CENTER GROVE

Photo courtesy: Ray Grant

Center Grove. Located in Section 27 of Dubuque Township in Dubuque County, Center Grove was named for a group of oak trees. The word "Center" was chosen because the site was thought to be the center of the mining district. (1)

English immigrants arrived to mine LEAD. Jesse Yount helped to settle the area In the spring of 1833. At the time of Jesse Yount’s arrival, another white settler arrived, Aaron Burr Alderson crossed the MISSISSIPPI RIVER in 1833 and arrived at the deserted Indian village at the mouth of CATFISH CREEK. He proceeded up the north fork of the creek, which brought him to what was later called the Center Grove spring. Other early settlers of Center Grove included the Watters, Heslops, Lockeys, Coates, Woodwards, Brunskills, Reynoldsons, Garths and Spensleys and Richard BONSON. (2) In 1845 William Daykin and his family arrived. Their sons, Metcalf and John, operated the Center Grove general store for many years. They also operated the THREE MILE HOUSE. Metcalf was the postmaster after a post office was established in the general store on March 27, 1877. (3)

Image courtesy: http://www.iowacivilwarmonuments.com/cgi-bin/gaarddetails.pl?1216933816

Soldier James Brunskill of Center Grove survived the battle of Vicksburg during the Civil War. He is buried close to the church. His monument includes a statue of a union soldier with a rifle perched on a pedestal with the inscription that reads:

         James Brunskill born in Gunnerside Swaledale England 
         July 3rd, 1841. [Died] Oct. 19th, 1923. Came to Dubuque, 
         IA, May 1849. Enlisted in Dubuque Co. C 21 IA Vol Inf Aug.
         16th, 1862. With Gen US Grant all through Vicksberg [sic] 
         Miss Camp 1863. With Gen. Gordon Granger March 27th, 1865 
         at Spanish Fort and Blakley Ala. Hon. Dis.

Many of the people living in the area were Methodists who traveled to ROCKDALE for religious services. In 1852 Center Grove Methodist Church was established. By 1886, it was torn down and a new church was constructed on the same site. That church, CENTER GROVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH stood along Brunskill Road and was visible from Highway 20 in 2014.

Center Grove Church was one of a group of three small churches known as a “three point charge.” Rockdale Church predated Center Grove Church, and early settlers traveled by oxcart to attend Rockdale, formerly called Catfish (Mills) circa 1840. The third church, called Reed’s Chapel and built in 1867, was located near North Cascade Road and Highway 20. These small churches shared ministers for many years. Reed’s Chapel was also on a “circuit” with Asbury. On June 19, 1965, Reed’s Chapel combined with Center Grove. Pews and other artifacts saved from Reed’s Chapel are located at Center Grove Church in a special room as a memorial. (4)

Perhaps the greatest developer of Center Grove was Edward C. Bartels. When the Hawkeye Highway (old Highway 20) was built, he relocated a seven-room building with a store front that he had purchased in 1906 close to the highway. Rooms were rented to travelers. This business was located on the left side of the road, when headed west, a few blocks beyond the Illinois Central Railroad viaduct over present-day Cedar Cross Road. Bartels also built cabins on the hill for more travelers to rent. A community kitchen was operated, but as more cottages were added they included kitchen and bathroom facilities. His business sign read, "Bartels Cabin Camp."

Bartels also noticed the activity at Center Grove's Luther Park. Summer dances were popular at the open air dance pavilion operated by William Luther. Looking to expand his business opportunities, Bartels bought out Luther's business and replaced it with the CRYSTAL BALLROOM. The crystal ball that hung over the middle of the dance floor was made by Bartels from a ball of wire, plaster of Paris and small six-sided mirrors. Spotlights shining on the revolving ball made sparkling lights shimmer around the ballroom. No liquor was allowed, but soft drinks and sandwiches were available at intermissions. Dancers enjoyed local musical groups and big bands from Chicago and the East during the late 1920s through the 1940s. (5)

The ballroom, store and cabins are all gone. The site of the ballroom became the home of an outdoor advertising agency.

In February 29, 1960 a group pledging support for annexation of Center Grove to the City of Dubuque was announced. The Center Grove Committee for Annexation planned to send representatives to the Dubuque City Council to present a letter listing the advantages of annexation. This letter followed the publication of a letter strongly rejecting the idea. The pro-annexation admitted that sewer connections would cost residents a bit money, but that annexation would mean police protection, cheaper electricity, and lower telephone rates. (6)

In 1973 Center Grove was annexed to the City of Dubuque.

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Source:

1. Meyer, Jeffrey J. "The Lost Pioneers of Center Grove," Julien's Journal, May 2012, p. 25

2. Ibid.

3. Kruse, Len, "Settlers Found Cedar Stand and Founded Town," Telegraph Herald, February 18, 1997, p. 12

4. Meyer

5. Kruse

6. "Center Grove Group Forms for Annexation," Telegraph-Herald, February 28, 1969, p 1