DUBUQUE, CASCADE, AND WESTERN RAILROAD

DUBUQUE, CASCADE AND WESTERN RAILROAD. An ambitious project encouraged by important businessmen in Dubuque around 1877, the railroad was an attempt to stop construction of the narrow gauge Bellevue and Cascade Railroad.

Following the completion of the Chicago, Bellevue, Cascade and Western Narrow Gauge Rail Way survey, directors and officers were elected on August 13, 1877 in Cascade. Stock worth $200,000 was issued for construction and articles of incorporation were filed on November 23, 1877.

Opposition was quickly expressed from Dubuque. In an editorial in the Herald on December 30, 1877, a list of important business leaders in the community was given who believed they could build a railroad to Dubuque for $50,000 less than the northern extension of the CHICAGO, DUBUQUE AND MINNESOTA RAILROAD of 1871. The planned railroad was to be named the Dubuque, Casade and Western Railroad and construction was expected to be completed in one year.

Ten days followed the editorial, the Herald printed a response from the secretary of the narrow gauge. The officer of the company expressed regret that they could give no assistance to the Dubuque project until the narrow gauge was completed. Faced with no interest from Cascade in the Dubuque to Cascade proposal, the Dubuque businessmen gave up their idea. The first shovelful of dirt to inaugurate the Chicago, Cascade and Western Railway was turned on September 19, 1878.

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Source:

Tigges, John and Jacobson, Jon. Milwaukee Road Narrow Gauge: The Chicago Bellevue, Cascade and Western,p. 11-12