Phase 3 Architectural and Historical Survey Report
" .. the finest business street west
of Chicago and North of St.
L · "
OUIS. . .
Phase III Architectural and
Historical Survey Report-
Downtown Dubuque
James E. Jacobsen
History Pays! Historic Preservation Consulting Fir~, Des
Moines
June 19, 2003
" . . . the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Cover Illustration:
Downtown Dubuque viewed north from the Fourth Street Elevator, c.1905. Bluff Street runs in the
foreground. Note the major factories (Rider-Wallis, Glover) and the original Masonic building all
along Locust Street. The Town Clock stands in front of the original Security Building. The white
front along Main in the center of the image is the newly remodeled Levi Block (Center for Dubuque
History, Loras College, Photographic Collection).
Credits and Acknowledgements:
This project has been funded with the assistance of a matching grant-in-aid from the State Historical
Society of Iowa, Community Programs Bureau, through the Department of the Interior, National Park
Service, under provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966; the opinions expressed
herein are not necessarily those of the Department of the Interior.
This project received Federal funds from the National Park Service. Regulations of the U.S.
Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in Federally Assisted Programs on
the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been
discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of federal assistance
should write to: Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park
Service, 1849 C Street NW, D.C. 20240
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" · · · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase m Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Table of Contents:
In trod ucti on: .............................................................................................................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4
Developmental History of the Dubuque Downtown: ............................................................................... 4
Commercial Tvoologv: ............................................................................ ............................................. 109
Commercial Types:................................................................................................................ 110
Commercial Style:.................................................................................................................. 118
M eth odo 10 gv: · · · · · · · · · .. · · · .. · · · .. .. .. · .. · · · · · · · .. · · · .. .. .. .. · . · .. . . .. .. . . .. . .. . . .. . . .. .. . . . .. . . . .. .. .. . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . .. .. . .. . . .. . . .. .. .. . . . .. .. 159
Report Recommendations: ................................................................................................. 161
Master List of Surveyed Phase III Downtown Properties (excludes Old
Town addresses, apart from side streets) .................................................................... 161
Bibliography: ...................................................................................................... .................................. 175
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" .. · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase m Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Introduction:
The commercial and industrial downtown area is the principal subject of this architectural and historical
survey and study. A substantial mixed residential and institutional/commercial area, located between the
downtown (and east of it) between 11 th, 18th and Elm streets, is also included in this third survey phase and the
separate summary report covering that area is called the Old Town Historic District. Each commercial/industrial
historic district report, new or revised (Old Main, Millwork District, North Central and Upper MainlIowa
Avenue) was similarly separately prepared and this report serves as a historical and typological summary for all
of them.
The background history of Dubuque as a whole and the Downtown in particular, was summarized in the
multiple property documentation form titled Dubuque-The Key City: The Architectural And Historical
Resources of Dubuque. Iowa. 1837-1955, (Jacobsen, 2002). This report is designed to serve as an appendix of
that broader summary document and consequently, the historical information in that study will not be repeated
in this one. The commercial property typology in this report represents a refmed version of the one fIrst
developed in the multiple property document.
The commercial and industrial contexts that were defined and developed in the multiple property report,
were further defIned in this report. Surviving properties that are associated with those contexts were identifIed,
and National Register eligible properties were identified.
Developmental History of the Dubuque Downtown:
This section of the report traces the physical development of the commercial downtown over its history,
and identifIes the causal influences which drove, retarded or otherwise influenced that development. The
realties and influences of the physical features of the downtown setting are considered as well.
The historical pattern and layout of Dubuque's downtown remains readily apparent today. Four main
streets, running southwest to the northeast, dominate the plat. The terrace or plateau that comprises the
downtown is pushed eastward by intervening bluffs, stopping Locust, never a commercial street, at 10th,
terminating Main Street at 17th, and forcing Center Street to jog eastward at 18th Street. From west to east, Main
and Iowa streets were the commercial/retail streets. Iowa south of 8th was a jobbing and warehousing venue.
Clay (now Central) was the location for the earliest hotels, public and institutional buildings (city hall, the
courthouse, schools, markets), and residences, the latter increasingly predominating as one ventured north.
White, Jackson and Washington streets were industrial below 11 th Street, and residential north of that line.
There were two industrial concentrations which survive today, the principal one bounded by 6th Street, 10th
Street, Highway 61, and Jackson Street, and a lesser one bounded by Maple, 18th, Washington and 15th streets.
The fIrst downtown actually directly influenced the fIrst city plat. There was a 64-feet long row of
stores and the row fronting it was 64 feet distant. The resulting lots measured a convenient 64 feet so as to not
disturb these pre-existing buildings and the resulting blocks containing four such lots on a front, measured 256
feet in length (Horton, pp. 15-16).
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" .. · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
PhaseS Tapa Map
Legend
Streets
Phase 3.shp
Contours
Figure 1: Survey area topographical map (two-feet contours)
Figure 1 defmes the survey area boundaries and illustrates the narrowness of the terrace upon which the
downtown developed. Simply put, the closer the contour lines are, the steeper the is the land surface. This is
particularly apparent towards the south end of the survey. The left of center appendage is Julien Avenue or 8th
Street.
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Phase m Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Phase 3
Sewer Map
Phase 3 Sewer
" 18.89
1890
, 1891
~ 1>894
· .. 1902 - 1905
Parcels
Streets
Figure 2: Summary Sewer Construction Map, 1889-1905
This study presented an opportunity to measure the impact of sewer line service on new construction.
Figure 2 summarizes the provision of key alleyway lateral sewer lines beginning in 1889. The study determined
that to a large extent the areas serviced by the new sewer system were already developed when the lines were
built. There is some indication that rebuilding or enlargement did follow and some empty lots indeed were
developed or other buildings enlarged immediately after the parcels received the service. The key historical
development was the provision of adequate water service from Eagle Point beginning in 1899. A 20 inch main
was laid from the water works on the Point to Jones Street, a distance of three miles, and the work took two
months to complete. The provision of adequate water and water pressure did much to facilitate the enlargement
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Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
of factories and the jobbing interests and provided enhanced fire-fighting resources as well (Sewer records,
Telegraph, May 13, June 7, 17, August 2, 1899).
Fifth Street was the northern boundary of Dubuque in general as of 1836. The town plat consisted of
four principal and seven cross streets (1 st to 7th, Locust to Clay streets). One building headcount that year tallied
three churches, 50 stores, 55 dwellings, and one river warehouse
The town of Du Buque is... built on a level prairie, which rises about fifteen
feet above high-water mark, and it from a half-mile to a mile in width, from the
river to the bluff, and about two miles in length. There are already surveyed,
thirty-five blocks, which are sub-divided into two hundred and eighty town lots,
all of which are occupied by houses and gardens. The village contains about
two hundred and fifty buildings of different descriptions; among which are
fifteen dry goods stores. . .
Dubuque Visitor, May 11, 1836
This was very remarkable growth, given that legal settlement in the area dated from 1833. Early growth was
first challenged by the national 1837 financial panic or crash. The single local bank never suspended specie
trade, but did begin the issuance of paper script or post notes. The impact of the panic continued to be felt into
the early 1840s. In 1840 the Iowa News briefly ceased publication and the local sawmill dissolved in May. Two
all-stone buildings went up in early 1837 and the downtown included a bank (the only one west of the
Mississippi River it was claimed), 30 stores, a lyceum, two academies, a reading room, printing office, coffee
house, several billiard rooms and the first elegant mansions. I The first brick houses, three in number, were built
in 1837-38 (1880 History, pp. 518-22; Oldt, pp. 51-52, 55, 59-69).
Figure 3: 1846 lithograph of Dubuque (1. W. Wild, Center for Dubuque History) (the numbers denote 1, the first
Cathedral, 2 the Julien Hotel, 3, the Methodist Church and 4, the first county courthouse)
The original downtown clustered along Main between 1 st and 3rd streets as of 1840. Jesse Farley's brick
store was the only exception among the frame buildings. The latter were gable front designs, "the reverse of
ornament architecturally speaking." The 300-odd residences also "possessed little in that respect" and were
largely confined to the area between the bluffs and Iowa, apparently staying well west of the lower area closer to
the wetlands and river. The homes were of log or frame construction save for just three bricks, all laid up in
1837-38. The northward march of the recognized business district began during the summer of 1846 when
lOne curiosity about Dubuque is the small number of all-stone buildings that can be documented. There was a strong local
vernacular tradition for using stone in basements, foundations, as sills and lintels, and in retaining walls, but there was little
apparent interest in all-stone buildings. Those that were built tended to be liveries, out-buildings or industrial plants.
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Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Lucius H. and Edward Langworthy raised up a brick block on Main between 5th and 6th streets. "The location
may have been regarded as distant from the center of trade at the time, but their judgement [sic] has been
approved for many years" (1880 history, pp. 522-23, 525; Oldt, p. 148).2
The first public market houses were established by an 1842 municipal ordinance. The first actual
market house was built on 5th between Main and Locust. By 1854 it was replaced by two full market blocks, 5th
between Main and Bluff streets, and Locust between 4th & 6th streets. An unofficial grain market occupied 1 st
Street between Main and Locust streets and it was officially sanctioned in 1860, being moved to Main between
1 st and Jones streets. Similarly, an unofficial hay market was in operation on 14th Street and in 1854, it was
regulated to 6th, between Iowa and Clay streets, and a year later, to Clay, between 7th and 8th streets. The meat
market disappeared by the middle 1850s. A series of Ward-based market areas were established in 1856. Most
notable was the Fourth Ward or Central Market, Clay between 12th and 13th streets, represented by the present
day City Hall, which had its origin as a combination public market, municipal building and public hall. These
markets died off in the 1880s, falling victim to the competition of private stores (Lyon, p. 286).
By 1848, the town's residential area was defined on its northern end by 13th Street. The northern
reaches of Main Street were land marked by Pat Norton's row or rookery, a frame tenement block. Well to the
north, the Couler Valley could already boast its first brewery and Charles Rose was operating the One Mile
House, a tavern, so there were scattered buildings well north of the downtown (1880 history, pp. 526-27).
The 1849 business house tally was 22 stores, five blacksmith shops, three cooperages, three carriage and
wagon makers, two gunsmiths and two liveries. The economic shadows of the 1837 fmancial panic still
lingered. The town's prospects were described as being "flat, stale and unprofitable." Things had worsened
during the late 1840s. It was then noted "with them [the late 1840s] once more departed the prosperity which
had for several years previous coquetted in Dubuque." Even lead mining was reduced to intermittent bursts of
endeavor and success. There would be no substantial success with lead digging until 1855. A major cause for
this economic faltering was the cessation of emigration. Area farmlands actually diminished, particularly as
farmers decided that the gold fields held out more promise than did their already planted crops. "Property in the
city became unmarketable and residents wore an aspect of gloom and disappointment, for the times were hard
and money scarce, and little remained to encourage the hope which theretofore been indulged, that the
probationary period of the city's existence had passed (Childs, pp. 88-89; 1880 history, pp. 527-28)."
A year later, 1850, "dullness reigned supreme" and there had been "no building of consequence in
years." The gold fever had spent its force by year's end however, and in early 1851 the city was awarded the
federal land office. Emigration resumed, disappointed gold aspirants returned and things began to look up for
the town. As a comparative baseline, the tally for all new buildings in 1850 was just 50. This figured doubled
in 1852, by which time the first major street grading effort was underway (ibid., p. 528; Childs, pp. 92, 108).
The first hard surfaced (Macadamized) street paving was laid in 1853, Main Street, between 5th and 6th.
Half of the cost was borne by the city. During the next two years, Main between 1 st and 8th streets, and the vital
8th Street/Julien Avenue were paved. The first municipal Board of Trade was formed September 28, 1854.
New buildings of 1854 included a new hotel, bank and several business blocks. New residences in-filled
previously vacant blocks (Childs, pp. 121, 123; Lyon, p. 102; 1880 history, p. 530).
The Dubuque business census of 1855 is both large and diverse. The mix is reflective ofa growing
urban center that was providing both basic services and fancy goods and entertainment:
2 The three brick residences were at Iowa and 17th (Leroy Jackson, extant 1880), southeast comer Iowa and 12th (James
Langworthy), "tom away years ago", and the northeast comer White and 14th (Edward Langworthy, extant 1880).
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" . .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase 01 Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Dry Goods firms 41 Jewelry/watches 9 Iron stores 2
Grocers 32 Banks 4 Hardware/cutlery 7
Drug stores 8 Hotels 12 Stove/tin stores 10
Crockery/glass 2 Boarding Houses 48 Liquor store 1
Clothing stores 18 Printing 6 Saddle/harness 4
Boots and Shoes Books/stationery 4 Wagon Makers 12
stores 12 Book Binding 2 Plow makers 2
shops 16 Insurance 12 Paint shops 6
Fruit/confections 10 Millinery/dressmaker 14 Tin shops 8
Furniture 8 Tailor 21 Flour mills 2
Barbers 7 Bakeries 8 Saw mills 3
Tobacco/Cigars 7 Beer houses 13 Iron foundries 2
Drinking saloons 10 Liveries 9 Brass foundries 1
Billiard saloons 5 Dentists 2 Sash/blind!doors 4
Eating saloons 6 Daguerrean Studios 2 Planing mills 4
Ball Alleys 3 Auction houses 8 Lath mill 1
Toys/Fancy Goods 6 Seed! Agriculture 2 Breweries 5
Stage Barn 2 Lumber yards 5 Marble yards 4
Stone yards 3 Stage offices 2 Land offices 1
Land agencies 24 Law offices 28 Medical offices 16
Cooper shops 5 Smelting furnaces 2 Pork packers 2
Blacksmiths 21 Gunsmiths 2 Locksmiths 2
Finally add to this impressive list two fire companies, a gas works, a vineyard, post office and a telegraph office,
and one gets a comprehensive sense of the commercial and industrial sectors of the city (Herald, December 1,
1856).
This first explosion of downtown growth was anticipating the arrival of the railroad. The 1855
approach of the lllinois Central
.. . gave a new impetus to business and stimulated enterprise. Real estate once more ascended
the plane of value; lots in the suburbs were sold at so much per front foot, and property in the
business portion of the city could scarcely be obtained at any price.
German emigration began and the Couler Valley area was substantially developed. Agricultural prices were
unprecedented.
These were the prosperous days of a golden age for Dubuque. The best times of record, or
within the memory of the proverbial oldest inhabitants, occurred between 1853 and 1858.
By year's end (1855), the railroad was delivering half of all merchandise imported into the city as well as "the
greater portion of the emigration and travel from the east." As a result Dubuque could now boast that it had "by
far out-stripped any other city or town in Iowa, in point of business, population or commerce. By the end of
1857, the importance of rail shipments was even greater, as upriver heavy freight was by then being unloaded
from steamboats at Cairo, lllinois, from which point it completed its northward journey via the lllinois Central
Railroad, and Dubuque was the transportation depot for everything that was entering the vast region to the north
and northwest. The river remained vital and enabled Dubuque "command, in a great measure, the trade of
Minnesota territory." The railroad enabled Dubuque to finally compete with Galena, the historical market
center of the region (ibid.; Tribune, January 5, 1858; 1880 history, p. 530).
The emergence of a brick business district dates to the middle-1850s. The year 1855 was one of
"unprecedented prosperity" and three local brickyards made possible a more permanent commercial
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Phase m Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
architecture. Frame storefronts were sent tumbling northward, clogging the streets, to make way for the new
blocks which began to arise in 1855-56. The Herald boasted that "the number of brick blocks to be built this
season [1856] is three times greater than in any former year." The downtown contained a dozen hotels, six of
the first class, and 48 boarding houses. Downtown growth was further propelled, during 1856, by the linkage of
the inner slough and the lower levee. During 1855 several substantial wholesale business blocks were built
along Iowa Street, the beginning of a wholesale trade sector and one that would set the commercial tone of
lower Iowa Street (Commercial Report---1854 & 1855, pp. 7, 9, 14; Republican, September 1, 1856; Herald,
December 20, 1855; May 21, 1856).
. . . The rapid increase of the population of Dubuque, and the great increase in
the Commercial and Mechanical departments, renders it actually necessary for
our men of capital to turn their attention to the building interests of our city, so
as to be able to have stores and dwelling houses to supply the demands, which
are daily made. We venture to assert that Dubuque will double her present
population in the next two years, if we can have places for the accommodation
of the new comers who are daily pouring into our city.
Republican, February 28, 1856
One major "might have been" in Dubuque's downtown development was the hoped for extension of the
city center eastward to the Mississippi River. The Herald predicted "the lots on these improvements must and
will be very valuable as the heavy commercial business of Dubuque must and will be done on the main channel
of the river." Three separate harbor improvement syndicates were established by the city during the mid-1850s.
The northernmost, the Dubuque Harbor Improvement Company, actually produced a plat in early 1858 of its
promised raised real estate, a plan that included public and market squares. It also secured the landmark shot
tower, designed in an obelisk form, as a riverfront monument and landmark for the promotion of its long-term
scheme. In the end, the development companies produced two riverfront clusters of warehouses and filled
considerable slough acreage along their respective street extensions. The greatest legacy was the churning out
of paper script and the syndicates largely fell victim to the financial panic of 1857. The downtown failed to
develop on the new land to the east but space was made available for future lumberyards and factories
(Jacobsen, George W. Rogers Company Shot Tower, p. 34; Herald, December 1, 1856).
Another downtown paving project, Main Street, between 8th and 14th streets, using crushed blue
limestone, and was completed in 1856 and reflected the inevitable northward gravitation of the commercial
center. An 1853 fire prompted the authorization of frre fighting companies on July 17, 1854. Three volunteer
companies formed between 1854 and 1857. A disastrous fire on May 27, 1859 destroyed a four-store block that
housed the theater, Post Office and the Odd Fellows Hall. This setback followed by four months the
organization of the first voluntary fire company. No frre fighting technology of the time could have
extinguished a blaze of that magnitude, but frre resistant construction would have helped. Still it wasn't until
1869 that a downtown fire district, mandating stone or brick construction, was established (Horton, 35-36;
Weekly Express and Herald, November 27, 1856; Oldt, p. 127).
Wholesale Merchants.---We have now in Dubuque wholesale mercantile houses
in every department of trade that is required by country merchants, and we
cannot, in justice to the enterprising men, who have so successfully established
such business houses, and to our country readers, neglect to assure all country
merchants living within the range of Dubuque trade, that this city now offers
them advantages for replenishing their stock equal to Chicago, S1. Louis, or,
indeed any other city. This is particularly true of the articles required in the
country trade, considering also the time and expense of going farther east or
south to make purchases. . .
Daily Republican, August 10, 1857
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Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Figure 4: 1858 overview (Ballou's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion, October 24,1858)
The original city boundaries included 164 acres, and that area ranged from just below Dodge Street on
the south to just above 1 th Street to the north. The bluffs to the west formed the western boundary. In 1847 the
city was extended to the northeast, but it wasn't until 1853 that a substantial expansion occurred, increasing the
municipal acreage to 7,000 acres, and extending the city east to the Mississippi River (Childs, pp. 109-10).
"CORNER OF THE TOWN."-The locality of this point has been somewhat
changed since 1837 by the extension of the city property, as well as of its
corporate limits. Since the date named the comer of the town has been moved
some two miles up the river. The Iowa News of June 3d, 1837 locates it by
reference to a notice of the first steam saw-mill in Dubuque thus: Messrs.
Engle, Booth & Co. are now erecting a large steam saw-mill in a comer of the
town near the river.
This was at the foot of Sixth Street. The area now included within the present
limits of the city is, we believe, about twice that of the city of Boston.
Republican, August 24, 1857
Central to the expansion of the Dubuque downtown was the emergence of an impressive wholesale
trade. This development reflected the city's newly acquired role as a forwarding and commissioning base,
integral to the settlement of the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Much of this market growth was likely up-
river rather than inland. The following account appears to support that fact, given the hint that inland merchants
could also avail themselves of wholesale services in the city:
WHOLESALE MERCHANTS.-We have now in Dubuque wholesale mercantile houses in
every department of trade that is required by country merchants, and we cannot in justice to the
enterprising men who have so successfully established such business houses, and to our country
readers, neglect to assure all country merchants living within the range of Dubuque trade, that
this city now offers them advantages in replenishing their stock equal to Chicago, St. Louis, or,
indeed, any other city. This is especially true of the articles required in a country trade,
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Phase III Architectural and'Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
considering also the time and expense of going farther east or south to make purchases
(Republican, August 10, 1857).
By mid-I 858, the Herald reported that both country merchants and Dubuque retailers were beginning to
recognize the cost savings of using local wholesalers. Dubuque was "a great depot of merchandise." We
venture to assert that Dubuque will double her present population in the next two years, if we can have places
for the accommodation of the new comers who are daily pouring into our city." In early 1863, the Herald
recounted how "a leading merchant of an interior town" who was en route for Chicago to buy goods had found a
Dubuque firm with better wholesale prices than could be had in Chicago. The newspaper took the Opportunity
to cajole merchants to offer similar pricing advantages and to advertise (in the Herald) then "the trade of the
interior could rapidly be concentrated at Dubuque (Herald, February 28, 1856; May 5, 1858; April 16, 1863)."
Dubuque was once a town of a large retail business, but since the railroad has
been extended on west of that place, the business of the city has been much
changed, and now wholesaleing constitutes no inconsiderable part of the
business will increase as capital accumulates, and ere many years, Dubuque
will become what Chicago now is.
Times (copying West Union Era) May 24, 1863
The country trade reached the city via Julien Avenue/8"' Street, and that cross street emerged by 1855 as
a key and distinct commercial node. Its commercial importance was noted as early as 1840, at which time the
street was straightened. Like all uphill roads in the city, Julien turned into a spillway when heavy rains fell.
Beginning in 1838, these floodwaters, coming down Julien, devastated the properties to the south along Locust
Street. The Herald observed in late 1855 that".. . there has been a very marked change in the business
appearance of the Avenue this year and a year ago not a single store of any kind-not even a meat stall was
found upon it. Now there are no less than 12 stores of all kinds..." Seven new stores were then under
construction. Stores ranged up to the top of the hill to the west. In response to this growth, the massive Lorimer
Hotel was built on the northwest comer of Bluff and 8th, and before long, a solid array of storefronts lined 8th, to
the west of Main Street. (Iowa News, May 29, 1841; Herald, December 13, 1855).
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Phase In Architectural a,nd II~torical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
JULIEN A VENUE. This is one of the most important streets in the city. It is really astonishing
to see the numerous improvements that are being made within a very short time. It is through
this great thoroughfare that farmers west of us find their way to our market with their grain and
produce. It is one continued scene of business and activity, from early mom till night. Large
emigrant trains are constantly moving to the beautiful and splendid country west of us, through
this great channel. Many stores and public buildings have been erected within the year past, and
three times the number are already in process of erection. Peter Lorimer, Esq. of this city, an
old and much respected citizen and a gentleman of abundant means, is building seven stories,
the foundations of which are laid; also a very large hotel commenced, which when completed,
will be second to none in the great west. Then there is the Odd Fellows Hall, near the comer of
Locust street which will be a significant struCture of the most imposing architectural design
when finished. . .
Republican, July 19, 1856
It is more than probable that two general factors influenced the southward location and development of
the downtown. The first was transportation, proximity to the early levees and the developing railroads. The
second, was direct access to the country retail trade, largely captured from the west via Julien A venue.
Figure 6: Main Street, 1858, view north from below 2" Street (Ballou)
The double storefront at front right still stands on Main Street and 2nd.
Reflective of the northward impulse of the larger city was the provision of a combination city hall and
market hall "in the very center of the city" below 13th, between Clay and Iowa streets. Another critical decision
had greater bearing on the downtown proper, that being where to put the town clock? The Herald derided those
who favored placing on the Lorimer Hotel, advising that the clock needed a loud enough clapper to be heard
"all over town," a feature that wouldn't be well received by sleepless hotel inmates. It recommended the tower
of the new Congregational Church, which "was in a central position. . .near the new Post Office." This would
have been at 10th and Locust, and the idea likely reflected the same thinking that placed the City Hall at 13th
Street. The Times favored the Lorimer site and its owner's magnanimous offer, "inasmuch as the location is the
most central and the best site spoken of" Another northward progression, was the series of three successive
German socia] hall buildings. The first Germania Hall went up on Main between 2"d and 3'" streets in the ] 850s.
...Main Street is the principal business street. Dry goods, groceries, bankers,
&c., is about one and a half miles long, and were it not for its new appearance,
you would think, when it is lit with gas, that you were in some old city...
A St. Louis Opinion of Dubuque, Times, September 4, 1857
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" .. . the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
The second hall was at Clay and 12th, the last at Main and 9th streets. The Herald noted the disappearance of the
wooden stores on Main Street. "One by one these old relics of the early settles will be removed and the
improvements will in a few years scarcely leave a trace of the early architecture of Dubuque" (Herald, April 1,
1856; February 11, 1857; September 25, 1857; Times, September 4, 1857; Hawgood, pp. 22-39).
The years 1856-57 were years of record new construction. Recalling the 50 buildings raised up in 1850,
the total for 1856 was 502, and that of 1857 was 378. These numbers naturally enumerated virtually every new
outbuilding that went up in the city or close to it, but buried within these counts were very substantial and
architecturally important buildings. Increasingly, brick was dominant in commercial construction, and played
an important role in residential buildings. The building lists (see list, below) document the claim that these were
the golden years of Dubuque's early development. The Republican enjoyed the envious "assertive squibs" of
nearby city editors, jealousy "called forth by no higher motive than envy, reminds us of the fact that there are
some buildings in Dubuque of which any Western city might well be proud." New buildings included three
massive new brick schools, a central market building, a massive Odd Fellows Hall, three new churches, and
three new hotels, all totaling over a million in expenditures, according to the newspaper. Also worth noting
were the substantial municipal improvements which were required. Ten miles of sidewalk, and eight of curbing,
were credited to 1857 alone (Oldt, p. 123; Republican, September 5, 1857).
Main Street Improvements: -- In the course of a few weeks this street will
present as fine an appearance as any street in the most flourishing cities of the
East, so far as the streets and pavements are taken into consideration, and in
many respects in the way of handsome private residences, public Hotels and
wholesale and retail business houses. By the close of the Fall season a number
of other improvements will be completed, which will greatly add to its present
beauty .
Buildings on this street have been erected as if by magic-what was a vacant
lot but yesterday, is to-day ornamented with a brick or stone edifice. Old
shanties have been pulled down and new houses substituted in their stead;
showing conclusively that our capitalistic and business men have awakened
from their Rip Van Winkle slumber and discarded their old dogma notions of
getting rich upon the forty per cent rule-they have entered upon a new life
refreshed with the progressive spirit of Young America, which of late has taken
hold of them - a change has come over the spirit of their old foggy dreams, and
with a hop, skip, and a jump they have left their old forty per cent associates to
gaze upon their money safes and gloat over their riches, while they ride on in
the great progressive car - adding new life and vigor to the Key City of the
Valley of the great Mississippi River. Main street, which extended only to the
inner Slouth is now carried out to the main channel, new lots in that vicinity are
being formed, and the waters of the Slough in the range of the street are rapidly
disappearing through the influences of the industrious cartmen who are hourly
dumping their loads of dirt into the Slough, which they bring from the high and
lofty Bluffs standing leeward in such bold relief west of the river. Travelers
who have returned to our city after an absence of two years look with
astonishment at the great improvements which have been made upon this street,
to say nothing of other parts of the city which have undergone as great a change
as Main street. That strangers should be struck with the improvement which
Dubuque has sustained is not to be wondered at when we take into consider-
ation that this is the great centre of trade for the vast extent of country
extending west and north as far as civilization extends
Republican, September 1, 1856.
14
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
During 1857, the tide of emigration that Dubuque had long depended upon, largely dried up, as the Iowa
railroad land grants briefly withdrew that state's lands from public sale. The year was otherwise a disaster for
the city and its developing downtown, as the following summary account describes:
In a business, as well as in a political point of view, the year 1857 has been a remarkable one.
Many circumstances apparently conspired to embarrass and retard the progress and trade of our
city during the entire year. In the first place the months of January, February, March and a
portion of April, were a season of unexampled cold. The severity of the weather during this
period will long be remembered. So terrible it was, that it retarded and almost totally destroyed
the usual winter trade of the country north, west and south of this city, which is tributary to
Dubuque. Scarcely was this long and dreary winter fairly over, and the busy season of seed
time and harvest passed, when the money crisis, which has convulsed the whole nation, came
upon us. The effect of that calamity upon the trade of our city is yet too palpable and too
severely felt to require description. But it is no exaggeration to say that from the two causes
which we have mentioned, alone, the trade and progress of Dubuque has been retarded at least
50 per cent.
The shadow of the financial panic of 1857, which struck city and nation in mid-August as this account notes,
would linger into the late 1870s. The 1860 total assessment, real and personal, was just 54 percent of the pre-
panic total. As late as 1879, the total value of Dubuque property was still below that of 1857! The panic
devastated many Dubuquers financially, there were many business failures and many important projects, not the
least of which was the broad scale eastward expansion or relocation of the downtown, were defeated. Still,
unlike many cities, Dubuque continued to build and grow at an impressive scale (Tribune, January 5,1858; 1880
history, p. 534; Oldt, p. 123).
Figure 7: W. J. Gilbert Lithograph, 1860
W. J. Gilbert ran a local bookstore and had the above drawing prepared by artist H. W. Petit. Gilbert
first displayed the actual pencil drawing in his shop, to promote orders and to encourage businesses and
community leaders to pay extra to add their properties around the margin of the finished lithograph (the
architectural section of this report contains the business home images). The finished copies were sold for a
dollar. The image nicely depicts how both the downtown and residential city were closely clustered. The Jones
Street or lower levee is at far left. The river proper is well east of the city, the intervening area being in filled by
sloughs and channels (Herald, March 16, 23, 1860).
The downtown 100 percent location, that is to say the location of the most expensive downtown parcels,
is always marked by where the banking houses cluster.
15
" · .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
HOW THE GLORY OF 1857 HAS DEPARTED-In passing around town and
seeing now and then an empty building, once filled with goods, or occupied
four or five years ago by some man who ran his pecuniary race of folly or
extravagance, we are reminded of the contrast between the flush times of 1856-
7 and the dullness of 1861-2. A true history of some of the "concerns" that
have wound themselves up here, would convey a very instructive lesson on
prudence and economy. Dubuque is not alone among the cities of Iowa in a
sort of general bankruptcy. Indeed, it is better off than any of her sister river
cities.. .
Herald, August 10, 1861
A major improvement for the city and particularly the downtown, was the southward extension of
Southern Avenue, over Cavanaugh Hill, in 1861. It was rated "one of the best improvements" for several years
and fostered rural trade from that direction. One substantial municipal service that was lacking was a municipal
gas or waterworks. As late as 1861 it was reported that just a dozen homes in the city had indoor water,
presumably pumped directly from basement cisterns (Oldt, pp. 138, 140).
As of 1862, the downtown was firmly ensconced along Main between 1 st and 9th streets, the highest
commercial address listed being 231 Main (the streets were roughly numbered in 25-count sequences (see
Figure 8 below). Indicative of the outer reaches of this end of Main, the "Uptown Drug Store" was at 172 Main
Gust south of 7th and Main). Three hotels, the Julien (2nd), Key City (3rd) and Peosta (4~ were centered within
the downtown. Exceptions were the massive Lorimer Hotel, at Bluff, and 8th, the Graffort Hotel, 2nd and Bluff,
and the Iowa Hotel, at 8th and Iowa streets. Outside of the downtown, there were two meat markets along
Locust, between 4th and 5th. There was a homeopathic drugstore at 7th and Locust. There were three liveries, all
off of Main, on 4th west of Main, on Iowa between 4th and 5th, and at Iowa and 9th. There was a restaurant on 7th
between Main and Iowa, another at Clay and 9th, and two groceries on Clay north of 7th and White, north of 6th.
Serving the then north end of town, there were two developing commercial clusters, Main between 10th and 12th
and the northern end of Clay. Along the former there were three boots and shoes makers, four dressmakers, four
sewing machine dealers, a sack manufacturer and two architect/builders, J. F. Rague and William Rebman. On
Clay, there were three scattered firms, Henry Ziepprecht's drugstore on the west side of Clay above 13th, a
grocery on Clay between 14th and 15th and a billiard saloon on the comer of Clay and 14th streets. The
northernmost businesses on Clay and Main represented the earliest northward migration of non-residential land
uses. The Main Street numbering started northward from First Street and nothing of consequence was listed
south of First. Landmark blocks that were listed included Malony's Block, at 3rd and Main, the Globe Building,
at 5th and Main, and the Sanford Block, which, at 8th and Main marked the north end of the downtown proper.
Attorneys' offices were all located north of 5th and Main, as were the banks, two of which were at Main and 6th
(the State Bank ofIowa was between 3rd and 4~. The post office was at 7th and Main. Curiously most groceries
were located along the west side of Main. Boarding houses were all on Main south of 3rd (Daily Times, January
3, 1862).
The filling of Jones Street, between Main Street and the lower levee, was undertaken in mid-1863. This
massive effort was the beginning of a larger filling process that allowed the downtown to expand to the south
and east. Clay Street was finally hard surfaced that same year (Herald, April 22, May 8, 1863).
One of the findings of the multiple property study was that Dubuque's economy suffered from an under-
developed retail sector. The principal cause for this was the city's geographical isolation to the west, and the
delay in obtaining bridge connections to the east across the Mississippi River. Some retail growth was enjoyed
during the late 1850s when the wholesale trade had similarly increased. Bad roads and "some other
circumstances" (that is the Panic of 1857-58) were blamed on blocking Jackson County trade to the south "for
several years" as of early 1861. It was reported that one merchant from Maquoketa had returned to the city for
the first time in four years. The Herald urged that good roads were needed "that trade may be invited here as
was the case a few years ago when the prosperity of Dubuque was so rapidly increased by means of trade from
16
" .. · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
the country." The war and the development of competing local urban centers upstream and inland from
Dubuque, further weakened the retail sector, as the following account from the West Union Era indicates:
Dubuque was once a town of large retail business, but since the railroad has been extended on
west of that place, the business of the city has much changed, and now wholesaleing constitutes
no inconsiderable part of the business done at that place. This business will increase as capital
accumulates, and ore many years Dubuque will become what Chicago now is (Era copied in the
Times, May 24, 1863).
The Herald recounted a story of "a leading merchant of an interior town" who, having missed his train
for Chicago, had an opportunity to learn that he could completely fill his stock needs at lower prices in
Dubuque than in the East. The newspaper enjoined other merchants to structure their prices so as to
capture similar trade. As late as the fall of 1865, it was generally acknowledged that "the real future
prosperity of Dubuque lies in the wholesale trade" (Herald, April 4, 1861, April 16, 1863; Oldt, p. 157).
.~~~,
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Figure 8: 1865 downtown business guide (Annual Directory, 1865)
(the southern half of the downtown appears in the right-half of the image)
17
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase In Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
:"'~""""
As Figure 8 indicates, the downtown of 1865 was fairly decentralized in its arrangement of businesses,
yet patterns were already in place. The 1 00 percent comer was likely at 6th and Main where two of three banks
clustered. The larger dry goods firms and grocery houses were north of 5th Street, while hardware, agricultural
implements, liquor dealers, and leather goods tended to be below 5th. Below 2nd most of the addresses are
shown as empty, perhaps those businesses failed to pay their advertising subscription for the directory? Hotels
and liveries were off of Main, and the main railroad depot was at the foot of Main Street. Fifty gas street lights
were approved for Main Street in December 1865. The frrst street light, fueled by coal-generated gas, was lit on
January 19, 1865. The war years left the downtown with a deficit in store rooms and James Kelly, who was
building a new store on lower Main, had a dozen applicants for it before he could finish it. The Herald reported
"there is not a vacant store on Main street fit to do business in" as of mid-year. Main Street was also in
deplorable condition as of the early fall of 1866, filled with potholes and ruts. The Herald lauded belated
repairs to the McAdam surfacing, noting "Main Street should be the best thoroughfare in the city, as it is
traveled more than any other" (Oldt, pp. 155, 159; Herald, July 20, 1865; September 12, 1866).
It wasn't until 1864 that the famous town clock was finally a reality, placed atop the Wood & Luke
store, later the John Bell store, at what is now 823 Main. The clock and former church collapsed in 1872 and
the present block and tower were immediately rebuilt on the same site. Curiously this same stretch of Main
would witness the construction of the tallest downtown buildings in the next century. The clock was important
in an age where there was yet no standard time zones, and the new clock "is to be recognized s the standard time
for the city." Another change also made in 1864 was the relocation of the office of the Surveyor General, which
was relocated to Locust and 7th streets, a location "more convenient to the business portion of the city. For now,
the banks conservatively stuck closer to 5th Street. A year later, the State National Bank built a new building on
that comer after removing the Farmers Home hotel which dated to 1834. The comer was said to be, with the
addition of the bank, "one of the important comers in the financial and business community" (Herald, August
17, 18, September 5, 24, 1864).
The age of progress makes it necessary that old, dilapidated buildings should
give way to larger and more modem structures.
Herald, July 12, 1865
Gas generated from coal was first produced in Dubuque on January 19, 1865 and by year's end, the city
boasted 50 gas streetlights, 23 of which were distributed along Main Street. During 1866 "immense
improvements" were made on sewers and streets but there was still no municipal water service. A massive
water source was provided in 1864 when a spring was opened on Kaufman Street. A 20-year franchise for the
Dubuque Water Company was approved in 1870 and principal mains were laid along alleyways the next year
(Oldt, pp. 155, 159).
Looking Up.---Business of every description in on the increase and our streets
daily present a thronged appearance. Many of our largest wholesale merchants
are receiving stocks of goods from the east, and nearly every store of any
pretensions is literally barricaded with bales and boxes. Many country
merchants are also in the city, selecting their fall and winter stocks, and from
their heavy orders we should judge that they anticipate a heavy run of
customers. The demand from the western counties for woolens, domestics, and
all staple goods is largely on the increase, and the consumption of these articles
this fall will be far greater than that of any previous year.
Herald, September 5, 1866
18
"... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Saloons.-Main street will soon be lined with saloons from one end to the
other. Two more are about being opened, one next door to Greenwald's, and
another where Raymond Bros., formerly held forth. The latter, we learn will be
a saloon and restaurant.
Herald, September 29, 1868
The first horse-drawn streetcar service began in 1867 and the operators were content to link the Jones
Street levee ferry with the Couler Valley and the county fairgrounds to the north, the intervening lines running
the length of the downtown. The lines ran along Main Street up to 13th, then Clay to 18th, a pattern that persisted
until the abandonment of the tracks. The car service became "useful and ornamental" only in 1872 when Julius
Graves and J. A. Rhomberg acquired the company (Oldt, p. 173; Lyon, pp. 202-03; 474-76).
Figure 9: West Eighth/Julien Avenue, viewed west from Locust Street, c.1905
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo FBL #3805)
Lorimer House is the tall building in the distant center.
Eighth/Julien was joined by 14th Street, as another key westward trade link, when the latter street was
opened to Bluff in 1870. Third Street was finally guttered and graded in late 1868, a reflection of development
on that key cross street. Mayor Sol Turck was lauded for his ability to cut through "the red tape of committees"
to get the work done. Within months newspapers were attacking the mayor for a growing municipal debt
(Herald, October 24, 1868).
The 1868 commercial firm headcount found 17 dry goods firms, 26 groceries, four hardware stores, five
drugstores, nine shoe and boot stores, and 14 clothing stores in the downtown (Oldt, p. 164).
19
"... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Figure 10: 600s block of Main, view north, c.I875
Note the Clock Tower beyond 8th at left, and the Sanford Block, to the right at th Street.
Figure 11: 600s Block Main, east side, view south, c.I875
20
"... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Figure 12: 1872 panoramic view to the north. Note the lower levee at far right.
The multiple property study determined that Dubuque is of special architectural interest because the city
weathered the several national financial panics better than comparable cities did. This meant that new buildings
were still being built in Dubuque at a time when construction virtually ceased elsewhere. A key Dubuque
advantage was its self-sufficiency in local capital. Other cities dependent on Eastern investors, were particularly
vulnerable when their bubbles burst. Dubuque was better able to match new construction with actual need it
would appear. This is not to say that the city was not impacted by each successive economic downturn, and as
the state's first city, failures of a substantial scale would have been expected.
The financial panic of 1873 is a case in point. The crisis started with Chicago banks on September 25,
and a day later, Dubuque's largest bank, Merchants National, suffered a heavy run on its deposits and shut its
doors. Dubuque Savings Bank was also crippled due to the abuses of two of its officers. The other banks
survived and local fears of a repeat of 1857 were relieved. Historian Oldt noted "many businessmen lost heavily
and some failures resulted." The 1880 history saw the downtown as a good thing:
The panic of 1873, cannot, in the light of its effects, be properly so designated. It was rather a
change of times. The rapid rate in which the American people had lived and transacted
business, could not hold out. Black Friday came as a warning of the punishment that followed
quickly in its wake, and the tight times which came in with the close of 1873 were simply in the
nature of an admonition that happier days were in store."
There were some signs of over expansion in the downtown however. The McCann Block, on Main between 4th
and 5th streets burned in 1871 and it wasn't until the end of 1872 that the ruin was finally removed and a new
building raised up (1880 history, p. 534, 529, 622-24, Oldt, pp. 173-74; Herald, November 24, 1872).
Indeed, the year 1873 witnessed the substantial infilling of a four block area east of the downtown by
the Dubuque Harbor Company. This $15,000 effort promised the elimination of "pestilential breeding holes of
fevers, chills and other disorders." The wetlands areas were "a serious impediment to the commercial interests
of the city" and it was promised that the new lands "will soon be covered with building blocks." Close to the
downtown, the alleyways between Main and Iowa, and Jones and the railroads, were filled at a cost of $21 ,500.
The work continued into 1874. A notable 1877 infilling was the elimination of a pond located along the C.D. &
M. Railroad, between 15th and 16th streets. One of the Langworthy's did the work, the pond being deemed "long
a nuisance" (Herald, November 24, 1874; May 17, 1877; Oldt, p. 177).
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During the year 187528 new business blocks were built.. The Board of Trade was reorganized on
January 8, 1876 and gained 150 members within two years. There was another market change in late 1876,
when the hay market was redirected to 1 st Street. Upper town residents protested, wanting it to be located on
14th between Clay and Iowa. City fathers considered First Street to be too busy for the hay dealers, given the
presence of hog dealers on the same street at the time (Oldt, p. 177; Lyon, p. 102; Nat. Demokrat, November 23,
1876).
The Times noted the passage of two frame cottages up Main Street, the buildings having been displaced
by new commercial construction and expansion (Times, April 21, 1877).
When the construction of a grand opera house was discussed in 1877, the Times reported an "almost
universal [opinion] in favor of the Opera House being located at least above Seventh Street, this being an
indication that the town center was gravitating northward. Nine years later a new telegraph office was
established in Perry Brothers Store on the west side of Main between 5th and 6th streets. The location was then
described as being "the best location in the business center of the city" (Times, May 2, 1877; Herald, _ 1886).
MAIN STREET.-Dubuquers are justly proud of their Main street, and it is
without question the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St.
Louis. Indeed, St. Louis has but few streets to outrank it. Dubuque's stereo-
scopic artist, Root, has just finished some admirable views of this street, taken
from a point near the Key City house...
Herald, June 5, 1881
The northward expansion of the downtown even out on to Eagle Point placed merchants well beyond
the convenient reach of downtown banking services. As early as 1883 John Fosselman, was the first "uptown"
merchant to provide as least a safe deposit service when he added a vault to his Eagle Point business. The
Herald noted "money is plenty in that part of the city, and as downtown banks are far away, a depository is
necessary for the convenience of businessmen." Fosselman wasn't starting a bank, but he apparently secured
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deposits and provided funds to that part of town. By 1887, the German Trust & Loan Bank was in the
impressive Bell Block, at Central and 13th, the first north-end bank to make the move. When the Kuntz Block
was completed on Central, across from the high school (12th and Central), it was described as being "in the heart
of the market." While this might be a reference to its proximity to the farmer's market that operated around the
city hall, it could also refer to the northward development of the downtown (Herald, July 19, August 18, 1883).
Figure 14: Main viewed north from 4t Street, pre-1873
Note two four-story two-storefront blocks present, those on the left at 425-37 Main survived until 1969.
The 1884 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map painstakingly details the extent and nature of downtown
Dubuque. A solidly developed, three-story high commercial downtown covered both sides of Main Street from
2nd through the southern end of 9th streets (the west side of Main below 2nd was also three-stories high). The east
side of Main was similarly built up as far north as 11 th Street. Three banks were on Main between 6th & th, but
two others were at 5th and Main, and the German Bank was between 3rd and 4th. Smaller businesses were north
ofth Street, while the big commercial houses were between 3rd and tho The A. A. Cooper Wagon Works was
on Main, at 3rd Street. Several large liveries and one major factory, the Glover Overall Factory, were on the east
side of Locust, between 4th and th streets. Industries, notably the Norwegian Plow Works, Chamberlain Plow
Works the gas company and the Illinois Central depot and freight depot, were south of the downtown, below 1 st
and Jones streets. East of the downtown proper, the A. Y. McDonald pump maker, the Dubuque Cabinet Maker
Association, a brewery, and the Key City Barrel factory, were along Iowa Street. Government buildings were
along Clay (Central), with the courthouse/jail at th and City Hall at 13th. The major sash and door companies
(Farley-Loetscher, Carr, Ryder, Austin, and the linseed oil mill and major lumberyards were all east of White
and north of th streets. Clay was only moderately commercial in its makeup and this was mostly true of its east
side (13th to 1 th streets). A curious presence was a pork packing house, at the southeast comer of the block
where city hall stood.
The year 1886 witnessed the growing importance of warehouse construction, the accelerated filling of
the sloughs, and the much-belated beginnings of adding a vehicular bridge over the Mississippi River. The
latter would transform the downtown by enhancing East 4th Street as a point of entry into the city and the
downtown specifically. The Herald noted new downtown construction, "In the mercantile region new
warehouses are built of splendid size and front; in the retail portion many new stores are erected, particularly on
Main and Clay streets and Couler avenue." The railroads were the prime agents in infilling the sloughs in front
of the city. The same source noted that the raised land "will be in constant use hereafter as railroad yards, for
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freight depots, storehouses and other uses. Another land filler was the lumber yards. The Herald reported "the
lumber mills have also reclaimed much other slough land with their mill refuse. It will not be many years before
the entire slough front from the railroad tracks to the river below East Seventh street will be all filled in (Herald,
September 26, 1886)."
Dubuque is fast obtaining a reputation for enterprise and industry unsurpassed
by any city, at least in the state of Iowa. She is gaining a reputation as enviable
to other cities of equal size as it is a pride to herself. The buildings that are
being erected are not mere skeletons in danger of falling at all times, like those
that can be found in most other places. Our city is also obtaining a good and
legitimate name throughout the east, and the result is that quite a number of
eastern capitalists are negotiating for the purchase of real estate and for the
erection of blocks of houses. It is a well known fact that for the past several
years, particularly during 1885 and 1886-the demand for dwellings and cheap
tenement houses has greatly exceeded the supply.
Herald, May 9, 1886
Commercially speaking, the years 1886-87 represented a real upturn for the downtown. Locals
discounted the arrival of a "boom" which they eschewed, favoring instead of "steady, sure growth." The gains
were credited to the construction of the vehicular river "High Bridge," and the merchants anticipated "the
increase of the city's retail and supply trade from the many farmers and others that the bridge will attract to
Dubuque as a market, and in the extension of business this will give to the jobbers." The Herald reported:
The business done in Dubuque in 1886 has been much better than that of several years past.
The jobbers nearly all report a satisfactory year's business. Not one reports the amount as any
less than that of 1885, while most have increased in volume and in dollars.. .The retailers have
done unusually well this last year and some are enthusiastic. The manufacturers report their
business as about the same as last year. They are gradually recovering from the low depression
that has prevailed everywhere. The new railroads will benefit them as well as the jobbers, and
the outlook for both is promising.
Herald, January 1, 1887
The business houses of the city have been doing a prosperous business this year more so than
for several years. Some have greatly extended their operation, enlarged their capacity and given
other signs of improvement and prosperity. The city's commercial operations and
manufacturing are undoubtedly extending and increasing, a very good accompaniment to go
with the opening of the High Bridge. Herald, November 27, 1887
1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886
$1,246,845 $1,488,700 $1,048,279 $903,600 $821,155 $1,026,301
$9,071,000 $10,139,412 $11,038,400 $9,986,000 $10,737,300 $10,955,999
$13,285,900 $17,490,680 $19,379,800 $16,489,000 $16,196,500 $15,723,000
$9,542,153 $10,158,176 $11,537,500 $9,457,000 $9,729,500 $9,267,300
$33,600 $10,700 $24,350 $24,000 $28,000 $80,000
$3,876,900 $4,819,638 $6,484,321 $6,259,817 $6,255,818 $7,238,031
$37,156,398 $44,097,315 $49,512,650 $43,119,419 $44,447,213 $44,290,621
Table 1: Dubuque's Economic Growth, 1881-86
(Herald, November 27, 1887)
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,,' "'., ). 1lI
1887 1888
$1,267,400 1,678,700$
$16,142,700 $18,737,300
$21,630,200 $25,196,500
$11,280,800 $15,729,300
$71,000 75,000$
$12,233,900 $13,962,758
$62,626,000 $77,379,558
Table II: Dubuque's Economic Growth, 1881-86, Continued
(Herald, November 27, 1887)
Table I traces the major financial sectors of the city between 1881 and 1886. The impact of the
depression of 1884-85 is obvious, particularly in the sharp decline in local building. Every sector was impacted,
particularly jobbing and its recovery was the slowest. Three other trends are apparent in these figures. Most
important is the comparatively minor role played by retail in the overall financial mix. It is possible that retail is
simply dwarfed by the stronger jobbing and manufacturing sectors, but given that this issue resurfaces in later
years, it is more probable that Dubuque's retail market was simply restricted by geography. A minor trend is the
resurgence of mining in the form of zinc rather than lead. The sudden leap in mining values, realized in 1886,
reflects the exploitation of zinc or dry bone, what had been a discarded waste product of lead mining. Finally, it
is the rapid growth of the service/professional sector over time that makes these numbers "knock" and without
this resiliency to the recession, the total figure for the city would have shown a decrease. The services figures
document the increased importance ofthis important sector (Herald, November 27, 1887).
Table IT carries the same trends through 1887-88. All of the sectors, apart from mining, simply
exploded to record levels. Manufacturing and jobbing figures are particularly impressive. Building figures also
soar. These figures and trends reflect the securing of several additional key railroads as well as the enhanced
jobbing and retail trade area that came with the new river bridge (ibid., December 23, 1888).
A real estate boom developed during the spring of 1887, said to have been the greatest since 1857.
Speculative downtown investing reflected the rapid growth of that area. The Herald observed "money has been
ready and eyes have been sharp in searching out bargains." The Commercial National Bank purchased the
comer of Sixth and Main streets and as a result "liberated considerable capital which was holding in the hands
of other parties for the purpose of buying it, and the holders have not been adverse to placing it elsewhere."
Transactions were not being made with the usual one-third payment but were sold for cash (Herald, March 13,
1887).
By the end of 1887, Dubuque was calling itself ''The Key City of the Northwest and the Chief City of
the State ofIowa." The city's manufacturing sector was "assuming gigantic proportions." Every factory was
"experiencing the greatest success; in fact, nearly all of them are rushed to their fullest capacity, some being far
behind in filling orders for their goods, such is the demand for them." The Herald noted that "not a single
failure is on record among the city's manufacturing interests." Jobbing firms numbered an impressive 250
companies with 200 traveling salesmen and 5,000 other employees (Herald, April 24, 1887).
By the end of 1888, the Herald could claim that Dubuque was doing the largest wholesale trade,
measured in volume, of any Iowa city. There were 85 wholesale firms employing 236 traveling men who
traveled "allover the northwest selling Dubuque 'goods," and employed 1,630 other workers. The
manufacturers headcount stood at 143 companies, employing 5,992 workers (Herald, December 23, 1888).
Streetcar service extensions influenced the expansion of the downtown. The Byrne Bros. property, at 8th
and Iowa was sought by a number of buyers in late 1889 but the owners held out, counting on the promised
impact of the electric motor line which was to pass it (Herald, December 4, 1889).
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Dubuque's Future:
It now begins to look as though Dubuque was about to break through the shell
of fogyism that has for years confined her powers and stunted her growth, and
forge its way to the front. A number of enterprises are now on foot, chief
among them an electric railway and the lighting of our streets and houses by
electric light. We fmd the young business men of our city seriously interested
in these enterprises--we find the fogies and moss covered money lenders
opposing them. This question now confronts Dubuque: "Shall we sit
complacently by and see our city outstripped by competitors, or shall we shake
off this lethargy, bid defiance to the chronic obstructionists, take advantage of
our many opportunities and resources, bid foreign capital come in and assist in
building up Dubuque, or remain stationery while the procession goes by and
leaves us in the rear?" Which horn of the dilemma shall we accept?
No city in Iowa has as much "home capital" available as Dubuque. This is an
acknowledged fact. No city in Iowa has as many manufactories-as large a
wholesale trade as Dubuque. No city in Iowa has as many natural advantages
as Dubuque. And yet we have not made the progress that other cities less
fortunately situated have made. Why? Simply because the capitalists of
Dubuque have positively refused to venture upon any enterprise calculated to
build up our city unless large and immediate returns were visible. . .
Weekly Ledger, October 12, 1889
Improve Main Street
I am glad to know that the city council is taking steps toward paving Main
street in a modem and satisfactory manner. The old cobble stones ought to be
taken off, and a smooth surface put on, and until that is done, those great
stevedore wagons should be kept off Main street as much as possible. The
heavy, loose-jointed concerns, with their chains dangling at the endboard, make
enough noise to drive a man crazy. Main street is in a bad condition. It doesn't
do any good to repair it with the present style of macadam. The heavy wagons
run[ning] over it keep it constantly out of order. In its present condition it
would be a disgrace to a country village.
Weekly Ledger, June 7, 1890
The 1891 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map depicted a maturing downtown. The area south ofthe downtown
was largely residential to the west but included a number of factories and warehouses. Locust was largely
commercial between 1 st and 3rd streets and the Glover factory had been joined by Ryder Wallis, a block north.
The Julian-8th street corridor remained an important commercial corridor and it was rapidly developing as a
substantial commercial street. The Lorimer House anchored its west end at Bluff Street. The vehicular bridge
across the Mississippi River had encouraged hotel development along 7th and 4th streets, east of downtown.
Downtown, the basic key buildings had changed little since 1884, save for the banks, which had dispersed
southward, with two banks on or near 3rd Street. The opera house was at 4th and Main. Two new commercial
nodes were developing, Iowa between 11 th and 13th streets, and Clay (Central) between 12th and 14th. The latter
development, clustered across from and north of City Hall, provided a substantial south-end anchor for the
growing Central Street commercial corridor. East of the downtown, a concentrated industrial node was fast
developing east of White, between 8th and 12th streets.
By mid-1891 record numbers of houses were being built across the city but downtown, "business
improvements have thus far been confined almost exclusively to remodeling, although some smaller new blocks
are under construction." Rumors abounded to the effect that eastern capitalists were purchasing Main Street real
estate, planning to erect a six-story office building at 6th & Main (the "lllinois Central comer") or at 9th and
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Main ("the Levens comer"). Half a million dollars in investments were assured over the next two years. A new
paper mill and a zinc mill were two rumored projects that would be funded (Herald, June 27, 1891).
A review of the new building list (see below) it is clear that downtown new construction nearly ground
to a halt during 1893, but rebounded in the subsequent years. The Weekly Times provided a measure of the local
impact of the national depression when it reported that three wholesale firms had consolidated the previous
January. "Many houses have curtailed expenses and have been conservative in placing orders, awaiting the
outcome of the general depression which has been felt here to some extent." Credit was tighter and that no
doubt hindered any new building (Weelky Times, November 14, 1893).
By the mid-1890s the city was once again recovering from yet another national fmancial depression.
The year 1896 was, in the manufacturing sector both the best year economically since 1893, when the downturn
began, but it was also the record year in the city's history. At least 200 plants collectively represented a
capitalization of $42 million and an annual product value of $40 million. Vast raw materials, lumber, iron, and
fuels, were pouring "from every part of the great northwest and from the far east. . . into this great hopper daily."
Manufacturing was the basis of Dubuque's wealth and success and the growth of that sector was phenomenal
given the presence of just two substantial factories with $50,000 capitalization just 50 years before. Lumber
saw mills and wood processing comprised the largest single financial sector in the economy. The city claimed
two of the largest sawmillllumber firms on the Mississippi and half of the lumber that was cut was locally
processed into sash, doors, blinds and trim work. It was somewhat ironic that the revenues from these firms "far
exceeds the transactions in grain" despite the location of Dubuque within a rich agricultural territory. Iron
manufacturing was the second largest manufacturing sector, this despite the utter lack of area iron deposits, or
even fuel resources. Fifteen firms produced products valued at $12,750,000 and made the city "the leading iron
manufacturing city in the state of Iowa, and the second city in the northwest." This sector had rapidly grown
over the previous decade. Agricultural implements comprised a major component of the total production.
Another component was the production of steel hulled vessels. The Dubuque facilities were the second largest
in the country west of the Mississippi. The manufacturing of boots and shoes was another major manufacturing
component. The jobbing sector was the next largest sector, with 150 firms and 3-400 traveling men. Dry goods,
notions and clothing were the leading jobbing lines of production. The retail sector was valued at $26 million
annually. The leading lines were dry goods and clothing, followed by furniture, hardware and crockery. This
sector owed its larger market to the success of the wholesale trade.
· · · The past four years have been a battle, week in and week out, for the majority of the
manufacturers all over the country, and the industries of Dubuque have been no exception, to
keep their heads above water, and more than one concern has passed through the fray by only
the narrowest of margins. . .
The out-of-town trade of retailers of other lines of merchandise is principally confined to the
immediate vicinity of Dubuque, and is a result rather of a natural condition than of any
intelligent effort to extend their trade by the methods of the dry goods and clothing men, whose
advantages they do not possess and whose methods they cannot profit by.
(Times, December 16, 1897)
Fancy grocer John F. Burns was signaled out as the city's leading grocer. Ensconced at 7th and Main streets,
Burns had for years "supplied the best patrons of Dubuque with fancy groceries and has by his conscientious
treatment has made them permanent customers." Like many major Dubuque merchants, Burns offered a
selection of goods that rivaled those found in the great nearby cities. He could also afford to buy directly from
producers in large quantities and this enabled him to be competitive in price. He was also the local agent for
two national grocers, Gordon & Dilworth of New York City and Curtice Bros. of Rochester, New York (Times,
December 16, 1897).
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The years 1894-96 witnessed the construction of the downtown' fIrst two modem large offIce buildings,
the Band and Insurance Building at 9th and Main, built in 1894-95, and the Security Building at 8th and Main,
completed a year later. The former stood seven stories high and was the city's first "skyscraper" and modem
offIce building. Both achievements were measures of the fact that Dubuque's downtown was a modern
metropolis. The Security Building was four stories high, which was record height for a Main Street commercial
front. Both buildings introduced a new business block form to the city's architectural mix. These designs were
not content to simply present a cornice and multiple storefront to the street, but rather they were complete, free-
standing landmarks that were ornamented with a much more intensive and unifIed architectural style, in these
instances the Beaux Arts and the Romanesque styles. The two buildings were raised up within a block of one
another and together they defIned the 100 percent location in the commercial center. The banking center was
permanently removed to 9th and Main. All of the city's "skyscrapers" would continue to cluster in this newly
defmed center. These included the two Roshek Department Store blocks (1907, 1929-31) and the Federal Bank
Building, the city's only true skyscraper, in 1923.
Why City Prospers. . .:
Why has Dubuque grown, and what has given her prosperity?
These are questions easily answered when one considers the development of
the city's resources and her standing as leading the state in manufacturing and
jobbing interests. It is the growth of these that has built up the city, and they
were built up and are being further broadened and strengthened in wealth,
prestige, and patronage by the energy and zeal of their traveling men. . .
Herald, January 1, 1898
Dull economic times returned at the conclusion of the 19th Century. The Dubuque Enterprise
proclaimed in October 1901 that "the tide has turned for Dubuque. . . The prospects are better for Dubuque the
coming winter than they have been for several seasons." There wasn't a vacant factory to be had in the city, nor
was there a vacant "desirable building.. . [in] what may be called the retail district." The Iowa Iron Works and
the Smedley Iron Works had resumed operations. The George Richardson Company, burned out, was
rebuilding on a larger scale. The streetcar company was continuing a complete revamping of trackage and its
infrastructure. The massive door, sash and blinds companies were expanding and two new factories were
opening up (Enterprise, October 20, 1901).
The fIlling up of lowlands continued and the Adams Company was lauded for its central role in that
process. That company had started out a decade earlier in humble fashion at the foot of 3rd Street. Since then it
literally made its own room for expansion by fIlling and now comprised a massive complex, employing 150
workers. The fIll was obtained from the deep foundation barrow that was produced from the construction of St.
Luke's Church, the OffIce and Security building, and from all over the city. The lllinois Central continued to
playa central role, dumping 1,000 car loads of fill to support trestles around the Adams Plant. Visionaries now
saw Lake Peosta, east ofthe Milwaukee Railroad shops, as a future industrial site (Enterprise, March 9, 1902).
Under the caption "Dubuque's Future The Stake" the Enterprise presented a remarkably candid
assessment ofthe city's retail strength. It offered "the great draw back to the city has been its lack of retail
trade." While that trade was comparable to cities in the other states, ''the opportunities are at hand for its being
the best and greatest.
The main dependence of the retail dealers has been on the home trade and it is due to the large
laboring community and the fact that the jobbers and manufacturers have been buying almost
exclusively at home, that the retail interests can make the showing they do. Des Moines, Cedar
Rapids, Sioux City and others in the state that take rank with Dubuque far outstrip this city in
the volume of trade from out of the city.. .IfDubuque, with her great volume of home trade, can
add a proportionate amount of rural trade, this city will be the best for retail trade in the state.
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Business men realize this and the complaint has been bitter over the lack of facilities and
inducements to bring this trade here.
Dubuque from its inception possessed a tri-state market focus but the river to the east and the highlands to the
west had hindered its ability to capture a broader market in the hinterlands. The complaint voiced above
indicates that delays in building bridges and in making Iowa's interior more accessible, had allowed regional
markets and products to be siphoned away by other regional cities. The completion of the Eagle Point vehicular
bridge, delayed until 1903, was lauded for its potential to "open a vast territory to the retail interests of the city."
The city wasn't receiving its due share of area stock and produce shipments. The same source noted "there is
not half enough grain hauled in here for the local feed supply, and shipments of stock from this point have
become rare occurrences. The farmers have facilities closer home and they will not come here unless there are
convenient facilities to doing so or other inducements." Hopes for a packing plant had been delayed to the lack
of area stock supplies. Creameries and produce stations in the city were valued more for the "rural trade they
attract" than for their present financial contributions (Enterprise, January 24, 31, 1903).
Reflective of the city's sense of powerlessness was the passage of a state law that required fire escapes
and sprinkler systems in the downtown buildings. The two demonstrated "the advisability of the business men
of communities like Dubuque paying more attention in politics and pending measures, not locally but in the
state." The Enterprise called for a committee "to guard against legislation of this kind.. . and to save expenses
by exercising a scrutiny over the acts of the city council." The issue also illustrated the conservative nature of
the downtown interests. The frre escape law covered buildings of three stories or more. A range of arguments
were offered beyond the sheer cost. Beautiful facades would be compromised and newer frreproofbuildings
didn't need them. Already, there were "buildings the upper stories of which are not used at all, and others in
which the upper stories are used only for storage purposes" (Enterprise, August 29, 1903).
Arson produced fires destroyed the city's lumber industry in 1910-11 and also destroyed the Hotel
Julien and the new Bijou Theater at 5th and Main streets. The replacement Hotel Julien was complete by 1914 at
a cost of $550,000. Looking back from that year, the Herald recalled that the city's frrst "modem" buildings,
the Bank: and Insurance office building and the Dubuque Brewing and Malting Company building, were both
built in 1894 and comprised almost all of the value in new construction that year. Between 1894 and 1908
further construction "progress was slow" but things had turned around in 1909, at which time residential
construction had surged "and also a few business houses were built." The nature of commercial buildings
changed as growing businesses demanded "larger and more substantial buildings." The importation of key
industries such as the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, marked a re-direction in the emphasis in economic
development on the part of the city. Such recruiting efforts dated back to the turn-of-the century, but by this
time, very large plants were being brought in and a number were locating north of the city in the upper Couler
Valley, north ofthe brewery. These firms brought new jobs and increased housing construction resulted. The
remodeling of older downtown buildings, even those which were only a few years old, by this time comprised a
growing share of construction efforts (Herald, December 27,1914).
Lower Main Building Up:
An observation of lower Main street, impresses the sight-seer with the fact
that that section of the city has progressed wonderfully in the past year. It gives
promise that in the course of a short time it will be the big business section of
the city. New buildings are common. The erection of a handsome structure by
the Jackson Vinegar company is one of the acquisitions. The improvement has
given others to inspiration. A large structure is under way by the Dubuque
Paper company, and it will be but another year when the grounds where the
Julien hotel once stood will be occupied by a beautiful eight-story up-to-date
building.
Herald, December 28, 1915
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Brick paving was underway downtown as of early 1911. The streets being paved were Clay (10th to
11 th), 5th (Main to Locust), and 7th (Main to Clay). The 1914 paving list focused on alleyways between Clay and
White (form 4th through 18th streets), Main to Locust (between Jones and 3rd). An important westward carline
extension in 1914 added a mile of track out to Asbury and Delhi streets from Locust and 8th (Telegraph-Herald,
January 1, 1911; December 27, 1914).
New downtown construction during 1915-18 was limited to a small number of very large projects. The
new Elks Home, at Locust and 7th streets, reflected a tendency to place libraries, lodges and club houses to the
west of the downtown, close to the base of the bluffs. The seven story Becker-Hazelton block (2nd and Iowa)
was an example ofthe taller buildings that were being built in the city. The Hotel Julien had re-oriented its plan
to be parallel to Main and what had been its eastern half was freed up for commercial development on Iowa
Street. In 1916 the key improvement was the new Y.M.C.A. building at 9th and Iowa streets. In the industrial
district to the east, massive half-block edifices marked the success of the giant sash and door firms, Farley &
Loetscher and Carr, Ryder & Adams. These were the largest such factory complexes in the state, and the
collective plants were the largest oftheir kind in the world (Telegraph-Herald, December 26, 1915; December
31,1916; Times, January 1,1918).
Single-story commercial garages made their appearance in the downtown as they did everywhere. In
Dubuque they clustered on the south end of Main, between First and Jones streets, and along the middle range of
Iowa (900s block, east side). Necessarily much of the new commercial construction took the form of single-
story buildings. Single-storefront two-story building construction diminished in favor of larger two-story
blocks.
World War I necessarily but the brakes on new construction. In July 1919, the Telegraph-Herald
compared building permits issued for June 1918 (four buildings, $2,689 value) and June 1919 (46 buildings,
$285,696 value) and was pleased to report a 107 percent increase! A return to peacetime normalcy was
predicted but postwar price inflation and a reduction in industrial prosperity marked an end to any large scale
downtown rebuilding. The Times noted in early 1922 that during 1920 "practically no really large undertaking
was started." While the occasional large commercial building was built, community construction figures were
increasingly dependent upon public expenditures in infrastructure, particularly for new schools, sewers and
street paving (Telegraph-Herald, July 24, 1919; Times, January 1, 1922).
Two new bank buildings bolstered the 1923 new construction counts, producing a record total (#3
million) for the city. A major public investment in 1924 was the filling in of the 4th Street extension slough.
The city did the work and offered the site for factory and warehouse use. This area was presumably around and
north of the Shot Tower. During 1925 public and business building projects together totaled just $160,730 and
this figure included a major hall at the University of Dubuque (Times-Journal, January 1, 1924; Telegraph-
Herald, December 28, 1924; December 27, 1925).
One surviving Main Street segment nicely attests to the redefining of storefront size that occurred
during the 1920s-1930s. The 700s block was well located, being adjacent to the several successive Roshek
Brothers department stores. Architecturally the area property owners responded with several store re-buildings
in a single story form, while other stores consolidated several narrow storefronts into single broader ones. Two
buildings were re-fronted with Neo-Classical facades. The broad single-story drug store at 1701-37 Main was
perhaps the most interesting due to its exotic castellated terra cotta parapet (now removed). 739-51 Main,
immediately north, is a plainer but well-preserved example.
30
"... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
.,./"
Figure 15: 1928 Streetcar Map (Donald R. Schultz, Iowa Trolleys Bulletin #114, Wilkie, p. 331)
The downtown streetcar/bus route map shown above nicely defines the several parts of the main city.
The commercial district was double tracked on Main Street from the railroad depots to the south to 13 th Street at
the upper end. The key cross track link was 8th Street which tied together the western suburbs. Central was
single-tracked for its lower length, 3rd to 15t\ and was double tracked north of that point. An 8th Street extension
served the factory district. No direct car service was offered to the residential area located north of the factories
and east of Central Avenue.
Downtown parking was the issue in every city by the onset of World War II. Newly passed state
enabling legislation empowered cities to levy a tax to fund the creation and operation of parking lots. Two
Chamber of Commerce committees studied potential parking lot sites and identified 24 parcels in mid-1941.
They surveyed north and south of 8th Street. The selected lots were not necessarily large ones and at least some
of them had buildings on them. The Chamber was hopeful of having finished lots ready before the holiday
season so as to avoid "problems and difficulties that arose last year (Telegraph-Herald, May 18, 1941)."
Figure 16: A nearly intact downtown, c.1950 aerial view north
31
" . .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
The aerial view shown above nicely documents the basic land use pattern in the downtown.
The commercial core centers on Main, up to 13th Street, and it then moves east to Central (formerly Clay
Street) Avenue. Larger industrial and warehouse/jobbing buildings cluster along Locust and Iowa while
the industrial core proper is east of White, right of center in the aerial view. The first demolition and
vacant lot is visible at 3rd and Locust, where the Cooper Wagon and Carriage works has been largely
demolished.
The 1950 Sanborn Map confirms what the aerial view depicts, that there were scattered vacant
lots as well as a number of under-utilized lots, mostly occupied by filling stations. The larger voids
moving west to east were as follows: Locust at 3rd, southeast comer, three lots (filling station); Locust at
11 th, southwest comer (site of the demolished Masonic Hall, future site of the library addition): the 300s
block of Main, west side, near 4th, the 400s block of Main, east side, near 2nd, Main at 15th, southeast
comer, three lots south of Jackson Park; Iowa at 2nd, northwest comer, and 3rd, southwest comer, the
500s block ofIowa, east side, Lot 226, Iowa at 8th, southwest comer, Iowa at 9th, northwest comer, the
northwest comer of 12th and Iowa and the southwest comer of 13th & Iowa; Central at 12th south side of
12th; and White at 8th, the southwest comer.
The large-scale demise of the commercial downtown paralleled the developing planning ethic
that land uses were to be strictly separated and regulated. The land use pattern in Dubuque was the
antithesis of zoning. Planners explained that the Dubuque situation was made worse by the inability of
the city to develop under the "concentric growth model" because of its riverfront (and political)
location. F or many years the downtown had grown east as land was created. After W orld War IT, and
by the 1960s, growth was finally heading west, atop the bluffs. It could be argued that the city lost a
great deal of its charm when zoning was implemented and enforced. It could equally be argued that that
charm consisted of deteriorated, under-utilized and decrepit buildings. Visiting planners had lambasted
the city on such planning issues as zoning, transportation, housing, and so on as early as the 1930s.
By the early 1960s the city was dramatically challenged to act decisively to reclaim its role as a
regional market center and to avoid being isolated within the developing interstate highway grid. An
organized municipal planning program was established in late 1962 and the a comprehensive land use
study was undertaken. Victor Gruen and Associates were hired in mid-1963 to study the city and to
make recommendations. Their report was issued in January 1964 and its focus was on the need to
strengthen the downtown and to redefme it as a regional city center.
The Gruen report identified six isolated industrial "peninsulas" that were located south and east
of the downtown. From south to north, these were aligned along South Main Street, 4th Street, the
Farley-Loetscher/Carr-Ryder Englert area, East 10th, 12th Street, the Packing House area, and the newly
established industrial park on Eagle Point. The area along south Main was singled out as being the
"worst mixture of unrelated and incompatible industrial, retail and commercial recreational land uses in
the city." They added "the section is a chaos of paper streets, dirt rights-of-ways, easements, dead-end
streets and alleys and consists of disorganized parcelization ofland into awkward, acute-angled,
unusable units." A perfect description of much of the downtown. Similar complaints were voiced for
all of the industrial areas, even the newest developments. The biggest problem was the road grid and
the considerable physical isolation of each of the areas. Two areas were recommended for single land
use restrictions, the downtown proper where retail and service firms would be welcomed, and the
industrial area. Curiously the Gruen report found that the rest of the city was largely homogenic,
uniquely indifferent to any breakdown by class or housing unit types. The residential areas also
contained high proportions of commercial and industrial land uses with many home businesses, fix-it
shops, beauty shops, a high percentage of neighborhood restaurants and bars. One under-represented
land use was office space and it would playa central role in the developing urban renewal plan.
32
"... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
The urban renewal program became a public planning option by mid-1967 and a local plan was
prepared. The city would acquire and clear structurally substandard buildings, blighting influences and
even sound buildings if they impeded site assembly deemed necessary for "contemporary
development." A rectangular project area was defined as the land located within an area bounded by 4th,
9th, Central and Locust streets. The demolition focus was along Iowa where four complete blocks were
cleared away, principally to provide sites for several parking ramps. The plan envisioned a pedestrian
mall focal point along Main Street, with the development of major focal points to orient pedestrians.
Side streets were closed off to create a public plaza.
The $10 million plan achieved City Council approval by just a single vote. Funding was 70%
federal, and 30% state monies. A 15-block project area contained 150 buildings, of which 128 were to
be demolished. Displaced businesses numbered 158. Forty nine individuals and 36 families were also
displaced. The downtown, even without mall competition, accounted for less than half of the city's
retail trade. It was described as being obsolete, being filled with businesses that didn't need to be in that
area. Nine wholesale firms in particular, it was said, could better relocate outside of the "prime
shopping area" (Des Moines Register, March 5, 1957).
Figure 17: Urban renewal demolition along Iowa Avenue, parking ramp construction, viewed north
from 5th Street (Center for Dubuque History, Loras College, Photographs, Urban Renewal)
Note the Grand Theater at upper left.
Iowa Avenue invited additional demolition because, by 1962, much of its west side buildings
were already gone. A number of larger five to-seven-story surviving buildings were underutilized and
readily doomed. The Army Reserved occupied two of these buildings on the east side of Iowa, between
2nd and 3rd streets. To the north, the entire half block west of Iowa between 2nd and 3rd was completely
33
"... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
cleared, as was most of the block to the immediate north. The block between 9th and 10th had just one
building on its southeast comer. By this time parking lots were located at 6th and Locust (northeast
comer), 8th and Locust (northwest comer), the west side of Locust north of the Odd Fellows Hall, the
west side of Iowa between th and 8th streets, the east side of Iowa north of 8th, and the west side of Iowa
between 9th and 10th streets.
The city urban renewal program demolished all of the Main Street buildings located nOlih of 4th
Street, save for the Majestic/Orpheum Theater, up to th Street. The 800s block of Main was immune,
save for the east side north of the Security Building. The 900s block was apparently also demolished, or
demolished down to the first floor level. Potentially significant commercial blocks that were lost
included the Levi Block, at th and Main, the three-story block at 508 Main (see above image, lower
right), the Central Fire House (Iowa and 9th, 1886). The Levi Block was a targeted removal, it being the
sole casualty from its block and a regrettable one.
A key threat to the continued viability of the downtown was the development of Kennedy Mall,
which opened for business in April 1970 under the billing of being the states' largest enclosed mall with
60 stores. Planning for the mall dated back to 1964 when there were hopes to place the mall in the
rezoned downtown. The City Council unsuccessfully attempted to stop the mall's western location
using zoning restrictions in 1965 and voters elected three new council members who were supportive of
the mall. Several downtown anchor stores finally relocated to the mall, and Rosheks Department Store
went out of business. In 1990, Armstrong's, the sole surviving downtown department store, closed its
doors (Lyon, p. 239).
34
"... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
The symbolic completion of the new downtown was the relocation of the Town Clock and
tower to Town Clock Plaza, which was centered on 5th and Main streets. Accomplished in the fall of
1970, this symbolic downtown centerpiece was relocated southward to the old town center, where it was
positioned halfway between surviving clusters of historic buildings to the north and south. A recent
proposal to put the clock back atop its now restored original business block was rejected because
Dubuquers by this time consider its new location a historic and traditional one.
!:iiiilIII
Figure 19: The relocated town clock at night, view northeast.
Figure 20: Undeveloped voids in the downtown landscape, 1972
(Sommer, The Fourth Street Elevator Area.. .1973)
(Land use key, C=commercial, M=industry, R=residential)
Today the pedestrian mall is largely gone, and has been partly reopened to vehicular traffic.
Despite all of the demolition, the Old Main Historic District survived. This was no small feat
considering that the area below 4th was not yet appreciated for any claimed historical qualities. Further
35
" . . . the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
south, the construction of U.S. Highway 61 bypassed the Bishop's Block and other significant buildings,
and while much was demolished to make it possible, other buildings did survive.
In just the past several years a number of downtown building restoration and redevelopment
projects have restored some sense of historic preservation appreciation and balance after years of losing
building after building. A demolition district designation and demolition permit review process are in
place and several significant threatened buildings have been saved from demolition under its auspices.
Much of what is exciting about the downtown centers around the reuse of historic buildings. It is hoped
that in some way, this report can playa helpful role in helping the public, property owners, local
government, and developers to better understand the development of Dubuque's downtown and the
buildings which comprise it today.
Downtown Building ConstructionlDemolition Chronology:
This table attempts to identify new building starts and major alterations for commercial,
industrial and institutional buildings located within the downtown area. Other building start data are
separately compiled in a similar table that is included with the Old Town District report. These are
principally residential and institutional properties. It is hoped that this table will be constantly
augmented and corrected over time as the opportunity presents itself. The core of the data comes from
annual progress reports from the several local newspapers. These reports are lacking for many years,
particularly after the early 1890s and many later reports are less detailed, lacking addresses and the like.
Many years lacking annual reports have been nearly completely searched within the building season.
These entries tend to be more detailed and can be identified by the variety of source date references.
1845
Fifth Street Market
House
Ladd & Rumbold,
contractors
Started incrementally in 1845, 1854 addition, second floor
room for Aldermen meetings, only the original brick portion
stood as of late 1856, abolished 1858 and demolished
Re ublican, Iul 31, 1856; Lon, . 286 .
1846
L. and E. Langworthy,
Main between 5th & 6th
1848
Main & 5 , Globe
Buildin
Ci Hotel
southeast corner, Main
between 7th & 8th
R. Cox, southwest
corner, 5th & Main,
Iowa near 12th
(1880 history, p. 526-27).
three story brick (1880 history, p. 526-27).
1850
German Odd Fellows
1854
342 Main, German Bank
Sullivan Buildin
Ke Ci House
Germania House
36
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
1855
Kniest & Linsson, White new hotel (Herald, December 11, 1855).
& 6th
Cox Block triple storefront, on Market Square (Herald, December 14,
1855).
Doyle & Shine brick (Herald, November 30,1855)
Peasler House same (Herald, November 30, 1855)
Knies & Lenssen same (Herald, November 30, 1855)
Jesse P. Farley same (Herald, November 30, 1855)
Alex Simplot, Iowa brick three stories, double storefronts, each 22x 114, occupied by
Street Hellen, Lane & Co., Wholesale Crockery, Thomas Faherty,
Wholesale Grover (Herald, December 20, 1855).
Farley & Cristman, Iowa brick triple storefronts, occupied by Farley, James & Co.,
Street Wholesale Grocers, Farley & Cristman, Wholesale
Iron/Hardware, Robinson & Co., Wholesale Grover (ibid.).
1856-27 stores, 44 shops, 3 hotels, 3 warehouses, a church, college "the most of them are brick and
stone, and ofa large commodious size, and of the most modem style" (Herald, December 1,1856)
7111 Street near bridge two stone warehouses underway, others go up along river
between 1 8t and 7th Street bridges (Republican, April 2,
1856) .
George W. Rogers Co. Constructed in the fall of 1857 (Jacobsen).
Lead Shot Tower
J. Morrison, 2nd & Iowa new boiler works to be built (Republican, December 4,
1855
two warehouses, near 7th two stone five story warehouses (Republican, April 2,
Street bridge 1856) .
Steward & Bonson four stories, 22 large iron columns (Republican, August 20,
Warehouse, Jones Street 1856) .
levee
Block, Iowa between 4th brick, 114x52 (Republican, July 25, 1856).
and 5th
Andrew & Tredway new hardware block (Republican, July 25, 1856).
Block, 91 Main
Washington Block, John Rague architect, opposite Washington House, three stories and five
Smith, McKinlay, Pool Robt. McKinlay, storefronts, third floor concert hall (leased three years to
Block, 3rd Street and Brodhurst, Biles & Myers & Hough as Julien Theater), nine offices second
Locust Co., Fanning & floor leased to Dubuque & Pacific Railroad and others,
McEvoy, contractors 50xl00, $15,000 (Republican, August 13, 1856; Herald,
March 8, 1857).
Rebman & Jones hotel frame, T. Jones & three stories, 130' front on Main, 60' front on 8th, eight
block, opposite Son, architects, "one storefronts, second floor contains three store warerooms, 31
Congregational Church, of the finest offices, third floor, 75 rooms, 112x50, $30,000 (Republican,
8th between Main & structures in the city" February 28, 1856; Times, August 24, 1857; Tribune,
Iowa January 5, 1857; Herald, March 8, 1857).
C. Laturel Block, Main brick, 115x44, double storefront, four stories plus basement
between 1 8t & 2nd (Republican, August 8, 1856).
Chislett & Buckley, 3rd large building (Herald, May 21, 1856)
and Iowa
Xavier Reinfreid Block, four stories, triple storefront (Republican, July 24, 1856).
Main between 5th & 6th
John Blake Block, Main next to City Hotel, 114x22, four stories plus basement, 9'
37
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Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
between 4 & 5th
9 and Main
11 and Main
County Jail, 8 and Iowa Egyptian, Architect
John Rague
Odd Fellows Hall,
southeast comer 8th and
Bluff
1 st Congregational
Church, 10th between
Main and Locust
Second Presbyterian
Church, 9th, between
Locust & Bluff
St. Ra hael's Church
Lawrence Hotel Block,
Kinsey, David &
Jennings, Main Street,
between 9th and 10th
Graffort Hotel
St. Cloud Hotel
A. K. Northrup, foot of
Main
W. L. and J. Bell, Main
between 1 st & 2nd
Becker & Rheinfred,
Main between 5th & 6th
Ogleby, Main between
6th & 7th
Leeman & Keenan,
contractors
"handsome Gothic"
8,000 ornamental
brick from
Milwaukee for doors
and windows
Berry & Platert,
formerly of Buffalo,
NY, contractors, "one
of the most
magnificent
structures in the
city.. . Italian style of
street architecture"
"fine structure"
basement, leased to N. McCombs & Bros. hardware
(Re ublican, Jul 22, 1856).
removal of old buildin s ibid. .
removal of houses for lar e buildin (ibid..
100x35-45, two stories, also credited to 1857 list, hewn
stone, $10,000 (Republican, August 4, 1856; Tribune,
Janu 5, 1857 .
109' frontage on 8 , 96' on Bluff, five splendid storefronts
on 8th, four large rooms on second, two large halls third for
society purposes (Odd Fellows, Masons), half of second and
third floors for theatrical purposes, contains post office,
$38-40,000, finished summer 1857, $45,000, destroyed by
fire May 28, 1859 (Republican, July 19, September 5, 1856;
Herald, May 31,1856; March 8, 1857; May 28, 1859,
Times, Se tember 5, 1857).
oldest protestant church in continuous use, cornerstone laid
1856, church delayed by Panic of 1857, basement first used,
finished in 1860, brick parsonage, on church grounds,
$5,000, done summer 1857 (Herald, March 8, 1857; Lyon,
. 154-55; Re ublican, Jul 2, 19, 26, Se tember 5, 1856).
small frame, $2,000 (Republican, July 19, September 5,
1856; Herald, March 8, 1857).
$50,000 Re ublican, Jul 19, Se tember 5, 1856)
three basement storerooms, nine ground level storerooms,
offices and reading room, dining room, three parlors on
second floor, parlor suites third floor, 200 hotel rooms
upper floors, five stories, 194x113, 413 windows. 40
chandeliers, $110,000 including addition that fills block
front Herald, Jul 12, 1856; March 8, 1857 .
As "Lorimer Block," $90,000, Kensey, David & Jenkings,
five stories plus basement, $16,000 five story addition 1857
(Republican, August 23, September 5, December 6, 1856;
Tribune, Janua 5, 1857; Times, Se tember 5, 1857 .
$35,000, 1857 addition, $5,000 (Republican, July 19,
September 5, 1856; Tribune, January 5, 1857; Times,
Se tember 5, 1857 .
$80,000, destroyed by fire January 22, 1858 (Republican,
July 19, September 5, 1856; Herald, January 22, 1858;
Times, Se tember 5, 1857
double frame storefront, two stories, $2,000 (Herald, March
8, 1857)
double brick storefront, 22x114, $14,000, first tenants Jewel
& Co. (produce/grain), W. H. Peabody (liquor) (Herald,
March 8, 1857 .
triple brick block, three stories, $24,000, tenants Gilbert &
Buchanan (shoes), Grosvener & Shelly (books) and Becker
(clothin ) (Herald, March 8, 1857)
three-story brick, 22.5x70, tenants, Sauer (shoes-basement),
Woolnough (variety, ground), Smock & Boice (clothing
.obbers, u er floors $6,000 (Herald, March 8, 1857 .
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Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
J. Blake, Main between "handsome and four stories, brick, 22x113, $12,000, McCombs & Brother
3rd and 4th next to City substantial" (hardware) first tenant (Herald, March 8, 1857).
Hotel
A. Monroe, Main, frame store, Kenan's grocery first tenant, $900 (Herald,
between 2nd & 3 rd March 8, 1857)
Kinsey, David & converSIon steam engine used to hoist building material, new hotel,
Jennings, Main, cor. 6th "constructed five stores out of Dr. Finley's late residence"
$2,500 (Herald, March 8, 1857; Republican, August 23,
1856).
Bissel & Co., Southwest four stories, brick, 22x75, $5,500 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
comer, [1091] Main & Extant as 1091 Main.
10th
First Baptist Church, "one of the hands om- fine brick house of worship, 44x75, $7,000 (Herald, March
northeast comer Main & est church structures 8, 1857)
10th in the city"
Wm. Rebman, Addition, frame, $500 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Main between 10th &
11 th
F. M. Plains, Locust stone building, 37.5x41, $2,000 (chandler firm) (Herald,
March 8, 1857)
Seger, City Brewery, three story stone, 54x45 depth, 20 barrel daily capacity,
Locust $4,000 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Jones and Locust two two-story frames, $600 total (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Locust, between Jones & two frames, $450, $125 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
1 st
Locust, between 1 st & 2nd small frame ($150), three story brick store/dwelling
($3,500), Newman & Cooper, carriage builders, three story
brick addition ($3,500) (Herald, March 8, 1857).
William Lauther (Law- four unit two story brick tenement, $4,500 (Herald, March
ther), Locust between 2nd 8, 1857)
& 3rd
Protection Company #2 two story frame, $1,250 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
firehouse, Locust,
between 3rd & 4th
next to above Carter & Piper, double frame residence, $2,000 (Herald,
March 8, 1857)
same same, a two story frame store, $600 (Herald, March 8,
1857)
Mrs. Marcia A. Gonder, brick block, double storefront, four stories, $7,000 (Herald,
southwest comer Locust March 8, 1857)
and 5th
F. E. Bissel & Co., "Elizabethian style" "one of the most magnificent mansions of our city," 2.5
Locust & 1 Oth stories, four gables, 4xx32, $13,800 (Herald, March 8,
1857)
Michael O"Brien, Locust three story brick block, five tenements, $15,000 (Herald,
& 11th March 8, 1857) This might be the "Barracks" which sold in
1899 by the Garret Fleming Estate to Richard Kemler, built
on West 11 th 1856-57 it was a three-story building divided
into 10 two-room suites per floor, and renting for
$ 15/monthly during the housing shortage, a landmark
(TeleRTaph, July 20, 1899).
39
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Chislett, Buckley & Co., Hardware firm on Main puts up two large brick warehouses
Iowa behind their store, four stories, 42xl13, $16,000 (Herald,
March 8, 1857)
J. R. Treat, Iowa Wm. & J. Ryan, three story brick warehouse for wholesale grocer, 22x74,
between 3rd & 4th contractors excellent full-length cellar, $4,000 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Andrews & Tredway, hardware dealers on Main, build four story brick warehouse
Iowa behind store, 22xl13, $7,000 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
C. Mullen, Iowa and 6th four story brick, 42x64, storefront on ground, fourth
occupied by German Turnverein, $10,000 (Herald, March
8, 1857)
Sauer, Iowa between 13th two story brick store/dwelling, $2,000 (Herald, March 8,
& 14th 1857)
Strobel & Rath, Clay brick store for chandelry and packing house, $4,000
between 4th & 5th (Herald, March 8, 1857)
R. Jones & J. Wienzierl, two frame shops, $200, $250 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Clay between 5th & 6th
S. Brown, Clay and 9th three story brick store and dwelling, $4,000 (Herald, March
8, 1857)
Third Ward School, John Rague, arch., plans approved by School Board (April 21) existing
south-west comer, Clay Berry & Platert & building demolished, foundation excavated (June 14)
and 12th Longhurst, formerly "handsome and substantial," three stories, large spacious
of Buffalo, NY, basement, 52x80, eaves 50' high, $25,000, fmished January
contractors 1857 (Herald, April 21, June 14, 1856; March 8, 1857;
Times, September 5, 1857).
West, White between 4th neat frame office adjoining his Forwarding house, $350
& 5th (Herald, March 8, 1857)
John Kesler, hotel, "modem style" "very neat and substantial, in the modem style of
White between 4th & 5th architecture, having handsome balconies," 48 rooms, 52x80,
60 feet high, store for saloon, $16,000 (Herald, March 8,
1857)
Smith & Co. feed mill, built in late August, machinery installed early September,
White & 5th small frame steam feed mill, $1,200 complete (Herald,
September 4, 1856, March 8, 1857)
Merchant's Hotel, White Ross & Lincoln to manage, four-story brick, $16,000,
& 6th double storefront occupied first by Trask & Co. (boots,
shoes), and Dietrich & Co. (wholesale grocers), 49 rooms in
hotel, 61x60, 64' high, addition of"L" in spring to add 20
more rooms, opens August 30 (Herald, August 30, 1856;
March 8, 1857)
Adams House Hotel, four stories, Harriman to manage, double storefront, 37
White at 7th rooms, ample cellars, 45x80, two story wing of 40', "adds
much beauty to that portion of the city," $14,000 (Herald,
March 8, 1857)
Hugh Miller, White near three story brick, 27x50, $5,000, same, two story frame rear
9th dwelling, $600 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Geiger, Jas., White, two story frame store/dwelling, $600 (Herald, March 8,
between 12th & 13th 1857)
Mr. Coolican, Iowa and double frame storefront, two stories, $3,000 (Herald, March
1 st 8, 1857)
Dunn, 1 st between Main two story brick store/dwelling, $2,500 (Herald, March 8,
and Locust 1857)
40
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
McCrea, 2nd between wagon shop $800 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Main & Locust
Hartsock & Simpson, 2nd Michael Clark, two three story stores in single block, good basement,
between Main & Locust builder 45x40, three stories $7,000 (Herald, March 8, 1857;
Republican, October 10, 1856). Extant as 231 W. 2nd
O. Lutteral, 4th between duplicate entry? brick block, double storefront, three stories, $4,000 (Herald,
Main & Iowa March 8, 1857)
Wood, Wilson & Co., two frame stores $9,000 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
opposite above
5th below White frame office, one story, $150 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
E. M. Bartholow, 5th frame store, $450 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
between Clay & White
Kniest & Co., 6th & Clay two story frame store, 22x44, $1,000 (Herald, March 8,
1857)
6th between Iowa & Clay two small tenements, "additions to fronts" $250 (Herald,
March 8, 1857)
Wood, Wilson & Co., 6th two story frame store, $1,200 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
between Iowa & Clay
E. Busch, 6th between frame shop, $250 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Iowa and Main
Lee & Grey, 7th between two story front addition to Washington Stables, 30x27,
Main & Locust $900 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Court House, 7th Street large addition, $4,000 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
7th between White and five frame offices/shops, total $1,250 (Herald, March 8,
the bridge 1857)
Ebbert & Co., 8th & sash & door factory, $600 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Jackson
Wm. Rebman's Hall, 8th three story block, double storerooms, 15x60, 8 small rooms
near Main second floor, hall third floor, fine finished basement
storeroom, $5,000 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
James B. David, grocer, "erected by A. three story brick, 21x51, $3,500 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
8th between Locust & Anderson"
Bluff
Pelan & Anderson, office, $175 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
adjoining above
J. Truedell, immediately two story frame carriage shop, 20x38, $1,200 (Herald,
above the above March 8, 1857)
Bennett & Smith, Julien two story frame, 20x40, (painting & paper hanging) $1,000
A venue above Bluff (Herald, March 8, 1857)
H. Rooney, near above two story brick store/dwelling, $800 (Herald, March 8,
1857)
Conway, Julien near Air small frame store, one story, 16x27, $225 (Herald, March 8,
Hill 1857)
D. Barry, Air Hill and three story frame store/dwelling, 25x28, $1,100 (Herald,
Julien March 8, 1857)
Lull, Merrit & Co., soap two story frame, :Captain Payson's chemical soaps" $2,200
factory, Jones, between (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Main & Locust
Bennett & Welch, Jones blacksmith shop, $800 (Herald, March 8, 1857)
Street
G. R. West three story, 30x110, brick hauled from Dunlieth (Herald,
41
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
January 30, 1856).
108 Main, Barr & Co, "such alterations and improvements in the building itself,
that its most intimate friends would scarcely recognize it,"
"stairs in front" knocked out, whole front "thrown open,"
second floor consolidated as single room, Barr, carpets,
curtains, replaces Walmsey & Barr, dry goods (Republican,
March 25, 1856).
12th & Clay, Turner Hall demolished 1935 for playground (Sommer, p. 24).
Fire loss, 3rd & Main three buildings destroyed (Herald, November 5, 1856)
1857
Main above 8th Troy, NY contract Town Clock and tower (Herald, December 22, 1857).
Main & 10th brick (Herald, October 29, 1857).
Hotel [P. A.] Lorimer, "Italian street order 50'front on Bluff, 100' on 8th, five stories, 70' elevation,
northeast comer Bluff & very neat style" $25,000 as of early 1857, is one third of contemplated
8th structure, later known as Wales Hotel (1894+), bums 1917,
replaced by Telegraph-Herald building (Herald, March 8,
July 8, 1857; Sommer, p. 16)
J. Hoey, Grocery Block "something three or four stories, 50x113, $16-18,000, also called Durfie
east side Main, bet. 1 st & approaching the Block, containing four stores (Herald, August 12, October
Jones Gothic," N. P. 2, 29,1857; Times, August 24, 1857).
Tutweiler, contractor
Goff & Co., just above three stories, double storefront, brick (Herald, October 29,
the above 1857) .
between 11 and 18 Main double storefront, three story brick brick (Herald, October
29, 1857).
L. D. Randall Block, 44 "French style" "Milwaukee brick front," four or five stories, 22x113,
Main, Main below 3rd, $11,000 (ibid.;(Tribune, January 5, 1857; Herald,
opposite Malony Block November 29, 1857, says 5 stories).
Lawrence Malony "finest in the cast iron fronts, four storefronts, four stories, 64x113,
Block, Main and 3rd city. . . Ionic order" $55,000 (ibid.; Tribune, January 5, 1857; Herald, October
29, 1857).
John D. Graffort Hotel, 114x80, four stories and basement, two storefronts, saloon
Bluff & 3rd and barber shop, two wings connected by platforms,
laundry, washrooms and storage rooms off of open court,
innovative in hotel design (all water needs supplied from
central large cistern, "special reference. . . to accommodate
the servants of all classes in their respective labors," now
ready for roof, $30,000 (Times, September 5, 1857;
Republican, July 8, 1857)
Fourth Ward/13th Architect J. N. $30,000-$48,000, 115x50, three stories, raised basement 10'
Street/Central Market Moody, John Rague in clear, 30 stalls in basement with center aisle, 1 st story 17'
House (City Hall), 12th prepared specifca- in clear, city offices on second floor, Concert Hall third,
Street Market House tions. "..somewhat 18.5' in clear, Rague did not design the present City Hall,
after the Roman report corrected July 9 (Moody and Rague were then
style" partners), work halted and contractor settled with, October
1, 1857 (Republican, July 8, 9, 22, 1857; Herald, February
11, 1857; October 1, 1858; Tribune, January 5, December
31, 1857).
Third Ward School, 12th Architect John $25,000, closed in 1912 due to unsafe conditions, renamed
& Clay Rague, identical Prescott School, 1889, replaced by Prescott School, White
plans between 12th and 13th streets, extant (Republican,
42
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
September 25, 1857; Lyon, pp. 112-13)
Dr. J. Sproul, Main & Greathead & two 20x70 storefronts, $9,000 (Times, August 24, 1857).
11 th Hopkins, contractors
Alexander Anderson storefront, three stories with basement, $4,000 (Tribune,
January 5, 1857).
Duties Block, Main 1863 account says built 1856, but 1857 list dates to that
between 1 st & Jones year, collapses, single storefront, three stories, $16,000,
brick on mud foundation, 1863, see below (Times, March
29, 1863; Tribune, January 5, 1857).
John Bushway, 15 Main, single storefront, three stories, brick, $10,000 (Tribune,
Main below 1 st January 5, 1857; Herald, October 29, 1857).
Cogswell & Barnes double storefront, two stories, stone, $12,000 (Tribune,
January 5, 1857).
Jos. Trudell, Julien and Logan, builder three (or eight) storefronts, offices above, 62x80, three
Bluff stories, $8-9,000 (Times, August 24, 1857; Tribune, January
5, 1857).
Bradley & Brown, 7th Dibol & Plack, "law block," three stories, brick, $18,000 (Tribune, January
archi tectslbuilders 5, 1857).
First Ward Market single story, brick, $9,000 (Tribune, January 5, 1857;
House, below 1 st Herald, October 29, 1857).
Tremont House, 8th $12,000 (Tribune, January 5, 1857).
between Main and Iowa
American House, 4th $15,000 (Tribune, January 5, 1857).
between Clay and White
Store, Iowa, between storefront, three stories, brick, $5,000 (Tribune, January 5,
12th & 13th 1857) .
West side Main, 5th to 6th destroyed by fIre, 1857
1858, (30 new buildings undersay, Morning sone, August 7, October 9, 1858)
1 st Ward Market House, one story, brick, $9,000 (Tribune, January 5, 1858).
below 1 st
Graffort House addition, $5,000 (Tribune, January 5, 1858).
Lorimer House, Bluff & five story plus basement addition, $15,000 (Tribune,
8th January 5, 1858).
New Jail, 8th between two stories and basement, hewn stone, $10,000 (Tribune,
Clay and White January 5, 1858).
10th & Main block, brick work done November 5 (Morning Sun,
November 5, 1859).
Ogleby Block [Main Wm. Rebman, $13,000 (Tribune, January 5, 1858).
between 6th _7th] contractor
Cogswell & Barnes two stores, three stories high, $12,000 (Tribune, January 5,
1858).
Tremont House, 8th bet. $12,000 (Tribune, January 5, 1858).
Main and Iowa
American House, 4th bet. $15,000 (Tribune, January 5, 1858).
Clay & White
Alexander Anderson store, three stories with basement, $4,000 (Tribune, January
5, 1858).
Dr. Prout (St. Louis), Robert Rogers, two story brick store, work started c.early 1858, work halted
Main & 11th contractor at the one-story stage, for over a year, work resumed with
Rogers as builder, in mid-1859 (Morning Sun, July 31,
August 6, 1859).
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"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Bronson & Steward, six stores, four stories high, brick with iron faces, $35,000
Outer Levee (Tribune, January 5, 1858).
L. D. Anderson, Outer one store similar to above, $10,500 (Tribune, January 5,
Levee 1858).
Merchant's Hotel, Main destroyed by fIfe (Herald, May 31,1858). Incendiary starts
& 3rd fires across city, seven vacant buildings burned (ibid., Sept.
--), and three houses burned (ibid., August 12).
Joseph Trudell three stores, three stories plus basements, brick, $10,000
(Tribune, January 5, 1858).
L. Malony, Main & 3rd, four stores, four stories, brick, $55,000 (Tribune, January 5,
comer 1858).
L. D. Randall, Main Milwaukee brick four stories with basement, brick, $11,000 (Tribune,
below 3rd January 5, 1858).
Duriee, Main below 1 st three stories, brick $16,000 (Tribune, January 5, 1858).
Bushway, Main below three stories, brick, $10,000(Tribune, January 5, 1858).
1 st
Bradley & Brown, 7th Dibol & Planck, law block, three stories, brick, $18,000 (Tribune, January 5,
contractors 1858).
St. Lawrence Block, $110,000 fIfe loss (Times, January 22, 1858)
Main
Iowa, between 12th & store, three stories, brick, $5,000 (Tribune, January 5,
13th 1858).
Hill & Jones, 13th two dwellings and sores, frame, two stories, $2,000
between Iowa, Clay (Tribune, January 5, 1858).
Wilson, ditto ditto, $1,000 (Tribune, January 5, 1858).
1859
Odd Fellows Hall, 8th & destroyed by fIfe, $75,000 loss (Morning Sun, May 28,
Bluff 1859; Times, May 27, 1859)
New Block, northwest lampooned by Times for shallow foundation, "nothing very
comer of Main and 7th attractive about it" (Times, August 6, 1859).
1860
Langworthy Building first story done June (Herald, June 20, 1860).
Devanney Block brick, replaces burned saloon site (Herald, April 25, 1860).
Theodore Stimming, two stories, 51x26, to be done April 1, 1860, to house pre-
northwest or northeast existing firm, same site (Herald, February 10, 15, 1860).
comer Iowa and 7th
Old Allen House, 3rd & demolished to make way for new brick block (Herald,
Locust March 28, 1860).
Congregational Church, dedicated (Herald, April 4, 1860).
Locust & 10th
Connolly & Roberts new wagon shop, 2.5 story brick, replaces burned shop
(Herald, June 13, 1860).
Customs House, 9th & work resumes May 29 (Herald, May 30, 1860).
Locust
8th & Main wholesale store, 42x114 (Herald, May 16, 1860)
1861
Cogswell Block roofblown off in June 15 gale (Herald, June 16, 1860).
1862
Woodworth & Co., Main brick block, triple storefront, Woodworth & Co., liquor and
and 4th cigars, Westphal & Hinds, hardware, center store 25' , side
frontages 18.5' (Times, October 10, 1862).
44
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
1863
Tri-plex tenement, Destruction Used as frrst cathedral, "one of Pioneers of town," housed
Locust between 1 st and Bishop 1834-45 (Herald, May 12, 1863).
Jones, destroyed by fire
Wm. Ruffs Block, 5th built by Jos. Double storefront, three story brick, "far preferential to the
and Main (104 Main) Stammeyer old row of wooden buildings" on site, built spring 1863,
$2,500 (Herald, May 8, 1863; January 1, 1864)
D&SCRR Railroad 8-stalls, company fills two miles of right-of-way east of
roundhouse, south of downtown, sites for future buildings, soon to be "the most
Jones, east of Main prominent landmark in the lower part of town," $5-6,000
(Herald, April 28, May 8, 1863; January 1, 1864).
Durfee Block, Main Destruction brick block built 1856, rear wall collapses, south wall likely
between 1 st and Jones to follow, due to mud foundation (Times, March 29, 1856).
(south of Bennett Hotel)
Washington House, 5th Destruction bums down (Times, June 11, 1863).
and Locust
Brinkman & Company, pork packing warehouse, 24x40, two stories, "substantial"
Iowa and 8th (Herald, May 13, 1863).
J. & S. Burt Reaper all stone, 100x40, contractor has 40 days to finish (Times,
Factory May 9, 10, 1863).
Bronson's Tobacco enlarged from three to four stories (Herald, August 28,
Plant, Iowa and 3rd 1863).
Peosta House/Moloney Mullaney & King new roof and attic added for servant quarters, decorative
Block turrets on each comer, smaller than existing central turret,
"changing the appearance of the building entirely" 112x62,
work started November 1863, done in spring (Herald, April
4,1863; January 1, 1864).
Customs House orders to complete to save work already begun, $35,000
(Herald, January 1, 1864).
Julien House Wm. McLar, completely refitted externally and internally, $4,500
carpenter (Herald, January 1, 1864).
Mial Mason, Iowa & 3 rd McQuilton & Duffy tobacco works, story added (Herald, January 1, 1864).
Pleins & Beach, lower large soap and candle factory (Herald, January 1, 1864).
part of city
1864
St. Mary's Church, "the "high order of work on foundation progresses (Herald, June 7, 1864),
new German Catholic architecture" cornerstone laid on May 28 (ibid., May 23, 1865), sidewalls
Church," done, ready for rafters, end walls not as advanced (ibid.,
September 1, 1865, bids to finish spire (ibid., May 8, 1866),
brickwork done (ibid., May 22, 1866), fast approaching
completion (ibid., September 24, 1866).
New distillery, in existing stone building (Herald, June 29, 1864).
Rhomberg & Co., outer
levee below shot tower
5th Ward School John Keenan, work progresses (Herald, July 21, 1864), nearly done
contractor (Herald, Aug. 12, 1864).
Bishop Smyth's Block work progresses, "when finished it will present two of as
7th and Main good storerooms as can be found in this city," (Herald, July
29, 1864), nearly finished, "in heart of business district,"
James Conhors, tobacco & cigars to occupy (ibid.,
September 20, 1864).
45
" . .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Town Clock Block, Wood, Luke & Co. dry goods remodel belfry of former
Main, west side north of church to erect town clock, tower, bell "to be recognized as
8th the standard time for the city," bell arrived, clock to come,
John Bell buys out August 18, relocates from Main & 2nd to
"one of the best stores in the State" (Herald, August 17, 18,
1864).
8th Street sewer vault bids taken, contract to David Armstrong, work starts
brick culvert, Main to September 8 (Herald, August 19, 21, September 8, 1864).
Lorimer House (Bluff)
Jackson House, Mr. new front of the latest style, with iron columns, new
Zugenbuehler, Main near flagging, and other improvements" (Herald, August 26,
3rd 1864).
1865
A. A. Cooper, T. buy Molony Block for $20,000, to convert into first class
Connolly, 3rd & Main wagon factory, Main Street stores to remain, those on 3rd to
go, "will be largest establishment of its kind in the state," "a
central location in the city," (Herald, April 19, 1865).
New lumber yard, J. G. (Herald, April 21, 1865).
Edwards, White & 5th
James Kelley, Main John Keenan, leases land adjoining Bishop's Block, to erect two-story
Street near post office arctritect,contractor brick, 21x50, store for books and news depot, $2,600, to be
done August 1, to start next few days, has more than a
dozen applicants (Herald, May 12, July 20, 1865).
Customs House, Locust Supt. Martin rapidly approaches completion, interior finishing, "best
& 9th, northeast comer building in the State," (Herald, May 16, 1865).
Old Wisconsin House, steam engine being placed in basement (Herald, May 30,
Mr. English, White 1865) .
opposite Farmers House
Northwestern Carriage has added one or more stories to former livery building
& Wagon Factory, Iowa (Herald, June 21, 1865).
and 9th, John Hessie
J. Michel, no location demolishes old building, to build fine two-story brick 23x72
store for boot/shoes store, tin roof, iron shutters "proof
against the devouring elements[fire]", moves temporarily to
5th near Piper's meat market during construction (Herald,
July 12, 1865).
Turners Hall remodeled inside for $1,200 and leased to Mr. Krueger for
three years (Herald, July 18, 1865).
Jim Hughes' shot tower, destroyed by fire (Herald, August 13, 1865).
head Julien Ave.
State National Bank buys lot occupied by Sutcamp's saloon, to immediately
Bldg., comer Main and proceed to put up brick bank building (Herald, August 29,
5th 1865), existing building was "Farmers House" built in
1834, had served as boarding house, grocery and saloon
with numerous remodelings, demolition begins for new
bank, "another landmark gone" (ibid., September 5, 1865).
W. H. Peabody, comer Gothic window start excavations for new three-story brick store, 28x118,
3rd & Main linings stone quoins and Gothic window linings, drawings done,
contract to be let" (Herald, August 31, 1865).
Julien Theater new hip or raised roof in place of flat one "which flooded
the building every time it rained" (Herald, September 1,
46
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
1865) .
A. W. Kessler, Bishop's leases land to build store for dry goods frrm, next to Smiths'
Lot store that had just been finished, two-story brick, 20x70, to
be done in six weeks, tailor shop upstairs, when done there
would be 10 stores from this point to the corner below
(Herald, September 6, 1865).
Mulligan, Dubuque an addition (Herald, May 16, 1866).
House, lower Main
1866
P. Lagen & Son, livery raise foundation (Herald, March 14, 1866).
Mullany, 5th dwelling next to his shop (Herald, March 14, 1866).
Miller's Block (Heeb's bids accepted by A. Heeb, due April 2 (Herald, March 27,
Block), Main between 1866), wooden bldgs. on site demolished, include Killiska's
5th and 6th Clothing Store and John Brown's barber shop (Herald,
April 4, 1866), excavation work about done, foundation
walls to begin (ibid., May 6, 1866), foundation nearly done,
ready for brick (ibid., May 24 1866), completely leased
before first brick laid, Weglau & Landau saloon to lower
store, Meyer & Maas dry goods middle store, J. Stammeyer,
clothing to upper store (ibid., May 29, 1866), rapidly
approaches completion (ibid., July 29, 1866), New City
Beer Hall opens with Germania Band (ibid., August 18,
1866) .
Simplot's store to have new front (Herald, April 4, 1866).
Gisso's frame store, removed down Main to 1 st Ward to vacant lot next to
Main Crowley's, to continue as harness shop (Herald, April 13,
1866) .
Heeb, Couler new malt house, 100xl00, all stone taken from nearby bluff
(Herald, May 18, 1866).
F. Kempf, Southern Ave. T. Cavanaugh, to add floor to store, new cut stone front, arched windows
contractor and doors, work underway by July 10 (Herald, May 19,
July 10, 1866).
Booth's & Shine's vacant for years, destroyed by arsonist, used as hog pen,
former sawmill, foot of some hogs killed (Herald, May 20, 1866).
6th
McGoldrick's shanty on disassembled and moved to higher ground after record flood
levee (Herald, May 25, 1866).
James Hughes, shot rebuilds as two-story brick, 20x45 with 12' tower, to
tower, head Julien operate by August 1, $2,000 (Herald, June 3, 1866).
G. Zumhoff, Clay and 4th converts former broom factory to grocery/saloon and leases
same to Joseph Wittmer (Herald, June 21, 1866).
Bradley/Fayade Block, Henderson & Wilbur, 60' high, 114x45, brick and stone, basement to be one vast
opposite Post Office carpentry, Wood & hall (45xI15) with no columns, building above supported
Sellers, brickwork, by "gigantic trusses," hall to be "largest and most
W. C. Wilkinson, magnificent room north of St. Louis," six 17-feet wide store
plasterwork rooms, 8'-wide entrance, 12 offices on second floor, hall on
third, apparently a complete cast iron front, builders Wm. L.
Bradley, W. W. Luke, F. W Scheffield, R. A. Babbage, E.
W. Herr, name announced as Fayade Block on August 18
(Herald, June 24, July 7, August 8, 18, 1866).
Otte's woolen mill soon to operate, machinery being placed, Morrison-built
47
" · · · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
boiler installed (Herald, June 29, 1866).
New gun shop, west of (Herald, July 20, 1866).
courthouse
Wm. Rebman, Main, Carr & W oolnough, just finished very substantial brick block, three stories,
east side, bet. 10th, 11 th masonry, Jones, 54x34, Rebman to occupy part, rent rest (Herald, August 5,
carpenter 1866). [Survives as 1042 Main]
Edmund Miller, M. H. buy Mineral Lots 38, 50 below Pelan & Randall's saw mill,
Moore, saw mill arrange for 1,000' railroad spur, to build 60xl10 sawmill in
fall, to later add flour mill to run off waste from mill
(Herald, August 31, 1866).
Stone water fountain, in (Herald, August 4, 1866).
front of Gilbert's Store
D. B. Linehan, brick shop adjoining his present shop, three stories, birck
blacksmith shop, Iowa 24x50 (Herald, September 4, 1866).
Key City Flour Mill Bob Armstrong, to enlarge with south side addition, 45x75, add two run of
contractor stone, now to total four, also 1,000 barrel storage capacity
(Herald, September 4, 1866).
W. A. Judd Livery, 6th & add second floor stalls, to be reached by two gradual run of
Locust ramps, "is customary in the large cities where room is
scarce" (Herald, September 11, 1866).
9th & Locust, U.S. started in 1857, finished 1866, demolished 1947, site of
Custom House, Post Northwestern Bell Building (Sommer, p. 18).
Office
Dubuque & Sioux City roundhouse addition of 5-6 stalls, started in summer, $7-
Railroad 8,000 (Herald, November 11, 1866).
Turner Hall destroyed by fIre (Times, March 9, 1866).
Norton's Tenement destroyed by fire (Times, July 31,1866).
1867
Carr & Austin, Southern "immense Dubuque Plaining Mill" brick on stone
between extension of foundation, three stories 70x80 with two story 24x 15 boiler
Main & Iowa, opposite room wing, $36,000 (Herald, September 5, 1867).
D&SC Freight House
C. J. Corkery, west side grain warehouse, one story frame, 28x114, $1,600 (Herald,
Main below 1 st September 5, 1867).
Rose & Weber, Main new storefront on saloon (Herald, September 5, 1867).
between 3rd & 4th
Mrs. Bernarths Beechler, McDermott & Mann, three story brick, 21.5x70, storeroom down, "handsome
East side Main, between contractors improvement" to this part of the street, adjoins Sanborn
8th & 9th Block on the north (Herald, September 5, 1867).
Junkerman (druggist), Flick, contractor two story, 32x32, 16x24 wing, $2,000, building, likely
Iowa between 5th & 6th residence? (Herald, September 5, 1867).
Continental Hotel, 6th former DeSoto? J. K. Graves buys, renovates and reproofs,
and Iowa $7,000, Thomas Stimming new landlord (Herald,
September 5, 1867).
M. J. McLaughlin, double storefront, one story frame $1,200-1,600 (Herald,
Locust & 1 st September 5, 1867).
Richmond & two story brick livery stable, 114x?, hay loft with 300 ton
McMasters, Locust & 4th capacity up, fIrm has 25 horses, can board 42, $25,000
(Herald, September 5, 1867).
Asa Robers, East side addition to wagon shop (Herald, September 5, 1867).
Locust, between 5th & 6th
48
" .. · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Clay near 9th McDermott & Mann, large shop for builders (Herald, September 5, 1867).
carpenters
W. H. Danjehn (?), brass foundry, 34x16, 28' chimney, $800 (Herald,
Southwest comer Clay September 5, 1867).
and 9th
Gabriel Weiss, baker, two story brick, 22x40, storefront down, residence up,
east side Clay, between $2,000+ (Herald, September 5, 1867).
13th & 14th
Jos. Traut, 14th & White two story brick, 20x40, $2,000 (residence?) (Herald,
September 5, 1867).
Rouse & Dean Iowa firm founded 16 years earlier, immense two story brick
Ironworks, Washington addition, 78x94, now infills rest of whole block, 120,000
& 9th brick, 60,000 feet of lumber, 700 cubic yards of fill to raise
site above highest flood level, $35,000 (Herald, September
5, 1867).
Dubuque Cabinet four story frame factory, 32x60, new firm, frrst building,
Makers Association, foot $15,000 (Herald, September 5, 1867).
of 9th
Henry Ziepprecht, Clay Two story brick storefront/residence, 15x60 drugstore,
Street, west side, $1,500-1,800 (Herald, September 5, 1867).
between 13th_14th
A. Stines, Clay, between two story brick with wooden front, 30x40, for clothing/dry
16th & 17th goods store, residence upstairs, (Herald, September 5,
1867). Extant as 1688 Central.
"The Fa9ade" not Started in 1866, finished in spring, "some rooms ready" as
located of May (Herald, September 5, 1867).
Cooper Wagon Works destroyed by fire twice, into temporary quarters in
September (Herald, April 26, 1867; Times, September 26,
1867; Oldt, p. 161).
Half a block of Main destroyed by fire, $50,000 loss (Herald, February 17-18,
Street 1868).
1868
John Nagle, cor. Walnut grocer, fine brick residence, 22x30, two stories, replaces
and Julien store burned few years ago, to build store on next lot
(Herald, April 29, 1868).
Fred Weigle, NW cor. buys lot from Dr. Lay to build fine block of stores, $13,500
Main & 8th for lot (Herald, April 21, 1868)
Trudell's Block to second of third floor, "fine improvement to that unsightly
comer," ironwork and wood, double storefront, see Trudell,
below for possible duplication (Herald, April 29, 1868)
M. S. Robinson, Main Agricultural warehouse, three stories, brick, 60x 118 or
between Jones & 1 st 30x150, $9,500, reaches frrst story by late November, to
push to finish unless mortar freezes "before it is put on,"
site was a pool of water a few weeks ago, :now one of most
substantial structures on Main Street (Times, September 27,
1868; January 1, 1869; Herald, April 29, 1868).
Martin Carroll, Simplot former Carroll bakery converted into store for Simplot
Estate, southeast comer Bros., brick dwelling/bakery, $3,000 (Times, January 1,
Main and 1 st 1869; Herald, December 13, 1868).
Merchants National John Keenan, formerly on west side Main between 5th & 6th, building
Bank, to southeast arch/builder completely gutted, new safe, $6,000 (Herald, December 13,
49
" .. · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase In Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
comer Main & 5th 1868).
John D. Bush, 42 Main new front and story added beneath whole, new roof, new
(west side between 2nd & front, 21x130, Kinley & Cochrane, fruit confectionery to
3rd) occupy, addition to store, $3,500 (Times, January 1, 1869;
Herald, December 13, 1868). Herald, April 29, 1868 states
C. P. Kinsley removed to J. T. Hancock's Store, two doors
below, to demolish old brick owned by John D. Bush with
"substantial and elegant new one," 22 feet frontage to alley,
to be done in two months. Same source, August 14, 1868
states Bush is erecting a three story block, 100 feet deep, "in
place of the one story affair, formerly occupied by C.
P .Kinsley. "
Grosvenor & Harger, rear addition to store, $1,500 (Times, January 1, 1869;
111 Main (bet. 5th & 6th) Herald, December 13, 1868).
Thompson & Jones, 128 store addition, $500 (Times, January 1, 1869).
Main
Geo. F. Fry, 132 Main three story addition to store, $4,000 (Times, January 1,
1869).
Wm. L. Bradley Block Henderson & Brandt, fine brick block, six three story stores starting at comer,
east side Main at 7th architects each store 21xl02, cut stone caps, sills, cut stone cornice
and facings, north four stores owned by Wm. Bradley, then
Wm. Rebman/D. S. Wilson, Mrs. McKenzie, $50,000
(Times, January 1, 1869; Herald, December 13, 1868).
Geo. W. Jones, John Keenan, adds four story brick building at the comer of his block to
northwest comer Main & architec~uilder accommodate Herald, fronts on 6th, 24x36, $5000 (Herald,
6th December 13, 1868).
Junkerman & Haas, east new front, rear additions, and additional story, $5,000
side of Main between 7th (Times, January 1, 1869; Herald, December 13, 1868).
& 8th
James Kelly, Main addition to store, $600 (Times, January 1, 1869).
between 7th & 8th
W. R. Gage, east side Clare House hotel improvements, $3,000 (Herald,
Main between 8th & 9th December 13, 1868).
Ryan, foot of Jones slaughter house, 150x150, stone contract let to Parker &
Lenshaw, break ground December 15, dry laid walls 16 feet
thick (Herald, December 10, 1868).
T. E. Deggendrof, Main frame dwelling, $800 (Times, January 1, 1869).
between 8th & 9th
Ira Hanson, southeast three story brick store and dwelling, $3,500, Pettibone &
comer Main and 11 th Co. to comer storefront, 19x65 (Times, January 1, 1869;
Herald, December 13, 1868).
T. Connolly, Bluff two story brick shop, 52x32, $6,000 (Times, January 1,
between 8th & 9th 1869).
High School, northwest Henderon & Brandt, Improvements, $3,000 (Times, January 1, 1869; Henderson
comer, Clay & 12th architects & Brandt, architects).
M. Young, Clay between two-story brick store/dwelling, $4,000 (Times, January 1,
15th & 16th 1869).
C. Jungk, Clay between two story brick warehouse addition, $2,500 (Times, January
16th & 17th 1, 1869).
A. Stine, Clay between store addition, $1,200 (Times, January 1, 1869). Extant as
17th & 18th 1688 Central
50
" .. · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
N. Brandt, head of 18th two story brick store and dwelling, $3,000 (Times, January
and Clay 1, 1869).
Mitchell & Scott, Clay frame lumber yard office, $5,300 (Times, January 1, 1869;
(Herald says Iowa, 6th) Herald, December 13, 1868).
and 6th
C. E. Klies, White & 9th two story brick dwelling, two story brick soda factory,
30x42,behind house, fronting on 9th, $9,500 (Times, January
1, 1869; Herald, December 13, 1868).
F. Trenkle, White & 12th bakery/saloon addition, 12x24, $600 (Times, January 1,
1869; Herald, December 13, 1868).
J. L. Dickinson, Jackson "but in better style" nearly done rebuilding planning mill/sash factory burned
November 17, 1868, two two-story buildings, 40x80,
85x60, $6,000 (Times, January 1, 1869).
D&SC Passenger Depot, largely rebuilt beneath existing roof, $3,000 (Times, January
Jones 1, 1869; Herald, December 13, 1868).
Wilcox Railway Hotel, Improvements, addition, $4,000 (Times, January 1, 1869).
Jones
J. H. Dunn, 1 st Herald, September 2, 1868 states Dunn had built a new
store on the foundation of the old one. Additions to store,
$600 (Times, January 1, 1869).
C. J. Corkery, 1 st improvement to shop and store, $400 (Times, January 1,
1869).
Wilson & Ogilby Block, extended back 20 feet, tenants were J. H. Thompson's book
Main Street (between store, E. H. Moore's drugstore, Fry's hardware (Herald,
6th _ 7th] August 14, 1868).
Junkerman & Haas, 15-year old drugstore, contract with Wm. Rebman to add
Main two stories and extend back 113 feet to the alley. Will then
be three stories with neat front. Firm owns two lots Main to
Iowa, to soon improve (Herald, July 31, 1868).
Langworthy Block, Main Sadler, Hamlin & Wagner raise block to three stories
at 6th (Herald, August 14, 1868).
Grosvenor & Harger, Enlarge rear of book store by 40 feet (Herald, August 14,
Main 1868).
A. A. Cooper, 3Td Rebuilt wagon factory burned September 1867, three new
buildings, four story brick with shop basement, 44x56,
frame two story 24x48, two-story brick on comer Locust
22x66, $35,000, occupy August 1868 (Times, January 1,
1869; Oldt, p. 164).
Geo. W. Jones, 7th three story brick, 24x36, $5,000 (Times, January 1, 1869).
between Main and
Locust
C. Germer, 7th between two story brick, $3,500 (Times, January 1, 1869).
Iowa ~nd Clay
DeGraw & Co., 7th & lumber office, $500 (Times, January 1, 1869).
Washington
Clark & Cowles, foot of tub and pail factory two story frame warehouse, 20x32,
7th improvements, $2,000 (Times, January 1, 1869; Herald,
December 13, 1868).
H. Honack & Zehtner, Henderson & Brandt, brick building for coopersmithlblacksmith shop, 45x40,
8th comer Clay architects $2,500 (Times, January 1, 1869; Henderson & Brandt,
architects ).
51
" · .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
H. Brinkman, 8th Henderson & Brandt, two story brick addition to packing house, $3,500 (Times,
between Iowa and Main architects January 1, 1869; Herald, December 13, 1868).
J. Trudell, 8th and Bluff three story brick wagon manufactory, 43x48, $7,000
(Times, January 1, 1869; Herald, April 29, 1868).
Sager, cor. Bluff & builds double brick on site of People's Theater, next to
Lorimer Trudell's, above (Times, August 14, 1868).
A. Kaiser, foot of 9th stone addition to mill, two stories, $6,000 (Times, January
1, 1869).
St. John Episcopal first building, replaced by new building in 1877 (Lyon, p.
Church, 14th & Main 390) .
C. E. Klies, White & 9th two story brick building, 23x36, and two story brick
factory, 30x42, $9,500 (Times, January 1, 1869).
Fire, 8th and Clay fire destroys E. Honack's new brass shop, F. Hosch's one
story front saloon, and Neubauer's two story frame
tenement (Herald, August 5, 1868).
Fire, 163 Main, bet. 6th fire destroys fIrst Bishops Block (Herald, September 5,
& 7th streets 1868)
Northwest Stamping had just come to the city from Dunlieth, occupying three-
Metal Factory/Dubuque story brick, capitalized at $50,000, J. K. Graves president,
Metal Stamping Co., destroyed by fIre, $50,000 loss (Times, December 27, 1868;
white & 5th Herald, December 13, 1868).
Dickinson's Planing Mill destroyed by fIre (Herald, November 18, 1868).
Frith's Bone Factory, two separate fires same night (Times, October 13, 1868).
Center Grove House,
Plank Road
Peterson & Christian's destroyed by fire (Times, November 7, 1868).
Shingle Mill
Roger's Block destroyed by fIre (Times, July 7, 1868).
1869
Levi Block, Main & 4th Henderson & Brandt, 41x118, three stories, double storefront for wholesale trade,
architects Sampson & Young (Drugs) to corner store, Jaeger &
Company (Liquor) in other. Stone caps, sills and lintels,
iron columns, galvanized iron cornice, $12,000 (Herald,
December 16, 1869).
Oglesby Block, east side same, John Bell, this was the fIrst Dubuque building with an iron front,
Main between 6th & 7th carpentry, Robert 45x113, three stories, two wholesale storefronts, Wemott,
Rogers, supervisor Howard & Co. (crockery) and Christman (dry goods), both
in by Christmas, iron front, galvanized iron cornice, used
exterior walls of adj oining buildings, $12,000, :one of the
finest improvements in the city during the year" (Herald,
December 16, 1869).
Weigle Block, 8th and Aid. Weigle, 25x80, to be extended to Town Clock building next year,
Main supervisor, "a model three stories, Keller's dry goods in storefront, offices above,
of durability and stone and iron column front, $7,000 (Herald, December 16,
taste" 1869).
Marson Block, Main & John Keenan has 78x114, three stories, stone column front, 'the walls are of
2nd contract, will spend unusual thickness, rendering the building one of the
winter making strongest and most durable in the city. It is designed
preparations making exclusively for accommodating the wholesale trade," three
casings, doors, to storefronts each with patent hoisting apparatus, $23,000
start in spring (Herald, December 16, 1869).
52
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
(Herald, December
10, 1868)
Edw. Langworthy, Main rebuilding of brick store, three stories after frre last spring,
between 5th & 6th 21x110, Palmer & Bros. (books, music) tenants, $5,000
(Herald, December 16, 1869).
High School, Clay & new Clay 81. front, $1,500 (Herald, December 16, 1869).
12
John Sage, 8th between two story brick, 30x36, $4,000 (Herald, December 16,
Locust & Bluff 1869).
Key City Planing Mill, two story addition, 22x40, $1,800 (Herald, December 16,
8th 1869).
John D. Bush, 38-40 tore away stores (storefronts?) and replaced (Herald,
Main December 16, 1869).
J. Cahill, Locust between two story frame, $300 (Herald, December 16, 1869).
1 st & 2nd
John D. Bush, Iowa, two story brick building, 40x60, $2,000 (Herald, December
between 2nd & 3 rd 16, 1869).
Atherton & Walker, brick cooper shop, 20x40, and frame warehouse in the rear,
Iowa between 2nd & 3rd 60x28, $1,800 (Herald, December 16, 1869).
L. M. Hogan, Locust and four two story brick tenements, $5,000 (Herald, December
3rd 16, 1869).
J. Michel, Clay between two story brick dwelling, improvements, $850 (Herald,
3rd & 4th December 16, 1869).
L. C. Fuller, 10111 & Clay two story brick hotel (Herald, December 16, 1869).
Rath & Co., 13111 soap factory, 1.5 story, 32x50, $1,500(Herald, December
16, 1869).
Chas. Bittman, Clay two brick stores, two stories, 31x40, $5,000 (Herald,
between 14th & 15th December 16, 1869). Extant as 1460-64 Central.
Young, Clay between two story brick store and dwelling, $4,000 (Times, January
15th & 16th 1, 1869).
Matthias Flick, Clay shop addition, 18x24, $400 (Times, January 1, 1869;
between 15th & 16th Herald, December 13, 1868).
Wm. Pirt, Clay between three story brick store, 26x26, $2,000 (Herald, December
17th & 18th 16, 1869).
Sol Turck, cor. 4111 & two story brick 32x56, for hotellboarding house, $7,000
White (Herald, December 16, 1869).
Weston, Burch & Co., lumber office, 16x24, two stories, frame, $800 (Herald,
10th December 16, 1869).
Dubuque Cabinet two story brick engine room with drying rooms, 20x28,
Makers Asso., 10th & $1,400 (Herald, December 16, 1869).
Jackson
John McCoy, Julien two story brick, 25x50, $3,500 (Herald, December 16,
1869).
Lorimer House, 8th & thoroughly overhauled, $3,175 (Herald, December 16,
Bluff 1869).
Dr. J. W. Finley, improvements, 41,000 (Herald, December 16, 1869).
northeast comer, 7th &
Main
Marshall Emerson, Rebuilding of Northwestern Metal Stamping Co. burned out
White between 4th & 5th last December, $3,000 plus new machinery, $22,000
(Herald, December 16, 1869).
53
" · .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Huber & Co., 18th & three story frame furniture manufactory, 36x32, $3,000
Washington (Herald, December 16, 1869).
Geo. Rath, Clay between 2.5 story brick store, 30x34, $4,500 (Tribune, December 21,
12th & 13th 1871; Herald, December 17,1871).
Main Street Methodist gallery complete over auditorium, on three sides, part of
Church, Main between $50,000 in improvements (Herald, December 16, 1869).
10th & 11 th
J. L. Dickinson, Jackson planning mill improvements, two story main bldg., 33x80,
between 9th & 10th L 62x31 also two stories, engine room 20x30, lumber shed
40xl00, $10,000 (Herald, December 16, 1869).
Herancourt's Furniture destroyed by fire (Times, October 22, 1869).
Factory
Lyon, Palmer & Aiken fire loss (Times, May 8, 1869).
Co.
1870
Julien Theater Bldg, theater remodeled for use by Masons, $2,500 (Herald,
Locust, comer 5th. December 18, 1870). Times, December 18, 1870 costs at
$4,000.
Wm. Newman, Locust brick stables, 4800 (Herald, December 18, 1870).
between 1 st and 2nd
Judge Burts, Main bet. warehouses, repairs $1,500 (Herald, December 18, 1870).
Dodge and 1 st Times, December 18, 1870 costs at $3000.
Edw. McLane, Main cor. three story double brick, $4,000 (Herald, December 18,
1 st 1870). Times, December 18, 1870 costs as $5,000.
Cushing & Fleeher, 3rd at ice house and brick barn, 136x70, 24' high, $4,000, barn
Iowa and Clay 60x40, $3,000 (Herald, December 18, 1870).
Bradley's block, new underpinnings in rear, rear addition, $1,900 (Herald,
December 18, 1870).
Peter A. Lorimer, Bluff two story brick, $4,500, excavations for more buildings,
between 8th & 10th $1,500 (Herald, December 18, 1870).
G. Becker, Main, three story addition, improvements to wholesale clothing
between 5th & 6th house, $2,000 (Herald, December 18, 1870).
Geo. Rath, 12111 between brick pork packing house, one story, $1,000 (Herald,
Iowa and Clay December 18, 1870).
Thomas Levens, 9tli near one story office block, $1,500 (Herald, December 18,
Main 1870).
F. Mertz, Iowa near 7th small frame gunshop (Herald, December 18, 1870).
Edw. Langworthy, east "combine great three story store, 21x113, $5,000, also new French Plate
side (110-12) Main, near strength of column glass storefront on adjoining store (Herald, December 18,
6th and architectural 1870).
beauty"
Steiner & Zust, 108 similar to Langworthy's, not as long, $4,000 (Herald,
Main, two doors south of December 18, 1870).
above
M. J. King, Main & 6th new rear to fire damaged store (Herald, December 18,
1870).
Grosvenor & Harger new storefront, $700 (Herald, December 18, 1870).
Dr. J. W. Finley, Main "one of the finest room made for the new building by "one of the burnings
between 7th & 8th stores in the city" this season" $8,000, Times costs as $8,500, describes as
three story brick store, 23x114 (Herald, December 18,
1870; Times, December 18, 1870).
54
;.,,"~ry.; '~"~T~"".'l,- ~,"'IJ':~2.,(...:
; . .:>_...."...,";~,..,~. .,~,?",~'
" · .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Glover& Smock, C. foundation laid for construction in 1871, to cost $12,000,
Whitaker Block, next to reported June 1871 as almost ready, "one of the most
above magnificent business buildings in the state," (Herald,
December 18, 1870; Times, June 17, 1871).
Mrs. Sullivan, Main & foundation laid for large brick building (Herald, December
6th 18, 1870).
B. B. Richards, Mrs. T. three single story brick offices, 32x42, $1,500,
Levins, 9th bet. Main and completed in August 1870, court case in 1873 challenged
Locust levying of property taxes on new building for whole year
(Herald, May 27, 1873; Times, December 18, 1879).
Dubuque Lumber Co., two new lumber mills, one of which used foundation built
foot of Locust for a box factory, 44x84 feet, $20,000, the other used a
burned mill foundation (May fire), 50x180 with 25x40
wing, used 5,000 perch of stone and 100,000 brick, $25,000
(Times, December 18, 1870).
Robert Waller, Locust, row of four-story brick stores, 80x52, $6,000 (Times,
cor. 1 st December 18, 1870).
J. P. Sullivan, Main (see three-story brick store, 20x45, $4,500 (Times, December 18,
214 W. 1 st, west end) 1870). This was apparently J. & P. Sullivan, who built the
west third of the triple block at 214 West First.
Geo. Wilde, 72 Main, improvements on store, $500 (Times, December 18, 1870).
cor. 4th
M. J. King, 115 Main, same, $600 (Times, December 18, 1870).
bet. 5th & 6th
G. Becker, Main bet. 5t1f improvements on building, $2,000 (Times, December 18,
& 6th 1870).
Grosevnor & Harger, improvements on store, $1,000 (Times, December 18,
141 Main, bet. 5th & 6th 1870).
Wm. Rebman, Main bet. two three-story brick stores, and third story to double
10th & 11 th tenement dwelling, $14,000 (Times, December 18, 1870).
High School Building, improvements, additions, $2,500 (Times, December 18,
Clay and 12th 1870).
G. Rath, Clay cor. 12t1l singl-story large brick chandlery and packing house, $1,500
(Times, December 18, 1870).
A. Stiner, Clay cor. 17th improvements on store/dwelling, $250 (Times, December
18, 1870).
H. Reil, Clay cor. 18111 improvements on building, $250 (Times, December 18,
1870).
Platt Smith, White cor. coal storehouse, $350 (Times, December 18, 1870).
4th
Knapp, Stout & Co., lumber storehouse, $350 (Times, December 18, 1870).
Washington cor. 8th
Ingram, Kennedy & brick office, 20x28, $900 (Times, December 18, 1870).
Day, Jackson cor. 7th
J. P. Scott, Jackson cor. planing mill replacing burned one, frame, 70x40, $5,800
18th (Times, December 18, 1870).
Cushing & Fischer, 3m two ice houses, 70x125 each, two story brick barn, $6,000
cor. Iowa (Times, December 18, 1870).
Clake & Cowles, 7lli three frame storehouses, 20x70, 20x54, 20x17, $1,500
below Washington (Times, December 18, 1870).
T. Delco, 7tn bet. Iowa addition on building, $1,600 (Times, December 18, 1870).
55
" · .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
and Clay
G. Germer, 7th cor. Iowa improvements on building, $800 (Times, December 18,
1870).
F. Metz, 7th cor. Iowa one story frame, $1,800 (Times, December 18, 1870).
Bishop Hennessey, 7th two story brick, $1,200 (Times, December 18, 1870).
bet. Main and Locust
Fischer & Co., 10th bet. frame factory, $1,200 (Times, December 18, 1870).
Washington and Jackson
Peaslee's Ale Brewery partly destroyed by fIre (Times, January 27, 1870)
Julien Hotel Stables destroyed by fIre, five horses lost (Times, March 27, 1870)
Weston Burch & Co. destroyed by fire, $50,000 loss (Times, August 18, 1870).
Lumber Yard
Dubuque Lumber Yard destroyed by fire, 4,000,000 feet of lumber consumed
(Herald, October 3, 1870). Times reports "gang of
firebugs" March 30, 1870.
Dubuque Lumber Yard mill destroyed by fIre (Times, April 30, 1870).
Commercial Hotel, 8th & destroyed by fire (Times, May 31,1870).
Bluff
"whole row of destroyed by fire (Times, June 11, 1870).
buildings," 11 th & Bluff
Tenement house, 4th & destroyed by fIre (Times, August 2, 1870).
Clay
Dickinson Livery Stable destroyed by fIre (Times, August 2, 1870).
Mulligan's Wholesale destroyed by fire (Times, February 20, 1870).
Liquor Store/Dunn' s
Grocery
Hat factory, Stimming & destroyed by fIre (Times, April 30, 1870).
Langmeier
Mrs. R. Johnson's destroyed by fire (Times, November 8, 1870).
boarding house
Manning Boarding destroyed by fire (Times, November 18, 1870).
House, 4th
Howard Drug, 4th & destroyed by fIre (Times, September 28, 1870).
Bluff
Mrs. J. Sullivan, group destroyed by fire (Times, November --, 1870).
of buildings
Grocery, liquor store, damaged by fire (Time,s November 15, 1870).
hotel, Lower Main
Block, 4th & Main partly destroyed by fIre (Times, November 15, 1870).
Weston, Burch & Co. destroyed by fIre (Times, August 18, 1870).
Lumber Yard
Three buildings burned, destroyed by fire (Times, August 31,1870).
700's block of Main
Key City Planing Mill destroyed by fIre (Times, August 24, 1870).
and dwellings
1871
R. Cox, Cox Block, cor. new storefront, iron pillars, French plate glass (Times, July
5th & Main 12, 1871).
J. Sayer, White between brick store, 26x60, two stories, $8,000 (Tribune, December
11th & 12th 20, 1871).
R. G. Yates, Main brick store, 16x96, two stories, $2,500 (Tribune, December
56
" . .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
between 1 st & 2nd 20, 1871).
A. Kemler, Main brick block, 21x113, two stories, $4,000 (Tribune,
between 1 st & 2nd December 20, 1871).
John Mulligan, Main & "in the Italian style" three brick storefronts, 70x114, three stories, $18,000
1 st (Tribune, December 20,1871; Herald, December 17,1871).
John Kries, Main brick store, 24x113, three stories, $5,000 (Tribune,
between 1 st & 2nd December 20, 1871).
Heirs ofF. E. Bissell, repairs on residence, $4,000 (Tribune, December 20, 1871).
Main between 1 st & 2nd
Richard Hinds, Main, brick store, 22x113, two stories, $4,500 (Tribune, December
between 1 st & 2nd 20, 1871).
Coates & Waters, Main, two brick stores, 21x114, 43x114, two stories, $12,000
between 1 st & 2nd (Tribune, December 20, 1871; Herald, December 17, 1871).
Andrew & Tredway John Keenan, replaces "rickety frame mid-year, secures Commercial Bank
Block, 92 Main between archi tect/builder, as tenant, brick with stone front, 22x114, II-feet high
4th & 5th "have put their block basement, ground level 13.5 feet high, upper two floors
in stylish outfit," each 12 feet high, partial third floor, second story entered
Duane & Roy stone from 5th Street, banking level apparently below grade level,
cutters, Joliet stone extensive remodel, three story triple storefront block
with chamfered extended to alley, bank and hardware fronts faced with
edges. Joliet marble, "rich" galvanized iron cornice and tin roof,
upper stories "will have more space between joints and the
roof will be raised nine feet to make the required room,"
quarters for Commercial National Bank, Merchants
National Bank, $17,800, 14x17 masonry vault for
Commercial bank in cellar, $4,900, also put new front on
entire comer block front "of the same architecture and the
same kind of stone employed in the new [bank] building,
two buildings between #92 and 5th also to be immediately
rebuilt, floors raised to match, hold Anderw & Tredway's
hardware store and Mechant's Bank., $7,000 (Herald,
August 25, December 17, 1871; Tribune, December 20,
1871; Times, July 9, August 3, 25, 1871).
A. McCann, Cabinet glass front on warehouse, $1,350 (Tribune, December 20,
Makers Asso., Main 1871).
between 4th & 5th
Andrew, Pelan & improvements on 114x44, three story building, new stone
Wilson, Main & 5th Joliet marble front, improvements, $10,000 (Herald,
December 17, 1871).
V. Langworthy, Main brick block, 40x118, three stories, glass front, $6,000
between 5th & 6th (Tribune, December 20, 1871).
Geo. W. Jones, Main & glass front $2,000 (Tribune, December 20, 1871).
6th
Mrs. E. Sullivan, Main two brick stores, 22x114, three stories, galvanized iron
& 6th cornice, $12,000 (Tribune, December 20, 1871; Herald,
December 17,1871; Herald, December 17,1871).
Wilson & Oglesby, Main glass front, $2,000(Tribune, December 20, 1871).
between 6th & 7th
Bradley & Wilson, Main glass front, $700 (Tribune, December 20, 1871).
between 6th & 7th
James Levi, Main & 7th "one of the finest brick store, 32x113, three stories, Joliet marble, French
brick blocks in the Plate glass front, galvanized iron cornice and crowning
57
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
city" columns, $12,000 (Tribune, December 20, 1871; Herald,
December 17,1871).
Wm. C. Bradley, "put cornices on his galvanized iron cornice, $2,000 (Tribune, December 20,
Bradley Block, Main & brick block" 1871; Herald, December 17,1871).
7th
C. Whittaker, Main in "a fine appearance" three stories, 32x113, brick, Joliet stone and cornice,
the block above Levi $15,000 (Herald, December 17,1871).
building, between 7th &
8th
J. R. Waller Block, Main John Keenan, three story brick, stone basement, best French Plate glass
& 9th architect/builder, front, 34x70, double storefront, "when completed will be a
"wholly of brick laid decided improvement to the uptown portion of Main street,"
in the best form of galvanized iron cornice, $9,500 (Tribune, December 20,
ornamentation brick 1871; Herald, August 30, December 17, 1871).
are capable of'
Wm. Rebman, Main three story brick block, triple storefront, glass fronts,
between 10th & 11 th $12,000 (Tribune, December 20, 1871).
John McCoy, Julien near brick store, 25x50, two stories, $3,000, finished in July,
Bluff, just above would sell (Tribune, December 20, 1871; Times, July 28,
Lorimer House 1871).
Julien Theater, Locust improvements, $550 (Tribune, December 20, 1871).
between 5th & 6th
Casper Germer, Iowa & "very handsome brick brick business block and dwelling, 40x40, $6,000 (Tribune,
7th structure" December 20, 1871).
Dubuque Mfg. Co., . L. addition, improvements, $2,000 (Tribune, December 20,
Dickinson & Co., 1871 ).
Washington between
10th & 11 th
E. Candwick, First near brick block, 40x50, three stories, $7,000 (Tribune,
Main (behind Mulligan's December 21, 1871; Herald, December 17, 1871).
new block)
F. A. Gniftke, Sixth National Demokrat Building, two stories, brick, 22x34,
between Main & Locust $2,500 (Tribune, December 21, 1871; Herald, December
17, 1871).
J. Mullany, 6th between "built in the best style brick block, 68x63, three stories, includes Times office and
Main & Locust of architecture" residence, $13,000 (Herald, December 17, 1871).
Geo. Zumhoff, Clay & brick addition to packing house, $3,000 (Herald, December
4th 17, 1871).
Dunn's destroyed by fire (Times, January 17,1871).
Grocery/Tredway's
Hardware
three factories and five destroyed by fIre (Times, December 13, 1871).
dwellings
Fockler Brewery destroyed by fIre (Times, April 20, 21, 1871).
Farmer's Home & destroyed by fIre (Times, May 23, 1871).
Stables, 1 st Street
Dubuque Cabinet destructive fire, (Times, October 3,1871).
Makers Asso., and other
businesses, Main Street
Wilcox's Railway Hotel destroyed by fIre (Times, November 30, 1871).
1872
58
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
C. W. Tyler, Jones & C. John McCoy, builder 1.5 story frame coffeehouse, $750 (Times, November 23,
I. C. R.R. 1872).
J. E. Fairbanks & Co., brick addition to bakery, two stories, 30x?, $3,800 (Times,
2nd between Main, November 23, 1872).
Locust
John Lucas, Locust & 1 st three story brick block, 31x23, $3,500 (Times, November
23, 1872).
Waller Estate, SE comer John Keenan, sought to improve comer, had architect prepare plans and
9th & Main architect, builder cost estimates, owners hired Keenan to build, building to be
wholly of brick, highly ornamental, double storefront,
whole measures 34x70, windows of the best French Plate
glass "in conformity with the rule that seems to have been
established this season on Main street." To be ready by
early December (Herald, August 30, 1871).
Waters Bros/W aters & John Keenan, three story four storefront brick block, plate glass front,
Coates, 8th & Locust architect/builder "a $10,000 (Times, November 23, 1872; Herald, November
valuable improve- 24, 1872).
ment to that part of
the street
Carr, Austin & Co., thre- story frame warehouse, 40x80, $6,000 (Times,
Main Street Extension November 23,1872; Herald, November 24, 1872).
George Mullet, Main, three-story brick addition to rear, plate glass storefront,
near Key City House Myers & Tice, tenants, $2,800 (Times, November 23, 1872).
Thos. Sullivan, first John Keenan, three-story brick store, 20x45, $2,950 (Times, November
street above Main (?) arch/buiI der 23, 1872; Herald, November 24, 1872).
Wm. Lawther on, Main new store front, $700 (Herald, November 24, 1872).
between 1 st & 2nd
Thompson & Raedath, interior store improvements, $2,000 (Herald, November 24,
Main between 2nd 3rd 1872).
,
Myers, Tice & Co., Main store addition, new front (Times, November 23, 1872).
between 3rd and 4th
Geo. Willett, Main "finished up in the addition, storefront, $2,800 (Herald, November 24, 1872).
between 3 rd & 4th latest style with
French Plate glass"
Arthur McCann, Main John Keenan, four-story store, 114x21.5, replaces store burned a year or
between 4th & 5th architect/builder two ago, $7,000/$9,000, also repairs to old building $500
(Times, November 23, 1872; Herald, November 24, 1872).
Richard Cox, Main, same likely replaces fire damaged building, Keenan did plans for
between 4th & 5th both Cox and McCann, fine brick block, three stories,
21.5xI14, $8,000 (Herald, November 24, 1872).
Mrs. C. Herancourt, same, "comely brick three-story plate glass front, 24x114, $6,000 (Times,
Main, between 4th & 5th block.. .iron copings November 23,1872; Herald, November 24, 1872).
and galvanized iron
cornice"
John Bell & Co., Main new store, $600, Bell was tenant firm in collapsed Town
between 4th & 5th Clock Building (Herald, November 24, 1872).
Ms. E. Sullivan, Main & improving third story of brick block, $700 (Herald,
6th November 24, 1872).
Thos. Connolly's John Keenan, four stories plus basement, 91x113, $25,000 (Times,
Carriage Factory, 7th & architect/builder, November 23,1872; Herald, November 24,1872).
Iowa "massive walls...a
59
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
bulwark of
prosperity"
A. Levi, Main & 7th "a rival in three story, 60x113, marble front, plate glass, galvanized
architecture of iron cornice, "balustrade arching the fronts," "the exterior
Connolly's Block finish is very beautiful," $60,000 (Times, November 23,
[just below same]" at 1872; Herald, November 24, 1872).
7th & Iowa
Peoples' Savings John McCoy, "lifting and repairing," $1,000, total $3,500 (Times,
Bank/Jones Block, Main contractor November 23, 1872; Herald, November 24,1872).
between 6th & 7th
Sheffield & Rider/Ryder, "handsomest piece of marble front block, grouted basement, 52x113, three stories,
Main between 7th & 8th architecture in the $24,000 (Times, November 23, 1872; Herald, November
city...it had elegant 24, 1872).
marble fronts
designed after the
Corinthian order,
with plain glass
windows, and the
latest style of cornice
capping its beauty"
George D. Wood/fown three-story brick, on site of old town clock building,
Clock Building, Main $18,000, 51x114, 60' high town clock tower with
between 8th & 9th galvanized iron cornice, $7,500 (Times, November 23,
1872; Herald, November 24, 1872).
H. Pleins, Main between in same line as above, three story brick block, 70x26.5,
8th & 9th plain front, $7,000 (Herald, November 24, 1872).
F. Weigle, Main between "well finished. . .a three-story brick block, on old site of Gen. Booth's
8th & 9th decided improvement property, 40x20, adjoins Clock Tower block, $4,000 or
to the street" 6,000 (Times, November 23,1872; Herald, November 24,
1872).
Richard Cox, Herald John Keenan, one-story double storefront block, 41x34, $2,800 (Times,
says 9th between Main & architectnluilder November 23,1872; Herald, November 24, 1872).
Locust, Times says Main
above 9th,
J. G. LaNicos/or M. Herald says three story brick block, 60x21, Times says two
LaNieca, Iowa between story drugstore, 20x60, with glass front, $3,000 (Times,
12th & 13th November 23,1872; Herald, November 24, 1872).
C. Luther, Clay near small cigar store, one story block, $1,200 (Times, November
13th, between 12th & 13th 23, 1872; Herald, November 24, 1872).
S. Eichman, Clay two story brick store, 20x78, $3,800(Herald, November 24,
between 17th & 18th 1872).
Kampf & Stout & Co., two lumber sheds, $2,000, office, and improvements on
Washington & 8th Pine S1. property between 8th & 9th, $19,000 (Times,
November 23,1872; Herald, November 24, 1872).
Moore's Mill and other destroyed by fIre (Times, October 30, 1872).
buildings
Kempfs Brewery, destroyed by fIre (Telegraph, September 13, 1872).
Southern Avenue
Nick Ryan's Store, Main destroyed by fire (Times, November 26, 1872).
Cannon House, 3rd & historic, built 1834, destroyed by fire (Times, October 3,
Main 1872).
60
" . .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Myers-Tice Tobacco destroyed by fire (Times, July 26, 1872).
Factory
Tobacco Factory, Plein's destroyed by frre (Times, February 13, 1972).
Store and others
Town Clock Building, Former brick church converted to store, collapses under
Main north of 8th weight of town clock, regional news story (Clinton Age,
May 31,1872).
1873
Ira Hanson, Main & 11 th "a tasty block" double storefront, three stories, 32x40, stone finish, $7,000
(Herald, November 11, 1873).
John D. Bush, Main remodels brick block, $1,200 (Herald, November 11, 1873).
between 7th & 8th
Mrs. Eliz. Thomas, Main improvements on block, $100 (Herald, November 11,
& 8th 1873 ).
H. W. Sanford, Main same, $2,000 (Herald, November 11, 1873).
between 8th & 9th
J. Wood & Co., Main & same $500 (Herald, November 11, 1873).
1 st
Richard Bonson, 62-64 John Keenan, three story block, 43x114, for Wm. C. Chamberlain,
Main, between 3 rd & 4th contractor hardware and seed (established 1855), double storefront,
basement and sub-basement, wareroom apartments up,
street front fmished with cut stone, massive iron columns
and French glass, $15,000, (see woodcut in architectural
section below) (Herald, May 30, November 11, 1873;
February 17, 1874).
Mrs. Eliz. Ogilby, Main three story business block, 23x114, stone copings, French
between 6th & 7th plate glass, $7,000 (Herald, November 11, 1873).
Clock Tower Building, clock tower finished, clock installed, $3,000 (Herald,
Main between 8th & 9th November 11, 1873).
Jacob Michel, Main "pure grace and block, 21x114, three stories, front laid in cut stone,
between 5th & 6th attractiveness" elaborate cornice and balustrade, plate glass, cylindrical
unrivalled in new iron pillars "stud the front door" $11,500 (Herald,
buildings this year November 11, 1873).
W. W. Woodworth, most expensive four story addition, fronts on 2na (Herald, November 11,
Julien Hotel, Main & 2nd 1873).
Turner Hall, Iowa & 14th "marked housed in former Northwest Carriage Works, apparently
improvement of the rebuilt, "now an enduring structure of frame and brick,"
year" 102x54, $7,000 (Herald, November 11, 1873).
Kinder & Luger, two story brick saloon, 38x40, with wing 12x14, $3,500
northeast comer Iowa (Herald, November 11, 1873). (Luger & Jaeger as of 1874)
and 7th
A. Vogel, Clay & 17th brick store, 42x28, two story, $2,800 (Herald, November
11, 1873).
Jefferson House stable, addition (Herald, November 11, 1873).
White between 6th& 7th
Dr. Geo. M. Staples, 5th improvement of brick building on alley comer for office,
between Main, Locust $300 (Herald, November 11, 1873).
Prindle & Truesdell, 5th improvements, cooper shop, $100 (Herald, November 11,
& White 1873).
Tom Connolly, 7th & improvements on carriage factory, $500 (Herald, November
Iowa 11,1873).
61
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
W. H. Peabody, 7th & remodeling brick building $1,500 (Herald, November 11,
Locust 1873).
A. R. Sullivan, 8th & two-story brick block, 78x51, four storefronts, $7,000,
Locust improving adjoining building, $1,100 (Herald, November
11, 1873).
Fred Weigle, 8th & Main three story addition to block, 32x40, $4,500 (Herald,
November 11, 1873).
John D. Bush, 8th, "Old improvements, $500 (Herald, November 11, 1873).
Trudell Block"
Andrew Merry, Julien brick store, 28x83, two stories, $2,000 (Herald, November
and Bluff 11, 1873).
Herald Building Heer & Nascher, three stories, 83x84, brick with modest stone copings,
architects "plain and unpretentious in architecture, there is no dash or
romantic design, but a substantial red flanking of brick each
way..." still underway (Herald, November 11, 1873).
Kaiser's Vinegar Factory destroyed by fire (Times, March 9, 1873).
Davie's Saloon, destroyed by fITe (Times, May 14-15, 1873).
Newburgh Pain Shop
Frith's Bone Factory, destroyed by fire (Times, October 4, 1873).
Plank Road
Rhomberg Mill H. L. Fulton, Chicago "mammoth mill" being built, Architect Fulton one of
Architect committee who examine new Clock Tower for stability
(Herald, May 30, 1873).
1874
J. L. Dickinson & Co., new machine shop, foundry (45x70), blacksmith shop
Washington & 10th (35x50), engine room (12x30), has been burned out two or
three times, all brick, corrugated iron roof, main building
50x140, two stories with 20x20 L, $15,000 (Herald,
November 22, 1874).
Judge Wilson, Globe W. L. Bradley, "the southern half [?] has been swept away to make room
Hall Building, 5th & contractor, "one of for a palatial business block," 21x113, three stories back to
Main the most important alley, from of Lamonite marble and cut stone, elaborate
and elegant cornice and balustrade (by Tom Henney), offices on second
improvements on floor
Main Street"
Bradley Block W. L. Bradley, improved brick residence behind block, $1,000, installed
contractor five plate glass fronts on block, $3,000 (Herald, November
22, 1874).
Masonic Hall, 5th same new cornice and gutters. $500 (Herald, November 22,
1874).
Martin Carroll, 1 st & new front on three-story block $1,500 (Herald, November
Jones 22, 1874).
Manson Block, 2nd & new plate glass front, $1,200 (Herald, November 22, 1874).
Main
County Jail, Iowa female prisoner addition, six cells, 17x40, $6,000 (Herald,
November 22, 1874).
Capt. J. W. Parker & frame warehouse, $2,000 (Herald, November 22, 1874).
Son, 2nd & Iowa
Simplot Bros., 1 st & two story brick block, 41x51, storefronts, $3,000 (Herald,
Iowa November 22, 1874).
Peter Western, American three story brick addition, $4,000 (Herald, November 22,
62
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
House, White 1874).
L. C. Fuller, Fuller brick addition to hotel, 23x32, three stories and attic, $2,000
House, 9th & Clay (Herald, November 22, 1874).
Central Market House, John McCoy, builder new roof $500 (Herald, November 22, 1874).
Clay & 13th
Engine House, 4th & (Oldt, p. 175).
Locust
Third Ward School, Clay same same, $370 (Herald, November 22, 1874).
& 12th
Dickinson Foundry destroyed by frre (Herald, September 4, 1874).
John Schreiner destroyed by frre (Times, June 16, 1874).
residence, 3rd and Main
Hackalt's greenhouse destroyed by frre (Times, January 6, 1874).
Finley Block, 7th and destroyed by fire (Times, October 2, 1874).
Main
Mattress factory, (Joe destroyed by fire (Times, March 4, 1874).
Rhomberg), 6th
M. S. Robinson Block, destroyed by fire (Times, November 4, 1874).
Dubuque Harbor Co.
Gleed's Malt House, 18t destroyed by fire (Times, December 5, 1874).
Ward
Congregational Church, French Romanesque new steeple, $6,000 (Herald, November 22, 1874).
10th & Locust
Episcopal Church, English Gothic, $35,000, very extensive foundation of bluff stone, Farley
Henry M. Langdon, stone trim, cruciform plan (Herald, November 22,1874).
New York, architect
John Bell, shop in rear of (Herald, January 29, 1874).
postoffice (Customs
House)
1875
D. H. Conningham & W. "the most prominent three stories, double storefront, 20x110 each, elevators and
H. Peabody, Main business block modem improvements, brick, "built in a plain, neat and
between 4th & 5th erected this season," substantial manner," "This block fills an unsightly gap that
John Keenan, existed a long time between the Woodworth block and
architect, Frick Herancourt's fine three story furniture warehouse," 250,000
contractor, W. H. brick, $13,000 (Herald, October 31,1875).
Schilling, brick
contractor, Schulte &
Wagner, cut stone
and foundation work
Eagle Building, 9th & "of the Main Street $15,000, "at once imposing and showy, and remarkably free
Main buildings completed from superfluous or tawdry ornamentation or veneering,"
this year none are 20xl14, massive and solid cut stone fa~ade (Lemoni stone),
more solid, tasteful first and second stories have "exquisitely carved" columns,
and elegant," "it (Herald, October 31, 1875).
combines the elegant
simplicity of the
Renaissance with the
more elaborate and
imposing Corinthian
ornamentation," Heer
63
" . .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
& Nascher,
architects,
Broadhurst, brick
mason, Jas. Ckeen,
carpentry
[Dr.] Finlay Block, Main John Keenan, "upon the ruins of the old Findlay tinderboxes, which were
& 7th architect and builder, razed by frre last fall," three stories, plain brick front, four
M. Parker brick occupied storefronts, second floor offices (Pollock &
contractor Shields, lawyers), remainder houses Baylies Commercial
College, 64x32, $12,000 (Herald, October 31,1875).
C. W. Wullweber, N. A. Shilling, 1.5 story brick structure, 23x32, attorney (Herald, October
northeast comer Main & contractor 31,1875).
7th
Duncan & Waller Block, Mullany & Head, two stories with basement, 32x28, "a beautiful and
5th in rear of First architectlbuilders, N. imposing briefbuilding, elegant cut stone front, occupied as
National Bank H. Schilling brick real estate and brokerage office, $3,500 (Herald, October
mason 31, 1875).
Jas. Rowan Block, Iowa John Keenan, 60' Iowa frontage, double storefront, 218,000 brick, three
architect, N. H. stories, two of apartments, $12,000, (Herald, October 31,
Schilling, brickwork, 1875).
"the finest business
block erected on this
street this past
season"
J. A. Rhomberg, Iowa N. H. Schilling, improvements, 75,000 brick, $5,000 (Herald, October 31,
contractor 1875).
Wna.Ryan, Iowa inaprovenaents to block, $1,600 (Herald, October 31, 1875).
Simplot Bros., Pacific two stories, brick, $6,000 (Herald, October 31, 1875).
Hotel, Iowa
Western House, Iowa Heer & Naescher, new brick barn, $1,600 (Herald, October 31, 1875).
architects/builders
M. Brandt, Clay new front, improvenaents, $300 (Herald, October 31,1875).
Harmony Hall, Clay Heer & Naescher, new front and new story, $2,000, new brick barn, two
south of 7th architects/builders stories, $1,400 (Herald, October 31,1875).
1564 Central Assessor dates to 1875, two stories, 18x36, extant as same
address.
Brunskill, 8th the street claims "one first half of planned block, the second will extend to Bush
of the finest business property, 51x46, three stories, brick with elegant cut stone,
blocks in the city," $13,000 (Herald, October 31,1875).
M. Parker, brick
mason, John McCoy,
carpentry work,
superstructure by
Mulholland
Coates & Waters, 8th new front, $800 (Herald, October 31, 1875).
Alentine Stoltz, 659 Heer & Naescher, brick barn, 27x72, two stories, $1,600 (Herald, October 31,
Clay architects 1875).
Iowa Lumber Co. sawmill destroyed by fire (Herald, Novenaber 20, 1875).
Peacock's Liquor destroyed by fIfe (Times, February 26, 1875).
Store/O'Brien Oat Meal
Factory., Lower Main
64
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Connolly Carriage destroyed by fire, "one of worst fires" (Times, January 12,
Factory 1875).
Connolly Carriage temporary quarters, again destroyed by fire (Times ,June 30,
Works 1875).
Rhomberg Block/Ryan destroyed by fIre (Times, August 15,1 7, 1875).
Building
1876
Dr. Asa Horr, 872 Main brick addition, $1,000 (Herald, December 2, 1876).
Blumenauer Heer & Nascher, have plans for new building (Nat. Demokrat, January 13,
architects 1876) .
Cooley same have plans for new building (Nat. Demokrat, January 13,
1876) .
Peaslee same have plans for new building (Nat. Demokrat, January 13,
1876) .
John Flynn, Clay brick store, $2,500 (directory places same, packer at 174 W.
14th, messenger, 144 W. 17th) (Herald, December 2, 1876).
Butt & Bros., wagon $1,200 (Herald, December 2, 1876).
shop, 645 Iowa
Bernard Kistler, Main Heer & Naescher, "no building in the city is built stronger or furnished better,"
between 9th & 10th architects, Jas. Roy, marble front, French plate glass, galvanized iron cornice, tin
stonework, Klauer & roof, stone sidewalk, cistern, water closets, rear porch,
Henney, iron work, double storefront with cellars, rear entrances in basement,
"all of the most store and hall on ground, second floor residence, third floor
modem style" hall 25x70, $7,800, to house jewelry shop, nearly done mid-
October (Herald, December 2, 1876; Nat. Demokrat, June
1, October 12, 1876).
R. Langworthy, Main improvements to store, $5,000 (Herald, December 2, 1876).
John Phalen, Main Addition to store, $2,000 (Herald, December 2, 1876).
Novelty Iron Works, 10th $6,000 (Herald, December 2, 1876).
and Washington
1672 Central Assessor dates to 1876, two stories, 21x40, extant.
Goffette & Co. Ladder destroyed by fIre (Times, June 22, 1876).
Factory, Jones & Main
Brighton House, Lower destroyed by fire (Times, August 6, 1876).
Main
Dubuque Lumber Co. "again devastated," mills destroyed by fire (Times, July 23,
1876) .
Lamb & Son Mill destroyed by fIre (Times, November 16, 1876).
1877
John Phelan, 177 Main brick stores, $5,000 (Herald, December 14, 1877).
Klauer & Henney, 1513 improvements to tinware store, $2,000 (Herald, December
Clay 14, 1877). *
A. Y. McDonald, Iowa old frame residence removed from site (Times, April 12,
between 5th & 6th 1877).
Bennett's Boarding Destruction partly burned some months ago, a landmark, to be replaced
House, below 1 8t & Main with new block (Times, April 13, 1877).
Schloth Brothers Meats, Frame building relocated (Times, April 21, 1877).
to Locust and 8th
Eighmey & Waller $25,000 (Herald, December 14, 1877).
Opera House
J. N. Hill, Key City $13,000 (Herald, December 14, 1877).
65
" .. . the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Hotel
A. Y. McDonald factory, $8,000 (Herald, December 14, 1877).
C. H. Eighmey "two swell fronts," $6,000 (Herald, December 14, 1877).
S1. John Episcopal second building, cornerstone laid 1877, completed 1878
Church, 14th & Main (Lyon, p. 390).
John O'Brien, meat see fire account below, brick store, $4,000 (Herald,
market, rear, 169 Main December 14, 1877).
Condon's Tavern, destroyed by fIre (Times, January 9, 1877).
O'Brien's Meat Market,
Barn, all 1 st Street
John Halper's Saloon, destroyed by fIre (Times, November 20-21, 1877).
Fred Callet Saloon
Dubuque Cabinet "another fire," (Times, August 3, 1877).
Makers Asso.
1878
J. D. Bush, Main near new brick warehouse and brick store$15,000 (Herald,
Jones January 3, 1879).
Coates & Waters, Main double brick storefront, $10,000 (Herald, January 3, 1879).
between 2nd & 3rd
Geo. Rath, Clay pork packing house addition, $2,500 (Herald, January 3,
1879).
J. H. Strobel, 465 Clay brick addition to building, pork packer (Herald, January 3,
1879).
A. W. Hosford, Locust "park livery stable" $12,000, also brick dwelling, on Locust,
& 7th $6, 500 (Herald, January 3, 1879).
P. Pier, Clay new ice house, frame, $1,500 (Herald, January 3, 1879).
Andrew A. Tredway, brick warehouse, $9,000 (Herald, January 3, 1879).
Iowa
H. W. Sanford Block, improvements on business block, adjoining building
Main and 8th including Tremont House, $3,000 (Herald, January 3,
1879).
Fred Delecker/Delkor, brick shop, $800, blacksmith (Herald, January 3, 1879).
333 7th
F. E. Moser, Main & 11111 new storefront, $400 (Herald, January 3, 1879).
A. A. Cooper, Jones warehouse, $6,000 (Herald, January 3, 1879).
J. Simplot, Main, double brick store, $15,000 (Herald, January 3, 1879).
between 4th & 5th
J. Flynn, Main, 8th & 9th two brick stores, $6,000 (Herald, January 3, 1879).
near 9th
Jesup & Gray, Main & improvements in sore, $1,000 (Herald, January 3, 1879).
9th
Mrs. Kennedy, 5th & rebuilding warehouses, $2,000 (Herald, January 3, 1879).
White Herald January 1, 1880 repeats, $3,000.
Eagle Block rear part destroyed by fIre (Times, February 2, 1878).
Farley & W olcoot, Key $16,000 (Herald, January 3, 1879).
City steam Cracker
Factory, White & 6th
Burke's Awning destroyed by fIre (Times, January 3, 1878).
Factory, south of town
Fockler's Buggy Top destroyed by fire (Times, August 9, 1878).
Factory, Lower Main
66
" .. . the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase m Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Lembeck's Planing Mill "disastrous fire," destroyed (Times, August 8, 1878).
Kuntz & Schroeder destroyed by fire (Times, October 13, 1878).
Carriage Factory, junk
house
Tremont House, 8th "bad frre" (Times, September 17, 1878).
Hough Shingle Mill, I.C. destroyed by fire (Times, June 18, 1878).
Freight House
ICRR Machine/Car destroyed by fire (Times, August 10, 1878).
Shops
Peter Olinger Stables destroyed by frre (Times, September 18, 1878
1879
Palmer, Winall & Co. new printing house (Herald, October 3, 1879).
J. H. Stroble, 465 Clay brick addition, pork packer (Herald, January 1, 1880).
A. Y. McDonald enlargement, still not big enough to handle business barrel
factory rebuilt on larger and better scale (Herald, October 3,
1879).
L. D. Randall collar factory (Herald, October 3, 1879).
Caledonia Oat Meal Co., factory erected by owners Schloth Bros. & Gray, ready in
foot of 10th or 11th few days, a new industry for Dubuque barrel factory rebuilt
on larger and better scale (Herald, October 3, 1879; January
1,1880), $12-15,000 (Times, November 16,1879)
F. Weigle, SE comer 5th addition to store, $3,000 (Times, November 16, 1879)
& Main
R. Waller, Main between brick store, $7,000 (Times, November 16, 1879)
3rd and 4th
Lawther & Sturgeon, improvement on store, $300 (Times, November 16, 1879)
Main bet. 1 st & 2nd
Norwegian Plow Works, "immense" brick structure, $40,000, company relocated
foot of Main from Boscobel, Wisconsin (Times, November 16, 1879;
Herald, October 3, 1879)
McCullough & Degnan, large brick warehouse, $3,000 (Times, November 16, 1879)
Main near Jones
Globe Building, Main marble front, $25,000 (Times, November 16, 1879)
bet. 5th & 6th
Langworthy, Main bet. buildings rebuilt, $10,000 (Times, November 16, 1879)
5th & 6th
1 st National Bank, Main addition, improvement, $2,000 (Times, November 16, 1879)
W. Ryan, Iowa cor. 12th three story brick store, 20x75, $3,500 (Times, November 16,
1879)
Palmer, Winall & Co., three story brick, $6,000 (Times, November 16, 1879)
Iowa comer 6th
Rugamer & Ade, Iowa addition on store, $300 (Times, November 16, 1879)
cor. 12th
Atherton & Company, barrel factory rebuilt on larger and better scale (Herald,
Key City Barrel Factory, October 3, 1879). $10,000 (Times, November 16, 1879)
Iowa
Holly Steam Heat main building, nearly three miles of mains $55,000 (Times,
Supply Co., Iowa November 16, 1879; Herald, October 3, 1879).
Pier & Lenehan, Iowa mammoth ice house, $1,200 (Times, November 16, 1879)
cor. 4th
Farley & Wolcott, White addition to cracker factory, $1,500 (Times, November 16,
67
" . .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
and 6th 1879)
M. Piffner, White brick store house $800 (Times, November 16, 1879)
R. Nolte, Washington two-story brick store, $2,000 (Times, November 16, 1879)
J. E. Fairbank's Bakery, enlarging and new oven $2,000 (Times, November 16,
200 between Main and 1 st, 1879). Extant.
231-35 West 2nd
Butchers Association large building "in which they prepare their stuff for
shipment" (Herald, October 3, 1879).
Geo. Zumhoff & Son slaughter house (Herald, October 3, 1879).
Mrs. Kennedy, 4th rebuilding Prichard's buggy top factory, $2,500 (Times,
November 16, 1879)
Farley & Loetscher, 8th large brick planning mill, $15,000 (Times, November 16,
1879).
Frank Brede, 299 7th new store, $2,500, entry says Clay, directory places saloon
at this address, 1880 (Herald, January 1, 1880).
W. W. Carr Sash & Door destroyed by frre (Times, November 4, 1879).8
Factory
W.W. Carr Sash & Door building and stock destroyed by fire (Times, July 23, 1879).
Factory, Thompson &
Randall's Collar Factory
W.W. Carr Sash & Door $100,000 frre (Times, November 4, 1879).
Factory
Entire block, East side of destroyed by frre (Times, January 26, 28, 1879).
Main, owned by
Langworthy
J. H. Baule Grocery, destroyed by frre (Times, September 14, 1879).
Sanford Block
1880
Moritz Brown, 6th & "big elegant building for trade and manufacturing,"
Locust $25,000, opposite Herald buiding, replaces Lorimer Livery
(Nat. Demokrat, April 29, 1880).
P. Hammel, Locust store extension, $1,800 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Chas. H. Eighmey, 1337 improvements, $3,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Main
Palmer, Winall & Co., three story brick, $7,000 (Herald, January 1,1881).
6th & Iowa
Atherton, Walker & Co., $10,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Key City barrel factory
First National Bank addition, $2,500 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Thos./W. Ryan, Iowa & three story brick store, 20x75, cut stone, $3,500 (Herald,
12th January 1, 1881).
Langworthy Block, Main repairs, etc., $8,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
F. Weigle, Main & 6th addition to store, $4,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Robert Waller, Main, John Keenan, brick store, $7-8,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
east side, between 3rd & architect
4th
McCullough & Degnan, brick warehouse, $3,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Main
Globe Building, Main $10,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Norwegian Plow John Keenan, plans, $40,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Factory, below Jones architect
68
" .. . the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Jefferson House, White improvements, $,1500 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
& 7th
Chris Voelker, Clay & new store, $4,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
13th
Farley, Loetscher & Co. planing mill, $15,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
H. W. Sanford, Iowa two-story row, $2,000 (Herald, January 1,1881).
A. Y. McDonald, Iowa pump factory, $12,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
A. A. Cooper, dry kilns and warehouse, $8,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Alex Simplot, improvements on Pacific House, $1,000 (Herald, January 1,
1881 ).
Andrew & Tredway, brick block, $94,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Locust
M. Brown, 6th block, $20,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
German Bank $2,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Globe Building $15,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Farley, Loetscher & Co. $7,500 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
W. W. Worthington, improvements, $2,000 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
Julien House
H. W. Sanford, Main & improvement on block, $2,500 (Herald, January 1, 1881).
8th
Robert Armstrong destroyed by frre (Times, April 25, 1880).
Carpenter Shop, Julien
Lawrence Block, Dr. destroyed by frre (Times, April 30, 1880).
Gee's Bath House
Dubuque City Mills, 3rd destroyed by fIre (Times, June 17,1880).
Key City Flour Mill destroyed by fIre (Times, June 18, 1880).
1881
Drasden's Sodawater Destroyed Fire loss $6,000 (Herald, June 2, 1881).
factory, 2078 White
E. H. Shep1.ey, 246-48 foundation for store (Herald, December 4, 1881).
Main
Chas. Brezhinsky, 774 brick store, $1,000 (Herald, December 4, 1881).
Iowa
Dubuque Cabinet Wm. Rebman, three story addition, 80x50 (Herald, May 25, 1881).
Makers Asso, contractor for
found/excavation
Farley & Letscher immense addition, four stories, 40x52, and new storehouse,
Factory 100x50, to be done in four weeks (Herald, May 20, 1881).
Holz Brick, 18th & Clay block "in the hands of the lathers" (Herald, June 14, 1881),
stood east of Thomsen Block on comer, non-extant..
Michel Building, 5th and Demolished tom town for new building (Times, May 18, 1881).
Main
Carr, Ryder & Wheeler new plant under construction (Herald, May 21, 1881).
Factory
C. A. Walter, Clay & three story brick, $9,000 (Herald, December 4, 1881).
10th
Norwegian Plow Works additions to shops $6,500 (Herald, December 4, 1881).
A. A. Cooper repairs, additions to factory, $7,000 (Herald, December 4,
1881 ).
Dubuque Cabinet new factory building, $12,000 (Herald, December 4, 1881).
Makers Asso, White &
69
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase HI Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
10th
G. R. Richardson, 3rd & remodels Grafton House, $3,750 (Herald, December 4,
Bluff 1881 ).
Waller, Eighmey, Philadelphia Pressed foundations for three buildings, $800 (Herald, December 4,
Bradley & Co., St. Cloud Brick (Peerless Brick 1881), reported as nearly done August 1882, three stories,
Block, Main near 9th Co, rich brown red triple storefront, plate glass, massive cornice, next to Eagle
color), many bricks Building, offices and halls upstairs, to be done October 1
pressed into (Dubuque Trade Journal, August 21, 1882, p. 1).
ornamental shapes,
stonework by Schulte
& Wagner, carpentry
by James Howie,
"very pleasing
archdtecture, some-
what novel and
different from any-
thing in the city", F.
D. Hyde, architect
P. Kiene, Sr., 8th two-story buildings, $3,000 (Herald, December 4, 1881).
W. J. Bums, Jones stores, residences and warehouses, $6,750 (Herald,
December 4, 1881).
Theo. Altman, Clay near two story brick building, $5,200 (Herald, December 4,
7th 1881).
M. M. Walker, southeast Cooper shop, $7,500 (Herald, December 4, 1881).
comer 1 5t & Main
J. P. Farley & Sons factory addition, $1,200 (Herald, December 4, 1881).
Thompson & Randall, foundation for warehouse, $800 (Herald, December 4,
280 Main 1881). L. D. Randall & Co., leatherlhardware.
Carr, Ryder & Wheeler new factory, $35,000? (Herald, December 4, 1881).
A. Y. McDonald new buildings, $12,000 (Herald, December 4, 1881).
J. Mienel, Main store, $5,000 (Herald, December 4, 1881).
Robert Waller, 15t improving Armstrong's factory, $1,500 (Herald, December
4, 1881).
John Huekel, 8th between shop, $250 (Herald, December 4, 1881).
Jackson & Washington
A. F. Jaeger, Clay & 19th store, $4,000 (Herald, December 4, 1881).
1266 Central Assessor dates to1881, 21x70, three stories, extant.
Key City Barrel Factory, Destruction The barrel factory had burned on June 6, 1879. This fire
Carr, Ryder & Wheeler destroyed the factory once again, along with a temporary
Sash Factory, near Julien sash works owned by Carr, Ryder & Wheeler. The new
House part of the Julien House was saved by its iron fIfe
shutters(Herald, May 21, 1881).
Cushing Vinegar Factory destroyed by fIfe (Times, March 11, 1881).
Drasda's Soda Water destroyed by fire (Times, June 2, 1881).
Factory, White
Key City Brewery, almost completely destroyed by fire (Times, September 16,
Southern 1881 ).
1882
J. D. Bush, Main warehouse ($6,000), (Herald, January 1, 1883).
J. D. Bush, Iowa two stores, $3,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
J. Sherman, 1290 Clay second hand store, store, $4,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
70
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
J.P. Schroeder, 1603 store/dwelling, $3,000 or $8,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Clay, extant, sanae
address
Ph. Halpin, S. Locust Grocer, store, $6,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
A. A. Cooper, Main inaprovements on block (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Dubuque Cabinet warehouse, $3,800 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Makers Association
Dubuque White Lead & $10,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Paint Co.
Farley & Loetscher $40,000, improvements (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Iowa Coffin Co., 15th & $30,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Elm streets
A. Y. McDonald addition to factory, $20,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Opera House, Main $1,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
J. V. Rider, Main addition to store, $2,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Sanford Block, Main & improvements, $1,200 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
8th
Walter & Eigluney, St. $20,000, J. W. Newburg & Co. occupy new rear addition
Cloud Block, Main near (Herald, January 1, July 7, 1883).
9th
N. H. Thedinga, 575 dwelling, $5,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Main
M. M. Walker, Iowa two warehouses, $1,600, $2,500 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Bentley's Hot House destroyed by fIre (Times, January 18, 1882).
Oat Meal Factory Mill, destroyed by fIre (Times, September 19, 1882).
foot of 11 th
new National Bank improvements, $3,525 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Iowa trust & Savings improvements, $3,585 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Bank
T. Altman, 688 Clay Saloon, stores, $6,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
W. L. Bradley brick warehouse, $12,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Dubuque White Lead & new factory, $18,000 (Herald, January 1, 1883).
Linseed Oil Co.
1883
New Linseed Oil, Pain Speer & Lee have work starts July 9 (Herald, July 8, 1883).
Works, 10th & Jackson contract
Miss. Valley Lead, Oil destroyed by fIre, $6,000 loss, firemen misdirected,
& Paint Co., Main bet. removed temporarily to 445 White Street, company begins
1 st and Jones new building near 9th & Jackson, to be done in September
(Herald, May 24, 1883).
Peabody residence, almost ready for roof, a "very handsome monunaent over the
Locust spot which buries many old time memories," on site of
stone church (Herald, May 1, July 7, 1883).
A. J. Patch & Co., foot new engine room, boiler house, enlarge sash & blind
of Main company (Herald, June 8, 1883).
John P. Page, 4th & new saloon building, brick hotel, $6,000, opens July
White (Herald, January 1, June 3, July 19, 1883).
New paper mill steam up first time June 26 (Herald, June 27, 1883).
Omnibus Conapany, new barn, conapany to occupy by mid-July (Herald, June
Julien Avenue 21, 1883).
Conger & Jackson, foot new coal sheds, ICRR runs spur line to same, done by June
71
" .. · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
of8
John Hartig, SE cor. 5
& Iowa
R. Bennett, Main
between Jones and 1st
H. T. Shepard
Ke Ci Furniture Co.
Farley & Loetscher Co.
Wm. Rebman
Iowa Coffin Co., 15
Street and Elm
Schreiber, Conchar &
Co., Iowa
Brick livery barn, Louis
Trexler, Clay
Pilmeyer, Clay bet. 16
& 1 7th
H. Brinkman, 5 Ward
John Fosselman, north
end of downtown
John Deery, Clark and
W. Locust (?
James Howie, 107-52 7
James Beach, Locust and
Dodge
Peter Geishecker
Iowa near 12
Jackson & 10
Dennis Smith, Smith's
Hotel, s.e. comer Main
and Jones
4 Street Elevator
Mississi i Paint Works
Hasler Grocery Store,
1603 CIa Street
Dubu ue Furniture &
F. D. Hyde, architect
D. P. Martin,
contractor
Herald, Ma 30, June 20, 1883 .
gunsmith, three story brick block, $6,000 (Herald, January
1, Ma 25, 1883 .
brick addition to hotel, $3,600, started work July 2, cornice
in lace Jul 29 Herald, Janua 1, Jul 3, 29, 1883 .
brick dancing hall and rink, $6,000 (Herald, January 1,
1883 .
addition to facto , $10,000 Herald, Janu 1, 1883 .
new boiler house, etc. $27,000, boiler moved to new bldg.
in late Jul (Herald, Janua 1, Jul 25, 1883).
brick block and residence, $13,000 (Herald, January 1,
1883 .
addition to factory, four story addition, $5,000 (Herald,
Janu 1, June 10, 1883).
new warehouse, three stories, 113 feet long, wholesaler,
demolish two residences and expand through to Iowa,
warehouse transformed Herald, JulIO, Au st 2, 1883 .
Louis Fuller builds, five-year lease to Trexler, first class
livery stable, new livery fIrm reported in August, to build
elegant livery barn, John and Louis Trexler (Herald, July
10, Au st 3, 1883).
saloonkeeper erects building for store (Herald, July 12,
1882).
two story brick store, 20x30, $2,000, for Winder & Stafford,
read for brickwork (Herald, Jul 14, 1883)
addition for bank vault, "money is plenty in that part of the
city, and as downtown banks are far away, a depository is
necessary for the convenience of businessmen" (Herald,
Jul 19, 1883
brick store, 20x40, John Kenety, grocer to occupy, nearly
done mid-Au. (Herald, Jul 20, Au st 15, 1883).
two story brick block of six tenements, 58x114 (Herald,
Jul 21, 1883 .
adds third floor to soap factory, "imposing appearance,"
huge new kettle doubles capacity, $50,000 (Herald, July 24,
Au ust 26, 1883).
brick block to be ready October 1, brickwork to second
sto Herald, Jul 25, Au st 25, 1883 .
Thos. Ryan demolishes old 1849 landmark to build new
business block Herald, Jul 28, 1883 .
new paint works warehouse, brick/stone, 30xl00, three
stories, half for grinding and mixing, half for storage
Herald, Jul 28, 1883 .
boarding house/saloon, to be done Aug. 15, 14 rooms,
$3,000
disastrous fIre
72
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Burial Cases, 18th
1884-30 new business blocks
Jacob Becker, 1638 Clay brick store, $2,000 (Herald, December 12, 1884).
E. H. Shepley, 1460 two brick stores, $3,700 (Herald, December 12, 1884).
Main
Chas. Luther, 1363 Clay brick store/dwelling, cigar store $3,000 (Herald, December
12, 1884).
Mrs. Cooney, 97 Locust brick store and dwelling, $3,000 (Herald, December 12,
1884) .
Dr. Asa Horr, 872 Main F. D. Hyde, architect, to replace doctor's office which "stood there so long," four
terra cotta in lieu of story brick, 22x115, basement and sub-basement, pressed
stone or iron, "it is brick front with no stone or iron, rather terra cotta
the most noticeable trimmings (dark maroon color), $9,000 (Herald, December
and striking erection 12, 1884; Dubuque Trade Journal, April 20, 1884).
on upper Main
Street," modem style,
combines utility with
beauty
Fred Schlot, 1246 Clay brick store/dwelling, $3,500 (Herald, December 12, 1884).
Gissel's Store F. D. Hyde, architect improvements, new front, additional floor, to house
wholesale toy fIrm (Dubuque Trade Journal, April 20,
1884) .
City fire engine houses $12,500 (Herald, December 12, 1884).
W. L. Bradley, 7th demolishes good brick dwelling, builds new warehouse for
Schreiber, Conchar & Co. (Dubuque Trade Journal, August
18, 1884).
Key City Furniture Co. brick addition, $7,000 (Herald, December 12, 1884).
Steiner, east side Main tears out one of best storefronts to replace with a better one
between 5th and 6th (Dubuque Trade Journal, August 18, 1884).
H. Clark roller rink re-built in brick, $5,000 (Herald, December 12,
1884; Dubuque Trade Journal, August 18, 1884).
Firehouse, 4th and Locust Fridolin Heer, about done, brick with belfry, $8,000 (Dubuque Trade
architect, B. W. Journal, October 10, 1884).
Jones, contractor
Thompson & Steams roller rink, $4,000 (Herald, December 12, 1884).
Rt. Rev. Hennessey brick block, $10,000 (Herald, December 12,1884).
J. Simones, 1572-94-98 block of four stores, three stories, 47x56, $16,000 (Herald,
Central December 12, 1884), extant as 1570-98 Central.
John D. Bush's new destroyed by fIre (Times, October 17, 1884).
bldg., Main
Miller Broom Factory, bad fire (Times, November 4, 1884).
3 rd and Iowa
1885
Wm. L. Bradley, Iowa four-story brick block, $8,000 (Times, January 20, 1886).
Geo. L. Torbert's Block, Hyde, Architect triple storefront, replaces Torbert's residence, contract let
Iowa and 12th by Hyde mid-February 1886 (Herald, February 13, 1886).
Block, southwest corner Franklin Hyde behind James Mullin's block, extends to alley between Iowa
Iowa and 6th and Main, 49' frontage on Main, 43' deep, double
storefront, apartments up (Herald, February 13, 1886).
W. G. Waters, Iowa Franklin Hyde three-story brick block, (Times, January 20, 1886).
George R. Clark, Iowa F. Hyde architect two-story brick store, (Times, January 20, 1886). [might be
73
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
carpenters shop, 10th bet. Main and Iowa)
Wm. Andrews, Main F. Hyde architect, brick block of stores, three stories, (Times, January 20,
bet. 10th & 11 th James Howie, 1886).
contractor
o. Oliver, n.w. comer F. Hyde architect, undertaker, two-story brick store, $4,000 (Times, January
Clay and 15th Martin Heer builder 20, 1886).
Mathias Hoffman, 15th F. Hyde architect undertaker, two-story brick store, (Times, January 20,
and Clay 1886).
Jos. Wittmer, 527 Clay architect F. cHeer brick store, $2,500 (Times, January 20, 1886).
Peter Klauer, 1236 Iowa architect F. Heer, brick store, $1,500 (Times, January 20, 1886).
W. Watson & Co. F. Heer architect brick stores, $6,000 (Times, January 20, 1886) [Watson &
Hamilton, surgeons/physicians at 873 Main].
Henry Hoffman, 1604 F. Heer architect saloon, brick store, $5,000 (Times, January 20, 1886).
Clay
Sanford Buildings, Main James Howie/builder- improvements, (Times, January 20, 1886).
& 8th architect
Chr. Voelker, Clay & Martin Heer, new store building, 24x40, $3,000 (Times, January 20,
13th architect 1886) .
Wm. T. Hollnagel, 2164 Martin Heer, grocery, plans drawn, contracts let, for new double store,
Couler architect, $4,000 (Times, January 20, 1886).
Mr. T. Luck Martin Heer, double store (Times, January 20, 1886).
architect
Cleaver's Soap Factory, destroyed by fIre (Times, May 3, 1885).
near Milwaukee Shops
Bum's Grocery, Jones destroyed by fIre (Times, February 10, 1885).
1886
East side, south of 9th, permit for "three bricks" 51x30, $5,000 (Herald, April 18,
Locust, A. Tredway 1886) .
1321-37 Clay, 357 13th, three story brick block, storefronts on 13th, $25,000 (Herald,
John Bell May 9,1886; January 1, 1887).
713 Iowa, "Iowa Block," F. Hyde architect four story brick warehouse, $15,000, replaces Junkerman-
W. L. Bradley Haas residence, double storefront, cut down trees in front in
October, block nearly completed, to occupy in fall, 71x113
(Herald, May 9, 1886; January 1, 1887; Times, January 20,
May 5, October 2, 1886).
1296 Central Assessor dates to 1886, three stories, 26.5x72, extant.
1290 Central Assessor dates to 1886, three stories, 26.5x72, extant.
Iowa between 12th & improvements to store, $1,000 (Herald, May 9, 1886;
13th, John Bell January 1, 1887).
Consolidated Tank Line Hyde, architect two story brick warehouse, boiler house, tanks, $13,000
Co, South Main (Herald, May 9, 1886; January 1, 1887).
489 Main, southwest Hyde, architect, done raze foundation of 40-year old landmark (June), largely
comer, Main & 5th, to second floor by done by mid-July, "a credit," remodels three three-story
Richard Cox July, judged brick stores, $8,000. to produce double storefront, Bradley-
"decidedly behind the Rawsons Meats to stay, John McDonald harness, McFadden
times" in style, Cox Bros. and Morrison Bros. to depart, Perry Bros. occupy in
not "one of those September, third floor likely to house Hyde Clark GAR
wide awake citizens Post, "finest quality [plate glass] ever received (September
who advance the 28)" (Herald, March 28, September 29, 1886; January 1,
beauty of 1887; Times, June 4, 8, July 16, 25, 27, September 28,
architecture" 1886).
74
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ITI Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
John D. Bush estate, 8th brick store, $1,000 (Herald, January 1, 1887).
Farley, Loetscher & Co. improvements to factories, $4,000 (Herald, January 1,
1887) .
Finley Hotel, 7th and improvements, $2,000 (Herald, January 1, 1887).
Main
John Glab, Mississippi (Glab was then mayor of Dubuque) factory improvements,
Valley Vinegar, Mustard $3,500 (Herald, January 1, 1887).
& Pickling Works, foot
of 9th
Main & 6th, Merchants improvements, $4,000 (Herald, January 1, 1887).
Hotel
955 Main, Chas. J. Christian Teugle, three story brick store, $5,500, occupied by Noyes Art
Peterson brick mason, Gallery which moves across the street west in October, prop
completes "elegant up Delmonico Reid's sidewall as dig excavation "in order to
pressed brick front..it save the building from a repetition of the memorable town
is the finest front in clock disaster," "finest quality [plate glass] ever received
the city" (July 25, (September 28)" (Herald, May 9, 1886; January 1, 1887;
1886) Times, April 30, July 25, September 28, October 10, 1886).
Main, R. A. Rhomberg improvements to store, $2,000 (Herald, January 1, 1887).
608 Iowa, E. Somerfield three story brick store/dwelling, $2,200 (Herald, January 1,
1887) .
576 Clay, Geo. Thomas Henry new brick hotel building a "substantial improvement.. . one
Schaffhauser installs tin cornice of of the best brick buildings in the city" $5,000, "will be one
own mfg. "for which of the finest [buildings] on that street (Herald, May 9, 1886;
he has become January 1, 1887; Times, July 22, 1886). Extant.
famous"
1263-97 Iowa, southwest F. D. Hyde, architect four (reported as six stores and dwgs. May 1886) two-story
comer, Iowa near 12th, brick stores and dwelling, $10,500, foundation walls nearly
Major Geo. L. Torbert, done mid-April, done mid-November, houses Haas
"Market Block" Drugstore (Herald, May 9, November 14, 1886; January 1,
1887; Times, April 15, 1886).
Trexler Bros., Clay an improvements to livery, $1,500, reported as $6,000 in May,
10th 1886 (Herald, May 9, 1886; January 1, 1887).
Levi Block, 6th and Main J. F. Van Brunt, demolished by urban renewal, improved? (Times, April 21,
contractor 1886).
John Bell, Central new storefront (single glass panes replace 9-light windows),
Market store occupied by Putnam & Jones (Times, April 22, 1886)>
former Clark Rink reopens as new opera house May 17, 1886 (Times, April 29,
1886).
John Drehouse, 1557 two story brick shop, $1,200 (Herald, May 9, 1886; January
Clay 1, 1887). Extant as 1557 Central.
Thos. Kelly, 1487 Clay two story brick store/dwelling, $2,430 (Herald, May 9,
1886; January 1, 1887). Extant as 1487 Central.
Val Luck, Couler double brick storefront & dwelling, $3,300 (Herald, May 9,
1886).
Geo. Schaetzle, Couler brick store and dwelling, $2,500 (Herald, May 9, 1886).
Peter Specht, Couler Heer & Beck, two-story brick store, 68x68, 22x90, $9,000 (Herald, May
architects 9, 1886).
Wm. Hollnagel, Couler brick store and dwelling, $33,600 (Herald, May 9, 1886).
B. Hobi, Couler brick store and dwelling, $1,600 (Herald, May 9, 1886).
Schmid Bros., Couler brick addition, $500 (Herald, May 9, 1886).
75
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
E. Sommerfield, Iowa brick store and dwelling, $2,200 (Herald, May 9, 1886).
Jas. Mullen, 6th F. D. Hyde, architect double store and dwelling, $4,500 (Herald, May 9, 1886).
H. Daft, Jackson double brick store and dwelling, $4,000 (Herald, May 9,
1886) .
Cushing Vinegar Works engine room destroyed by fire (Times, January 24, 1886).
4th Street Elevator engine house and piazzas destroyed by fire (Times, July 11,
1886).
1887
1618 Clay brick dwelling and store, $3,500 (Herald, November 24,
1887). Extant as 1618 Clay.
Bishop Hennessey's "constructed upon 75.5xI13, five stories and basement, for two wholesale
Block, 1 st & Main modem plans..it will houses, brick and terra cotta, elevators, $35,000 (Times,
be the best construc- February 22, 1887; November 24, 1887; Herald, January
ted building of the 30, 1887). It replaces the "old blue barn" once "in the heart
character in the city." of city" when steamboats unloaded "from its rear doors" a
Adam Schmitt has former grain warehouse and later an agricultural depot,
foundation contract 1884 Sanborn Map shows a two-story frame building
(Herald, Feb. --, 1887).
James Mullin, 256 6th two story brick stores and dwellings, $5,000 (Herald,
January 1, 1887).
Dr. Staples & Mr. 43x113, four stories, modem front (Times, February 22,
Bibber, Main between 1887).
5th & 6th
Chas. H. Eighmey, 544 boots and shoes store, to remodel store occupied by
Main Wybrant & Miller (Times, February 22, 1887).
James Cushing, White brick livery, $4,000 (Times, February 22, 1887).
541-49 Main, Stapler & four story double brick store, pressed brick, terra cotta front
Vibber, Diamond Block $12,000/$20,000 (Times, November 24, 1887).
1398 Iowa, Otto Smith brick store, $2,200 (Times, November 24, 1887).
Clay & 18th, G. F. brick stores, $5,000 (Times, November 24, 1887). Extant as
Thorman, 5th Ward Drug 1778-90 Central.
Store
Michael Brown, 1580 grain dealer, brick store, $4,000 (Times, November 24,
Jackson 1887) .
1527-33 Central Assessor dates to 1887, three stories, 51x65, extant.
11 th Street Elevator nearly done (Herald, March 15, 1888)
Four lumberyard fires in (Times, November 6, 1887).
four-day period
Wybrant's & Millers bad fire (Times, February 20, 1887).
Shoe Store, Main
Butt's Blacksmith and destroyed by fIre (Times, March 15, 1887).
wagon Shop, 879 Clay,
John Schwenk's
residence
Dubuque Daily Times destroyed by fIre (Times, February 6, 8, 1887).
office
1888
6th & Main, lllinois Architect Nocquet to house Burlington Division of railroad, Nocquet was a
Central RR office bldg. (railroad architect) Confederate military engineer during the war (Herald,
September 23, 1888).
4th & Main new building progresses (Herald, July 27, 1888).
76
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
10th & Clay, Frank Brede F. Heer & Son, store and flats (Herald, July 8, 1888).
architects, Anthony
Baumhover,
contractor
Bell, Rider, Wallis & building to go up this year, derrick collapses in August
Co. (Herald, April 27, August 4, 1888).
Locust & 7th, Burden (Herald, May 17, 1888).
Block
Carr, Ryder & Wheeler addition (Herald, March 15, 1888).
Dave Grant new building (?), foundations started (Herald, March 15,
1888).
9th & Iowa, John Byrne two and a half story brick livery, $15,000 (Herald, April 22,
Bros. December 23, 1888).
Main near 11 th, H. B. three story double store, 37x46, $10,000, almost done July
Glover (Herald, April 22, July 27, December 23, 1888; Assessor
dates to 1888). Extant.
1739-49 Central, Clay four three-story brick stores, $13,000/18,000-? (Herald,
near 17th, E. Muntz April 22, December 23, 1888). Extant as 1739-49 Central.
1256 Clay, Ellwanger three story brick store, $3,300 (Herald, April 22, 1888).
Bros.
Locust & 7th, Mrs. M. B. four story brick store, $40,000 (Herald, April 22, December
Wallis 23, 1888).
Iowa near 13th, Ed Keas, two story brick store converted from double house, "the
opposite City Hall location is central," plate glass July, "the buildings improve
the appearance of the street very much," $3,500 (Herald,
April 17, 22, July 21, 1888).
Locust & 2nd, Rev. P. double brick store, $9,000 (Herald, December 23, 1888).
Burke
Main, W. L. Bradley store and flats, $10,000 (Herald, December 23, 1888).
Coffin Co. four story brick building, $12,000(Herald, December 23,
1888).
16th & Locust, Sears & two story brick addition, $1,500 (Herald, December 23,
Peaslee 1888).
Geo. Salot, Clay three brick stores, $8,000 (Herald, December 23, 1888).
1735-37 Central Assessor dates to 1888, three stories, 38x46, extant. Might
be same as above?
18th & Clay, G. F. three story brick building, $10,000 (Herald, December 23,
Thormsen 1888).
1 st & Locust, Waller & "[lightning] rodded three story brick building, double storefront, $4,000
Son by Noah H. Faust" (Herald, December 14, 23, 1888).
Clay north of 13th, three story double brick block, $14,000 (Herald, December
Ziepprecht Estate 23, 1888).
1889
13th & Clay, 1296 three story store/dwelling, $3/8,000 (Herald, December 29,
Central, John Eichorn, 1889). Extant.
1 st, B. D. Linehart two story shop/dwelling, $3,000 (Herald, December 29,
1889).
7th & Clay, Frank three story double store, $10,000 (Herald, December 29,
Mangold 1889).
8th and Iowa, Grand w. J. Edbrooke, Finished August 1890 $50,000 (Herald, December 29,
Opera House Chicago, architect 1889).
77
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
14th & Clay, Mrs. Louisa two-story double store, $8,000 (Herald, December 29,
Reiche 1889).
7th & Clay, Geo. Salot three-story brick block, $8,000 (Herald, December 29,
1889).
John Sohl, Clay two-story store/dwelling, $4,000 (Herald, December 29,
1889).
C.M.&St.Paul Car Shops destroyed by fIre, $25,000 loss (Globe-Journal, December
21, 1889).
1890
2nd & Main, Julien Hotel second hotel same site, destroyed by fire 1913, site of
present Julien Motor Inn (Sommer, p. 221).
9th & Iowa, Dr. Asa Horr demolishes old Turner Hall, 30 years old, business block
that will complete Iowa Block to the comer of 9th and Iowa,
new building also contains hall, dedicated November 28
(Herald, January 1, 1890; Weekly Ledger, November 8, 29,
1890) .
6th & Iowa, Allen & John Howie, foundations in (Herald, March 18, 1890).
Swiney contractor
Daw & Powers store, $40,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
Board of Trade $23,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
H. H. Linehan improvements, $10,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
6th between Locust & four story addition, 34x125, dry goods, $10,000, to be done
Main, H. B. & J. B. by July 1 (Herald, April 12, 1890; January 18,1891).
Glover
A. Vogel, 1703 Clay building, $3,300 (Herald, January 13, 1891).
14th & Clay, John Krayer "mammoth store building," extends to Luther's cigar store,
"many urge use as hotel," plans drawn March 1890,
store/dwelling, $10,000 (Herald, March 19, 1890; January
18, 1891).
D. W. Rand, 244 13th shop, $500 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
Carr, Rider & Engler Co. warehouse, $5,000 (Herald, Janu~ 18, 1891).
Klein & Altman store/dwelling, $5,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
H. M. Hoffman store/dwelling, $5,000(Herald, January 18, 1891).
Platt Bros., 520-22 Main clothes store, $5,000(Herald, January 18, 1891).
Hansen & Linehan improvements, $5,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
Iowa Coffin Co., Elm improvements, $5,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
and 15th
J. V. Rider, n.e. comer store, $5,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
Locust and 7th
Peter Carter/Castey saloon/residence, $4,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
Wm. Marshall, n.w. boiler shop, $4,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
comer 10th &
Washington
Paul Ludwig store/dwelling, $3,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
Wm. Meyer, 2293 livery stable, $3,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
CouIer
Citizens State Bank, n.w. $2,500 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
comer 8th & Main
J. W. Buck saloon, $2,500 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
Langworthy & Adams improvements, $2,500 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
Co.
78
''':'~':~~,~~~~.~,1tr ;~~:~~:r~~
'll"'~"~'~'r~~.~
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Manson Block improvements, $2,500 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
Dubuque County Bank improvements, $1,500 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
Windsor Hotel improvements, $1,300 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
Main, Geo. L. Torbert $15,000 (Herald, January 18, 1891).
1891
William Andrew James Howie, landmark demolished, built c.1857 by Fred E. Bissell,
Homestead, Locust near demolition, occupied by Cashier R. A. Babbage who was blamed for the
11 th contractor failure of Mrchant's Bank in 1873, later owned/occupied by
Wm. Andrew, Dr. G. M. Staples, James Levi, Frank D.
Stout, scene of entertainment of Confederate General
Edmund K. Smith during 1884 military encampment,
replaced by the Stout mansion (Herald, January 11, 1891).
7th & Iowa, Dubuque first building (1839) demolished (Sommer, p. 21).
County Courthouse
1072 Central Assessor dates to 1891, 22.5x55, two stories, extant.
504 Central Assessor dates to 1891 and Sanborn Map indicates was
under construction as of July 1891, Fred Bade, grocer, here
1899, three stories, 24xl00, extant.
Ryan Packing House, rock being hauled for foundation and ground being
south of the levee excavated, Dodge Street to be extended across slough to
river just north of same (Herald, June 27, 1891).
Board of Trade Bldg., $40,000 loss to fire (Herald, February 4-5, 1891).
Main bet. 4th & 5th
Dubuque Harness & destroyed by frre, $15,000 loss (Herald, June 5, 1891).
Saddlery Co.
Farley & Loetscher Sash $50,000 fire loss (Herald, August 19, 1891; Ledger, same
& Door Co. date) .
Pritchard Buggy Top Co. $10,000 fire loss (Ledger, October 31,1891).
Turner Hall, 9th & Iowa destroyed by fire, $29,000 loss (Ledger, November 16,
1891).
1892
southwest comer, 9th & T. T. Carkeek, armory on third floor, demolished October 1970 for new
Iowa, Central Engine architect fire administrative building, demolished 1970 (Sommer, p.
House 24).
Adams' Company new foundry, $10,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
John Bell, 470 Central three story brick store and flats, $6,000 (Herald, December
25, 1892)
Carr, Ryder & Engler factory improvement, $20,000(Herald, December 25, 1892)
A. A. Cooper factory improvement, $20,000(Herald, December 25, 1892)
Frank Coates addition to store, $1,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Geo. Dea & Son improvements to basket factory, $59,000 (Herald,
December 25, 1892)
Dubuque Wooden Ware improvements, addition, $4,000 (Herald, December 25,
1892)
Dubuque Pressed Brick unspecified, $45,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Co.
Diamond Jo Boat Yard improvements, boat building, $45,000 (Herald, December
25, 1892)
Dubuque Stamping & unspecified, $40,300 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Enameling
S. Drexel store and flat, $6,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
79
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Dubuque Malting Co. improvements, additions, $15,000 (Herald, December 25,
1892)
Dubuque Buggy Top Co. same, $5,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Dubuque County $200,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Courthouse
Excelsior Brass Co. $25,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
James Forester & Co. four-story factory, $18,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Farley, Loetscher Co. improvements, $10,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Mrs. Isbom store and flats, $8,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Iowa Iron Works improvements, $6,500 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
P. Klauer brick store, $7,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Mary H. Milton store, $620 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
M. Marty brick double store, $4,500 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
A. Miller frame store, dwelling, $2,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Mannhart & Noel, Hotel $30,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Paris
F. A. Nessler store and flat, $7,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Odd Fellows Temple in course of construction, $30,000 (Herald, December 25,
1892)
Peoples Bakery $3,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Ryan Packing Co. addition, $45,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Reifsteck & Shepley warehouse, $2,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Rider & Lacy [1702-22 three-story brick stores and flats, $19,000 (Herald,
Central, extant] December 25, 1892)
Standard Lumber Co. $8,500 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Mary J. Switzer store, $2,400 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
C. J. W. Saunders store and dwelling, $2,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Schreiber, Conchar & factory, $4,500 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Westphal, Iowa Street
Sisters of Charity $200,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Mother House
Smedley Mfg. addition, $15,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
John Specht store addition, $500 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
J. M. Sullivan brick store, $6,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Turner Hall rebuilt, $7,500 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
West Locust Livery $5,000 (Herald, December 25, 1892)
Globe Bldg., 5th & Main damaged by fire (Ledger, March 10, 1892).
Alderman Glab's Hotel, $10,000 loss to fIre (Ledger, April 28, 1892).
9th & Elm
Adams Co, Iron destroyed by fIre, $8,000 loss (Ledger, May 30, 1892;
W orks/Foundry Herald, May 29, 1892).
1893
Fenelon Place Elevator T. T. Carkeek, new building (Weekly Times, July 7, 1893).
architect
Henry Guerdet, Hill & two-story brick (Weekly Times, November 14, 1893).
Juliean
Norwegian Plow Works five-story addition (see fire damage note below) (Weekly
Times, January 2, 1894).
9111 & Locust, Odd T. T. Carkeek, notable for its three-story high arches, demolished 1998-99
Felows architect (Sommer, p. 124).
15th & Locust, Central Architect Heer plans displayed in Iowa Trust &Savings Bank window mid-
80
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
High School 1893, $75,000 bond issue passed 1893, dedicated January
17, 1895, used until 1923, functions as junior high school
1928-29, demolished in 1980s (Weekly Times, July 11,
1893; .Lyon, pp. 112-13).
Enamel Works destroyed by fire, $60,000 loss (Ledger, April 11, 1893).
Norwegian Plow Works considerable fire damage (Globe, August 11, 1893).
1894
Lux, 1420 Clay two story brick building, $2,500 (Herald, January 1, 1895).
Dubuque Cabinet Three story offices, warehouse replaces Universalist
Makers Asso., 1000 Church, northeast comer Main and 10th.
Main
Shields & Bradley Excavation work by identical four storefront, four-story blocks, each 100xl00,
blocks, Main and Jones Cornelius Ryan occupied by M. M. Walker & Co., Schroeder-Kline
(Herald, December Grocery, $80,000 total cost (Herald, January 1, 1895).
29, 1895).
4th & Locust, Bell Bros. five story story/factory for overall and ready-made clothing
factory, $30,000+ (Herald, January 1, 1895).
Ryder & Burden, Main four story brick block, to contain Masonic Temple, $35,000,
Street reported at cost of $23,000 next year (Herald, January 1,
1895; January 23, 1896).
4th & Main, W. H. four story double storefront block, light brown "granite
Peabody brick" used "that will make the building an additional
attraction," $10,000 (? list says $8,000) (Herald, January 1,
1895).
Washington, James brick store, $10,000 (Herald, January 1, 1895).
O'Farrell
A. W. Hosford, Clay double store, $8,500 (Herald, January 1, 1895).
1736 Central Assessor dates to 1894, three story, 37x64, extant.
9tn & Iowa, YMCA, built in conjunction with remodeling of adjacent H. L. Stout
"Stout Auditorium" residence, gymnasium, two stories plus basement, $15,000,
new YMCA built 1969-71 at 35 North Booth (Herald,
January 1, 1895; Lyon, pp. 489-90).
northwest comer, Main W. W. Boyington & the state's largest commercial building, comer lot purchased
& 9th, Iowa Trust & Co., Chicago, by May 1893, add adjoining lot July 1894, start work
Savings Bank and architect, Italian September 5, 1894 and opens November 1895, American
Dubuque Fire & Marine Renaissance style Trust & Savings Bank in building until 1945, later known as
Insurance Co., "Bank Fischer Building, seven story, steel and terra cotta (cream
and Insurance Building" and yellow red), $350,000, 1 03x114, likely first steel frame
large building, clay tile fireproofing (Herald, January 23,
1896)
Novelty Carriage Works destroyed by fire (Herald, April 10, 1894).
J. C. Schmid's Flour & gutted by fire (Globe, September 7, 1894).
Feed Mill, 8th & White
Lesure Lumber Yard wiped out by frre, worst fire in history, $750,000 loss
(Herald, June 10, 1894).
1895
High School dedicated January 17, 1896, $75,000 (Herald, January 23,
1896)
Stout Auditorium, 8th dedicated January 27, 1896, YMCA, $40,000 (Herald,
and Iowa January 23, 1896)
First Presbyterian dedicated this year, $10,000 (Herald, January 23, 1896)
81
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Church
Dubuque Malting Co. Heeb announced plans to build a "mammoth, modem
brewery" in mid-1893 if the legislature was to repeal the
state prohibition low, "long in comtemplation," new
brewery, $350,000 (Weekly Times, August 29, 1893;
Herald, January 23, 1896)
S1. Lukes Main Street M. now being erected, $80,000 (Herald, January 23, 1896)
E. Church
Belt Bros. Overall $50,000 (Herald, January 23, 1896)
Factory
W. H. Peabody, 4tIl & store, $10,000 (Herald, January 23, 1896)
Main
James O'Farrell, brick block, $10,000 (Herald, January 23, 1896)
Washington
A. W. Hosford, Clay double store, $8,500 (Herald, January 23, 1896)
Wm. L. Bradley, Main & stores and flats, $15,000 (Herald, January 23, 1896)
13th
Haney & Campbell new manufacturing building, $10,000 (Herald, January 23,
1896)
Fisher & Co. ice houses, $5,000 (Herald, January 23, 1896)
Emsdorff & Sons, Jones business block, $18,000 (Herald, January 23, 1896)
S1.
Dubuque Casket Co., four story business block, $7,000 (Herald, January 23,
Washington and 18th 1896)
John Buelow, Couler two story brick store, $25,000 (Herald, January 23, 1896)
A. R. Staufenbeil, Clay business block, $2,000 (Herald, January 23, 1896)
ABC Department Store, considerable damage by fire (Globe Journal, July 12, 1895).
713-29 Main
1896
9111 & Locust, Dr. J. J. office adjoining residence, next to Odd Fellows Temple,
Brownson $2,000+ (Herald, May 24, 1896; Lyon, pp. 24-25; Sommer,
p. 126).
539 Locust, John Logan new store/residence, S1. Louis yellow brick front, $4,000
(Herald, May 24, 1896).
8111 & Main, Rider Block remodeling, double storefront into a single large one,
displaces J. Maresh, tailor and Oriental Tea Co. Crystal
plate glass front continued around 8th Street frontage, "the
building will not be a 'skyscraper,' but it will be fitted up in
modem style," $6,000 (Herald, May 24, 1896).
Jones & Main, John five stories, red brick and cut stone trim, cut stone entrance,
Krusdorff & Sons for wholesale iron and wood stock business, $13,000
(Herald, May 24, 1896).
James Levi & Co. to remodel present building or relocate to triple storefront in
Coates Bros. building, front to be solid plate glass front,
$8,000 (Herald, May 24, 1896).
A. Y. McDonald Co. to build two large four-story factory buildings, $75,000
(Herald, January 23, 1896)
Dr. Jackson, comer 9th & to build some new apartment houses, $15,000 (Herald,
Bluff January 23, 1896)
Bradley Syndicate, J. M. "to be built upon a four stories, mammoth proportions, $75,000 (Herald,
Stampfer, northeast much grander scale January 23, May 24, 1896; Sommer, p. 126).
82
" · .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
corner, 8th & Main, , than at first contem-
Security Building plated. In many re-
spects it will be fully
equal to the new
Bank and Insurance
building built last
year"
1199 Main, Main & 12th, George Kramer, successor to Iowa's oldest congregation, second building
St. Lukes Church architect (1839) at Locust & 7th, Lyon dates to 1893, $65,000, opens
early May 1897 (Daily Telegraph, May 8, 1897: Herald,
May 24, 1896; Lyon, pp. 392-93).
15th & Clay, Judge R. W. demolished "old landmark" near corner, to build store and
Lacy flats, this to adjoin his building on corner, $6,000 (Herald,
May 24, 1896).
456-64 Main, W. H. remodeling, to be occupied wholly by E. B. Pieckenbrock &
Peabody Sons, wholesale shoes who relocate from southern half of
same building, $1,000 (Herald, May 24, 1896).
5th & White, C. M. & St. freight house to be extended to 6th to occupy entire block,
Paul R.R. passenger depot at foot of 4th to be remodeled, $13,000
(Herald, May 24, 1896).
Main & Jones, John two houses on site relocated to Bluff & Dodge by E. D.
Ernsdorff & Co. building Burke, $22,000 (Herald, May 24, 1896).
890 Clay Assessor dates to 1896, two stories, 51x40/73, extant.
Ryan Packing Company destroyed by fire (Times, June 28, 1896; Herald, same
date) .
1897
Iowa A venue, brick contract to be let mid-July (Daily Telegraph, June 28,
paving, 7th to 14 th 1897).
Simone's Block, Clay excavation begun for rear addition to block, dig up nameless
tombstone with 1817 date (Daily Telegraph, May 7, 1897).
L.J. Baumhover, 9th & store enlargement (Daily Telegraph, May 11, 1897).
Main
John M. Shoup Drug fire damage (Herald, December 31, 1897).
Store (destroyed),
Hedley & Brown
Drugstore damaged
Fire immediately north guts John M. Schaupp & Co. (W. L. Bradley owner of
of Julien Hotel, 260 bldg.), damage to Hedley & Brown building, and to Hedley
Main, December 31 & Brown Co.$20,000 loss (Herald, January 1, 1898)
1898
Fred Miller Brewing Two story with corner turret, 42x64, Bedford Indiana stone
Co., nw corner Iowa & front (Telegraph, April 22, 1888)
9th
Fred Miller Brewing substantial and ornamental building (Telegraph, April 22,
Co., on Diamond House 1888)
Point, Julien & 8th
Dubuque Star Brewery, Fred Rautert, newly incorporated, $100,000 capitalization, foundation
on levee & 4th "leading engineer and bids May 13, Isaac Proctor selected, 200x69 and 129,
architect of Chicago" Bedford Indiana stone, brick front. Butt Bros. deliver new
wagons to finished brewery June 1899 (ibid., May 6, 13,
June 3, 1898; June 16, 1899).
83
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Finley Hospital finished by end of June (ibid., May 25, June 9, 1898)
Tom Conlin Livery, Former Alderman P. F. Ryder buys Korman property for
1473 Central $4,100, undeveloped parcel, worthless buildings, in early
May, builds three-story brick livery with basement, leases to
Conlin for 10 years, horses to be kept on second floor (ibid.,
May 7, June 19, 1898). This building survives as large
green tile-covered block. JSee fire this site 1899)
P. F. Rider, 1451 Central Ryder also acquires Albrecht property to south of new
livery site and builds store/flats (55 feet deep). By
controlling this parcel, Ryder is able to place windows on
south side of the livery (ibid., June 19, 1898) Finished in
1899, this was described as a new feed and grain
warehouse, 26xl00, the basement and ground levels to be
occupied by Mettel Bros. who had their principal retail store
at 1850-60 Couler (ibid., July 15, 1899)
1643-45 Central Assessor dates to 1898, three story, 32x31, extant.
Watters & Dennis Feed both fIrmS wiped out by frre, $20000 loss, one fatality
Store, Dickinson Paper (Herald, January 16, 1898).
Box Factory
M. M. Walker both destroyed by frre (Globe Journal, March 11, 1898).
Produce/Schroeder
Kleine Grocery
1899
Adams Company new barn, near company iron works (Telegraph, May 3,
1899)
Steiner Building, 840-52 Double block, four stories, 35x115 (north half), built
Main specially for the wholesale trade, this was one of two four
story blocks to be built on the middle range of Main, the
extra floor reflecting the space needs of wholesaling, the
new clothing manufacturing firm P. F. Parker and H. F.
Hoffman occupied the upper two floors of 852. This double
block was a northward extension of the Security Building
and consequently remains extant (ibid., May 7, 1899)
Dubuque Alter Mfg. Co., erect four story plant addition on four vacant lots east of
sw comer 19th & Pine plant, brick, 50xl00, 60 hands in increased workforce (ibid.,
May 11, 1899)
Cox Block, 949 Main Elks depart Bank & Insurance Bldg. for upper two floors,
remodel (ibid., May 14, 1899).
James Levi Block, s.e. Western Terra Cotta New white terra cotta/tile front, steel arrives for new front
comer, 7th & Main Co. supplies or interior supports, triple storefront consolidated to single
materials, "will do store, front demolished to storefront level by July 11,
much to modernize originally built 1870-72, "always a credit to the town," terra
Main Street" cotta delivered by early August, large crane in alley July 6
(ibid., June 10, 27, July6, 11, August 6, 1899)
1 st National Bank announced mid-June, bank moves to storefront next door
during building, to be red stone front, fireproof, all of terra
cotta and tile (ibid., June 10, 1899)
German Bank, Main bet. also announced mid-June, board considering location and
3rd and 4th style, likely to use old site (ibid).
2nd National Bank, 6th & Byrne & Saul occupies site of demolished Jose Harrison building used for
Main foundation many years as hotel, to be first true bank in Iowa fully
84
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Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
contractors occupied by only the bank, two-stories but will be almost as
tall as a 3-story design, 36x112, bank also gets option on
adjoining Langworthy lot in late July, larger building
rumored, latter has triple-20' storefronts, gives total Main
Street frontage of 125', work starts August 21 (ibid., June
27, July 23, August 21, 1899).
Merchant's Hotel new roof, strictly modem water closets, new office entrance
(former Key City) Main (ibid., June 20, 1899)
& 3rd
Mother House, Mt. new metal roof fabricated by Klauer Mfg., old roof failing
Carmel after 5-6 years (ibid., June 27, 1899).
Rider- Wallis, Locust & new addition to "White Elephant Factory" done (ibid., July
4th 1, 1899).
Dubuque Casket single-story addition, machinery room, 40x40, roof on in
Company, 18th & day or two (ibid., July 15, 1899).
Washington
Dubuque County H. C. Koch, North court room remodeled (ibid., July 20, 1899)
Courthouse Milwaukee architect
Roshek, Aiman & Co., add floor to their dry goods block, have total of20,000
7th & Main square feet, also new elevator "the finest comer in
Dubuque" frrm in business six years (ibid., July 15, 1899).
Young Mens Institute, new quarters (new or remodeled building?), want to add
5th between Main, gym (ibid., July 19, 1899).
Locust
Tom J. Conlin Livery, $8,000 fire loss, 20-21 horses killed (Herald, February 12,
near 15th & Clay, Iowa 1899; Telegraph, February 11, 1899). Conlin built a 3-story
bet. 14th & 15th brick livery at 1473 Clay in 1898-this fire destroyed a three
story frame barn, fire confmed to the rear of the building.
James Lyon "the tinner's destroyed by fIre, three horses killed (Telegraph, February
barn, west side Iowa bet. 11,1899).
1 st and 2nd
Chicago, Milwaukee & $50,000 fIre loss (Herald, December 21, 1899).
St. Paul R. R. Car Shop
1900
Dubuque Railroad car destroyed with five cars, $15,000 loss (Herald, March 17,
barns, Couler 1900) .
Customs House Govt. architects U.S. Govt. occupies site north of alley, to start work in 1900
Addition, Locust & 9th (Telegraph, February 8, 1899)
1901
11 th & Bluff, Camegie- Greek Neo Classical $60,000, land donated by F. D. Stout (Sommer, pp. 133-34).
Stout Library Revival
Geo. Richardson Co. "undaunted by a most disastrous fire, has established a new
factory of greater capacity" (Enterprise, October 20, 1901)
Noyes Art Store, Main new store building (Enterprise, March 9, 1902).
Doerrmann's Tailor new store building (Enterprise, March 9, 1902).
Shop, Main
P. F. Ryder, 6th & Main completely remodeled, new front, houses Dubuque National
Bank, Milwaukee Ticket Office, S. D. Ryan & Co. stock
brokers, Democrat party headquarters (Enterprise, March
30, 1902).
10 & Main Iowa House Furnishing Co., formerly at 568 Main, occupies
85
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
double stores at this site (Enterprise, March 9, 30, 1902).
Richardson's Shoe destroyed, $125,000 fIre loss (Herald, March 29, 1901).
Factory
Dubuque Woodenware destroyed by fIre (Herald, May 30, 1901).
Company
Central Hotel badly damaged by fire (Globe-Journal, July 7, 1900).
St. Mary's Casino (Lyon, pp. 393-94)
Chalmers & Son, recruited to city in 1901, city provides site and installs
Iroquois Button Works power plant, expands 1902 (Lyons, p. 53).
1902
10111 & Main, Iowa new building (Enterprise, March 16, 1902).
House Furnishing Co.
Iowa Iron Works destroyed by fIre, $20,000 loss, three firemen killed, one
injured (Herald, May 9, 1902).
Dubuque Ore destroyed by fIre (Herald, July 28, 1902).
Concentrating Company
Dubuque Club, 7th & W. G. Williamson, $30,000 for building, $10,000 for the lot, three stories
Locust architect, Chicago (Enterprise, August 10, 1902).
1903
Wm. Lawther Candy Fourth floor to existing double front and four-story north
Co., Main, north of 1 st storefront added
German Bank Building, new building
342 Main
O'Neill Block, 1 st & Wm. Lawther purchases, remodels and modernizes, heats
Main from his candy, third floor broken up into six flats
(Enterprise, December 19, 1903).
National Biscuit Co., 6111 destroyed by fIre, $40,000 loss (Herald, December 11,
& White 1903) .
St. Lukes ME Church, fire damage $12,000 (Globe-Journal, September 10, 1903).
12th & Main
Buggy company, begins never finished by company, completed by Hagge & Metz
foundation for factory at millwork company, likely same year-extant.
1 7th and Elm
1904
Buetell Bros. wholesale house, two story addition, $5,000 (Telegraph-
Herald, December 30, 1906).
Excelsior Works erected, machinery $50,000 (Telegraph-Herald, March 19,
1905)
Telegraph-Herald building, $5,000, new presses, $24,000 (Telegraph-Herald,
March 19, 1905)
Wales Hotel addition, electrical plant similar to Hotel Julien's, $12,500
(Telegraph-Herald, March 19, 1905)
James Beach & Sons soap factory enlarged, $10,000 (Telegraph-Herald, March
19, 1905)
new coffin company $40,000 (Telegraph-Herald, March 19, 1905)
Dubuque Casket Co., addition, $12,000 (Telegraph-Herald, March 19, 1905)
Washington & 18th
St. Luke Meth. Church, $5,000 decorations, $8-12 for new parsonage (Telegraph-
Main cor. 12th Herald, March 19, 1905)
Morrison Iron Works, destroyed by fIre, $10,000 loss (Herald, February 20, 1904).
24th Street
86
'~':~~'?~~-",.,~):-,,::~,:,:.;'i.j~~
'j:r>l\f"~;'''lIl!'~''''''~'''''t'''''''' .
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Haggen, Fox Co. Handle destroyed by fIre, $14,000 loss (Herald, June 15, 1904).
Factory, 24th & Pine
M. M. Walker & badly damaged by fire (Herald, October 15, 1904).
Tousant Trexler Co.
1905
Clay between 14th & remodel building, $3,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 31,
15th, J. Olinger 1905) .
8th, Iowa Telephone Co. $10,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 31, 1905).
Athenemm Block, Main remodeled, $5,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 31,
bet. 5th & 6th 1905).
1 st, Jos. Nagle store and warehouse, $2,500 (Telegraph-Herald, December
31, 1905).
5th & Main, Dr. Staples rebuilt commercial building, $3,500 (Telegraph-Herald,
December 31,1905).
6th & Main, Franco rebuilt, $2,500 (Telegraph-Herald, December 31, .1905).
Weigel
6th & Main, P. Ryder for rebuilt, $3,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 31, 1905).
M. Schmitt
Farley & Loetscher warehouse, $18,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 31,
1905).
A. B. Brown & Co. Box destroyed by fIre (Herald, January 24, 1905).
Factory, Southern Ave.
Six business houses destroyed by fIre, $240,000 loss (Herald, November 24,
destroyed 1905).
1906
137-53 Main Assessor dates to 1906, three story, 64xI14, extant
799 Main same, four story, 125x114
8th & White, Farley- five story office and warehouse, $35,000, largest plant in
Loetscher Co. city until Deere Plant built, used timbers salvaged from St.
Louis Exposition of 1904 (Telegraph-Herald, December 30,
1906; Lyon, pp. 145-46).
9th & Iowa, Y.M.C.A. improvements, $16,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 30,
Dormitory 1906) .
Dennis Bros. Wholesale four story brick office and warehouse, relocate from 1 st &
Flour & Feed, 106 Main 2nd, $20,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 30, 1906).
Non-extant demolished post-1982.
15th & Locust, Masonic remodeling of old Presbyterian Church, $27,000
Temple
Jones & Main, Edes new factory on comer, occupied in June, $17,000
Robe Tannery, 41 Main, (Telegraph-Herald, December 30, 1906).
demolished 1989, HABS
documented.
Standard Lumber Co. $40,000 fIre loss (Herald, July 15, 1906).
Lawther Candy Co., candy company destroyed by fire, $14,000 loss, Sussman
Main north of 1 st Bakery, Dickinson Paper Box Co., Schukkin's Barber Shop
all damaged (Telegraph-Herald, September 23, 1906).
Chicago, Great Western gutted by fire (Globe-Journal, August 30, 1906).
Blacksmith Shop
Standard Oil Company badly damaged by fire (Globe-Journal, August 18, 1906).
Iowa Coffin Company $17,000 addition, new machinery (Telegraph-Herald,
December 30, 1906).
87
" .. · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
1907
Security Building, 800 enlarged to the north, $90,000 (Telegraph-Herald,
Main December 29, 1907).
Roshek Bros. Bldg., "one of the biggest in completed in 1907, $75,000, (Telegraph-Herald, December
southeast corner, Eighth the State.. . one of the 29, 1907).
and Main attractions of
Dubuque"
Iowa Telephone Co. $320,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 29, 1907).
Farley-Loetscher Co. $35,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 29, 1907).
137-45-53 Main, Wm. new factory, destroyed by fire "some time ago," five stories,
Lawther Co. Bedford stone and press brick front$75,000 (Telegraph-
Herald, December 29, 1907).
Willner's Store $10,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 29, 1907).
Fuhrman Clothier $15,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 29, 1907).
Y.M.C.A. Dormitory, 8th $16,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 29, 1907).
& Iowa
Clark's Drug Store $2,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 29, 1907).
Lyric Theater $3,500 (Telegraph-Herald, December 29, 1907).
Fred Dalms Blacksmith destroyed by fire. Dalms killed (Times-Journal, April 28,
Shop 1907).
Cleaver's Laundry destroyed by fire, $10,000 loss (Times-Journal, August 14,
1907) .
Jones Bros. Garment destroyed by fIre, loss $50,000 (Telegraph-Herald, March
Factory, 3rd & Iowa 2, 1907).
Felix G. Becker Coal & stable, barns and 25 horses destroyed by frre (Telegraph-
Wood Co. Herald, March 18, 1907).
Flick Box Factory destroyed by fire, $10,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald, April
27, 1907).
Mulligan's Wholesale destroyed byfrre (Times-Journal, March 5, 1907).
Liquor Store, Dunn's
Grocery
Jones Bros. Garment destroyed by fIre, $60,000 loss, "wrecked" (Times-Journal,
Co., 3rd & Iowa March 2, 1907).
C. H. Fischer Harness destroyed by fire (Times-Journal, December 1, 1907).
Shop
1908
Princess Theater under construction, $15,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December
27, 1908).
Three Nickel Theaters $7,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 27, 1908).
Albee Building, 2nd improvements, $2,500 (Telegraph-Herald, December 27,
between Main and 1908) .
Locust, 231 West 2nd,
extant.
1 8t & Main, new building $4,500 (Telegraph-Herald, December 27, 1908). HABS
[80 Main?] documentation for 80 Main assumes this applies to that
address, National Biscuit Company builder]. Extant.
4th & Iowa, Peaslee remodeled and improved, $3,500 (Telegraph-Herald,
Brewery Building December 27, 1908).
City Hall, 13th & Clay destroyed by fire, $1,000,000 loss, priceless records lost
(Times-Journal, January 24, 1908).
New Jefferson House, disastrous fIre (Times-Journal, August 7, 1908).
88
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
508 Clay
1909
Bijou Theater $50,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 2, 1910).
White & 7th, Farley & five story factory, 50' frontage on White (Telegraph-
Loetscher Herald, January 2, 1910).
White between 7tn & 8tn, power house, $20,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 2, 1910).
Farley & Loetscher
Central House $12,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 2, 1910).
Midland Chemical Co., $25,000 fIre loss (Times-Journal, January 12, 1909).
Clark Roller Awning Co.
1910
8th & White, Farley- five story concrete and brick, 200x100,$100,000
Loetscher (Telegraph-Herald, October 2, 1910; January 1, 1911).
Jackson, Washington, largest factory in city, 171x387, five stories, brick, stone,
10th to 11 th, Carr, Ryder, fire proof, power station, 40x100, west of Jackson, $50,000
Adams (Telegraph-Herald, January 2, 1910; January 1, 1911).
Hotel Central $26,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 1, 1911).
Ludescher Bros. $5,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 1, 1911).
Fuhrmann Bros. $5,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 1, 1911).
5111 & Iowa, H. B. Glover five story building, 120x100, tunnel link to new six story
warehouse, $45,000 (Telegraph-Herald, October 2, 1910;
January 1, 1911).
4th & Main, Majestic $85,000 (Telegraph-Herald, October 2, 1910; January 1,
Theater 1911).
Hotel Julien improvements, $25,000 (Telegraph-Herald, October 2,
1910; January 1, 1911).
Klauer Shoe Store improvements, $1,200 (Telegraph-Herald, October 2, 1910;
January 1, 1911).
Gordon Garage $5,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 1, 1911).
Spensley store $10,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 1, 1911).
McFadden Coffee & four story structure, $50,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 1,
Spice Co. 1911).
800 Main Assessor dates to 1910, four story, 149xl13
Julien Hotel destroyed by fIre (Telegraph-Herald, April 11, 1910).
New Bijou Theater destroyed by fire with $60,000 loss (Times-Journal, April 8,
1910).
Julien Hotel, Main $37,000 fIre loss (Times-Journal, April 11, 1910).
Standard Lumber Co. $100,000 fIre loss (Times-Journal, December 25, 1910).
Hub Clothiers heavy fire damage (Times-Journal, December 25, 1910).
Standard Lumber Co. second major fire, $80,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald, April
22, 1910).
H. H. Mehlhop, Cigars, "most nearly new building, stone, cement and iron (Greater Dubuque,
372 Main fireproof structure in 1911, p. 44).
the city"
1911
M. Kassler & Sons warehouse, $8,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 31,
1911).
Carr, Ryder, Adams Co., $300,000 fIre loss (Times-Journal, May 27, 1911).
Adams Co., Key City
Furniture Factory,
Standard Lumber
89
" · · · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase m Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Clark Roller Awning wrecked by fire (Times-Journal, May 13, 1911).
Co., Beatrice Creamery
Co.
Conlin & Kearns Ice immense ice house destroyed by fire, $50,000 loss (Times-
House Journal, May 29, 1911).
Spahn, Rose & Lumber Spahn & Rose suffer fire loss of $140,000, others damaged
Co., Kretschumer Co., (Times-Journal, July 31,1911).
Weineke Hoerr Co.,
Farley-Loetscher Co.
Standard Lumber Co. third and fourth major fires, destroy the company, guts the
shot tower, $300,000 loss in third fIre, $350,00 loss in final
fire (Telegraph-Herald, May 27, 29, 1911).
Factory district, $140,000 fIre loss (Telegraph-Herald, July 31, 1911).
Washington between 7th
& 8th streets
1912
Beatrice Creamery Co. destroyed by fIre (Telegraph-Herald, December 9, 1912).
Plant, Jones & Locust
Austin Office Building, "new building for Homes and Offices.. .excellent location.
SW corner Main and 3rd Every modem convenience including electric elevators. . .
(Telegraph-Herald, May 5, 1912).
1913
Fischer & Co., foot of 8th artificial ice plant, most massive structure erected this year
(Telegraph-Herald, December 23,1913)
Dubuque Paper Co. building is second largest in the city (Telegraph-Herald,
December 23, 1913)
Union Electric Power plant expansion, $10,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23,
Co. 1913)
S1. Mary Church substantially remodeled, $70,000 (Telegraph-Herald,
December 23, 1913)
Boat & Boiler Works, building, $18,700 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23, 1913)
foot of 2nd
Dubuque Cracker remodeled, had been unoccupied for several years, $1,500
Factory, 9th & White (Telegraph-Herald, December 23, 1913)
Stillson Specialty Co., same, $12,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23, 1913)
12th & White
Prescott School, White $96,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23, 1913)
and 13th
Water Company expansions, $40,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23,
1913)
Jackson Vinegar Works, building, equipment, $45,000 (Telegraph-Herald,
64 Main, demolished December 23, 1913)
1989, HABs documented
Dubuque Paper Co., 2nd eight-story stone and brick building, $70,000 (Telegraph-
and Iowa Herald, December 23, 1913)
Hotel Julien, 2nd and eight stories, 171.6xI13.6 feet, 231 rooms, will be replaced
Main "in another year," was being finished at the end of 1914,
$550,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23, 1913;
December 27, 1914)
Fischer & Co., on the ice plant, $170,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23, 1913)
rIver
90
" .. · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase 1lI Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Key City Gas Co. improvements, no figures.
Iowa Oil Company addition, $1,800 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23, 1913)
A. Y. McDonald, Pne two-story brick addition, $13,000 (Telegraph-Herald,
December 23, 1913)
Mrs. Louise Sumerfield, improvements on business plant, $4,000 (Telegraph-
Clay Herald, December 23, 1913)
United Cigar Co., 805 remodeled, $2,700 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23, 1913)
Main
William Brady garage, $2,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23, 1913)
A. A. Cooper wagon factory, new machinery, $10,000 (Telegraph-
Herald, December 23, 1913)
Majestic Theater, 4th & fire escapes, $1,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23,
Main 1913)
Ford Garage, Clay $3,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23, 1913)
Dreamland Theater improvements, $3,800 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23,
1913)
Hub Clothing Store, remodeled, $18,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23,
Main 1913)
Presley Paint Shop, remodeled, $10,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 23,
Main 1913)
Building, 3rd & Locust $50,000 fIre loss (Telegraph-Herald, April 8, 1913).
Dubuque Boat & Boiler $300,000 fIre loss to machine shop (Telegraph-Herald,
Works April 21, 1913).
1914
2nd & Iowa, Becker- faced with "Hytex wholesaler in glass, china and crockery, removes to larger
Hazelton brick, laid up with site, 40x152, seven stories and basement, Hytex facing
Arts and Crafts brick on Iowa Street front, native stone first floor front on
joints" John Spencer, Iowa Street, with Bedford stone trim above, heavy mill
architect construction and cast iron columns on first four stories (long
leaf southern pine posts above that level), elevator in
fireproof brick shaft, shipping platform at back, $70,000
(Telegraph-Herald, December 27, 1914).
Elks Home, 7th & Locust "one of the finest clubs in the west," $120,000, to be done
February 1915, replaces two-story brick stable, $120,000
(Telegraph-Herald, December 27,1914
Dubuque Paper Co., 2nd eight story brick and stone building, $70,000 (Telegraph-
and Iowa Herald, December 27, 1914).
Union Electric Co., foot addition, $75,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 27, 1914).
of 8th
Telegraph-Herald, 5th & remodeling, $45,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 27,
Main 1914).
Orioles Home, 16th brick, three stories, $10,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December
27, 1914).
372 Main Assessor dates to 1916, two story, 21x113, extant
Mathis Realty Co. $15,000 fIre loss (Telegraph-Herald, August 5, 1914).
S1. Anthony School destroyed by fIre, fIre department criticized (Telegraph-
Herald, December 14, 1914).
1915
Carr, Ryder, Adams Co. fire loss of $170,000 (Telegraph-Herald, April 27, 1915).
Key City Motor Co., 990 Company into new quarters, offers day and night Buick
Clay service (Horseless Age, March 24, 1915, p. 396).
91
" .. · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
1916
Peter Even& Son Auto HABS Documentation, extant.
Showroom, 65 Main
H. L. Stout residence, 9th Demolition Five-story commercial building replaces house, used as part
& Iowa of YMCA complex, $175,000 (Lyon, pp. 489-90).
Farley & Loetscher, 7tD new warehouse complete, $200,000 (Telegraph-Herald,
& White December27, 1914).
A. A. Cooper Warehouse destroyed by fire, $300,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald,
February 11, 13, 1916).
Homan Furniture Co, $20,000 fIre damage (Telegraph-Herald, July 5, 1916).
Moose Lodge Hall
E. E. Frith Fertilizer destroyed by fIre, $100,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald,
Plant September 3, 1916).
1917
Adams Co. 41Ii St. only incomplete work from 1916, foundry, $28,000 (Times,
extension January 1, 1918)
First National Bank, 5111 addition, $60,000 (Times, January 1, 1918)
& Main
National Refining Co., new building, $10,000 (Times, January 1, 1918)
7th
Trenkle Sausage Co., addition, $12,000 (Times, January 1, 1918)
1227 Clay
George A. Flackiger, 5th no specifics, not a residence, $8,000 (Times, January 1,
& Clay 1918)
Iowa House Furnishing remodeling, $7,000 (Times, January 1, 1918)
Co., 4th & Main
Paris Hotel, 4th & Clay addition, $2,000 (Times, January 1, 1918)
City of Dubuque, levee warehouse, $2,000 (Times, January 1, 1918)
A. A. Cooper & Buggy destroyed by fire, lumber shed destroyed, $120,000
Co. (Telegraph-Herald, July 12, 1917).
Wales Hotel destroyed by fIre (Times, July 5, 1917).
1919
Cadillac Garage $15,000 (Times, December 22, 1919).
Armour & Co. $20,000 (Times, December 22, 1919).
Dubuque Casket Co. $60,000 (Times, December 22, 1919).
Carr, Ryder & Adams $100,000 (Times, December 22, 1919).
Co.
Heeb Tire & Supply Co. $30,000 (Times, December 22, 1919).
Standard Oil Co. $10,000 (Times, December 22, 1919).
Grimm Drug Store destroyed by fIre, $25,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald~
November 26, 1919~
International Harvestor destroyed by fire, $250,000-300,000 loss, hotel and stable
Co., Southern Hotel, destroyed (Telegraph-Herald, November 18, 20, 1919;
Molo Stables Times Journal, November 18, 20, 1919).
1920
Fluckiger Garage, 5111 & destroyed by fIre, $50,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald, January
Central 5, 1920; Times-Journal, January 5, 1920).
Thos. J. Mulgrew seven buildings destroyed by fire (Telegraph-Herald,
Artificial Ice Co. October 5, 1920).
A. A. Ryan Packing Co. destroyed by fIre (Telegraph-Herald, July 11, 1920).
Hurd-Most Sash and one of newer industries, started work on new factory about
92
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
door company, Dodge a year ago, now in operation, $100,000, new building or a
conversion of an old one (Times-Journal, January 1, 1924).
Pyramid Lumber Co. improvements (Times-Journal, January 1, 1924).
Iowa Casket Co. improvements (Times-Journal, January 1, 1924).
Garage, northeast corner Demolition of existing buildings announced, Times-Journal,
13th & Iowa March 14, 1920.
1921
Brick structure west of City Council orders demolition (Times-Journal, July 6, 7,
Milwaukee Depot on 26, 1921)
Central
Robinson barn, North same
Side
J. J. Nagle structure, sw same
comer 4th & Iowa
1923
American Trust & "in the very heart of the business district," by January the
Savings Bldg., 9th & steel skeleton was 10 stories high, "when completed it will
Main be the tallest building in the city," 13 stories, 36xI28.6.,
(Times-Journal, January 1, 1924).
98 East lOth same, one story, 50x35
Excelsior Works destroyed by fIre, $40,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald, August
15, 1923).
Union Trust & Savings work started August 1923. "when completed it will be an
Bank, 14th & Central impressive piece of work, and will contain all the
accommodations necessary for carrying on a large banking
business in an up-to-date fashion..." (Times-Journal,
January 1, 1924).
Dubuque Electric Co. extensive improvement work including erecting the state's
tallest smokestack, $2\300,000 (Times-Journal, January 1,
1924)
Thos. J. Mulgrew new ice plant announced, $75,000, to begin in the spring
Artificial Ice Co. (Times-Journal, January 1, 1924).
Carr, Ryder & Adams addition, $100,000 (Telegraph-Herald, December 28,
Co. 1924) .
70, 76 Locust, 678 Buildings condemned by Fire Department, several were
Central, 154 10th, 136 being repaired (Telegraph-Herald, October 31, 1923).
Bluff, 1297 Walnut, 691-
95 Central
1924
Belsky Motor Garage $65,000 (The Dubuquer, December 1924).
Woolworth & Co. $43,000 (The Dubuquer, December 1924).
Farley & Loetscher two warehouses, $40,000 (The Dubuquer, December 1924).
Seippel Lumber Co. destroyed by fIre, $60,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald, April
25, 1924).
Hawkeye Casket Co. $20,000 addition (The Dubuquer, December 1924).
1925
A. A. Cooper Wagon & destroyed by fIre, $60,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald, April
Buggy Company 28, 29, 1825).
Canfield Hotel, 4th & addition, permit issued October 1925 (Telegraph-Herald,
White December27, 1925).
1926
93
"...the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
104 Main Built c.1926 (Sanborn Map), as wholesale drug warehouse
1929
1250 West 8th Assessor dates to 1929, 10 stories, two basements, 250x114
Telegraph- begun in 1929, finished 1930 (Telegraph-Herald, January
Heraldffimes-Journal 31,1931).
Building, Bluff & 8th
Bums Realty Co. Garage started 1929, done 1930 (Telegraph-Herald, January 31,
1931 ).
Interstate Power Co. started 1929, done 1930 (Telegraph-Herald, January 31,
garage 1931).
Kresge's Mercantile started 1929, done 1930 (Telegraph-Herald, January 31,
Bldg. 1931 ).
Roshek's Department Lyon says second half finished July 1931, Rosheks departs
Store, first half, Locust for Kennedy Mall 1968, renamed CyCare Plaza 1986,
and 8th streets features the Packet Restaurant on top floor, $5 million
renovation 1968-70, bankrupt 1984 as W. S. Sheppley &
Co., extant
1930
8th & Bluff, Telegraph- The Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal newspapers
Herald merge in 1927, and locate to this comer in 1930. Assessor
dates building to 1935. (Lyon, p. 439).
Roshek's Department south half, $350,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 31, 1931).
Store, 8th & Locust
Neisner Bros. Mercantile $60,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 31, 1931).
Establishment
Firestone Tire & Rubber $20,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 31, 1931).
Co. service station
Masonic Temple Bluff- Medieval eclectic $187,000 (Telegraph-Herald, January 31,1931). Dedicated
Locust and 12th January 1932 (ibid., January 28, 1932)
Northwestern Bell Co. $11,000 remodeling (Telegraph-Herald, January 31, 1931).
Midwest Lumber, 207 shed $2,000 (Building permits)
East 7th
1931
Maizewood Products destroyed by fIre, $200,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald,
December 8,1931).
St. George Hotel, 576 three-car garage, $1,200 (Building permits)
Central
48 West 6th "brick plant" $2,000 (Building permits)
1932
Old Julien Theater, 5th Built in 1856 by Smith, Kinley and Poor, three story brick,
and Locust elongated plan with hip roof, housed Masonic Lodge since
1971 (Telegraph-Herald, February 21, 1832).
Witwer Grocery Co. destroyed by fIre (Telegraph-Herald, December 11, 1932).
Bradley Insurance, 198 alterations $2,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Locksmith Express, 450 new storefront, $1,000 (Building permits)
Central
Aragon Tap, 1101 Y2 remodel for restaurant/tavern, $1,300 (Building permits)
Iowa
Federal Building, Locust demolition of building on site of new federal building
and 4th (Telegraph-Herald, January 26, 1932).
94
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
1933
Federal Building & Post Moderne style Cornerstone dedicated August 11, 1933, completed
Office February 15, 1934, opened March 3, 1934, Indiana
limestone (Lyon, pp. 283-84; Sommer, p. 145).
Continental Oil Co., 505 filling station, $10,000 (Building permits)
Locust
110 West 12th two story addition, $1,000 (Building permits)
20 East 4th filling station $2,250 (Building permits)
1934
Four story building, destroyed by fire, $50,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald, April
Main bet. 4th & 5th, 29, 1934).
owned by Sisters of
Holy Ghost
Kornmeyer's Garage 65-year old landmark destroyed by fire (Telegraph-Herald,
May 13, 1934).
Zebulon Pike Lock & Work starts February 2, 1934, opens September 10, 1937,
Dam begins gradual revival of river traffic (Lyon, p. 492).
1236 Iowa new store front, $800 (Building permits)
1198 White same, $1,000 (Building permits)
921-27-33 Central warehouse, $3,500 (Building permits)
1935
LaPrell Meat Market, damaged by fire (Telegraph-Herald, January 21, 1935).
1278 Central
Key City Gas Co., 662 new storefront $1,400 (Building permits)
Main
Hartig Drug, 730-36 same, $850 (Building permits)
Main
216 West 1 st same $450 (Building permits)
260 West 4th two story service station, $9,000 _(Building permits)
East 4th Street Extension three story brick/concrete block storage, $5,000 (Building
permits)
1936
Feye Bros. Auto Body garage, $6,000 (Building permits)
Shop, 646-48 Central
Faber Music Co., 1157 alterations brick bldg., $4,500 (Building permits)
Central
635 Main new storefront $597 (Building permits)
940 Main one story addition, $1,400 !Building permits)
1260 Washington store in rear, $1,318 (Building permits)
Canfield Hotel, 397 new main entrance $1,350 (Building permits)
Central
1256 Central new store front $2,000 (Building permits)
1937
14th & Central, Molo Oil auto servicing station, nearing completion, (Telegraph-
Co. Herald, May 9, 1937)
Railroad Ave., old Ott one story addition and alterations, to be occupied by Nuirre
Rubber Company Company factory, (Telegraph-Herald, May 9, 1937)
South Main, office building addition, (Telegraph-Herald, May 9, 1937)
International Harvester
10th & White, Rhomberg extensive alterations, (Telegraph-Herald, May 9, 1937)
95
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Fur Company
Klauer Mfg. Co. two-story reinforced concrete addition to
warehouse/factory, (Telewaph-Herald, May 9, 1937)
2ria & Iowa, A. Y. platform at warehouse building, (Telegraph-Herald, May 9,
McDonald 1937)
2162-64 Central destroyed by frre (Telegraph-Herald, January 11, 1937).
Molo Oil Co., 1403 gas station, $4,875 (Building permits)
Central
200-18 Iowa platform $1,800 (Building permits)
972 Main new storefront $1,000 (Building permits)
976 Main same, $1,000 (Building permits)
Rhomberg Furs, 1002 three story brick addition, $11,000 (Building permits)
White
301 East 9lli two story concrete warehouse, $55,000 (Building permits)
1938
250 Iowa warehouse, $3,500 (Building permits)
602 Locust brick building, $10,000 (Building permits)
768-98 Main store addition, alterations, $15,000(Building permits)
Cottingham & Butler, building, $10,000 (Building permits)
800 Main
Interstate Employees alterations, $18,000 (Building permits)
Credit Union, 978 Main
280 West 6t1l addition to brick lodge, $3,800 (Building permits)
100 West 13lli alterations to brick building, $3,000 (Building permits)
Canfield Hotel, 397 reface four story brick building, new front, lobby, $1,165.
Central (Building permits)
1939
Motor Transportation truck terminal, $10,000 (Building permits)
Co., 59 Main
10 West 5th filling station, $2,000 (Building permits)
303 Main brick and concrete bus station, $9,500 (Building permits)
East 6th building for shipper's use, $1,000 (Building permits)
101-99 East 9thu fire proof storage bldg., $5,000 (Building permits)
Telegraph-Herald, Bluff two story brick building, $18,000 (Building permits)
1940
Crescent Electric Co., alterations to brick bldg., $2,000 (Building permits)
769 Iowa
1108 Iowa storefront, $1,000 (Building permits)
Martin Oil Co., 280 filling station, $3,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Cottingham & Butler, alterations, $9,000 (Building permits)
800 Main
900 Main alterations, $2,600 (Building permits)
Hills & Dales, 902 Main same, $2,600 (Building permits)
976 Main same, $1,000 (Building permits)
Washington erect two story brick bldg., $39,000 (Building permits)
1941
illinois Central R.R., freight depot alterations, $1,500 (Building permits)
Central
Wallpaper & Paint, 1585 two-story addition to brick bldg., $6,000 (Building permits)
96
" . .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Central
Perfection Oil Co., 285 filling station, $2,500 (Building permits)
Locust
Fischer & Co., 880 garage, $15,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Hartig Drug Co., 730-36 alterations, $5,000 (Building permits)
Main
Cottingham & Butler, same, $1,200 (Building permits)
800 Main
923 Main same, $5,000 (Building permits)
Maple cooler bldg, $34,000 (Building permits)
175 East 4th steel shop, $30,000 (Building permits)
225 East 4th metal garage, shed $3,100 (Building permits)
Linehan & Molo, East public garage, $3,000 (Building permits)
5th & Iowa
1138 Central reside frame bus. bldg., $1,000 (Building permits)
H. Trenkle & Co., 1250- reface three-story brick bldg., $200 (Building permits)
56 Central
1942
904 Iowa alterations, $1,920 (Building permits)
Julien Dubuque Bridge, toll house for bridge, $32,000 (Building permits)
Dodge & Locust
831 Main alterations to 3-story bldg., $4,000 (Building permits)
856 Main alterations, $5,000 (Building permits)
White & 3rd alterations to railway passenger station, $4,900 (Building
permits)
280 West 6th alterations to brick bldg., $2,000 (Building permits)
1943
Unidentified "landmark" destroyed by fIre (Telegraph-Herald, January 10, 1943).
Marmis-Solomon Plant destroyed by fIre (Telegraph-Herald, April 4, 1943).
Julien Dubuque Bridge new $3.12 million bridge serves as a toll bridge until 1954.
It's location draws downtown and traffic southward from
the old crossing at 4th/7th streets mubuque.. The Birthplace
of Iowa).
833 Main building, $1,500 (Building permits)
882 White addition, $5,000 (Building permits)
Dubuque Packing Co., loading dock, $3,000 (Building permits)
East 16th
1944
lllinois Central Railroad Demolition (Telegraph-Herald, June 25, 1944).
Passenger Depot
DBQ Auto Supply Co, one story addition, $4,000 (Building permits)
906 Central
471 Iowa alteration to brick bldg., $3,000 (Buildirig permits)
280 West 6th alterations, $15,000 (Building permits)
1945
Central one story brick bldg., $4,000 (Building permits)
Fischer Co., 3rd & Iowa new front to brick bldg., $1,500 (Building permits)
Firstar, 871 Main boiler room, $2,500 (Building permits)
1236 Iowa erect store fronts, $43,000 (Building permits)
97
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase m Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
756 Main store, to first floor, $8,000 (Building permits)
Cottingham & Butler, rear loading dock, $2,200 (Building permits)
800 Main
Fischer Co., 951 Main new store front in brick, $2,000 (Building permits)
Interstate Power Co., one story building, $2,000 (Building permits)
East 8th
East 9th alterations to four-story brick manufacturing bldg., $25,000
(Building permits)
1946
Pine & 12th, A. Y. new plant, site occupied by company as early as 1900,
McDonald demolished 1982 for u.s. Highway 61 (Lyon, pp. 297-98).
Canfield Hotel, 4th worst fIre disaster (Telegraph-Herald, August 14, 1946).
Allied Educational Film storefront, $1,000 (Building permits)
Service, 1369 Central
Miller Radio, 1695 building, $5,000 (Building permits)
Central
824 Locust alterations, $3,000 (Building permits)
Veterans of Foreign club house, $35,000 (Building permits)
Wars, 444 Main
630 Main storefront, $8,000 (Building permits)
Washington warehouse addition, $15,000 (Building permits)
Mix Concrete Co., 125 one story office, $4,000 (Building permits)
Dodge
East 17th & Cedar addition, $28,000 (Building permits)
1947
Customs House, 9th and demolished (Telegraph-Herald, August 17, 1947).
Locust
Karigan's two story building, $30,000 (Building permits)
Restaurant/Sfikas
Restaurant, 401 Central
1437 Central brick building, $2,000 (Building permits)
1520 Central masonry bldg., $1,500 (Building permits)
1766 Central rear addition, $1,800 (Building permits)
1177 Elm concrete garage, office bldg., $1,500 (Building permits)
668 Iowa boiler room alterations, $1,500 (Building permits)
Pauls Tavern, 176 first floor addition, $1,900 (Building permits)
Locust
Midland Chemicals, 65- addition, $950 (Building permits)
75 Main
Mix Concrete Co., 125 boiler house, $2,000 (Building permits)
Dodge
Adams Co., 100 E. 4th warehouse, $1,500 (Building permits)
222 East 4Ul one story steel bldg., $2,900 (Building permits)
151 East 9th loading dock, $2,600 (Building permits)
1948
Northwestern Bell, 900 replaces demolished Customs House (Sanborn Map,
Locust 1909/50)
Fischer Co., 1084 Iowa building, $6,000 (Building permits)
St. Vincent DePaul, erect masonry bldg, $30,000
1351 Iowa
98
" .. · the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
'..... '-........~'~.<_~~'f(~-...~i'f'~
us West, 900 Locust two-story bldg., $310,000 (Building permits)
72 Main storefront, $2,500 (Building permits)
Leath & Co, 666 Main brick bldg., $9,000 (Building permits)
Cottingham & Butler, entrance alterations, $3,000 (Building permits)
800 Main
10th & White alterations to one story tile bldg., $2,000 (Building permits)
Canfield Hotel, 34-36 addition to six-story bldg., $40,000 (Building permits)
West 4th
Firstar, 270 West 7th one story masonry bldg., $56,000 (Building permits)
1949
755 Central addition to brick bldg., $5,000 (Building permits)
Sheet Steel, 1056 rear addition, $1,980 (Building permits)
Central
Faber Music Co., 1157 business bldg., $20,000 (Building permits)
Central
825 Washington dry kiln, $30,000 (Building permits)
1950
305 Jones recoat masonry bldg., $500 (Building permits)
Walsh Stores, 1246 brick bldg., $1,500 (Building permits)
Central
1278 Central storefront, $900 (Building permits)
1440 Central concrete block garage, $3,000 (Building permits)
1685 Central erect office bldg., $800 (Building permits)
410 Iowa alteration to brick dwg., $1,200 (Building permits)
Hartig Drug, 93 Locust one story bldg., $45,000 (Building permits)
57 Main unloading dock, $1,000 (Building permits)
Business Supply, 356 storefront, $4,000 (Building permits)
Main
976 Main storefront, $4,000 (Building permits)
Washington addition to brick bldg., $70,000 (Building permits)
Washington unloading dock, $1,500 (Building permits)
46 West 6th building, $18,000 (Building permits)
75 East 4th same, $1,000 (Building permits)
Morrison Bros., 410 East unloading dock, $1,200 (Building permits)
7th
Express, 450 Central new storefront, $3,100 (Building permits)
1951
824 Locust brick front alterations, $8,000 (Building permits)
Adams Co., 100 East 4th warehouse, $4,000 (Building permits)
Morrison Bros., 410 East addition to factory, $15,000 {Building permits)
7th
1952
Feye Bros. Auto Body alterations to three-story bldg., $4,500 (Building permits)
Shop, 678 Central
668 Iowa storefront, $2,500 (Building permits)
1220 Iowa storefront, $1,500 (Building permits)
245 Jones service station, $20,000 (Building permits)
849 Central storefront, $1,200 (Building permits)
Dubuque Bank & Trust, exterior alterations, $2,000 (Building permits)
1398 Central
99
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
1256 Iowa one-story rear addition, $2,000 (Building permits)
1953
Continental Oil Co., 52 filling station, $20,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Shell Oil Co., 3m & station, $1,500 (Building permits)
Locust
US West, 900 Locust alterations to exterior, $4,000 (Building permits)
Capri Cosmetology, 375 one story masonry building, $25,000 (Building permits)
Main
Morrison Bros., 410 East alterations to factory, $2,000 (Building permits)
7th
Trenkle Co., 1227 addition to brick bldg., $55,000 (Building permits)
Central
1954
1145 Elm steel warehouse, $20,000 (Building permits)
Metz Mfg. Co., 16th & building, $25,000 (Building permits)
Elm
1171-79 Iowa new front door, $1,000 (Building permits)
Kalmes Break Time, rear porch, $1,500 (Building permits)
1097 Jackson
Bridge Restaurant, 31 one story masonry bldg., $7,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Molo Oil Co., 5111 & station, $8,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Conrad Enterprises, 6th steel storage bldg., $8,000 (Building permits)
& White
1955
Standard Oil Col, 895 service station, $16,000 (Building permits)
Central
Industrial park, Eagle first industrial park open only to new businesses, 21 plants
Point/Lake Peosta there by 1969. This was in response to a post-World War II
tendency for firms to establish multiple branch firms away
from main plants (Lyons, p. 121).
Alliant Industries, 1001 erect three-story office bldg., $250,000 (Building permits)
Iowa
Tri State Oil Co., 22 service station, $15,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Kunnert Sporting Goods, entrance alterations, $2,000 (Building permits)
302 Locust
American Trust & alterations, $40,000 (Building permits)
Savings Co., 899 Main
Molo Oil Co., West 14th filling station alterations, $1,800 (Building permits)
27 East 15th one story bldg., $8,000 (Building permits)
Bon Ton Bakery, 1542 bldg., $2,500 (Building permits)
Central
Eagle Food Center, 1808 masonry supermarket, $110,000 (Building permits)
Elm
Iowa Oil Co., 402 filling station, $13,000 (Building permits)
Locust
1957
Appel Crystal Cleaners, addition, $17,000 (Building permits)
100
" · .. the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis... "
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
555 Central
Smokestack, Moore's demolished (Telegraph-Herald, September 1, 1957).
Mill, local landmark
Salvation Army, 1099 addition to two-story bldg., $108,000 (Building permits)
Iowa
Jackson service station, $20,000 (Building permits)
Molo Oil Co., 5th & addition to service station, $6,000 (Building permits)
Locust
W. S. Sheppley Co., 8tli rear addition, $4,500 (Building permits)
& Locust
U.S. West, 900 Locust addition to two-story bldg., $115,000 (Building permits)
American Trust & four story store bldg., $600,000 (Building permits)
Savings, 855 Main
220 West 5t alteration rear brick bldg., $1,800 (Building permits)
1958
194 Locust service station, $14,000 (Building permits)
Jaeger Hardware Co., storefront, $5,000 (Building permits)
622 Main
House of China, 801 erect one story bldg., $73,000 (Building permits)
Main
Pine, 15th -16th masonry watch tower, $5,500 (Building permits)
Dubuque Ready Mix storage bldg., $2,500 (Building permits)
Concrete Co., 125
Dodge
1959
146 Bluff masonry storage bldg., $35,000 (Building permits)
Dubuque Hatchery, 602 rear frame addition, $1,900 (Building permits)
Central
Welu Printing Co., 1685 masonry garage, $4,000 (Building permits)
Central
Washington Park, 6th & bldg., $45,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Capri College, 395 Main storefront, $5,000 (Building permits)
Cottingham & Butler, alterations, $65,000 (Building permits)
800 Main
City ofDubuqe concrete block bldg, $8,000 (Building permits)
Recreation Dept., E. 4th
1960
Goodyear Tire & Rubber addition, $12,000 (Building permits)
Co., 8th & Central
Universal Motors, 990 two story garage, $115,000 (Building permits)
Central
Engineering Products loading dock, $3,000 (Building permits)
Co., 250 Iowa
Bridge Cafe, 35 Locust floor, $1,100 (Building permits)
Miracle Car Wash, 255 masonry bldg., $45,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Washington warehouse, $15,000 (Building permits)
1961
Dubuque Bank & Trust, drive in bank bldg., $30,000
West 14th
101
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Dubuque Bank & Trust, storefront, $17,000 (Building permits)
1382 Central
Spahn & Rose Lumber storage bldg., $1,200 (Building permits)
Co., 1101 Jackson
1598 Jackson storefront, $2,000 (Building permits)
823 Main storefront, $4,500 (Building permits)
998 White conversion into motel units, $7,000 ( Building permits)
Firstar, 232 West 7tIf bank bldg., $781,000 (Building permits)
Midtown Marina, 775 masonry bldg., $2,200 (Building permits)
East 6th
1962
Alliant Utilities, 1001 four story addition, $195,000 (Building permits)
Iowa
Fisher Co., 1084 Iowa addition to masonry bldg., $22,000 (Building permits)
Time, 1097 Jackson storefront, $1,500 (Building permits)
Bridge Cafe, 35 Locust rear addition, $7,500 (Building permits)
Continental Oil Co., 505 service station, $19,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Herbst Upholstery, 76 alterations to masonry bldg., $6,000 (Building permits)
Main
10th & Washington loading dock, $5,000 (Building permits)
1084 White masonry storage bldg., $2,800 (Building permits)
1963
Park Square Tavern, 600 reface brick bldg, $750 (Building permits)
Central
100 1 Central masonry drive-in restaurant, $30,000 (Building permits)
1564 Central storefront, $1,500 (Building permits)
333 Iowa alterations to brick bldg., $17,000 (Building permits)
Martin Oil Co., 280 service station, $10,500 (Building permits)
Locust
532 Locust storefront, $,500 (Building permits)
Hill & Dales, 902 Main new bldg., $2,000 (Building permits)
A. Y. McDonald Mfg. steel warehouse, $11,000 (Building permits)
Co., 350 Dodge
Dubuque Supply Co., alterations to brick bldg., $1,500 (Building permits)
585 White
Grand Opera House, 135 reface theater bldg., $10,000 (Building permits)
West 8th
1964
Telegraph-Herald, 801 building, $418,500 (Building permits)
Bluff
Iowa DOT, 83 Locust masonry bldg., $1,000,000 (Building permits)
City of Dubuque, 805 parking ramp, $1,000,000 (Building permits)
Locust
84 Main rear addition, $4,000 (Building permits)
Archdiocese of loading dock, $1,000 (Building permits)
Dubuque, 98 Main
Plastic Center Inc., 200 alterations to brick bldg., $80,000 (Building permits)
Main
Business Supply, 356 new front for three story bldg., $4,800 (Building permits)
102
" ... the finest business street west of Chicago and north of St. Louis..."
Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Main
1395 Washington storefront, $3,200 (Building permits)
A. Y. McDonald Mfg. new front, $47,000 (Building permits)
Co., 350 Dodge
Rafoth Furnace & Sheet alteration to warehouse, $12,000 (Building permits)
Metal Co., 1787 White
Jack's Auto Repair, East masonry office bldg., $7,000 (Building permits)
9th
1965
Dubuque Hatchery, 614 bldg., $2,000 (Building permits)
Central
four buildings, 900s destroyed by fIre, $500,000 loss (Telegraph-Herald, April
block of Main 30, 1965).
725-27 Central storefront, $3,000 (Building permits)
514 Iowa alterations to brick bldg., $1,500 (Building permits)
American Trust & drive in bank, $50,000 (Building permits)
Savings Bank, 913
Locust
Dubuque Glass, 197 new storefront, $1,000 (Building permits)
Main
962 Main one story bldg., $161,000 (Building permits)
Chamber of Commerce, tourist booth, $5,000 (Building permits)
325 Dodge
Dubuque Bank & Trust, bank, $11,000 (Building permits)
50 West 14th
331 East 6th steel bldg., $3,500 (Building permits)
Midtown Marina, 775 addition, $1,200 (Building permits)
East 6th
1966
6th & Iowa alterations to brick bldg., $1,500 (Building permits)
62 Locust addition, $25,000 (Building permits)
Besler Chiropractic, 105 alterations to brick bldg., $2,500 (Building permits)
Locust
Shot Tower Inn, 390 erect masonry restaurant bldg., $71,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Enterp, 190 Main storefront, $2,500 (Building permits)
Plastic Center, Inc., alterations to brick bldg., $80,000 (Building permits)
Main
Archdiocese of alterations to brick bldg., $74,000 (Building permits)
Dubuque, 701-29 Main
Cottingham & Butler, new storefront, $37,000 (Building permits)
800 Main
466 East 15th addition to masonry bldg., $11,000 (Building permits)
1967
Rainbow Oil Co., 1410 masonry service station, $15,000 (Building permits)
Central
Miracle Car Wash, 255 addition to masonry bldg., $7,360 (Building permits)
Locust
US West, 900 Locust addition, $365,000 (Building permits)
Busted Lift, 180 Main new front to brick bldg., $2,000 (Building permits)
10th & Washington bldg., and loading dock, $24,000 (Building permits)
103
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Superior Welding Co., concrete garage bldg., $16,000 (Building permits)
1200 Washington
1290 Washington masonry bldg., $10,000 (Building permits)
1798 Washington addition, $22,000 (Building permits)
Dubuque Ready Mix utility bldg., $2,000 (Building permits)
Concrete Co., 125
Dodge
210 Jones loading dock, $10,000(Building permits)
Firstar, 270 West 7tJl facilities, $33,900 (Building permits)
Interstate Power Co., alterations to brick bldg., $17,000 (Building permits)
East 8th
841 Central storefront, $2,800 (Building permits)
1447 Central storefront, $1,480 (Building permits)
Dubuque Blacktop Inc., storefront, $12,000 (Building permits)
1537 Central
Adams Realty, 1700 storefront, $3,000 (Building permits)
Central
Dubuque Iron & Metal steel storage bldg., $7,000 (Building permits)
Co., 1441 Cedar
1968
Urban renewal program 15 city blocks re-developed, 128 buildings demolished, 38
acres, $12.5 million expended, Rosheks and Wards, two key
downtown department stores, re-Iocate to Kennedy Mall
completed and opened in 1970, then the largest enclosed
mall in Iowa (Des Moines Register, November 18,1979;
Lyons, p. 239).
City floodwall $11 million, work starts in response to damage of flood of
1965, saved $4 million in potential losses in 1973 flood
(Lyons, pp. 160-161).
Spahn & Rose Lumber lumber shed, $35,000 (Building permits)
Co., 1105 Jackson
Bridge Cafe, 35 Locust rear addition, $1,000 (Building permits)
M. P. Hogan Inc., 305 masonry office bldg., $45,000 (Building permits)
Locust
US West, 900 Locust three story addition, $237,954 (Building permits)
9th & Washington addition to warehouse, $62,000 (Building permits)
10th & Washington same, $65,000 (Building permits)
KDTH/KGRR, 346 West storefront, $5,000 (Building permits)
8th
Morrison Bros., 410 East addition to factory, $4,500 (Building permits)
7th
1969
Express, 450 Central storefront, $3,000 (Building permits)
Dubuque Blacktop Inc., storefront, $30,000 (Building permits)
1473 Central
1766 Central storefront, $10,000 (Building permits)
City of Dubuque, 701 parking ramp, $685,000 (Building permits)
Iowa
Fisher Co., 1000 Iowa masonry bldg., $25,000 (Building permits)
Bridge Restaurant, 31 side addition, $20,000 (Building permits)
Locust
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481-83-85 Locust alterations, $5,000 (Building permits)
835 Main storefront $8,000 (Building permits)
City of Dubuque, 11 fire station, $470,000 (Building permits)
West 9th
100 East 7th loading dock, $5,000 (Building permits)
Dubuque Iron & Metal addition to masonry bldg., $8,500 (Building permits)
Co., 466 East 15th
1970
805 Central one story masonry bldg., $50,000 (Building permits)
Universal Motors, 990 alterations, $11,000 (Building permits)
Central
Jorgas Restaurant, 890 masonry store bldg., $62,000 (Building permits)
Iowa
1220 Iowa storefront, $1,200 (Building permits)
Dave's 76, 500 Locust masonry service bldg., $68,000 (Building permits)
129 Main masonry addition to rear, $8,000 (Building permits)
Design Center Asso., alterations, $13,500 (Building permits)
169 Main
Plastic Center, 200 Main alterations to brick bldg., $200,000 (Building permits)
233 Main same, rear, $5,000 (Building permits)
1330 White masonry office bldg., $14,000 (Building permits)
Abeln Abstract, 47 West same, $44,000 (Building permits)
7th
Molo Sand & Gravel, storage bldg., $4,000 (Building permits)
East 3rd
Rudzianski ' s Business storefront, $1,000 (Building permits)
Equip., 98 East 10th
1971
Time Finance Corp., masonry bldg., $22,000 (Building permits)
705-7 Central
Triangle Hatchery, 1451 storefront, $40,000 (Building permits)
Central
Oriole Club, 1602 storefront, $3,500 (Building permits)
Central
Tri State Graphics, 500 masonry storage bldg., $91,000 (Building permits)
Iowa
Sera- Tex Plasma Center, masonry store/service bldg., $160,000 (Building permits)
659-60 Iowa
1256 Iowa storefront, $1,000 (Building permits)
Miracle Car Wash, 255 masonry addition, $5,000 (Building permits)
Locust
Fischer & Co., 880 addition, $190,000 (Building permits)
Locust
185 Main storefront, $3,000 (Building permits)
530 Main demolition by City (Building permits)
608 Main same
628 Main same
Adams Realty Co., 633- one story bldg., $500,000 (Building permits)
55-77 Main
636 Main demolition by City (Building permits)
NICC Dubuque Center, two-story building, $375,000 (Building permits)
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700 Main
Alternative Services, 890 three-story building, $373,000 (Building permits)
Main
Chamber of Commerce, frame tourism booth, $9,000 (Building permits)
325 Dodge
Auto Center, 465 East masonry warehouse, $8,000 (Building permits)
13th
1972
McDonalds, 620 Iowa masonry building, $72,000 (Building permits)
Salvation Army, 1099 addition to brick bldg., $126,988 (Building permits)
Iowa
320 Main storefront, $10,000 (Building permits)
KDTH?KGRR, 346 storefront, $35,000 (Building permits)
West 8th
First Congregational addition, $266,000 (Building permits)
Church, 255 West 10th
Fischer Co., 121 E. 4th alterations to masonry bldg., $7,000 (Building permits)
Mississippi Valley Truck steel bldg., $62,000 (Building permits)
Co., 380 East 4th
151 East 9th reside brick bldg., $13,417 (Building permits)
255 East 12th mas~nry business bldg., $18,000 (Building permits)
1973
City/County of law enforcement center, $1,041,048 (Building permits)
Dubuque, 789 Central
Miller Radio, 1599 remodel brick bldg., $2,745 (Building permits)
Central
Des IA Workforce, 590 brick office, $205,000 (Building permits)
Iowa
Buddy, Beck, Bradley 10x24 front addition, $7,500 (Building permits)
Ins., 198 Locust
400 East 7th masonry/steel bldg., $42,000 (Building permits)
Spahn & Rose Lumber storefront, $35,000 (Building permits)
Co., 221 East 8th
1974
302 Iowa alterations, addition to warehouse, $30,000 (Building
permits)
Dubuque County masonry office bldg., $43,000 (Building permits)
Abstract & Title/C.
Klauer Construction, 830
Iowa
Spahn & Rose Lumber addition to warehouse, $15,000 (Building permits)
Co., 1101 Jackson
US West, 900 Locust addition to masonry bldg., $302,000 (Building permits)
Old Towne Shoppe, 163 storefront, $4,500 (Building permits)
Main
Five Flags, 405 Main restoration of theater, $85,579, $15,000, $376,398,
(Building permits)
A. Y. McDonalds Mfg. masonry warehouse, $40,000 (Building permits)
Co., 350 Dodge
Premier Bank, 140 West masonry office bldg., $86,000 (Building permits)
9th
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Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Geisler Bros. Co., 340 masonry/steel factory, $136,836 (Building permits)
East 12th
1975
484 Central reside brick, $2,600 (Building permits)
Fischer, Inc. 698 Central demolish top two stories brick bldg., $4,000 (Building
permits)
Jackson alterations to brick bldg., $44,736 (Building permits)
Dubuque Museum of masonry bldg., $383,188 (Building permits)
Art, 701 Locust
Dubuque Insulation & alterations to brick bldg., $5,000 (Building permits)
Siding Co., 210 Y2 Main
Dubuque Insulation & same, $5,000 (Building permits)
Siding Co., 214 W. 1st
The Adams Co., 100 brick bldg., $2,800 (Building permits)
East 4th
Teamsters Local, 195 E. alterations masonry bldg., $44,736 (Building permits)
14th
Linden Propeller Co., masonry bldg., $11,000 (Building permits)
480 East 14th
1976
Kunnert Sporting Goods, addition to brick bldg., $48,000 (Building permits)
302 Locust
833-35 Main storefront, $2,500 (Building permits)
100 West 12th bldg., $85,325 (Building permits)
R&T Pallet Ltd., 545 frame factory, $18,500 (Building permits)
East 19th
1977
Total Structures, 815 steel bldg., $1,112,000 (Building permits)
Central
Sutters Bakery, 1353 alterations masonry bldg., $2,000 (Building permits)
Central
Welu Printing Co., 1679 masonry bldg., $35,850 (Building permits)
Central
Spahn & Rose Lumber addition to masonry warehouse, $80,000 (Building permits)
Co., 10th & Jackson
378 Main reside front of brick bldg., $1,000 (Building permits)
Washington loading dock, brick bldg., $5,000 (Building permits)
Abeln Abstract, 47 West addition to masonry bldg., $63,000 (Building permits)
7th
The Adams Co., 100 reside bldg, $15,000 (Building permits)
East 4th
Interstate Power, East 8th substation addition, $19,425 (Building permits)
Auto Center, 465 E. 13th concrete block garage, $5,000 _(Building permits)
Linden Propeller Co., bldg., $10,000 (Building permits)
480 East 14th
1978
1006 Central masonry bldg., $57,734 (Building permits)
Duggan Realty, 951 masonry office bldg., $93,500 (Building permits)
Iowa
Iowa Street True Value, alterations to masonry bldg., $7,000 (Building permits)
1300-02 Iowa
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Miracle Car Wash, 255 alterations to masonry bldg., $15,500 (Building permits)
Locust
Tanktek Industries, East addition to steel factory bldg, office addition, $245,751
7th (Building permits)
American Trust & balcony alterations, $125,000 (Building permits)
Savings, 899 Main
1979
City of Dubuque, 360 library addition, 4705,568 (Building permits)
West 10th
Five Flags Center $5 million, opens next to Majestic/Orpheum Theater (Des
Moines Register, April 1, 1979).
1980
Strand Theater, Main, 5th gutted by fIre, finally demolished (Telegraph-Herald,
to 6th streets August 3, 1980).
Interstate Finance Co., masonry office bldg, $547,000 (Building permits)
1031 Iowa
Thiesen Dist. Inc., 330 construct store fronts, $4,224 (Building permits)
East 8th
1981
Telegraph-Herald, 801 remodel masonry/steel bldg., $426,608 (Building permits)
Bouff,
62 Locust wind generator bldg., $13,100 (Building permits)
Capri College, 395 Main alterations to comm.led bldg, $19,000 (Building permits)
Kunnert Sporting Goods, remodel exterior of brick bldg., $3,000 (Building permits)
302 Locust
Teamsters Local, 195 addition, $98,000 (Building permits)
East 14th
Radford Road Industrial second city industrial park, receives plants relocated by U.S.
Park Highway 61, land purchased 1980, $236 million (Lyons, p.
121 ).
1982
A. Y. McDonald Plant, Demolished for D.S.Highway 61, plant relocates to Radford
126 years old Road Industrial Park (Des Moines Register, September 14,
1982).
Dubuque Rescue exterior/interior alterations, $35,000 (Building permits)
Mission, 398 Main
Cottingham & Butler, alterations, $1,800,000 (Building permits)
800 Main
1983
841 Central replace windows, $5,000 (Building permits)
Jaeger Auto Sales, 1098 frame bldg., $6,274 (Building permits)
Central
Lanes Carpeting, 1290 storefront, $2,300 (Building permits)
Central
Servpro, 1044 Iowa alterations, $9,000 (Building permits)
262 Main alterations, no figure (Building permits)
1984
Bicycle World, 1072 addition to brick bldg., $7,725 (Building permits)
Central
Walsh Stores, 1301 replace glass with wood siding, $500 (Building permits)
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Central
TFM Co., 253 Main alterations to brick bldg., $10,000 (Building permits)
Business Supply, 356 building, $26,300 (Building permits)
Main
Shot Tower Inn, 290 addition to frame bldg., $63,000 (Building permits)
West 4th
NW Bell Telephone, 256 demolish two story brick bldg. (Building permits)
West 10th
Interstate Power Co. steel storage bldg., $69,957 (Building permits)
East 6th
Rental Service Corp., addition to frame bldg., $25,732 (Building permits)
390 East 12th
Superior Welding Co., frame garage, $131,700 (Building permits)
465 East 12th
Big 10 Mart, Central alterations, close six windows with plywood, $40,000
(Building permits)
Walsh Stores, 1301 plywood, $500 (Building permits)
Central
City of Dubuque, 335 demolish bldg. (Building permits)
Iowa
Dubuque Rescue alterations to brick/frame bldg., $5,000 (Building permits)
Mission, 398 Main
768-98 Main alterations, $200,000 (Building permits)
Quik Lube, 990 White demolish bldg, erect service station, $84,000 (Building
permits)
The Adams Co., 100 factory, $200,000 (Building permits)
East 4th
Moldt Electric, 490 East one-story bldg., 48x92, $70,000 (Building permits)
14th
1986
520 Central frame bldg., $45,000 (Building permits)
1046 Central exterior repairs, $1,300 (Building permits)
Walsh Stores, 1301 re-side part of store front, $200 (Building permits)
Central
Commercial Typology:
Commercial buildings embody both style and type. Style is the more problematic of these two
classifIcations. For the most part, commercial buildings will be primarily categorized as types, and secondarily
by style. Commonly, the same building design includes multiple design elements, but cannot be categorized by
any single style. Many styles were simply not very applicable to commercial design. For the purposes of this
typology, commercial and public building will be combined, these being the dominant building types in the
downtown area.
This typology will fIrst consider commercial buildings according to type, using Richard Longstreth's
typology. It next considers these buildings from a stylistic viewpoint. This latter approach will perhaps be more
familiar and useful. Within the stylistic analysis several general commercial building subsets are identifIed.
These represent clusters of Dubuque building examples so they are critical to understand the most salient local
building preferences. These subsets are the following:
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Side-gable combination storefront/dwelling: Surviving examples are mostly two-story, single-
storefronts. This is a very early subtype, dating from the earliest commercial activity in the city, into the
1880s and photographs and lithographs indicate that this was a very common building type. It is
certainly as much a vernacular form as it represents any stylistic influence.
Commercial Blocks: This subset evaluates the multiple storefront commercial block with a unifIed
architecture. There are 55 extant examples of this group. Most of the examples are double storefronts,
two or three stories high. Most of the buildings are what are termed parapet front plans, meaning that
there is a flat front parapet set before a flat or shed roof. One large and very important subset of this
group adds a rounded or triangular pediment into or on top of the cornice or parapet. These pediments
commonly are inscribed with a building name and year of construction. This group is treated as an
Italianate style subset. A second large group represents the Queen Anne style and it is this group that
departs from the otherwise flat front wall plane to add pavilions, pilasters, orioles and comer turrets. A
complete chronological list of these surviving buildings is appended at the end of this section. These
buildings cover a very broad range of time and represent some of the earliest surviving commercial
buildings in Dubuque.
Single storefront Blocks: This is the single-storefront variation of the multiple-storefront subset. While
a smaller group, these designs are important because they represent special attention paid to style on the
part of the builders/designers of smaller storefronts. The larger number of this subset represent Queen
Anne style influences with facades being balanced by contrasting a full-height oriole with a vertically
integrated two-story window pattern. These examples also feature elaborate cornice treatments that
usually involve the oriole cap. Comer examples substitute turrets in most cases. There are two other
examples that are smaller examples of the centered pediment subset. These single storefronts boast
fairly spectacular centered pediments which rise up above their parapet fronts. This used to be a much
more common design treatment in Dubuque as is indicated by historical photographs. Pediments are
often lost over time.
Finally, the typology looks at commercial buildings from the standpoint of sheer size, analyzing
Dubuque's "skyscraper" history of buildings fIve stories high or higher. This perspective organizes and
evaluates building design from a vertical
Commercial Types:
Commercial buildings in this study comprise two closely related sub-types, the one and two part
commercial subtypes as defIned by architectural historian Richard Longstreth. His typology is generally
accepted nationally and has proved to be very useful in organizing and describing commercial buildings. His
typology is most applicable to retail buildings and offIce buildings, hotels, and theaters. It largely omits free-
standing multi-fronted buildings (Particularly isolated automobile related buildings such as fIlling stations,
diners) that do not tend to fully occupy their lots. Longstreth has defIned 11 basic commercial building types
and his is the most comprehensive schema for use in Dubuque. His types are all defmed by the fundamental
massing and facade arrangement and each type more or less persists over the years 1850-1950, and each tends to
be influenced by the same styles, popular changes and evolving technologies and the availability of new
building materials. Longstreth does not proceed to further subdivide each of his types. There are three super
groups in the typology. Six types deal with buildings that have their facades divided into clear zones. Seven
types cover buildings with facades that have distinguishing major design elements but are not broken into zones.
One part commercial blocks tend to have neither zones or dominant distinguishing elements. The types that
follow represent groups of buildings that share the same basic structural or ornamental features. Usually these
same buildings also share comparable construction dates. Each type is largely defIned by the elements or
treatments found in the upper story (if present) or the pediment. Storefronts are rarely original and change
constantly both in design and materials (Longstreth, pp. 7-23).
Commercial Facades That Are Divided Into Zones:
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Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
The Two-part Vertical Block 0850's-I950's): (At least four stories high, two distinct zones, base and
shaft)
This most common type had its origin in the combination shop and house of ancient times, but it
emerged as a common form in the mid-19th Century. It can be as tall as three or four stories. The storefront
level is the public area while upper areas were less so, housing light manufacturing, storage, halls or residences.
The house/shop form persisted into the early 20th Century and is best exemplified in Dubuque by the comer
store/residence. The earliest examples (pre-1850) had simple plain facades with stone or brick pier defined
narrow storefronts. This same pattern was found in Dubuque.
Longstreth defines a second Victorian period for this type (1850s-1880s) during which facades became
more ornate. Windows were embellished, cornices more obvious and decorative, and floors distinguished by the
use of intervening belt courses and the like. Mechanized wood and stone processing, along with cast iron
enabled designers and builders to inexpensively ornament the buildings of this period. Buildings were larger,
having additional stories and the floor levels were higher. The availability of plate glass and cast iron allowed
for larger more open storefront windows and a more transparent structural system. Banks favored this type and
offered the most uniform and elaborate of facades. Hotels (with more broadly spaced window patterns), theaters
and halls, and office buildings were also best suited to this type at this time. Halls could be identified by their
relatively taller two-story plans.
The High Victorian phase of the type (1870's-80's, but as late as the early 1900s) brought with it a more
conspicuous ornamentation, covering a higher proportion of the fa<;ade, and a greater variety of building
materials and colors. Windows were commonly varied in their size and shape by floor. Towers, bays, turrets,
and pavilions were used to elaborate the facades.
The Late 19th Century supplanted the exuberance of Victorian variety with a more academic (read
unified, balanced, orderly) design approach. Designs used classical traditions as their organizing principal.
Facades were consciously unobtrusive and controlled. Steel reduced the separation of storefront and the upper
stories. There was still more variety in materials and color with terra cotta and stucco being used. Upper level
windows were often larger. Many buildings combined High Victorian and the Beaux Arts influences.
Beginning in the late 1920s the Art Deco imparted a vertical emphasis to facades, while the Modem
style of the 1930s-40s focused on a horizontal, machine-derived effect. Bold colors and structural glass were
used in Modem designs (Longstreth, pp. 82-91).
Figure 21: Byrne Bros. Garage, 9t & Iowa, 1888, non-extant
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo Hoffman-#010359
111
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The Stacked Vertical Block (c.1850-1880s): (Has two-identical stories separately grouped or varied
floor designs)
The stacked vertical block differs from the two-part commercial block in that (a) it is five or more
stories high, (b) and its composition includes at least three horizontal divisions. Floors tend to be separated by
belt courses and are commonly distinctly treated. The type is one of three taller ones that were developed in
response to rising urban land values and its original prototype was likely a taller stack of differentiated floor
levels. After the Civil War two sub-types emerged, one that varied the floor treatments, and another that
combined two or more floors into sub-groupings. The fa9ade treatment was simplified during the late 19th
Century academic movement. After 1900 the type persisted primarily in the larger hotel plans. The distinctive
feature of this type then is either a differential design treatment on the floor levels or a series of distinct
horizontal divisions (Longstreth, pp. 76-81)
The Two-Part Commercial Block (late 19th Centurv-1940s): (2-4 stories, with two distinct horizontal
zones)
This is the second of three taller types that were responses to rising land values. It developed late
compared to many of the other types and represented an effort to simplify taller building designs. The type in its
purest form consists of a raised base, a higher lower section that might include a ground floor and mezzanine,
and a column shaft. It is differentiated from the Three-Part Vertical Block (see below) by the addition, in the
latter type, of a distinctive cap or third section. The type was popular for office buildings, public and
institutional buildings, hotels and department stores. The Romanesque and Art Deco styles were particularly
applicable, the latter because the shaft component could be stepped back at its parapet, or it could be given a
strong vertical emphasis in its surface composition. Unity or coherence of design, that is to sayan effect that
doesn't look like a simple stacking of layers, was achieved only during the early 20th Century (Longstreth, pp.
24-53).
112
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Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Figure 23: S1. Cloud Block, Main and Streets, 1882, non-extant
Two-part commercial block type, Italianate style
Figure 24: Bell Brothers, 41 and Locust streets, 1895, view south (non-extant)
(Three-part commercial block type, Romanesque style)
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Phase III Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Figure 25: Y.M.C.A., 9t and Iowa, 1894
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo Hoffman-#O 1 020)
The Three-part Vertical Block (late 1880's-1930's): (adds a distinct attic level to the 2-part vertical
block)
This subtype is counterpart of the taller counterpart of the two-part, with the distinction that the
uppermost grouping of floors (most commonly from one to three stories) is given a distinctive architectural
treatment which is analogous to the capital in the classical column. The Federal Bank, Banking and Insurance,
and the Security buildings all fall under this subtype (Longstreth, pp. 92-99)
Figure 26: Federal Bank Building, 9t & Main, 1924
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo Hoffman #01094)
114
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Phase ill Architectural and Historical Survey Report-Downtown Dubuque, 2003
Enframed Window Wall (Late 19th centurv-1940'st (the commercial zone has a one or two-story
frame around it)
The enframed block employs a wide and continuous border around its fa~ade that highlights the central
storefront zone. There is no height limit. Examples that are fewer than four stories tend to be broader plans,
while higher ones have narrower fronts. This type emerged at the turn-of-the century as an effort to bring more
order to the small and moderate range of commercial bUildings. There is less distinction made between the
storefront proper and upper floors and those floors are commonly separated by spandrels. This type leant itself
to what is commonly tenned "automobile-related" commercial architecture. The borders could be incorporated
into signage. The type was particularly suitable for theaters during the I 930s-40s. The Art Deco style also
worked well with this type, and it was Commonly expressed in a series of storefront (Longstreth, pp. 68-75)
Central Block With Flankin Win s 1890's-1920's: 2-4 stories with dominant raised core
subordinate matching wings)
This subtype is most commonly associated with public and institutional buildings and derived from the
Italian Villa form. It emerged c.1800 along with the neo-classical revival and was used in the design oflarge
estate houses. It was used for public and institutional buildings and after 1900, a central classical pediment and
short side wings was commonly used in bank designs. A central dominant core IS flanked by recessed
subordinate matching side wings. This subtype is commonly associated with commercial expressions of the
Second Empire and Romanesque styles. This type can range from two to four stories in height (Longstreth, pp.
116-17).
Enframed Block: 0900-20) (2-3 stories, a temple front set flush with the wall plane is framed or
enclosed at each end)
Commercial Facades That Have Distinguishing Major Elements:
This type is two to three stories high. The fR9ade has a dominant classical central area, usually a row of
columns, pilasters or a window arcade, commonly recessed somewhat behind the main wall plane. The end
bays are shorter, of the same height, and are part of the main wall plane. This type was mostly used for
public/insititutional buildings and banks. It differs from the Central Block in that there are no subordinate
sidewings. It differs from the Enframed Block in that there is no continuous border element (Longstreth, pp.
114-15) .
The Temole Front: 0820-50: 1900-1940) (formal temple front with columns, pediment, full temple or
one that is framed by sidewall, temple is the focal point)
This type presents a single unifIed fa~ade, this being a complete temple front. The type enjoyed two
periods of popularity. It emerged in the 1820s, based on Greek temple models, and was used for
public/institutional, and religious bUildings. A commercial use came with the appearance of bank examples
mid-century. Also popular were merchant exchanges and shopping arcades. During this period the temple front
was more structurally expressed. Two temple forms were employed, the prostyle, with a front array of columns
across the entire fa~ade, and the distyle in antis, where endwalls enframe a smaller number of columns in a
porch-like recess. The second period dates 1900-1940s and coincided with the academic architectural
movement. Banks, again, were the dominant application and many examples were on key comer locations with
turned comer facades. The inspiration for this second phase was Roman, and later English-French classical
models, and examples tend to be more ornamental than structural. Later examples in particular tuned to
column-like pilasters, engaged columns and the like and the Art Deco fInally removed all detailing while
retaining the core form (Longstreth, pp. 100-107).
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Figure 27: Carnegie-Stout Public Library, 11th & Bluff streets, W. G. Williamson, Architect
Temple Front type, Neoclassical style, 1901
The Vault 0830s. 1900-40): (2-3 stories, the vault or entrance is focal point}
This type is essentially a hole in a massive wall, the apparent allusion being that of a fortified gateway.
The fa<;ade has two components, the central opening (large, tall, deeply recessed) and the surrounding frame. It
differs from the enframed block type by virtue of the presence of this central dominant opening. In its first
iteration, it employed a neo-classical style in bank, church and public assembly halls. It returned c.1900 with
the academic movement and was commonly applied to banks and theaters and a few retail buildings. By the
1920s Prairie and other influences eliminated or abstracted the classical surround and focused on such
ornamentation as massive combination entryways and transoms. By the 1940s, examples presented plain
facades that were interrupted only by vertical door and window slits (see Telegraph-Herald building)
(Longstreth, pp. 10S-13).
Figure 2S: Telegraph-Herald Building, Bluff and st streets (photo by Jacobsen, 2002)
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" 1..
Bank, 1398 Central Avenue, 1923
Vault type, Beaux Arts style
Figure 30: Federal Buildi~g, Locust and 4t streets, 1933
(architect's drawing, Telegraph-Herald, August 11, 1933).
Arcaded Block 0900-1930): (fac;ade is dominated by a row of rounded openings, arcade is focal point)
This elongated subtype features an arcade or loggia which covers its fa<;ade. Examples range from two
to three stories in height. It is derived from the Italian Renaissance and was applied mostly to banks and larger
retail stores (Longstreth, pp. 118-19).
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Commercial Facades That Neither Multiple Zones Or Distinguishing Major Elements:
The One-Part Commercial Block (c.1850-present):
This type resides outside of all of the others. It is essentially a fragmentary category, being the lower
half or storefront component of the Two-Part Block. It emerged in themed-19th Century primarily as "a claim
staked on urban ground" in Longstreth's words. It represented a limited interim development on urban land that
was going to appreciate in value, so it was speculative in its origins. Longstreth describes the type as "a simple
box" with a decorated fa<;ade, and an urban form. Its earliest examples were narrow fronted and consisted
merely of display area, an entrance and a cornice/parapet cap. The wall space between the storefront and cap
was commonly extended upwards to provide space for advertising (a false front effect). Bank examples tended
to be taller and more embellished. The type became commonplace in the early 20th Century and was prone to
following arterial developments (streetcar lines) given the rising value of the nearby lots. Between 1900 and
1920, facades were restrained in their pretentiousness. After 1920, and in response to automotive influences,
ostentation returned full blown and the type was embraced for auto related businesses, theaters, and particularly
retail outlets. The type was perfect for picturesque styles, Spanish, Art Deco or Modem applications. The Art
Deco emphasized the vertical design elements while the Modem and later examples used the horizontal unity of
elongated or linked matching storefronts. Chain stores were particularly drawn to the type and many storefronts
in older buildings were redesigned as One-Part Blocks, virtually ignoring the upper stories. Post-World War IT
examples returned to a restrained design, and used the wall plane merely as a background (Longstreth, pp. 54-7).
This is the single story version of the two-part type, being essentially only the storefront component,
with or without a false front/parapet and cornice line being set above it. The origin of this type was the frontier
and suburb and it was commonly expressed in frame construction. This type also includes many later bank
buildings although it was overwhelmingly a retailing building type. The same general transitional phases mark
the evolution of this type. By the 20th Century detailing was simpler with a greater uninterrupted array of
display glass being possible. The Moderne influence resulted in a deeply recessed entrance with a simple wall
surface above.
Commercial Style:
The problem with Longstreth's typology is that it focuses primarily on horizontal divisions within the
designs of much larger buildings. It best serves the needs of categorizing very large buildings in the largest
urban centers. In Dubuque, buildings taller than three or four stories are the exception and Longstreth's
typology does little to differentiate shorter buildings given that the majority represent the same parapet-front
type. In Dubuque, commercial designs tend to be differentiated by vertical architectural elements as much as
they are by horizontal beltcourses or cornices.
Organizing commercial buildings according to their "style" is also problematic because many buildings
can't be classed in this manner, and many others combine various styles and vernacular influences as well. The
final result is that a small number of building designs are loosely assigned stereotypical design attributions but
little is gained in terms of understanding how buildings relate to one another stylistically or chronologically.
Chronology is the key information if a design timeline is to be constructed that explains how Dubuque's
commercial buildings evolved over time. To that end, a major effort has been made to specifically date each
building (thus the construction database).
This section will attempt to use a stylistic approach in combination with a chronological one, and at the
same time, apparent local design patters and elements will be treated.
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Early Republic/Early Classical RevivallFederal Style:
Figure 3 1: 2306 Central Avenue (1881) (photo by Jim Jacobsen, 2000)
(Two-part commercial block type)
Figure 32: 1672 Central, Lenz Monument, c.1880
(Two-part commercial block type)
Other Extant Side Gable Commercial Examoles: (note that all surviving examples are found on Central
Avenue)
1627 Central, pre-1884 (residence within commercial area)
1791 Central, pre-1884 (as above but had commercial use)
1500 Central, pre-1866, double-storefront
1476-86 Central, pre-1866
1060 Central, pre-1872-, cast iron storefront with stone lintel
1605 White Street, 1880, August Sprengelmeyer Bakery, two-story plan.
It is a stretch to class this type as Federal. Most likely it is a fairly vernacular combination
storefront/residence building form that is typical of fairly intensive urban downtown development.
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While too late to be a true Federal example, the high pitched side gable form with protective raised
parapet walls on either side, is a form that is associated with this style. The form persists well into the
late-19th Century in Dubuque. The defining characteristics of this type are scale, these are short and
narrow plans (although they can be doubled), the sidewalls are commonly stepped up with raised
parapet end walls, chimneys are located in the party walls, and the commercial/residential zones are
strictly separated, with a separate upstairs entrance on the fayade.
Figure 33: First Julien Hotel, Main and 3r streets (c.1856) (non-extant)
(Three-part commercial block type)
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo LS-#602)
The Hotel Julien was a true Federal example although the cupola and attic level are more Italianate in
ongm. It is also a huge block. Fenestration is driven by the size of the hotel rooms inside, and commonly there
are fewer windows more broadly spaced.
Figure 34: First Dubuque County Courthouse, 1839, non-extant
view northwest, present courthouse location
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The first county courthouse was a hybrid Adam-Italianate design. Under Longstreth's typology it was a
vault type. Its plan was closely related to church or railroad station designs. Note the raised ground floor,
perhaps a tribute to the threat of flooding. Note the square wrap-around window hoods, the elongated second
floor window openings and the returned eaves.
Figure 35: First Clock Tower Building, a former Congregational church (built 1845, collapsed 1872),
west side Main north of 8t\ c.1872. This was a temple front converted for store use and any Italianate style
linkage is derived from the addition of the clock tower.
Late Victorian/Italianate Style:
It is the general practice to classify most commercial fronts that have decorative parapets/cornices,
ornate window hoods and sills, bays defined by brick pilasters, pavilions, and narrow elongated windows as
being influenced to some degree by the Italianate style. Most examples are vaguely so influenced and their only
stylistic qualities fall back on their window hoods and their cornice lines. Be that as it may, this report will start
the commercial design history with the Italianate style.
The very first storefronts were of frame construction. These are poorly documented in photographs but
a few are shown in the lithographs made by Mr. Ballou in 1858 (refer to the historical overview in this report).
Frame storefronts could be both large and stylish, and they could be readily enlarged or relocated to fit changing
needs. Brick buildings were being built in Dubuque by the mid-1840s and by the mid-1850s brick commercial
blocks were preferred, if only because they were more fire-resistant and conveyed an image of a thriving new
city.
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Figure 36: Early frame storefronts, side gable brick store in center, southeast corner, 14th and Central
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photograph Hoffman #01021)
Structural cast iron was first used, beginning in the 1830s, as a cheaper alternative to stone carvings. It
could be cast to duplicate hand carved stone trim work and this substitution was opposed to having iron
masquerade as another material. Iron was also valued in America as a fire-resistant material, a claim that was
not dismissed until the great fires in Boston and Chicago after the Civil War. Iron enabled designers to build
significantly larger and finally taller buildings than was previously possible. The famous Crystal Palace
(London, 1850-51) composed of an iron frame and a sheet glass exterior, was the world's largest building and it
influenced architecture and building world wide. As the account below indicates, cast iron was a readily
accepted commercial building material throughout America as of the late 1850s, and Dubuque even had its own
producer of the material. As the Ballou lithographs and other early images indicate, the hay day of ornamental
cast iron did not arrive in Dubuque until c.1872, at which time it became the standard, both for storefronts and
ornamental cornices. There is no evidence that any early iron skeleton buildings were built in Dubuque, apart
from the expected gas storage tanks and the like. Conservative Dubuque would continue to rely on load-bearing
slow-burn construction methods, augmented with a generous proportion of massive stone foundations and
trimwork (Gelernter, pp. 154-7).
THE NEW STYLE OF BUILDING-IRON FRONTS-IRON HOUSES-
RAILINGS, CAPS, SILLS, COLUMNS, ETC- There is perhaps no
department of practical art which has made so much progress within the last
few years as that of Architecture. We can all remember the days when the
principal feature of our houses, stores and warehouses, was their unmitigated
ugliness. They were simply great piles of brick and mortar. . . apparently
designed [in] violation of all the rules of symmetry, proportion, elegance and
comfort.. .now we see long rows of edifices, beautiful and harmonious in their
proportions, and combining the greatest elegance with the utmost durability and
safety. Many of these edifices, erected for the most ordinary and hum-drum
purposes of commerce and trade, are as beautiful as a Grecian Temple, and as
substantial as the eternal hills. . .
The great progress which Architecture has made in America during the last
few years is attributable, in a very great degree, to the introduction of iron as a
material for building. This most useful of all metals has effected a complete
revolution in all the previous modes of Architecture. We spent some time
yesterday in examining the office of Diboll & Plack, architects and builders,
No. III Main street, up stairs, a number of plans for iron buildings, which
excited our approbation and astonishment. Designs of the most beautiful
descriptions, combining every elegance of finish with the greatest strength and
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security, were among them. A massive five story building, with a front entirely
of cast iron, and ornamental with the most elaborate and beautiful designs,
sustained an appearance of the most perfect lightness and harmony. The
columns which support it were perfect gems of beauty, and its entire
appearance was at once sublime and practical.
Messrs. Diboll & Plack are prepared to execute with promptness and economy
all descriptions of Iron Work for buildings, from a simple wire railing up to an
entire five story building. They have the most extensive arrangement with the
manufactures in the East, and can erect iron buildings as cheap and as well as
any firm in the Union. They are also agents for al kinds of iron railings,
window caps and sills, etc., etc. Besides this, they have a number of agencies
for stained and enameled glass for churches, etc. and their specimens of these
manufactures are exceedingly handsome. Their plans for buildings are very
attractive, and will be found to amply repay an examination.
Besides, their business in the line we have indicated, this firm has a very
extensive business as general builders, and have erected this season a number 0
very handsome houses. They have contracts for several more, to be
commenced early in the spring, and if the other builders of the city are favored
with equal amounts of orders, we shall have a very large amount of building
performed in the next spring.
Dubuque Tribune, December 18, 1857
Many storefronts might have simply employed cast iron support columns set beneath a stone lintel with
frame and glass infilling. An 1864 account described a new storefront for the Jackson House on Main near 3rd
Street. It was "a new front of the latest style, with iron columns, new flagging and other improvements." A
Dubuque alternative or at least a variation to the cast iron front was the stone storefront, substituting stone
columns and lintels for the ironwork. More commonly, a continuous stone lintel was combined with iron
columns. These lintel treatments are commonly found on smaller isolated storefronts but also appear on some of
the largest commercial fronts. They mostly date to the early post-Civil War years although there are later
exceptions. Examples are all found throughout the downtown, particularly on both ends of Central A venue. Yet
another unusual stone/iron combination is found on just two blocks along Central Avenue, between 16th and 18th
streets. A number of storefronts, all of which are on the west side of Central, have iron columns that are set atop
stone footings and thresholds (Herald, August 26, 1864).
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The Odd Fellows Hall is of interest given its more authentic Italianate style link. The windows are
vertically united with spandrels set between the floor levels, ornate window hoods cap the openings and there is
a broad cornice that is supported by massive paired brackets. The Lorimer HouselWales Hotel was built on the
site of the burned hall.
Figure 38: High School Building, northeast comer 12 and Central, undated but likely pre-Civil War,
non-extant. (Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo Hoffman-#00398)
(Two-part commercial block type)
The high school building is an excellent example of how building styles could be locally retained. In
this case the same window treatment employed on the Odd Fellows Hall was reused and applied to a public
school building, albeit in a storefront-like design.
Figure 39: 1858 commercial storefronts (details from Gilbert)
Left to right, Root's Daguerrean Gallery, Couch & Gilbert, booksellers, Littleton & Smith
The narrow storefronts in all of these 1858 storefront examples appear to indicate the absence of cast
iron in their storefront level construction. These are likely stone or frame storefronts. Most of these examples
offer plain brick facades with flat window sills and lintels and unelaborated parapet fronts. Only two examples
offer elaborate cornices and parapet designs. Note that three stories is the norm for height, but there is a great
variation in total height. Many parapets are cut down almost to the lintel levels of the upper windows.
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Figure 40: 1866 storefronts (City of Dubuque Lithograph)
Left to right: Jones Block; L D. Randall, leathers; Woodworth's Block; Sanford Block; Baylie's [sic]
Commercial College
Figure 41: Sanford Block, northeast comer 8t and Main, view northeast, c.1857
(Wilkie, p. 161)
These were all pre-war blocks, so they are comparable to the 1858 images shown above. The fronts are
plainly executed with uninterrupted wall planes. Only with window openings serve to interrupt the brickwork.
No pilasters or pediments are present. An important element is the use of raised and paneled parapet fronts.
Some of these are executed as open balustrades. The Sanford Block has a broad plain cornice, and there are a
few bracketed or denticulated cornice lines. One example sports twin front metal balconies and another has
shutters on its front windows.
Figure 42: More 1866 storefronts (City of Dubuque Lithograph)
Left to right: German Savings Bank, Wood & Luke, Germania House, Merchant's National Bank.
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These examples all employ simple straight stone lintels and the window openings are accordingly
square-cut. Only two comer buildings (see immediately below) employ semi-circular window arches at this
time. Public buildings such as the Odd Fellows building also used the fancier lintels.
Figure 43: Still more 1866 storefronts (City of Dubuque Lithograph)
Left to right; W. H. Peabody Wine & Liquor, National Savings Bank, Blanchard & Wellington.
W. H. Peabody's storefront stands out for a number of reasons. The comers feature stone quoins, there
is an elaborate high parapet wall treatment and the storefront opening is continued on its sidewall. The arcaded
storefront implies the use of cast iron frames. Note that many of the storefronts use multi-pane smaller glass
lights in composite display windows. The famous French Plate glass, rolled in solid thick panes, were not yet
available.
Figure 44: 1056 Central Avenue (center, view southeast) (Photo by J. Jacobsen, May 2003)
This building, pictured above, is an excellent example of a surviving early building form. It was
standing as of 1872 and likely went up just after the Civil War. Note the paneled parapet front, straight stone
lintels and the plain brick wall plane. The flanking buildings are also of early origin, all pre-dating 1872.
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The several major hotel buildings occupied the earliest massive building blocks. The Lorimer Hotel
was five stories tall, with ground level storefronts. Note that the exterior wall planes are plainly executed apart
from twin pilasters on the south side. These underscore the principal entrance on that front. Windows are
capped with cast iron or stone decorative lintels. The parapet front is paneled and short pilasters are stepped out
from the parapet front and terminate above the parapet, creating a balustrade-like effect.
Figure 46: City Hall, 13th & Central (1857-58), original appearance, J. N. Moody, architect
(photo, Sommer, p. 59) (Two-part commercial block type, Italianate style)
The City Hall building is a rare architectural treasure and is an excellent example of its style. The
Italianate style is embodied in the elongated windows, the oriole windows, cupola and brackets. This building
was of course a combination public and commercial building in its origin, serving as a market on its lower floor
and basement.
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Figure 47: 656 Main Street, detail from stereoscopic view, c.early 1870s
(Two-part commercial block type)
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo NGL-#1553)
656 Main was part of a five-storefront three-story block on the east side of Main Street. The photo
illustrates Italianate-style windows (2/2 lights), thin semi-circular stone lintels with keystones, and varied lintels
on the two floors, those on the third floor being less curved. Note the simple denticulated cornice line with
brackets. Signage forms the occasional "pediment" and advertising was to a great extent functioning as
architectural detail, forming belt courses and separating storefronts from the upper stories. Note the absence of
transom levels on the storefronts. Plate glass has reached Dubuque and the display windows are composed of
solid plate glass.
Figure 48: Bonson's New Block, 1874 (Times, February 17, 1874)
Bonson's Block, shown above, typifies the juncture of traditional local building design with the cast
iron storefront and ornamental cornice components. The fa<;ade is conservative in its elevation, the cornice and
parapet lines running closely above the upper window lintel line. The stone ornament is more flamboyant, both
in the lintels and sills. The brickwork features recessed vertical indentations between the windows, a reversed
pilaster element. The storefront combines stone endwall and center stone columns with quoins, a solid stone
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lintel, and a cast iron and plate glass infill. The storefronts are still quite narrow. Note the vertical emphasis in
the fa9ade that is imparted by the window alignment.
Figure 49: Storefront image on business stationery, 544 Main, c. 1870
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Business Letterheads)
Very few early storefront images for smaller firms are to be found. W. H. Robison had a boots and
shoes store at 544 Main Street. His woodcut still carried the old street number, "106." Note the use of signage
for a pediment, the presence of a denticulated cornice, the curved stone lintels and the arcaded wood framed
display windows.
Figure 50: 448 Main Street, 1883 (non-extant), (Two-part commercial block type)
(Herald, May 2, 1888)
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~
The Westphal-Hinds Hardware store, pictured above illustrates the lingering local affection for the
simple unelaborated Italianate style business block. Despite its considerable size and height, this 1883 design
has no special features. The parapet front is plain and there is little if any cornice.
Figure 51: 1626 Central Avenue, 1880 (photo by Jacobsen, 2002)
Later example of the solid stone lintel element.
This Italianate example is typical of many Dubuque storefront designs. The wall plane is plain and the
only elaborations are a pressed metal cornice with dentils and brackets, and the window lintels or hoods.
Figure 52: Railroad office, 500s White, east side, pre-1872, view northeast
(Wilkie, p. 253).
This early large block example reflects typical Italianate style storefront design. The windows appear to
be thinner than they are, there is an unusually broad center mullion on the window frames. Save for painted
signage, the fa9ade is plainly executed. The windows have pedimented iron hoods. The storefront consists of
closely spaced stone columns, with a continuous stone lintel.
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Figure 53: U.S. Customs HouselFederal Building (1860) (non-extant, demolished 1947)
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo Hoffman-#01018)
(With additional stories this would be a Stacked block type)
The Customs House conveys a strong Italian villa feeling in its design, with the strongly demarcated
floor levels, the arcades of windows on the ground level of the fac;ade, and the rusticated ground level
stonework. There is a prominent cornice. An element of particular interest was the wall projection that was
centered on each front, projecting from the spring stone level above each window grouping.
Figure 54: Three buildings, southeast comer, Main and 11 t
(Two-part commercial block types)
Three early 1866-70 multiple storefront blocks on Main Street are representative of the very plain
commercial designs that persisted after the Civil War. Two of these examples evolved either from earlier single
storefronts or brick double houses. The window treatments are simple, with semi-circular brick arches or plain
stone sills and lintels, and the facades are all unelaborated in their brickwork. Each building sports a pressed
metal cornice.
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Figure 55: 576-98 Main Street, c.early 1880s
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo Ham House-#843)
(Two-part commercial block type)
A notable Italianate style subset in Dubuque is comprised by buildings that feature a semi-circular
pediment that is centered on the parapet front. The pediment is formed by an upwards continuation of the
cornice line itself and commonly, the pediment front is emblazoned with the name of the block and the year of
construction. This subtype likely emerges in the 1870s and at first, the pediment form is a simple circular
overlay on a flat parapet front (see 1603 Central Avenue, 1882). A variant form is the addition of a distinctly
separate triangular or rounded pediment atop the parapet front. The 578-98 Main Street example is illustrative
of a truer Italianate style design, with a considerably richer ornamentation. The storefront is elevated (still no
separate transom level) and is of cast iron construction. The design is elaborate with comer quoins, separated
and bracketed lintels with semi-circular forms, a semi-circular pediment and a massive and most unusual parapet
and cornice.
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Figure 56: J. Simones Block, 1570-98 Central Avenue, 1884, view southeast
(photo by J. Jacobsen, November 2002)
The Simones Block design is a wonderfully creative one with a playful very broad bracketed cornice
and twin ornamental pediments. The first small oriole (bay) is centered on an otherwise plain front. Note the
presence of a transom window line, apparently a c.1890s addition. Note also the well preserved side entry to the
upper level, accessed by an exterior stairway.
Gothic Revival. 1840-80:
This example, which dated to the post-Civil War years, featured pointed Gothic style arches on its
lowermost floor. The window arches were semi-circular on the second floor and flat on the third level. This
building housed the Herald beginning in the early 1880s and the Eagles Home as of the early 20th Century.
There are references to other examples, one being the Peabody Block at Main and 3rd, which was built in 1865
"with Gothic window linings (Herald, August 31, 1865).
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Late Victorian/Second Empire:
True Second Empire style is found in two forms, in true form with a complete Mansard attic roof form,
and in a commercial/row house form wherein only the fa9ade uses the Mansard form. The latter design
persisted well into the 1890s and early 20th Century in Dubuque. All of these are three-part commercial block
type examples because the Mansard serves as a distinct cap on the overall design.
Figure 58: Dubuque Times Building, northeast comer Main and 5th streets, non-extant
(1877 Pryor & Company Dubuque City Directory)
Figure 59: 1200-02 White Street, c,1879-80 (photo by Jim Jacobsen, November 2002)
The comer store example shown above illustrates a commercial/apartment application of the style. In
many instances, but not this one, the mansard roof form is reduced to a fa9ade-only nearly vertical upper level
treatment. An absolutely vertical version can be found at 1902 White Street. In the above example the
storefront has been infilled.
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Figure 60: J. P. Farley Manufacturing Company, Main Street (Times, October 31, 1886) non-extant
The image at left dates to 1882 (Dubuque Trade Journal, March 20, 1882)
Figure 54 documents a mansard transformation of a Dubuque bakery between 1882 and 1886. The
building was elongated to the south and the upper third floor level was modified into a mansard attic front.
Late Victorian/Oueen Anne:
Figure 61: American Hotel, northeast corner Clay and 4t , non-extant, view northeast
(John Vachon photo. 1940)
The American Hotel is a good example of a Queen Anne style makeover of a much earlier building.
The original building dated pre-Civil War most likely (note the brick semi-circular window arches, hip roof
form). The building gained a corner entrance, oriole with turret and new storefront, between 1891 and 1909.
The Queen Anne style emerges in the mid-1880s and is translated into commercial block design in the
form of asymmetry (particularly the addition of pavilions, bays and orioles), a busier external wall surface in
terms of mixed materials and finishes (terra cotta, stone, pilasters, belt courses) and a richer parapet level
ornamentation.
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Figure 62: Rider & Lacy Block, 1702-22 Central Avenue, 1891, view northeast
(photo by J. Jacobsen, November 2002)
This large block design features a square-cut tower, an ornate stone entry surround, and a shift between
the upper floors from stone lintels to brick arches. Note too that transoms are set above the display windows
(covered in this example).
Figure 63: Fred A. Nesler Block, 1732-36 Central Avenue, 1892,
view southeast (photo by J. Jacobsen, November 2002)
This singular example has a broadened oriole that fills almost the entire fac;ade. The stone trim on the
fayade is rusticated and projects boldly from the wall plane. The surfaces on the oriole are highly textured with
ornamentation. The oriole parapet carries the main parapet line forward.
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Figure 64: H. Richter Block, 1543 Central Avenue, c.1894, view southwest
view southwest (photo by J. Jacobsen, November 2002
This example represents an important subtype of this example, a single storefront commercial fac;ade
that is vertically divided between an oriole and a special window treatment. In taller buildings, the windows on
two floors are interlinked with a unifying stone surround and the oriole is elongated. The oriole can continue up
to the parapet level or it can terminate as it does in this example. When these buildings have comer locations
the oriole most commonly becomes a comer turret (see 504 Central, 1101 White).
Queen Anne Single-Storefront Commercial Facades with Orioles and Verticallv Integrated Window Sets: (in
rough chronological order}
1130 Iowa, 1885-90, three stories
1713-15 Central, 1888, three stories
504 Central, N. Jungles Block, 1891, three stories with comer turret.
1497 Central, 1892-1908, three stories (see Figure 59)
1763 Central, c.1892-1908, four stories
1543 Central, H. Richter Block, c.1894, two stories (see Figure 58)
1101 White, c.1900, two stories
Queen Anne/Italianate Single-Storefront Commercial Facades With Centered Raised Pediments: (in rough
chronological order}
This is a single-storefront subset of the larger set of double storefronts that have centered rounded or
triangular pediments set atop or integrated into the cornice line.
957 Main, 1886, three stories (triangular pediment)
1365 Jackson, C. Hafner Block, 1891, three stories (semi-circular pediment that appears like it was
simply raised up out of the cornice line).
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Figure 65: 1497 Central, c.late 1890s, (photo by Jacobsen, 2002)
(Two-part commercial block type)
This is a two-story example of the same subtype. A stone surround connects two window sets on the
upper floors. The orioles are pedimented and rise above or are incorporated into the parapet lines.
Figure 66: Fifth and Main, northeast corner, c.1890s, non-extant
(Greater Dubuque, 1911).
In this example the Italianate block with the centered pediment is augmented with triple orioles, finials
on the parapet corners and a highly decorative parapet/pediment front. The storefront itself is built out to
expand the store display area and to capture natural light.
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Figure 67: 438-46 Main Street, (Herald, January 23, 1896), non-extant
(Two-part commercial block type)
Figure 68: 545-47 Main, Becker-Hazelton Company, c.late 1880s, non-extant (Greater Dubuque, 1911)
The twin-gable storefront example shown above is of particular interest because (a) the basic form is
probably of vernacular origin, (b) the gables are superimposed on a mansard-like attic front, and (c) the overall
effect is that of a richly ornamented large storefront block with varied window treatments on each floor. Of
particular note are the dormer lights, with Romanesque-like arches and rich art glass upper sash. In Dubuque
these treatments date to the late 1880s. Another extant example is 1798 Central. The same twin-gable fa<;ade is
rarely found on residential duplex plans, 1112-14 Central being the best extant example. It dates to the 1860s.
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Late VictorianIRomanesQue:
Figure 69: Turner/Germania Hall, 9t & Iowa, southeast comer 1892 (non-extant)
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo GRS #3469)
(Two-part commercial block type)
In Dubuque the Romanesque style is simply incorporated into the design mix. In the above example
stone voussoir arches, basement window arches, and stone arches in the top of the pavilion front reflect this
style.
Figure 70: Bishop's Block, 90 Main, 1899 (photo, Sommer, p. 90)
(Two-part commercial block type)
The Bishop's block is as much Queen Anne as it is Romanesque. The latter style is represented in the
massive brick cornice and the sidewall ground level windows.
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Figure 71: Schreiber, Conchar & Westphal Wholesale Hardware Store, 717-65 Iowa Street, 1892 (non-extant)
Iowa, 1892 (non-extant) (Two-part commercial block type)
Developments in metal framing and glass made possible a nearly all-glass front as is exemplified in the
above example.
Figure72: Illinois Central Railroad Passenger Depot
(John Vachon photo, c.l940, American Memory, Library of Congress)
(Two-part commercial block type)
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Figure 73: Grand Opera House, 8t and Iowa, 1889-90 (photo, Sommer, p. 132)
(Three-part commercial block type)
/'- \>.
Figure 74: Dubuque Brewing and Malting Company (1894-95) (Architect's sketch, Sommer, p. 122)
(Three-part commercial block type)
Figure 75: Security Building, 1896 (courtesy Loras College)
(Stacked Vertical Block type)
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Figure 76: Dubuque Star Brewery Company, 1898 (photo, Sommer, p. 120)
(Three-part commercial block type)
Late VictorianlRenaissance:
Figure 78: Bank and Insurance Building, 9 and Main, 1894, original photo (photo, Sommer, p. 127)
(Stacked Vertical Block type)
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Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals/Classical Revival:
Figure 79: Chamber of Commerc/Dubuque Club, southwest comer 9t
(Enterprise, August 10, 1902)
Figure 80: Elks Club, 7 and Locust, 1915
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photo Hoffman-#01019)
Figure 81: German Bank (1901-02,342 Main Street) (Enterprise, November 7,1901)
(Two-part Commercial Block type)
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Figure 82: Second National Bank, southeast comer, 6t and Main, c.1900 (non-extant)
(Enterprise, September 26, 1903)
Late 19th and 20th Century RevivalslBeaux Arts:
Figure 83: Dubuque County Courthouse, 720 Central Street (1891-93) (photo, Sommer, p. 148)
Is said by Sommer to represent the Beaux Arts Style but also reflects Romanesque
and Neoclassical, while Gephard says French Classicism) influences.
Figure 84: Union Trust & Savings Bank, Central & 14 , 1922,
(architect's drawing, Herald, April 16, 1922)
(Vault block type)
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Late 19th Century And Earlv 20th Century American Movements/Bungalow/Craftsman:
Figure 85: 1103-13 Central Avenue, view northwest, c.1915
(photo by J. Jacobsen, May 2003)
Modem MovementlModeme:
Figure 86: 104 Main, Harbor Place, 1926 (photo by Jacobsen, 2002)
(Two-part Commercial Block type)
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Figure 87: Roshek's Department Store, Locust and 8t
(Three-Part Vertical Block
Figure 88: US West Building, Locust and 9t streets (photo by Jacobsen, 2002)
(Vault Block Type)
Dubuque's Tallest Buildings:
The award for Dubuque's tallest commercial building naturally goes to the 13-story tall Federal Bank
Building (1923) at Main and 9th streets. It is arguably the city's only skyscraper and the weather barometer atop
the building, while of rather recent vintage, attests to that role. It is the city's contemporary "Clock Tower"
block.
Second prize goes to the second nine-story tall Roshek's Department Store (1929-31) at Locust and ih
streets (a.k.a. The Dubuque Building), that building, constructed in two equal phases, was completed in the face
of the deepening national depression. It was the state's largest department store when completed.
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The Julien Inn/Hotel (1913-14) is the city's third tallest building, standing eight stories high. Its current
exterior cladding disqualifies it for consideration as a historic architectural example.
The fourth prize for seven-story building height is a four-way split award. Just one of these was a non-
industrial property.
eThe earliest seven story building was the Bank and Insurance Building (1894) at 9th and Main streets.
It was the city's first "skyscraper" and its first modem office building.
eThe Becker-Hazelton Company Warehouse at 280 Iowa was built in 1914 and was seven stories tall.
eThe southernmost seven-story high Farley-Loetscher factory block (1917) on Jackson, between 6th
and ih streets is another survivor and stands seven stories high.
e A seven-story high feed warehouse (post-1909) was at 200 Iowa, just south of the Becker-Hazelton
complex. It is non-extant.
Figure 89: Becker-Hazelton Company, southeast comer, Iowa and East 3rd
(Telegraph-Herald, December 27, 1914)
Just two six-story buildings are documented, one of which survives. The H. B. Glover Company, a
garment-making firm, built a warehouse c.1909 on the southeast comer of Iowa Avenue and East 5th street that
occupied the northern two-fifths of a half block. The building was linked by a tunnel under Iowa Avenue to the
main factory at Iowa and 5th. By 1962 was used as an Army Reserve Center. It is non-extant. The Canfield
Hotel, 34-36 West 4th Street, (1946), had its origins c.1909 as the Hotel Paris, a four-story building, and gained s
six-story west end addition in 1948 following a 1946 fire that was the worst in municipal history in terms of
lives lost.
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Figure 90: Tall buildings in the downtown, view west from the courthouse, c.1907
(Library of Congress, American Memory Collection)
1. Bell Brothers, 2. Connolly Carriage, 3. H. B. Glover (four stories), 4. Rider-Wallis (four stories),
5 . Wales Hotel.
Five-story tall buildings are still relatively small in number, and fewer still (six buildings) when extant
examples are tallied. Here is the list, arranged by construction year:
eLorimer House/Wales Hotel, Julien/8th and Bluff, 1858, burned 1917.
eJulien Hotel, the second and third hotel buildings were both five stories in height, non-extant, replaced
by the present hotel 1913-14.
eTom Connolly Wagon/Carriage Works, southwest comer Iowa Avenue and 7th, the first four-story
building (1872) burned in 1875 and was rebuilt with five stories. Non-extant.
eDubuque Harness & Saddle Company, below the southwest comer of Iowa Avenue and 3rd Street,
originally built prior to 1884, destroyed by fire June 1891 and rebuilt, housed T. E. Phillips Church
Goods as of 1936, by which time it was doubled in size. Non-extant.
Figure 91: Bell Brothers Factory (Enterprise, view southeast, September 26, 1903)
eBishop's Block, 90 Main Street (1887), is the oldest surviving five-story block in the city.
eBell Brothers, southeast comer Locust and 4th Streets (1895), later housed Myers-Cox Company
(1936) and was doubled in size, occupied by the American Legion (1962). Non-extant.
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eGrand Opera House, northwest corner Iowa Avenue and 8th Street (1889-90), difficult to determine
whether it counts as four or five stories. Is the second oldest five story block.
Figure 92: John Ernsdorff Iron Company five-story block, 250 Jones, c.1890s, photo c.1905
(Center For Dubuque History, Loras College, Photograph, Hoffman #01016)
eJohn Ernsdorff Iron Company Block, c.1890, northwest comer Iowa and Jones Street
e Buettel Brothers, west side of Central north of 8th Street, quadruple storefront (c.1900), the remnants
of this block were just demolished to build the new county jail. Non-extant.
eMyers-Cox Tobacco Company, 413 Iowa Avenue (1906), Sanborn Map report variously as four or
five stories. Non-extant.
eLawther Candy Company, 137-53 Main (1907), replaced burned block, now known as Weber Paper
Company. Extant.
eH. B. Glover Company, east side Iowa Avenue at 5th Street (1910-11), a double building. Non-extant.
eCarr-Ryder Adams Factory, two massive buildings (both 1918), northeast comer Jackson & lOth
streets, southeast comer Washington & 11 th streets, both extant.
el00 Main Street (1910), unidentified wholesale drug firm, extant.
Figure 93: Buettel Brothers Company, 841 Central Avenue,
c.1900, view southwest
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