Completed in 1856 but never utilized, Dubuque's shot tower was intended to facilitate the manufacture of lead balls which were fired from muskets. Today, this tower is one of few remaining structures left standing in the United States. This individual shot tower has a complicated history, changing ownership and function many times over the years before attaining its current status as a historical building.
Located on the Mississippi riverfront, the Dubuque Star Brewery has been operating since 1898. Today, the City of Dubuque leases the building out to various businesses. One of its current main attractions is the Stone Cliff Winery, which operates on its ground floor. The brewery was built in 1898 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Permanently docked in Ice Harbor in Dubuque Iowa, the William B. Black dredge provides a glimpse into 19th and 20th century river navigation and culture. The William B. Black was designed to dredge waterways (to clear out sediment and mud) to make it more navigable. The William B. Black was built in 1934 in Point Pleasant, West Virginia and was used to clear waters until 1973. It was added to the Register of Historic Places in 1982 and today, it serves as a museum to educate visitors on river navigation.
This museum opened in 2003 and has grown to become an affiliate of the Smithsonian. The museum offers a variety of exhibits, ranging from river maps, informational displays on historical types of boats, and aquariums filled with aquatic wildlife. The museum focusses on the human history of the region as well as the diverse wildlife that inhabit rivers and wetlands complete with an aquarium and numerous programs dedicated to science. Additionally, there are seasonal exhibits that change throughout the year. Part of the museum is located in the historic Dubuque Freight House, which was built in 1901 by the Chicago, Burlington and Northern Railroad. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Constructed in 1910, Five Flags Theater remains an important cultural landmark and stands on the of the site of the first theater erected in Dubuque back in 1840. What is now Five Flags opened as the Majestic Theater and was designed in the Flemish Renaissance style. The theater was among the first creations of the architecture firm, Rapp & Rapp, owned by brothers George and Cornelius Rapp. The Rapp Brothers would go onto design many noteworthy theaters around the country including the Chicago Theatre. The theater is now part of a large entertainment complex called the Five Flags Center that features an arena and two rooms for small event gatherings. The Center's name refers to the five flags that have flower over the city (see below to learn more). It is also worth noting that this location is the oldest parcel of land in Iowa to be home to a theater owing to the previous structure that this building replaced. Five Flags Theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It is home to the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra and hosts a number of productions throughout the year.
This short elevated railway dates back to a private elevator that was established in the late 19th century for a Dubuque resident who wished to ease his daily commute. Today, the inclined railway takes passengers from Fourth Street to the top of this bluff overlooking the city. Fenelon Place Elevator claims to be the world's shortest and steepest railway. While the original owner's private railcar system was twice damaged by fires, local residents formed their own company in 1893 to operate the inclined railway.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Washington Park has been a focal point for Dubuque since the city was founded. The park space was one of the original city blocks and was initially called Washington Square, a block notable for being the location where the first Methodist chapel in Iowa was built. A simple log building, the church was also used as a schoolhouse, courthouse, and community commons and meeting space. Among the many notable events that occurred here during those years was the meeting to incorporate the town Dubuque which occurred on March 25, 1837. Today, the park features walkways that lead to a gazebo in the center as well as a historical marker indicating the location of the chapel.
The museum strives to serve the community as a cultural institution that offers art and cultural education. Operating since 1874, the museum contains a robust collection of art pieces of various mediums. Their programs range from those that cater to children to those that would interest adults. The Dubuque Museum of Art was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in 2005.
The Town Clock is a large clock that stands in downtown Dubuque, Iowa. The clock, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has stood over the city for over 130 years. The present clock is the second "Town Clock"; the first collapsed in the 1870s, killing three people.
The Grand Opera House is one of Dubuque's key cultural landmarks. It was built in 1890 by a group of local businessmen who hired nationally known architect Willoughby Edbrooke, who designed the first immigration complex on Ellis Island (in New York City) the U.S. Treasury building in Washington D.C., among many others. The theater features the largest stage ever built in Dubuque and is the city's only surviving opera house. Edbrooke designed the building in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, with the front facade featuring typical elements of this style including arched windows and doorways. There were originally 1,100 seats and stage was large enough for major theatrical productions. The Grand Opera House continues to be an important musical and theatrical venue. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Built in 1857, the Dubuque County Jail housed inmates until 1971. The building was designed by John F. Rague and is a rare example of Egyptian Revival architecture. The jail replaced three previous jails that had been inadequate and allowed prisoners to escape. The walls of the building were made of 18-inch thick limestone. Confederate soldiers were held in the basement during the Civil War. Today, it is the location of the County Medical Examiner, the County I.T. Department, and the Veteran's Affairs Office.
Designed by architect firm Fridolin Heer & Son in the Beaux-Arts style, the Dubuque County Courthouse is one of the city's iconic landmarks. Still the seat of county government, it was built in 1891 to replace a large brick building constructed in 1841. It is most notable for its 190-foot high central tower that is capped with a 14-foot tall statue of Lady Justice. The building once had a number of other statues, but four of them—winged angels with trumpets—were melted down and turned into weapons during World War I. In the 1980s, gold leafing was added to the central dome, giving the building some of its distinctive look. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The adjacent building is the former county jail and is a National Historic Landmark (it is a separate Clio entry).
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This walking tour starts at the Dubuque Courthouse and moves its way south to include some of the city's most fascinating buildings and leading attractions such as the Fenlon Place Elevator. The concludes with a walk around the Port of Dubuque and concludes at the iconic Shot Tour and historic Dubuque Star Brewery. Be sure to also visit the city's historic Old Main district.
