work.
The power plant was built last fall and to make way for the new structure the old smoke stack was taken down
and the former power plant dismantled. The corner at Eighth and White street [sic] has been built up one story
and a good start has been made on the foundation along White street, so that with the opening of spring the
work will be pushed vigorously and it is expected to be complete by fall (Times-Journal, January 21, 1910).
Incendiarism reared its nefarious head big-time in mid-April 1910. Two major fires broke out within hours of each
~ther, destroying the Julien Hotel and consuming ten acres of dried lumber owned by the Standard Lumber Company, located at
he foot of 7"' Street. The threat of loss was far greater than lumber alone. The Waterloo Reporter observed:
..To the west, southwest and northwest is located the principal manufacturing district of the city-the plants of
the Farley, Loetscher, the Carr, Ryder, Adams company, both sash and door manufacturing establishments
covering several blocks, each with plants worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and filled with and surrounded
by highly inflammable material. This district seemed in greatest danger for a time but at the time of writing it
was thought it might be saved if the wind kept to the north.
'he fires returned a year later and destroyed the city's lumber milling industry forever. The Farley &Loetscher Company
scaped the massive losses suffered by Carr, Ryder and Adams, which lost its lumber stores. Farley &Loetscher next suffered
asses, two employee deaths and one serious injury, when its shaving shed exploded in April 1917, with a loss of $25,000 to the
irm. The plant closed and 700 employees were put out of work while the damage was repaired. A year later the engine room
xploded killed two and injured three others. A freak windstorm in late April 1921, tossed lumber piles against the company's
office building breaking over 25 windows (Waterloo Reporter, April 12, 1910; Iowa City Daily Citizen, April 10, 1917; The
;enwick Times, Apri126, 1917; Waterloo Courier, February 21, 1918; The Oelwein Daily Register, April 26, 1921).
By 1911 the company was using "Quality-Bilt" as its brand imprimatur. There were two branch factories, located in
)es Moines and in Sioux Falls, each being separately incorporated. This was the year of labor unrest across all of the
nillworking plants. The ten-month long strike, involving in excess of one thousand workers, has been described previously
Greater Dubuque, p. 32).
Figure 45 represents a rather creative inflation of the company buildings as they appeared in 1911. The image better
depicts the asperations of the company than it does the actual building layouts. Ostensibly the two full half-blocks that fronted
ast along Jackson Street are presented, with all of the other company buildings being conveniently tucked behind them to the
vest (www.Dubuquepostcards.com).
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
(8-861
l.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 51
Dubuque Millworlcin~ District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 45: Farley &Loetscher Manufacturing Company, 1911, view southeast (Greater Dubuque, 1911)
t a* 2` 3 R
~
A T ~
.
U ~
~~.. ~ti ~<.1 ~ .w+
,.
~' ~~`~
a _ _
"
~-~d _
H
6 4x t 1 2:
.Aj~y'~ f.
i '.+
- °~ ~ , ~
~~.. ~
~~~3~>2
~ .Z w
P# ~ y ~~ •M.'
, ,
~
:^ ~
'~ a
• •
~
at -
~ L
¢
~
*
rp,
~s~
~
-.....~....
'mow..{
`~
~
~ _
~. Nr y».~
r ~" w~
~ xy~ ~
n~i
~
'~'~ '1`s
~ ~
.~ '
,
j
~~
' ~
i~
.-.
,~'~ ~ ~ 5Cy ~ !]~$ 4i
~+~4 ~
.. »r
~
t
,~ ~t~?
fin.,
'
w
~ w
e ~ .
xQ
' .
"k TM'
~ G
t ~ '-
~ ~
s ~'y ~
.;.. _
+,:-k
~;~,, 'fie - ~ ~_T~ k l~
~r~G ~~ . w~.y,a, h ~
.~ ii ~ ~"
~ t~, ~ +a''
~~ ~ '
"*
~ ," ; ~ 'R
Y ~'~{r .. ~.
M }N ..lei Rl_~ ~! ~y t~ ••'/~ ~j
-htit 4 ~~ ~
a ~ Y
~ ~+'.
b~:
-
,
s
~`-: tea" ~
~
, > ~ .~.
~ ..
<.
Figure 46: Postcard, Farley &Loetscher lumber shed insert at the top and an overview, view southwest
(www.Dubuquepostcards.com)
?S Form 10-900-a
-861
Inited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
rational Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
~ection number 8 Page 52
iubugue Millworldng District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0078
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
~
~ ,
~
~ ~
_
a '~~ `~
~
~
~ ~ ~
9
'
n
..
1 ! q}~ ~ ~
~ q
P ~"~
~.
~
~
~ ~ ~
~ ~+'~
1,.
~~ `~'
. +'
~.~,..e
..~,f- T
'~ '~ a Y s ~
~~ _~~ ~~ C d ~ ~i V '
~ ~
V ~fl
a ~
'
~ .
:
9 ~ ~
~ Y
~ i i tt
~,T
~,'t ~ x
~
..
~. t
~
..
~ .
~~ ~;
Figure 48: Farley & Loetscher Company, completed building #18, view northeast, x1912 '
(Loras College, Center for Dubuque History, Photo 312)
In 1917 the company expanded southward, building aseven-story $200,000 reinforced concrete warehouse that
ccupied half of a block. A three-story enclosed catwalk connected the new building across East 7"' Street to the original plant.
. block-long loading platform was built between the railroad tracks on Jackson Street, immediately east of the new building.
i
Figure 47: Construction of the south portion of building#18, 1910, view northeast from White and 7t1i
(Telegraph-Herald Photo Archives)
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
18-661
l.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 53
Dubuque MillworlcinE District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Save for the 1948 power plant, this would be the final installment in Farley & Loetscher's physical expansion and development
(Times, January 1, 1918; Building Permits).
Figure 49: Construction of Building #19 in the foreground, building #18 left background, 1917, view north
(Telegraph-Herald, Photo Archives)
Figure 50: A reasonably accurate depiction of the overall plant, the buildings at the upper right are actually located on the west
half block behind the main building, and the latter, was not yet afull-half block deep, let alone a full block as shown
(Company letterhead, 1923, courtesy Dale Wiegand, Dubuque Sash & Door Mfg.)
This c.1922 view (Figure 50) of the company complex documents the high point of its development, save for the power
plant that came several decades later. This view is to the southwest from East 9"' and Washington Streets. The lumber shed and
PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
lnited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 54
)ubugue Millworlcins District
OMB Appro va! No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
,they buildings shown to the west of White Street are not documented by any Sanborn Map and likely represent buildings that
vere located elsewhere.
Christian Loetscher, the company founder died in mid-1922 and was eulogized in the company newsletter, titled the
'Re-Saw." This publication noted that the company was by this time "one of the largest sash and door and exclusive millwork
manufacturing concerns in the country." There were three branch factories (Sioux Falls, Des Moines, and Chicago, where two
millwork factories were consolidated) and company employees now numbered nearly one thousand with a sales force of 15.
;hristian Loetscher's role in securing white pine lumber for the company was credited to his initial residency on the West Coast
vhen he first immigrated to the United States. He was credited with being the first to experiment with using coastal pine for
,roducing stock doors and windows, giving Farley &Loetscher an advantage over those mills that were dependent upon local
lepleted timber sources. Loetscher was also credited with being both the architect and contractor for all of his buildings, now
;overing a total of 15 acres with its total floor space. A brother Andrew A. Loetscher (1857-1925), died just three years later.
3e had risen from being the company's first employee to its vice president and superintendent. John A. Loetscher (1873-1954),
he son of Christian Loetscher, became the company president in 1927 (following J. M. Burch who served as president for 20
ears) and "under his leadership [the company] obtained a leading position in its line" and it was stated that the company's
>uildings' interior space covered an equivalence of 23 acres (or 21 acres per the Re-Saw of 1944. It was in 1927 that the
;ompany had its largest number of employees, reported to be 1,250 workers ("Re-Saw," May 1922; March 1925; Telegraph-
~erald, January 12, 1962; 1944, No. 3; 1951, No. 1; Social Security Death Index).
By the end of 1930 Farley &Loetscher operated their three branch factories and had distributor warehouses at Salt Lake
;ity, Kansas City, Missouri, Rockford, Illinois, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. Large wholesale distributors were also located
n 30 major cities and otherwise across the country (Dubuque Business, December 1929, p. 11).
The 1930s witnessed the hard economic times of the Great Depression. The company struggled to avoid layoffs and on
/Iarch 31, 1938, finally made Saturday a full holiday to reduce labor costs. Some indications of an improved economy and
more new construction had simply failed to improve sales. One industrial development was the appearance of the first
manufacturing company that specialized in producing cabinet hardware, the American Cabinet Hardware Corporation, of
Zockford, Illinois, founded in 1928. Farley &Loetscher was one of its largest initial new customers. Farley &Loetscher added
~ Plastics Division in the late 1930s, and that division produced laminated plastics. Its products were produced under the
,atented brand of Farlite. The plastics laboratory and production site were contained within new single-story buildings
building #17) built in 1924 at White and East 9~' Streets. The Company also experimented with particle board beginning in
.929. A broader product line was also introduced, one that added rolling garage doors and complete kitchen cabinet sets
Telegraph-Herald, January 12, 1962; "Farley &Loetscher Bulletin," March 31, 1938;
lttp•//www fundinguniverse com/company-histories/Amerock-Corporation-History.html).Z
The role of the company during World War II is less well understood. As already noted, plastic three-bladed airplane
sops were produced and one of these props was long on display at the plant site. Company salaries were frozen in late 1944
and the company struggled to find a way to provide bonuses or to increase salaries. There were several improvements made
luring the war years and in the late 1940's. Four underground tanks were buried along Jackson Street at the southwest corner
>f its intersection with East 9"' Street in 1942 and the alley to the east of building #18 was vacated and infilled in 1943 and a
The list of company millworking corporate customers, in addition to Farley &Loetscher also included the following firms: Boro Wood,
;urtis, Del-Mar, Geneva Modern, Hot-Point, Kitchen Maid, Lyon, Morgan, American Central, Mutschler, Shirley, Coopes Inc. and
t'oungstown Steel (http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Amerock-Corporation-History.html).
NPS Form 70-900-a
18-861
united States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 55
Dubuque Millworkinis District
OMB Appro va/ No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
new rail spur was laid to that point three years later. In 1948-49 a pipe bridge was built across the same street when the new
company power plant was finished ("Farley &Loetscher Bulletin," December 15, 1944; Building Permits).
f RIFLE W E.UL13GFlG[1111f U~ tiU~ l~(~~
~~~~ ~~nro
R
~l
L~ aDWO
K
DUAUQUF, IOWA ,.~. . „K,,,,,
~PPEAI.ING design, fine crafts- L^"'IVn'rEn`
' -+.s~I
D
h PLAS'I
ICS OOPS
t~s
'~
17~'
mans
ip and consistent qualiiy DECOPn•rlvE `
'
I
have established the enviable rep• SHF.E1'S ~~Y
e.'EVS
sT~~}ial sass
utation of "Qualitybilt" Woodwork co~LrrtEG
rn;nvsTRIAI, aurol.nlNCs
and "Farlite" high pressure lami- STOCK
PoNCtalNC TP,IbL
ca>3naET
Hated plastics. OIIr modern plant STUCK R'OP,K
S.
R
Rt'
GEAR STCCK ~F,
U~L
offers every facility for rapid and TARLE 'POPS ENT3aivCES
economical lOdl3CtlOn Of these
p SINF{ TOPS
COUNTER B.9SE~IENT
SASH Ul~`I'PS
high Quality materials. TOPS "DELUXE"
E:tabu:hed Isis POST
FORMING
srocx ICITCHRN
i; NITS
•'uN.IPAx°
ENGRAY'fNC. C:1SF.SIENTS
Over 21 Acres of Floor Space STOCK •GIaDE-Awai°
STAIRS
"U V I-ROL"
-
- CaP 4L,E
DOUP~
~ __ "FART O t• ENT"
UNITS
~~ ,
-
?!'+ J
~ » Innow
.
a~:a
~ --
24w.; -wc,
+kc ~
~y w+:: GNZTS
;
^~ ~
~I ~ c aa,-, ' YL SASH SS
~ 4"
_ DOOh
i - =-_ - S
Figure 51: Farley &Loetscher Ad, 1948-49 (Directory of Dubuque Manufactures, c.1948-49).
Figure 51 nicely itemizes the range of company products as of the late 1940s.
Figure 52: Removal of the Farley &Loetscher chimney, c.1962, view southeast
(Telegraph-Herald Photo Archives)
PS Form 70-900-a
3-861
united States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
-ection number 8 Page 56
)ubugue Millworlcing District
OMB App~o val No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 53: Dubuque Makes the Most of the Closing of Farley &Loetscher
(Telegraph-Herald, January 12, 1962)
Farley &Loetscher sold off its plastics division to the Durel Company in 1960 when it was acquired by Clear Fir Sales
'ompany, a Springfield, Oregon, trust. The company workforce had dwindled to about 500 when the Dubuque plant was
nally closed in mid-January 1962. Caradco absorbed its holdings and some of its employees. The company name, Farley &
,oetscher survived the closing, being represented by the 25 Midwestern lumberyards that continued to operate under the old
orporate title (Telegraph-Herald, January 12, 1962; Lyon, pp. 145-46).
Ewa Iron Works:
This firm had its origin in 1851 as Farley, Rouse and Company. Hammond Rouse (1824-1885) came to the city that
pring and he partnered with local capitalist J. P. Farley. Rouse is credited with founding the first iron works manufacturing
usiness north of St. Louis. In 1858 Rouse took full control of the company and it was re-titled Rouse & Williams and then
,ouse & Dean in the early 1860s. By 1867 it was sub-titled the "Iowa Iron Works." The company was adding a new building
nnually by that same year, the one for that year measuring 70 feet by 80 feet. The new wing completely filled the block that
ie company occupied. Pilffner Brothers laid the stone foundation and 750 cubic yards of fill was hauled in to place the site
bove the highest floodstage level. N. Heeb furnished 145,000 bricks and Woods & Sellers did the brickwork. Lumber totalled
0,000 board feet. F. Kammuller built the metal roof. Partner George Dean died in early 1873, necessitating a reorganization
ut the name "Rouse and Dean" was still in use a year later. By 1874 the company was capitalized at $100,000 and employed
NPS Form 10-900-a
IS-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 57
Dubuque Millworkina District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
75 hands with an annual payroll of $30,000. Products included boilers, steam engines, iron jachts, water wheels, steam fittings,
steamboat castings, mill equipment and cast iron architectural columns and storefronts. As of 1884 this firm occupied an entire
block to the northeast of East 9"' and Washington Streets. It was at that time formally incorporated as the Iowa Iron Works but
that title was used well before that time (1884 Sanborn Map; Herald, May 1, 1867; March 14, 1873; Daily Times, January 1,
1874).
The machine shop, pictured in Figure 54, might be the new building erected in 1867, although this seems
unlikely, given that the building was just being finished. The same building arrangement is, however, depicted in
Figures 56 and 57.
~.~
(i
Figure 55: Iowa Iron Works, undated Gazetteer advertisement, view northeast, c.pre-1872
(Images of Dubuque In the 19`~ Century)
rigure J4: lowa Iron W orKS or Kouse anU Llean, view north (tierala, lviay 1 1, 1256 /)
PS Form 10-900-a
i-861
.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 58
)ubugue Millworking District
OMB Appro va! No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 55 shows the 1867 addition to the east of the Washington Street array of three buildings. Figure 56
howl the identical buildings from an aerial perspective, and clearly the block is not substantially built up. Neither
uildings #7 or #8 are present as of 1872. The former would occupy the uppermost corner while the latter would
occupy the lowermost corner. Other sources date one or both to the founding of the company in 1851 but this source,
eemed to be very accurate, shows neither (Fraser, NABS, Iowa-3l-Dubu-12-AR).
Figure 56: Detail, 1872 Birdseye View, view northwest
A major expansion took place in mid-1880 along Washington Street, between 9~' and l0u' Streets. A number of
uildings were removed to make way for new ones. The improvements continued into the next year when local
rchitect Fridolin Heer prepared plans for a factory addition (Buildings #7, #8?). The new building, requiring 600,000
rick, was begun in April 1881. Finished by the years' end, the Herald rated the improvements, saying "The new
uildings of the Iowa Iron Works are a credit to the city." The 1881 improvements included a doubling of the foundry
red the construction of "a solid brick front...from Ninth to Tenth Streets, on Washington." Building #7 was part of this
uilding effort. The work of improvements continued in 1882 with the addition of two more boilers to the power plant.
one of the new 1882 buildings was apparently thrown up rather hastily. The newspaper reported in late December
Yesterday the pattern makers in the Iowa Iron Works, who have been stationed in one of the new buildings were
-ansferred to their old quarters as it is feared that the outer wall of the new building will give way" (Herald, March 16,
une 9, 1880; March 1, October 15, 1881; October 15, December 23, 1882).
Ninth Street, between Washington Street on the west and the C. M. & St. Paul Railroad tracks to the east, was
arely a street as of 1882. The street was so low in elevation that 2,933 cubic yards of fill was needed to level it prior to
xading and macadamizing it. The cost was high and the timing was bad. While it was the policy of the City to
reprove Streets, bearing the full cost, to support its "large manufacturing establishments," the City Council's
;ommittee on Streets noted that "the expenditure of so large a sum at this time for any improvement not absolutely
ecessary is incompatible with the financial situation of the city's finances and contrary to the present endeavors of the
NPS Form 10-900-a
18-86)
united States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 59
Dubuque Millworlcin~ District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
council in attempting to lighten the burden of taxation upon the people." The Committee also noted "The improvement
is especially desirable to the proprietors of the Iowa Iron Works, in order to enable them to complete their Ninth street
front,and to put the sidwalk and street in a proper condition to accommodate their business." The compromise was to
surface only that part of the road between Washington Street and the alleyway to the east of it (Herald, June 6, 1882).
Figure 57: Iowa Iro
n Works, view northeast from East 9`° and Washington Streets Dubuque Trade Journal, April 20,
1884), the building at far left survives as Building #7, that at far right as Building #8 (lower story only)
By 1880 the firm was regarded as one of the principal city industries and it acquired local prestige when it
provided much of the cast iron work and metal cornices for the growing downtown. The firm as of 1880 employed 60
men and had an annual product of $75,000. It was already regarded as the oldest iron working firm upriver from St.
Louis. Rouse retired in 1880 and J. McMurchy replaced him, the firm being Dean, Hopkins and McMurchy. hi 1881 it
incorporated with a capitalization of $150,000. By 1883 some of its buildings were three-stories high with a total of
58,000 square feet. During 1883 the firm built three massive boilers for the new Farley & Loetscher power plant and
loaned a 14-horsepower engine to produce electric power for the lights at the annual Iowa National Guard encampment,
held at Cedar Falls in late August. The mill supply market area included six states. The company enjoyed its zenith in
the mid-1890s (Dubuque Trade Journal, May 23, 1883; Herald, June 27, 1856; March 9, August 26, 1883; January 1,
1895; Dubuque Trade Journal, May 23,1883)..
The economic downturn of the mid-1890s doomed the company and the German Bank called in a $57,000
mortgage note in early 1897. The owners lacked the wherewithal to challenge the bank and it claimed the $150,000
property for $43,000. Anew Iowa Iron Works, with all new leadership, was incorporated with capital stock of
$100,000 that fall, took over the factory. The Herald reported "The new company proposes operating the old plant of
the Iowa Iron Works, and at the rate business is improving and orders coming in, expects to have it booming very soon"
(Herald, March 7, September 28, 1897).
One important change was the establishment of aboat-building yard adjacent to the Ice Harbor, located south of
the factory. The company obtained the use of a 600-foot wide section of land in early February 1898 for boat building.
The tract was fenced and gained some temporary buildings a month later and the first hull launching was accomplished
PS Form 70-900-a
3-56)
.Inited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 60
)ubuque MillworlcinE District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
n July, to the enjoyment of a large audience. The boatyard was enlarged by 300 feet in early 1899. By March the
ompany again was employing 150 hands and had several orders in for boat machinery. Three months later the
vorkforce numbered 250 and a threatened strike was avoided, "Chicago instigators" having been paid off and
lismissed. (Herald, February 8, March 22, 29, June 8, July 24, 1898; January 24, 1899).
A small foundry roof fire was put out with little loss in August 1898. Rumors of impending failure circulated at
hat time and a public assurance stated that 200 workers were employed in day and night shifts. That fall, another
newspaper article noted that the company had already "made its reputation building big steamboats and supplying the
ron for such great structures as the [Dubuque] Malting company's brewery" as well as small orders. The public was
.gain reassured that the company would "operate its machine shop and foundry full time all winter." An article in
;ngineering News lauded the boat-building record of the company. The outlook for producing steel boats was rosy and
)ubuquers were reminded that "there are now several cities on the Mississippi river anxious to have such a plant as the
owa Iron works and its boat yards...and no stone should be left unturned by dubuque men to hold the lead they now
lave in the most extensive and best boat building plant on the Mississippi" (Herald, August 15, 17, November 18,
898; January 11, 1900).
While the boat yard location lies beyond the boundaries of this district, the factory worked directly with the
coat assemblage, supplying all of the materials. The largest towboat in the world, the Peter Sprague, was launched on
)ecember 15, 1901. The revenue cutter William Windom and the torpedo boat Ericsson had preceded the Sprague
town the ways. Apart from a riverfront location and skilled labor, the Herald wondered that boats were being built at
)ubuque. "That Dubuque, which is remote from the sources of iron, steel and coal supplies, should acquire national
eputation as a ship building center is remarkable." By year's end the company had contracts that would exceed its
902 production capacity and partner Robert Bonson, quit his law practice and joined the management team to help
;eep up with the growing business. A major 1902 contract was to provide $45,000 in iron (500,000 pounds of castings)
nd structural steel (750,000 pounds) for another expansion of the Dubuque Malting Company plant. Boat building
ctivities were included at its Ice Harbor plant until 1906 when the Dubuque Boat and Boiler Company bought out that
acility. The Iowa Iron Works relocated to Eagle Point (HAWS documentation; Herald, November 1, 13, December 12;
901; February 16, May 9, 1902).
The move by Iowa Iron Works was prompted in part by a very destructive fire on May 9, 1902, which destroyed
he foundry with a $20,000 loss. The fire was a disaster for the firemen, with three of their men dying and another
ieing seriously injured. In fact, these were the only direct fire-caused deaths in the entire history of the Dubuque Fire
department. Klauer Manufacturing Company succeeded the company on this site (Washington Street to Elm Street,
:ast 9"' to East 10"' Streets) in 1905 (Dubuque Trade Journal, May 23, 1883; Herald, June 27, 1856; March 9, August
;6, 1883; January 1, 1895; May 9, 1902; Dubuque Trade Journal, May 23,1883).
Klauer Manufacturing Company:
Peter Klauer (1842-1919) was born in Germany and came to Dubuque in 1850 with his family. His father John
vas a local potter. Peter's initial tinsmiths shop, established in 1870, outgrew three successive buildings and locations
irior to its purchased of the burned-out Iowa Iron Works site (see same). The firm began to produce eave troughs in
894 and that jobbing trade increased the company's business. By 1902 company products also included metal roofing,
ornamental steel ceilings, metal cornices and a broad range of architectural metal, rubber and paper products. The firm
ncorporated in 1906 as Klauer Manufacturing Company and the acquired works were rebuilt. Products included drain
rough fittings, conductor pipe, metal roofs, siding and beginning in 1908, metal castings. Additional land was acquired
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 7024-0078
IS-861
Clnited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 61
Dubuque Millworlcin~ District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
in 1911 and a new plant was built to produce corrugated metal culverts. In 1912 the firm started producing charcoal-
fueled railroad car heaters. Smedley Steam Pump Company was acquired in 1910 and its foundry was used. In 1917 a
branch plant was established in Ottumwa (Midland Metal, closed 1924). The company was featured on the cover of
Post Magazine (Figure 60). In 1926 it developed a rotary snowplow (called the "Snogo") that was very profitable,
particularly with U.S. military needs during WWII. Peter's son William Henry Klauer (1878-1952) graduated from
Bayless Business College and became a partner in the fine by 1906. He served as a director for the Chicago, Great
Western Railroad, and the Union Trust and Savings Bank, and served on the Loras College Board of Regents. He saved
the bankrupt Julien Hotel in the 1930s, paid off the debt and reopened it. The company continued in operation on this
same site as late as 1988 (William Klauer, "History of the Klauer Manufacturing Company," Loras College Thesis,
1961; Fraser, HABS, Iowa-31-DUBU-I3-AR; Telegraph-Herald, June 8, 1902).
Figure 58: Klauer Company snow plow
(Saturday Evening Post, January 18, 1941,
http://www.curtispublishing.com/List/html/Sept 1940.htm1)
PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
.lnited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 62
)ubugue Millworlcing District
Figure 59: Phi
OMB Appro va! No. 1024-0078
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
to r 19f)R K1anPr Mamifactilrina C'nm»anv_ nnrtheact corner Washin~tnn and Fast 9"'_ v
The building visible at the far left is Building #8, that to the far right is Building #7
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photographs).
iew northeast.
a t~~";,
f~ ~ ~
I
I
f
~ ~ ~.
l~~f~Jy)
I.)IJI3LTQ,UE, dt7~Vr~t
_ ~~ ~`trrt~tfarttrrerx r>'f
Eawa Troagh and Y: things Zinc and Coppxr pradacts Cistern Rings and Coven
Cexdacfor Ptpe and &"ittlnps Rexrlgor8toa Car 3Yaatan ^a[atk !-aferdrs Brad Y3atoa
Pfetai Aooftngs and eldinga hlatat Corner liaad McWLxth Ad~nstshia Crarisa[ing
"FavF2leax^ Metal gn3ngiN Johna•MenrUla Lana as Ctdmncy Cepa
Carrngat+:d Shasta Composltlon RootL+S Faandatlan ttratoa Co3tLmn'8axex
Steat Stall: ?antra Metat $1[umea t3ndrrgrovnd GarLega Receiver: perteti Gaitanlzed Carragat@d
Steei Calltngs Skyiighta Coai Chatca Raad Cuirerta
Veaitlatora Ash C7t boors-and Franfea titsuer•Jarmia Rond 1<ifiaM
7#arn Cupolas Ttn pieta Man 3soCa Ringa and Covers Road brags
SoYe Maau£aeinrers RIap1JER-•+SNOG4"-Snow Remorer
Makers of Good Sheet Mefal $uilding Products Since 1t3?C3t
~a3 .h p.
_
k
~~ St..t d i p t .L 1 I J t
I ^
1.. ~ t 1 Sm.^16Y P:m,.L G A i- M S r:m^n
- 3 T
~ t
x,
IL 3 ~ \_ ry f 4. i t Y
i
is t
, a 9
"d h -
I l k F 3a F. f q. v1-:.:i-y
,.
f
S
~
~
~. t:._~gmr:.. t~rh w.. .... .>,
`• • ~~ t d ry '1 rv Y"
Ch Mt
M
~ h ~
~ Y
„n fa f 'Sn. e+ the ,
I P
.:=4'u'f ecaY :n
yep v
F
tiC3 1 .. Tx
.>n mnsr :e:.n» ,
f ~ 1 I 6 _
,
«3L ~.k I 1 ~ ~y :1 ~ .
1 Mfi I I d 1 qy to ~ 1•x11 vt M 4 A 'f D A.
7 I 34)} 9 Vi I - I i
t i f ^ f t. J. mr ~
l
.u 61 - .y 1L lu
1 ~ ~ tl
f @
k
5 ^ ~ 7 1:.
I
-
I. .
' rl ~ h Mr,~ eq .
..
.
o
.J~ .A u he L 3
od J 1 f
. T,
C i
it 1 ,+ F Y -`uY fh ~ .
1 tL. r f.em ,. d -1 ~ ! ``T- °~
~
4 •- fr ~.. 1 ~ 4 I1/h d `' h ,th<d...t rtxwlL lad. y Y P '1 ~ Ap 'I
~~
h
!
1. ,, ,t.a. . F .h > r!. h ,reA :Mv: ,( t4 nwl~n wd ~
~
~ .
r
,i,:. . I. w, yr, 't.. .~ ~.:
~
r~ Jr a anA .agar..4vi xr.+ .l~rh w. . e nr
y- y .1 -
<~ ~ ' '"
a ...5 rati:Y n .nt c, .r .-...'r e.
ro..k:... hoy.. 1J..1 mn a .. n_.rn . sv .. - - _-.
Figure 60: Klauer Company advertisement (Telegraph-Herald, August 6, 1933)
NPS Form 10-900-a
(5-861
[Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 63
Dubuque Millworlun~ District
OMB App~o vat No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Klauer Manufacturing added building #6 in 1937, an ell-shaped reinforced concrete building. The full block of
buildings remained intact as of 1988 but the three-story building and the East 9"' Street single-story building, both
visible in Figure 61, were subsequently demolished and the site of both remains vacant (Building Permits).
Kretschmer Manufacturing Company/Kretschmer-Tredway Company
Brothers Herbert C. and Frederick N. Kretschmer partnered with Andrew Morrison in February 1907 to form
the Morrison &Kretschmer Manufacturing Company, producers of plumbing fixtures and supplies. Building #16, the
former Dubuque Turbine and Roller Mill, was acquired that same year. By 1910 the firm was re-titled Kretschmer
Manufacturing Company. That building was destroyed above the foundation walls in the district's most spectacular fire
on July 31, 1911 and the present building replaced it. The company loss in the fire totaled $75,000 and for the next two
years, it leased quarters a block to the north. The brick walls on three sides survived the blaze but were pulled down in
early August 1911. The basement, company vault, and the roller mill engine house and sub-basement boiler room all
survive. In 1929 Frank Kretschmer and Harry E. Tredway formed the Kretschmer-Tredway Company and continued
operations in this building to the present day. While the company was a small one compared to other Dubuque iron-
working firms, this company left a legacy in the form of one of the city's first truly fireproof buildings in the form of a
reinforced concrete building interior. The company products were collectively issued under a "Made Well" product
line. Company "firsts" included the first plumbing fixture showroom in the three-state area, offered the first colored
plumbing fixtures and supplied plumbing fixtures to Dubuque's first major housing project. The company became
solely a retail business in 1987. It was acquired by Steven Arthur in 1991 and he sold off the various other corporate
holdings. First Supply Group purchased the company in 1998 and the business was relocated. Rettenmaier Flooring
Company now occupies the building (Times-Journal, July 31, August 12, 1911; Telegraph-Herald, August 24, 1930;
Fraser, HABS-3I-IOWA-DUBU-I3-AL; Kretschmer Company History;
http://www. l supply.com/htdocs/about/history.html).
.,.~~`
f
1
5
~~ u u
1
?.._ . R11 ~. ~~ x.
Figure 61: Kretschmer-Spahr & Rose fire, view north (building #16 rear center, Klauer Manufacturing (non-extant, far right)
PS Form 10-900-a
-861
lnited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 64
lubuque Millworlun~ District
OMB App~o va! No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 62: Kretschmer Manufacturing Company, view southwest, the rebuilt building
(Dubuque County Historical Society)
The Kretschmer building is of particular architectural interest because it was the city's first truly fireproof
wilding. Reinforced concrete construction with typical mushroom column forms was employed. The re-built building
etains the power plant sub-basement of the original building as well as its foundation, basement vault and perimeter
galls and it was further improved in 1914 at a cost of $20,000. A two-story south addition with unusual square-cut
Mushroom columns extended the building in 1941 (Telegraph-Herald, December 27, 191; Building Permits; Fraser,
IABS, Iowa-31-DUBU-I3-AL).
'Vineke-Hoerr Company Manufacturers of Canned Goods:
This pickles, sauerkraut, vinegar, canned vegetables and condiment processing firm was founded in 1883 by
,ouis F. Wieneke and Peter Hohenadel and incorporated in 1890 with a capital stock of $25,000. The business located
~ this site and built this building (Building #15) in 1890. The hard times of the early 1890s necessitated a
eincorporation and a relocation to White and Fourth Streets in 1896, but the business was back at this address by 1901.
'he building was gutted by the fire of July 30, 1911 with damages to building and contents totaling $15,000. By 1911
he canning plant employed 100 workers. It was replaced prior to 1920 by Brede Company Wholesale Grocers. The
aeger-Kunnert Wholesale Grocers followed by 1937, and in turn F& S Radiator Repair in the early 1960s. The current
occupant, F & S Radiator, has been in the building since prior to 1965 (Greater Dubuque, 1911; Times-Journal, July 31,
911; Fraser, HABS-IOWA-3I-DUBU-AJ).
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
(8-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 65
Dubuque Millworking District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 63: Wieneke-Hoerr Company, building #15, view northeast (Greater Dubuque, 1911).
Novelty Iron Works:
This ironworks firm was established in 1866 as the J. L. Dickinson Company, and was titled the Novelty Iron
Works in 1876 and a new building, valued at $6,000, was built that same year. Its products included "Convex Turbine
Water Wheels, steam engines, saw and flour mill machinery, band saws, shingle machinery... shafting, hangers and
pulleys and belting and supplies." The equipment was massive and so were the products of the firm. By 1876 the
company was producing massive pulleys, flywheels, entire machinery sets for breweries, ferries and flour mills
(National Demokrat, December 30, 1875; Herald, February 29, 1876).
A new brick pattern house, measuring 55 feet by 80 feet (the northernmost end of building #lb), had its
foundation underway as of August 1880 and was occupied by late October. A foundry addition was also built in 1880
but space was still so tight that an auxiliary shop was being operated in East Dubuque. Total hands numbered 75. A
new office with a facade that "fives the appearance of a Swiss cottage" was built in late 1881, to the north of the
existing office. At year's end it was observed "Everything about the Novelty Iron Works is changed." By mid-1882, a
40x80 addition was almost finished. The Herald reported "The Novelty Iron Works are increasing their facilities." In
late 1882, plans were announced to erect a new building for storage and painting. The factory was one of the first in the
district to install electric lights. Sixty lights were installed in November 1882. (Herald, August 18, October 20, 1880;
December 21, 1881; July 12, October 19, November 14, 19, 1882; Die Iowa, December 8, 1881; June 15, 1882).
IPS Form 10-900-a
3-861
.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
iection number 8 Page 66
)ubugue Millworking District
OMB App~o val No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 64: Earliest image of Novelty Iron Works, c.1876
(Dubuque County Historical Society)
The company foundry was located on the east of the property and when the floodwaters of the nearby
Mississippi River rose, it was the foundry that was first submerged sufficiently to halt its operations (Building #8). The
ther company shops could continue their work until they ran out of forged materials. Dubuque's riverfront usually
boded twice annually, in the spring and in mid-October. The 1880 floodwaters surrounded the foundry and workers
crambled to save the moulding sand from the rising waters. In 1881, the foundry struggled on as long as it daired, but
ras closed by October 15. Four days later the plant was running out of material (Herald, June 18, 1880; October 15, 19
881).
The company produced machinery for several of its neighbor manufactories. The boilers and engine for the
ew W. W. Carr & Company factory, located a block west, were ordered in early 1881. A 500 horsepower engine for
'arley & Loetscher's new power plant was manufactured in early 1883. Later that same year a 20,000 pound flywheel
~r the same company, with a 16-foot diameter, was built (Herald, January 1, 1881; March 10, August 1, 1883).
As of 1884 this firm occupied an entire block to the northeast of East 10"' and Washington Streets. The firm
ron first premiums at the Centennial Exposition in 1876 and the Columbian Exposition of 1893. At that time the firm
mployed 100-150 workers. Long-distance customers included Rhine, Canada, a Lousiana sawmill, and a Columbia,
>akota, factory. The hard times of 1883 resulted in falling orders by the end of the year and 15 workers were laid off
n September 11, a rare interruption of what had been continuous growth (Herald, December 2, 1876; March 21, April
0, November 19, 1883; 1884 Sanborn Map).
The company reincorporated in May 1898 with a capitalization of $15,000. The company had failed by 1901
rhen the George Richardson Company, burned out of its quarters, leased the facilities. Carr, Ryder & Adams acquired
NPS Form 70-900-a OMBApp~ova/No. 1024-0078
18-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 67
Dubuque Millworking District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
the company plant by 1909 and the northern portions of Building #lb survive from the Novelty Iron Works period
(Telegraph-Herald, May 5, 1898; Apri128, 1901).
Figure 61
n Streets
(Daily Times Journal, March 27, 1883) v
Figure 65: Novelty Iron Works, c.1883
(Dubuque County Historical Society)
'~PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
-ection number 8 Page 68
)ubugue Millworlun~ District
OMB Approval No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
1~: ~i'itr{: >>~ 1 r;,1 :~; a r a;~;.; rt i;l,~;~ l:_
- -------
I'. 5. }iD42T. j'r~Kid~ut. :15)11A i11Shk:[t 7~ri~Yatrti and Craasmrr.
D,u.1~°t,~t~„°~,.~,.~, cam..
ESTES' PSiT~NT
r
a
r .}.
i ~~~,a ljd t~,
u
,
+~~.
+~~y , ~y'`~ ~r~~./y~' y ~y'~ Q
e~_ , ~ ~ ~ ~' 41':!'i't~at 1i~'HI~LLti
,
~
~~ ' ,,
, ~
,
°° ~° ~i~l Maehi~ery and Supplies
,~ ,
~
, ,
~~. s
1k'~1'~ ~
~ 11 ~ ~ ~~• ~ 1 `~ ~~~
(rte ~ ~~ i
~
~~~ ~~di d~Ar~~"'
~~ ~ I ~, ~
t
~
~fi '~
1 th ul Sir l.u Ittmi hung., Shin ale ?[n•
'
'r
ltll i~~
crct.
11
c .1~ I~ --
l ~.-~-, i~E
1 'kPiS
~
~1 i
ye
~ rlnuuerc, lc.
<•hinrs, 1 I,er~, 1
.
~tf d ~
~
~`~"" ~ I
i ~~
` ~~~
~ I~ 11 11 4 ~~j ~X~
~
~I~
'~'
'
s~~'`~ -f~, ~
~
`~
~
~ SHAFTING, NdNGERS, PULLEYS,,
t~ ~
~ ~
~
~~
_
u
_
~
~
~
-= ~~
~
~
~- - ~: t
a~--c
.- .~'~ /n
~~
PI.ULIt 3[IS.L~i, $.Alf' 1U1a,5, .end ELE•-
~.~ "- ?..
~ ~..<.~..~`--~.~wus:~s~7_~: ~~:~~roi;ti hu~~;r comi~l~t~rt
ni; is r:u~:r.
~nd £or Priee L>si~
~
.
,
Figure 67: Novelty Iron Works, 1887, view northeast from East lOr° and Washington Streets
(Daily Times Journal, November 20, 1887)
Three buildings survive in whole or in part from the Novelty Iron Works period of occupancy. Building #lb, a
hree-story ell plan, comprises these buildings. The northernmost component appears to have an earlier foundation and
;round floor. The central component (monitor roof portion of Figure 74) is the earliest surviving building and its gable
oof endwalls survive. The southernmost block-long section appears to have gained a story but at least one source
tates it was newly built in 1917. The building as pictured in Figure 74 remained unchanged as of early 1895 (Herald,
anuary 1, 1895).
rev City Iron Works:
The northwest corner of the block bordered by East 8~' and East 9"' Streets, Jackson and Washington Streets,
vas simultaneously built up in 1890 by this re-located firm and the Wieneke-Hoern Company, located immediately
outh (Buildings #14 and #15). Blacksmiths Frank Zehetner and Alexander Hodel formed this company in 1870. They
guilt their small-scale foundry and machine shop on this location in 1890. Key products included trip hammers,
Irnamental ironwork, and wood shavers. By 1891 Zehenter was partnered with Ernest J. Voggenthaler, who became a
toted local producer of architectural iron products. Louis Pitschner was a new partner, replacing Mr. Hodel, by 1909
nd the building gained a south side addition. The firm continues to occupy the same building after 117 years and the
luilding (#14) is of special note because it escaped damage during the district's worst fire. The July 30, 1911 fire
onsumed all of the rest of the block's buildings and threatened those to the north and west. The building contains very
early large scale equipment and its interior, including its office area, is original. The rear addition, recently rebuilt in
NPS Form 10-900-a
18-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8
Dubuque Millworlcin~ District
Page 69
OMB Appio val No- 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
concrete block, is now separately owned was later occupied by the Kretschmer-Tredway Company (Iowa State Business
Men's Association Second Annual Report, 1891; Fraser, HABS, IOWA-3I-DUBU-I3-AK).
Figure 68: Key City Iron Works, view south from 9°' and Jackson Streets
(Iowa State Business Men's Association Second Annual Report, 1891, Dubuque County Historical Society)
Frank Zehetner (1855-1947) was born in Vienna, Austria, and immigrated to America as a one-year old, reaching
Dubuque in 1857. He was finally the sole owner of the company and operated it until his retirement in 1922. He was also a
noted musician and was the last survivor of the original Grand Opera House orchestra when he died. The building was jointly
occupied by Key City Iron Works and the Pitts-Thompson Foundry as of 1909. It is probable that the latter firm expanded both
the rear foundry building and built the single-story additions to the south (Telegraph-Herald, August 10, 1947; 1909 Fire
Insurance Map).
PS Form 10-900-a
-861
Inited States Department of the Interior
~ationat Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 70
lubuque Millworking District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 69: Ernest J. Voggenthaler (Daily Herald, March 23, 1909)
Figure 70: Key City Ironworks, HABS Documentation, 1988
NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0078
IS-861
[lnited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 71
Dubuaue MillworlcinE District Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 71: Key City Ironworks, HABS Documentation, 1988
Figure 72: Key City Ironworks, HABS Documentation, 1988
PS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 7024-0018
3-86)
.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 8 Page 72
)ubugue Millworkin~ District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
'he Dubuque Linseed Oil Works:
The northern half of Building #13, later incorporated into a Farley & Loetscher Company building, was built by
he Dubuque Linseed Oil Works in 1880-1881.
Flax production expanded exponentially in the Upper Midwest in response to increased tariff protection,
mproved plant strains that produced a higher oil content, and the opening up of vast tracts of new farmland. A number
~f Iowa linseed oil plants were established during the early 1880s across the state in response and the plants further
ncouraged area flax seed growing by distributing free seed and by offering very attractive payments for what was
~creasingly a very profitable alternative crop. The Dubuque company was organized in August 1880. A three-story
rick building based on the heighth of the perimeter walls, but otherwise described as five stories high, measuing 80
eet by 150 feet, with a monitor roof (see Figure 12) was first built. That building survives as the core of building #13.
'he new company selected its building site on the basis of its being a convenient location for shipping by rail (Herald,
august 19, 1880).
The initial architect was Lawther, of Chicago, who was a specialist in designing this type of factory.
,awther's plans were being reviewed by the company directors as of September 3, 1880. As of late September local
rchitect Franklin D. Hyde was at work on the plans and these were nearly finished. It is possible that the two architects
ooperated on the design work, with Hyde serving as the superintendent of construction. Ground was broken on
~eptembe 21 and the goal was to complete the plant during the fall. A full raft of lumber for the new plant was received
y Knapp, Stout and Company from its Wisconsin mills in late October. A quarter of a million brick were ordered in
ate August 1880 as construction began. T. J. Donehue was the foundation contractor and 2,000 perch of stone were
sed. The initial building, three stories high, measured 58 feet by 153 feet. The actual construction was sufficiently
elayed that the work was rushed when the building was finally started. William Rebman had the contract to excavate
nd he removed 1,200 yards of earth in just four days during early October. Company stockholder Jacob Rich closely
versaw the contractors as superintendent of the works. Cold weather hampered the work in late November. The
rickwork was done on December 4. At that time the Herald observed that the building would "be one of the largest
nd most substantial buildings in the city." The total building cost was put at $50,000, including the machinery. The
Zachinery, costing $13,000, was being ordered by mid-December. By that time, contractor Peter Klauer was finishing
n iron roof on the new plant. McMurchy, Hopkins and Company fabricated the massive boilers. By early March 1881
7e machinery was being put in place. The building was sufficiently complete as of early March 1881 and operations
egan in mid-April. The plant capacity was 500 bushels of flax seed a day or 300-500,000 bushels of see annually. A
Major improvement during the winter of 1881-82 was the construction of the first of three massive oil storage tanks
1,000 barrel capacity) (Jacobsen, Sioux City Linseed Oil Works, pp. 8-23-24; Herald, August 29, 1880; September 3,
2, October 8, 24, 30, November 24, December 3, 8, 11, 23, 1880; March 2, 10, 20, 23, April 12, 14, 17, 29, May 28,
>ecember 20, 1881).
One major product was oil cake, the seed residual that had lost most of its linseed oil. Ideal for livestock as a
red, the product enjoyed a European rather than domestic market at this time. The first recorded oil cake shipment, to
Sremen, Germany, was announced in mid-June 1881. Subsequent notices identified Liverpool, London, England, and
;urope as points of shipping. The largest single export, was ten full carloads of oil cake in March 1882. At that time
Ze company had been in constant operation for 168 hours. The plant also received carloads of flax seed which it
istributed or sold to area farmers to encourage a seed supply (Herald, June 15, 1881; January 19, February 5, 8, 23,
larch 5, September 29, November 25,December 28, 1882; July 24, October 23, November 14, 1883).
NPS Form 70-900-a
(8-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 8 Page 73
Dubuque MillworlcinE District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Linseed oil has a peculiar odor and by early October 1882 it was noted that "Ninth street, between White and
Jackson, probably smlls the loudest of any street in the city." The financial difficulties of 1882-1883 resulted in record
low prices for linseed oil and by mid-1882, it was reported that very large orders for oil were being contracted at hardly
favorable prices. Still, new equipment was being installed as of the fall of 1882 and the company amended its
incorporation, increasing its capital stock from $25,000 to $35,000 in December 1883 (Herald, July 26, October 4,
1882; December 2, 1883).
One of the climactic fires that threatened the entire industrial district took place on October 6, 1890 when a
blaze occurred in the south end of this building. It is possible that extensive surviving fire scorching marks in the south
basement of building #13 were caused by this blaze. The two hour battle on the part of the firemen saved the three
massive oil storage tanks that lined the west side of the plant, and finally, saved the plant itself. The damage was
extensive (Herald, October 7, 1890).
The oil works continued its operations at least until early March 1898 when it was shut down indefinitely and
its seed was shipped to Chicago. By this time it had been acquired by the National Linseed Oil Company, a linseed oil
trust. A year later it was sold to the American Linseed Oil Company, the successor trust, with a value of $56,000. It
was back in operation as of that time. The plant is listed in city directories through 1901. By November 1901 the
vacant plant was being stripped of its brass when the salvors triggered a small fire in the engine room. Once again, the
building was barely saved (Herald, March 4, 1898; January 13, 1899; November 2, 1901; City Directories, Iowa State
Gazeteer, 1910-11).
The former oil works began a new life in March 1903 when the Farley & Loetscher Company acquired it and
announced plans to expand the building southward. The Dubuque City Council approved a 26-foot high connective
arched enclosed catwalk that would link the expanded building with the company's original building, located due south
across 8"' Street (Telegraph-Herald, March 20, 1903).
The Dubuque Linseed Oil Paint Works/Dubuque Biscuit Factorx
The Linseed Oil Paint Works appears to have been established a year after the adjacent Linseed Oil Works
began its operations in the spring of 1881. The origins of the new company remain historically murky, but the initial
announcement was made in late December 1882. The construction of the factory was somewhat delayed and the stone
foundation work was begun only on July 9, 1883. It was completed by the next spring and its new road agent, Mr. M.
F. King, was selling its product as of early March 1883. The building architect was Ferdinand D. Hyde and the building
contractor was the firm of Speer & Lee (Herald, December 27, 1882; January 1, July 8, 28; March 9, 1883; Times, May
24, 1883).
The company likely succumbed with the demise of the oil works in 1901. The James Beach & Sons Soap
Factory expanded the northside addition when it expended $10,000 on the building in the spring of 1905. The building
was then vacant for some years before the Dubuque Cracker Factory remodeled and occupied it in 1913. This firm
added a fourth floor in a white brick and painted the whole building to match. Surviving brick ovens in the basement
could date from this time. The Dubuque Biscuit Company was there as of 1918-21, followed by the White House
Biscuit Company as of 1936. The three-story frame addition to the north evolved from the original brick power plant in
the rear to its present form between 1909, when it was full length but only a single story plan, to 1950, when the Baxter
Soap Manufacturing Company occupied it and the building was three full stories high. The same firm was there as late
as 1962 (Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1884-1962; Telegraph-Herald, March 19, 1905; December 23, 1913).
PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
-ection number 8 Page 74
)ubugue Millworkin~ District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 73: Former Dubuque White Lead and Linseed Oil Company ,view northwest, 1988, Carr, Ryder & Collier
chimney extant at the right (Fraser, HABS, Iowa-31-DUBU-I3-AE)
The long-term historical association of this building with baking companies was itself a continuation of a series
.f that industrial activity in this part of the city. The massive three-story Farley & Wolcot Key City Steam Cracker
~actory, located at White and 6`I' Streets, burned in 1879. The same site was then occupied by the National Biscuit
~ompany, and that plant burned in 1903 (Herald, January 3, 1879; December 11, 1903).
Figure 73 depicts the building's covered appearance until just a few years ago, when the slipscreen was
emoved and the building exterior restored. This improvement was a major contribution to the appearance of the
listrict.
NPS Form 10-900-a
18-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number _ 9 Page 75
Dubuque MillworlcinE District
Major Bibliographic References:
Secondary Sources:
OMB Appro va/ No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Childs, C., The History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880
Dubuque Enterprise Magazine, Volumes 1-4, 1901-OS (as cited in the text)
Dubuque Business, December 1929
Dubuque City Assessor's Data
Dubuque City Directories, 1883-2005
Dubuque, Iowa, "As A Stranger Sees It," (n.p., 1951)
Dubuque Industrial Bureau, Presenting The New Dubuque-Iowa 's 61h Largest City. Dubuque: n.p., April 1964
Dubuque of Today, the Key City, Historical, Descriptive And Biographical, Commercial And Industrial. Dubuque: Press of the
Telegraph Job Printing Company, 1897
Elstner, J. M., & Company, The Industries of Dubuque: Historical, Descriptive and Statistical. Dubuque: J. M. Elstner &
Company, Publishers, 1887
Farley-Loetscher 75"' Anniversary, 1875-1950.
Gardner, H. W. Greater Dubuque. Dubuque: Times Journal, 1911
Jacobsen, James E., Dubuque-The Key City: The Architectural And Historical Resources of Dubuque, Iowa, 1837-1955:
Phase I Historical and Architectural Survey Report. Des Moines: History Pays! June 19, 2002
_/ National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Sioux City Linseed Oil Works, 210 Court Street, Sioux City,
Woodbury County, Iowa, 2007
The Key City. Dubuque, Palmer, Winall & Company, 1880
Klauer, William. "History of the Klauer Manufacturing Company." Dubuque: Loras College Research Paper, 1961 (Center For
Dubuque History, Business Firms, File F-6)
Knuth, Margaret Helen. "Interests And Activities of Dubuque Labor, September, 1906-September, 1911, As Reported in The
Dubuque Labor Leader." Iowa City: State University of Iowa, Masters Thesis in Economics, June 1941
Koch, Augustus, "Birds Eye View of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, 1872"
PS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0078
3-861
,Inited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 9 Page 76
)ubugue Millworlcing District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
~riviskey, Bruce .Dubuque, Iowa--Architectural Survey 1978/1979, Atlas of City Wide and District Survey Maps, Dubuque;
i.p., c.1979
,yon, Randolph W., Dubuque; The Encyclopedia. Dubuque: First National Bank of Dubuque, 1991
/Ioffat, Riley. Population History Of Eastern U.S. Cities And Towns, 1790-1870.
/Ietuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, 1992
/Iyers, William Starr. Prominent Families of New Jersey. New York: Lewis Historical Company, 1945
)ldt, Franklin T., and P. J. Quigley, History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, 1911
'erspective Map of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, 1889
'ortrait and Biographical Record of Dubuquek Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company,
894
'he Re-Saw, Farley &Loetscher Company, May 1922 (obituary for Christian Loetscher)
hank, Wesley I. Iowa's Historic Architects: A Bio -graphical Dictionary. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1999
elegraph-Herald, January 12, 1962 ("Farley &Loetscher Will Close").
'igges, John T. and James L. Shaffer, Images of Dubuque In The 19`h Century, (Chicago: Arcadia Press, 2000).
/achon, John, War Information Office Photo Collection, Library of Congress (http://memor~oc.gov/c~,i_bin)
Wafer, Deborah B. National Register of Historic Places Nomination of the Cesan Gould Commercial Building, 1320-24
Washington Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri. Jefferson City: Missouri Department of Natural Resources, April 1986
Wilkie, William E., Dubuque On The Mississippi, 1877-1988. Dubuque: Loras College Press, 1987 (Carnegie-Stout Library)
'rimary Sources:
parley &Loetscher Bulletins, March 31, 1938, December 15, 1944 (Center For Dubuque History, Business Firms, File F-6)
~pahn, C. J., Spahn & Rose Lumber Co. Memorandum, June 27, 1974 (Center For Dubuque History, Business Firms, File F-6)
>pahn & Rose Lumber Co. [History], typed MS, c.2004 (Center For Dubuque History, Business Firms, File F-6)
~pahn & Rose Lumber Co., Postscript, 1992 (Center For Dubuque History, Business Firms, File F-6)
lewsnaners (as cited within the text
Daily Herald
Telegraph-Herald
Daily Times
Times-Journal
Dubuque Trade Journal (1881-1897)
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-861
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 9 Page 77
Dubuque Millworlcin~ District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Maps:
Associated Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Drawing of Caradco, Inc., December 14, 1932 by W. C. Styerwalt
(courtesy Dale Wiegand, Dubuque Sash & Door Mfg.).
Perspective Map of The City of Dubuque, IA, 1889. Milwaukee: American Publishing Company, 1889
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1884, 1891, 1909/36
HABS Documentation, December 1988 (Fraser, Clayton B., Fraserdesigns, Loveland Colorado)
Carr, Ryder and Adams Company Warehouse, HABS No. IA-160-AP
Carr, Ryder and Adams Company Lumber Warehouses, HABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AX
Carr, Ryder and Adams Company Powerhouse, HABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AF
Carr, Ryder and Adams Company Factory, HABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AN
Carr, Ryder and Adams Company, NABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AM
Farley &Loetscher Manufacturing Company, HABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AU
Farley &Loetscher Manufacturing Company, Lumber Warehouse, HABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AH
Farley &Loetscher Manufacturing Company,Powerhouse, HABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AI
Farley &Loetscher Manufacturing Company, Factory, HABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AC
Farley &Loetscher Manufacturing Company, Factory, HABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AD
Iowa Iron Works Blacksmith Shop, HABS No. IA-160-AR
Klauer Manufacturing Company Factory, HABS No. IA-160-AS
Kretschmer Manufacturing Company Factory and Warehouse, HABS No. IA-160-AL
Dubuque Linseed Oil Paint Company Factory, HABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AE
Wieneke-Hoerr Company Factory, HABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AJ
Key City Iron Works, HABS-3I-DUBU-I3-AK
Internet Websites:
http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Amerock-Corporation-History.html (October 18, 2007)
http://nmal.us/recongition/National Awards (October 18, 207)
Oral Interviews and Special Thanks:
Mr. Bill Meisner [Bill is Dubuque's expert on historical fire records and the Dubuque Fire Department]
IPS Form 10-900-a OMB Appro va! No. 7024-0018
3-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
iection number 10 Page 78
)ubuque Millworlung District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
0. Geographical Data:
JTM References, Continued:
~/E Zone 15 692000 4707820
./F Zone 15 692080 4707740
'/G Zone 15 692120 4707760
./H Zone 15 692110 4707890
)/I Zone 15 692160 4708100
3oundary Description:
The district is roughly bounded by White Street on the west and continues along the alleyway between White and
ackson Streets. The western boundary continues along Jackson to E. 11`)' Street. The north boundary is East 11`h Street. The
ast boundary is the vacated Elm Street south from East 11`h Street for two blocks, west one block along East 9"' Street, then
one-half block south along Washington Street, west a block between E. 9`)' and E. 8`'' Streets, and south along Jackson Street.
'he boundary continues west one-half block, north one block, west one-half block and closes at White Street.
The district includes Lot 1 Center City Place, City Lots 428 & 429 & N Part City Lot 427, City Lot 389 & N 30.83'
;ity Lot 390, City Lots 391 Thru 393, 389A, 425, 426, & S Part of 427 S 20.17' of 390, N 1/2 -W Bal, Lot 2 Center City Place
375 East 9TH ST), Lot 2 Center City Place (375 East 9TH ST), Lot 2 Center City Place (375 East 9TH ST), City Lots 394
'hru 398, 420 Thru 424, & S'/2 - W Bal of City Lot SOSA & City Lot, City Lot 383, City Lot 382, Lot 2 of City Lot 381, Lot 1
~f City Lot 381 N 36'2" of City Lot 380, City Lot 379 & S 15' of City Lot 380, City Lots 349A, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 374,
75, 376, 377, & 378, W 45' City Lot 399 W 45' - N '/z -City Lot 400,E 55' of City Lot 399E 55' - N''/z - of City Lot 400, S
2 of City Lot 400 City Lot 401, Lot 1 of City Lot 417 & City Lot 418 & 419, City Lots 354, 355, 356, 357, & 358 Also W `/z
alley Between White, City Lots 364-368, Also Vacated Alley Between City Lots 359 to 363.
4oundary Justification:
This area was historically associated with the surviving industrial buildings that now define the district, including
~sidual buildings from several earlier firms. Additional buildings qualify for inclusion within the district. These include an
nclosed lumber shed and a 1948 power plant that were associated with Farley and Loetscher Company, and a factory that was
uilt by the Dubuque Cabinet Makers Association. There is also a saloon building, located on the southwest corner of Jackson
nd 11"' Streets. These latter two buildings are located to the west of the northwest corner of the district as submitted. The
~rmer two are located to the east of Buildings #13 and #18. They were excluded at this time because they were not included in
)ubuque City Council authorization for the preparation of this district. It is possible that they will be added at a later date
Trough an amendment process.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-861
united States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 10 Page 79
Dubuque Millworking District
Map:
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Figure 75: Contributing, non-contributing buildings (shaded gray) within the district
Figure 74: District Boundary Map
PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
.Inited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
iection number 10 Page 80
)ubugue MillworlcinE District
OMB Appro va! No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
'hotos:
'hotographer: James E. Jacobsen
)ate of Photographs: October 8, 2007
)riginal Negatives: City of Dubuque Planning Office
~~
~Si
\,
'Yti \ ~\~ "~ `~ "
~.,
~~~~:. ,
~y \
\~,1 ~,
~~~~.
i
rigure "/5: Photo map
'hoto Direction Description
northwest northeast corner, towards E. 10`'' and Elm, buildings 1-2, 5
west along E. 11"' from Elm, buildings 1-3
east along E. 11`'' from Jackson, buildings 2-4
southwest along Jackson from E. 11"', left buildings 5, 12, right, 7, 6, 13, 14, 15, 26
southeast along E. 10"' from west of White, buildings (left) 8, 6, 5, 1 (right), 12
south along Jackson from E. 11`h, buildings 4, 5, 12, 19
southeast along E. 10"' from Jackson, buildings (left) 5, 1, (right), 12, 10, 9
north from Jackson and E. 9"', buildings 12, 5
northwest E. 10"' from Washington, buildings 12, 15
0 northwest Washington from below E. 10"', buildings 22, 12, 5, 2
~~
NPS Form 10-900-a
18-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 10 Page 81
Dubuque Millworlcing District
OMB Appro val No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
11 west from east of former Elm and below E. 9`~', buildings (1 to r) 12, 5, 11, 2, 9, 1
12 northwest Jackson from below E. 9"', buildings (left) 15, 14, 13, 6, 7 (right), 12, 5
13 southeast Jackson from above E. 9~', buildings (1 to r) 22, 17, 18, 19
14 east along E. 9t'' from White, buildings (left) 15, (right) 24, 16, 17, 22
15 northwest Jackson from below E. 8`", buildings (1 to r) 16, 15, 14, 13, 6, 7
16 north White from E. 7"', building 25
17 north White from E. 6`'', buildings (r to 1) 26, 25
18 northwest Jackson from E. 6"', buildings (left) 26, 16, (right) 23, 19, 5
19 southwest E. 7`'' from Washington, buildings (left) 26, (right) 23, 25
sv 1 m~ ~a`~
«~~
~ .~ ~Yt 5 'moo ~'
> ,~~
~~. ; w a
: .r /
~`ti :...
y _~.•r owsr r
Subject Property l~;
•.~ ' Z _ ~ r
~~ ~ ~.
~ ..
~,~'-~~ ` Mlfe 580
6
~~
~-/
I
J
x
Figure 77: USGS Map
PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
.Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
iection number 10 Page 82
)ubugue Millworkin~ District
OMB Appiova! No. 1024-0078
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
additional Information:
` Address,
Owner/Tenant Legal
Descri tion Construction
Date Description Evaluation
and count
11t1' Street Parcel North, pre- Three-story brick ell factory, in three 1, contributing
1024480013 1884 as sections, wood columns and beams,
Owner: Mid America single-story north/center 80feet by 53, center 45feet by
Holdings Lot 1 Center City brick 108, south 222feet by 71. There is a raised
Place ashlar limestone foundation. Open
Tenant: Restoration Center, pre- courtyard in ell interior corner. Alterations
Warehouse 1884 power include loss of enclosed catwallcs to
house southwest and south. South building has
solid joist floors/ceilings on lower two
South, lower levels, indicating addition of third floor
two stories (also partly rebuilt with metal columns and
pre-1884 or steel roof.
new walls on
old Historical association, Novelty Iron Works
foundation,
1.911 (Fraser)
(or 1919 per
1932
Associated
Factory
Mutual Fire
Insurance
Map)
E. 11`h & Washington Parcel North, 1919, Two five-story brick warehouses, the 2,
1024480013 south, 1910- southernmost being load-bearing brick, the contributing,
Owner: Mid America Lot 1 Center City 11, catwalk north one of reinforced concrete designs key
Holdings Place 1924, loading with brick spandrel infill, northernmost is
dock 1971 rectangular on plan, 168feet by 91, with its
Tenant: Restoration longer side oriented east/west. The south
Warehouse plan, 128feet by 94. The later design
frames its windows with pilasters and has
industrial sash windows. A raised concrete
foundation and mushroom columns
contrasts with a stone foundation and timber
columns in the south building. South
building also employs pilasters in brick
work, paired window sets in each bay level.
The north building is of interest due to its
winter season construction.
Alterations include some strengthening of
concrete columns, and windows. The four-
story enclosed catwalk dates to 1924. The
alley loading dock dates.
NPS Form 10-900-a
18-861
united States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 10 Page 83
Dubuque Millworking District
OMB Approval No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
# Address, Legal Construction Description Evaluation
Owner/Tenant Descri tion Date and count
to 1971
Historical association, Carr, Ryder & Engler
Com an
3 11`h Street Parcel 1916 Single-story square brick plan (100feet by 1, contributing
1024480002 104, 10,400 square feet) with wood
Owner: Stuart W. and columns and beams. There is no basement
Mary P. Mabusth City Lots 428 & and the foundation is of stone construction.
429 & N Part City The current floor level ramps up three feet
Tenant: warehouse for Lot 427 from grade. This was originally a covered
construction materials lumber shed. There are six bays and
wooden column roof supports. The original
building had sidelights. Alterations include
sealing of east windows, raised floor.
Historical association, Carr, Ryder & Engler
Com an .
4 1098 Jackson Parcel 1916 This is the office building for Carr, Ryder & 1,
1024480001 Adams Company. It features the most contributing,
Owner: Stuart W. and distinctive architecture of the district, the key
Mary P. Mabusth style being of a Second Renaissance
Revival style. The building is two stories
Tenant: vacant City Lot 389 & N with a raised foundation, basement hall, and
30.83' of City Lot its footprint measures 81 feet by 61. It is
390 spatially separated from the complex on
most of its four sides. The building is
virtually unaltered.
Historical association, Carr, Ryder & Engler
Com an .
5 1000 Jackson Parcel 1924 Five stories high factory/warehouse 1,
1024480003 building in two sections that covered a contributing,
Owner: Wilmac City Lots 391 vacated alley, the west half measures key
Property Co. Thru 393, 389A, 121feet by 121, the east half 100feet by
425, 426, & S Part 154. The basement only is of reinforced
Tenant: offices in of 427 S 20.17' of concrete construction, wood columns and
southeast quarter of 390, N 1/2 -W Bal beams are used above the basement level,
third floor, art gallery concrete columns in the basement. Floors
use of southwest are of solid joist construction. The
quarter, second floor, foundation is an unusual combing-tion of
ground floor leased to stone and concrete. Original plans bear no
Spahn & Rose Lumber architect's name so the building was
Co. designed in-house.
Alterations include bricked in south
alleyway entry, window replacements.
Historical association, Carr, Ryder & Engler
Company.
PS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0078
3-861
lnited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
iection number 10 Page 84
)ubugue Millworkine District ~ Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
` Address, Legal Construction Description Evaluation
Owner/Tenant Descri tion Date and count
955 Elm Parcel 1937, 1977, This is an L-plan two-story reinforced 1, contributing
1024480014 1990 concrete warehouse building.
Owner: Warehouse Lot 2 Center City Alterations: The eastern front has been clad
Redevelopment LLC Place (375 East in a vertical wood front and the building
9TH ST) serves as offices.
Tenant: largely vacant, Historical association, Klauer
some storage, Manufacturing Company
worksho
955 Elm Parcel Post 1872 This is the oldest surviving building in the 1, contributing
1024480014 and pre-1884 district. Single story brick power
Owner: Warehouse shop/warehouse (58feet by 94). No
Redevelopment LLC Lot 2 Center City basement presently with a raised floor. The
Place (375 East end walls have a stepped gable effect and
Tenant: storage, 9TH ST) the roof is a gambrel form. Brick pilasters
workshop define five bays on the north/south running
west front and three on the southern end
wall. Trusses appear to be original and
combine timber and cast-iron components.
Alterations include the loss of an original
monitor roof form, the infilling of original
windows, and rebuilding of at least the east
side wall.
Historical association, Rouse & Dean
Ironworks Co., Iowa Iron Works, Klauer
Manufacturin Co.
955 Elm Parcel Post-1872 This is the earliest surviving building in the 1, contributing
1024480014 and pre-1884 district and very likely the oldest industrial
Owner: Warehouse (miss-dated to buildings that survive in the city as a whole.
Redevelopment LLC Lot 2 Center City 1851 but site . It is a two story brick plan (58feet by 80).
Place (375 East vacant 1872), Brick pilasters form five bays along the
Tenant: River City 9TH ST) single-story longer north/south dimension and four
Auto Sales enlarged to across the south end wall. There is an
two stories elaborate brick parapet. Alterations: The
between 1909 upper windows have been replaced but
and 1936 semi-circular brick arches remain on the
lower level corroborating earlier date for
first story.
Historical association, Rouse & Dean
Ironworks Co., Iowa Iron Works, Klauer
Manufacturing Co
NPS Form 10-900-a
18-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 10 Page 85
Dubuque Millworking District
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
# Address, Legal Construction Description Evaluation
Owner/Tenant Descri tion Date and count
9 900 Jackson Parcel Southwest This massive three-story brick factory 1,
1024480009 portion, pre- building fills an entire block (250 feet by contributing,
Owner: Curadco City Lots 394 1882, 220 feet) and encloses a vacated alleyway. key
Building LLLP Thru 398, 420 northwest An interior court remains. Wood columns
Thru 424, & S '/z - corner 1884- and beams support the live load. Columns
Tenant: Dubuque Sash W Bal of City Lot 1891, north, are of composite construction (bolted broad
& Door, Hometiques SOSA & City Lot northeast and planks). It comprises eight parts or
east sections additions (numbered 1-8 on the 1909/36
1891-1909, Sanborn Map). Former exterior walls with
northeast windows remain in place within the plan.
corner gains a There is a raised stone foundation.
floor, 1919 Alterations: Massive I-beams have been
added throughout the building over time to
support an ever-increasing weight of
machinery. Heavy diagonal braces tie
together columns and beams throughout the
plan. A complete west side series of
window wells and windows has been
infilled. This building retains many original
windows, but many date from the FIST
filming in 1978.
Historical Association: Carr, Ryder &
Adams, served as the original factory and
office com lex.
10 Owner: Jakd LLC Parcels 1910-1919 This one/two story brick power house 1,
(north bldg-168 E. 1024479009 consists of a core with side wings (core 53 contributing,
10th) City Lot 383 feet by 100 feet, north wing 54 feet by 100 key
Tenant: offices feet, south wing 28 feet by 61 feet).
1024479010 Sections held wood shavings (south),
Owner: Ryan City Lot 382 boilers (center) and engines (north).
Montague (center, 975 Alterations: Covering/loss of windows,
Jackson) removal of massive brick chimney (post
Tenant: Adult 1024479011 1988), construction of interior floors in
Warehouse Lot 2 of City Lot central building.
381 Historical Association: Carr, Ryder &
Owner: John H. White Engler Co.
(south, 955 Jackson)
Tenant: owner stora e
11 925 Jackson Parcel 1919 This is timber frame metal clad garage with 1, contributing
1024479007 L-plan that measures 100 feet by 55 feet.
Owner: John H. White There are front and rear garage doors with
Lot 1 of City Lot an elevated floor.
Tenant: owner storage 381 N 36'2" of Alterations: Well preserved but
City Lot 380 deteriorated.
Historical Association :Carr, Ryder &
Engler Co.
PS Form 10-900-a
3-861
,Inited States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
section number 10 Page 86
)ubugue Millworking District
OMB Approval No. 7024-0018
Dubuque, Dubupue County, Iowa
Address, Legal Construction Description Evaluation
Owner/Tenant Descri tion Date and count
2 901 Jackson Parcel 1881-1884, This is a four-story brick building (29 feet 2,
151 E. 9~' 1024479008 fourth story by 100 feet) has a full raised stone contributing,
1913, basement. Fourth floor built with whit brick key
Owner: Wilmac City Lot 379 & S addition and whole painted, fully clad in metal until
Property Co. 15' of City Lot evolves out of c.2006. Ceiling levels are eight feet in the
380 single-story basement, 12 feet ground floor, and ten feet
Tenant: leased offices frame and on the upper floors. Elements of interest,
first floor rear brick ovens in basement, loose soap remains
power wing, between floors.
1891-1909, Alterations: Metal cladding and white
present by painted exterior removed, facades restored.
1936 Chimney removed.
Historical Association: Dubuque Linseed
Oil and Paint Works, Dubuque Cracker
Com an (fourth floor and addition)
3 801 Jackson Parcel 1881, 1906- This four-story half-block building is the 1,
1024483001 1909, 1924 northernmost of the Farley &Loetscher contributing,
Owner: Wilmac Company complex and is their earliest key
Property Co. City Lots 349A, surviving factory, the second building block
349, 350, 351, to be built. Its north core is a re-building of
Tenant: leased offices 352, 353, 374, the Dubuque Linseed Oil Works press
375, 376, 377, & building and a westward addition to the
378 alley covers what was oil tank storage. A
floor was added and the full half block
building was in place by 1909. The
northwest corner (that portion running
north/south and east of the alley) dates to
1924 when building #24 was added to the
west and an enclosed catwalk was built to
link them. The north three bays were
rebuilt internally as fireproof reinforced
concrete construction, and the system
continued through the roof to support tanks.
The rest of the plan uses wood columns and
beams. There is a raised stone foundation
wall. The building measures 255 feet by 90
feet with afull-length east side loading dock
(90 feet by 255 feet).
Alterations: Loss of roof tanks, alteration of
some southwest corner windows to light an
interior atrium.
Historical Association: Farley &Loetscher
Co.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Continuation Sheet
Section number 10
Page 8 7
OMB Approval No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Dubuque Millworking District
# Address, Legal Construction Description Evaluation
Owner/Tenant Descri tion Date and count
14 898 Jackson Parcel 1890, 1891- Two-story brick blacksmith/ foundry 1, contributing
1906, pre- building (30 feet by 45 feet) with a
Owner: Mark 1024484001 1936 combination of wood and iron columns.
Redmond (front) W 45' City Lot Alterations: Single-story rectangular plan
Tenant: Key City Iron 399 W 45' - N '/z addition (77 feet by 55 feet) was replaced in
Works -City Lot 400 recent years with a concrete brick building
with same footprint, south single-story brick
Owner: John addition (47.5 feet by 35 feet). The
Rettenmaier (rear) 1024484002 building is remarkably well preserved. Has
Tenant: not E 55' of City Lot lost a front metal hoist that was mounted on
determined 399E 55' - N 'h - upper facade as late as 1988.
City Lot 400 Historical Association: Key City Iron
Works
15 850 Jackson Parcel 1890, post- This two-story brick factory building with 1, contributing
1024484003 1909 basement (50 feet by 98 feet) built by the
Owner: Michael J. Alterations: three front windows blocked in.
Fincel S '/z of City Lot The south the addition measures 25 feet by
400 City Lot 401 98 feet.
Tenant: F&S Radiator Historical Association: Wieneke &
Hohenadel Pickle & Kraut Facto
16 220 E. 9 Washington Parcels 1892-1905, This three-story reinforced concrete block 1, contributing
1024484004 1911-12, (67 feet by 100 feet) is an internal fireproof
Owner: John 1950 re-building of an earlier building gutted by
Rettenmaier Lot 1 of City Lot fire in May 1911.
Tenant: Carpet Depot 417 & City Lot Alterations: 1911 rebuilding, relocation of
418 & 419 elevator to front of plan, south addition (80
feet by 100 feet) and adding metal third
floor to same.
Historical Association: Kretschmer-
Tredway Company, Kretschmer
Manufacturing Company, notable as city's
first fue roof buildin .
17 801 Jackson, same Parcel 1924, post- This two-story brick plan (100 feet by 100 1, contributing
parcel as #13 1024483001 1936 and pre- feet) has a double vaulted roof, wood truss
1950 (south roof framing and a south garage wing
addition), addition.
Owner:Wihnac post-1962 Alterations: The row of garages on the
Property Co. garage south side are kiln remnants from a partly
conversion of demolished building (1937-49).
Tenant: Phoenix south kiln Historical Association: This was built by
Fitness remnant Farley & Loetscher to house its plastics
warehouse and laboratory (its "Farlite
Department").
PS Form 10-900-a
-861
Inited States Department of the Interior
rational Park Service
rational Register of Historic Places
continuation Sheet
'~ection number 10 Page 88
Dubuque Millworkine District
OMB Appio val No. 1024-0018
Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa
Address, Legal Construction Description Evaluation
Owner/Tenant Descri tion Date and count
8 750 White, 100 E. 8~' Parcel 1906, 1911 This is the west half of what was once a full l,contributing,
102448001 built in two block of three story brick buildings of the key
Owner: Plastic Center halves Farley &Loetscher Company.
City Lots 354, This fives story brick office/warehouse
Tenant: owner 355, 356, 357, & building with full basement measures 256
occupied first floor 358 Also W `/2 feet by 120 feet.
only Alley Between Alterations: The east half of the block was
White the original Farley &Loetscher factory
block and it was promptly demolished in
1962 along with its connecting north/south
covered catwalks when the company ceased
operations. The east/back walls of this
building were stuccoed to protect then then-
exposed interior walls.
Historical Association: Farley &Loetscher
Co.
9 Jackson & 7 Parcel 1917 This is a massive seven-story reinforced 1,
102491002 concrete building (101 feet by 255 feet) contributing,
Owner: Plastic Center with a full brick veneer and east and south key
City Lots 364-368 full-length loading docks and metal
Tenant: owner Incl. Also Vacated canopies on the ground floor. No
occupied, storage Alley Between alterations are known.
City Lots 359 to Historical Association: This is the final and
363 southernmost Farle &Loetscher buildin .
0 Railroad tracks 700s block of Washington, 600s-1000s 1, contributing
Jackson
1 Bricked street 700s-1100s Jackson 1, contributing
2 Enclosed catwalk Three story, metal clad, links buildings #2 1, contributing
and #5
3 Enclosed catwalk Single story, wood clad, links buildings #3 1, contributing
and #4
4 Enclosed catwalk Single story, wood clad, links buildings #13 1, contributing
and # 17