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Encyclopedia Dubuque

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EAGLE POINT PARK

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The entrance to Eagle Point Park.Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium-Captain William D. Bowell, Sr. River Library-James Wall-Wild, Registrar
Rock gardens/fish ponds at Eagle Point.

EAGLE POINT PARK. In 1907 Charles M. Robinson, a noted eastern park specialist, visited Dubuque. After touring scenic locations, Robinson remarked, "I have never seen a place where the Almighty has done more and mankind less, than Dubuque." (1) Judge Oliver Perry SHIRAS, one of Dubuque's leading citizens, took the remark as a challenge. In April 1908, he organized of a citizens' commission in April 1908

On June 12, 1908 the nucleus of the park was created from one hundred acres purchased for $20,000 with aid from the Civic Division of the DUBUQUE WOMEN'S CLUB from Alphons Leopold RHOMBERG. (2) The site was intended as a picnic and recreational area. Charles Robinson was hired by the citizens' committee as the landscape architect for the park. Charles Lowrie was retained as the park planner, and Thomas Jess, a surveyor, prepared the plans.

Eagle Point Park rests on the bluffs above the Mississippi River. Photo courtesy: John Knepper

Improvements to the land in 1908 totaled $10,000. A fence was installed along the bluff for the protection of visitors. Ravine Road, the entrance to the park, was constructed in the valley south and west of the park using teams of horses and manual labor. Inexpensive labor was also used to erect hitching posts, rest rooms, tables, and benches.

Eaglepointsteps.gif

In February 1910 the Dubuque city council, at the suggestion of Judge Shiras, adopted an ordinance providing for the election of three park commissioners. (3) In the April election Shiras was elected along with Herbert Adams and Frank J. PIEKENBROCK to make up Dubuque first park board. This gave Shiras the opportunity to go beyond private donations for the park's development.

When Eagle Point Park was opened to the public in June 1910 there were two ways to reach the park. The Shiras Avenue entrance remained the same for years. The other approach was for walkers. A steep and winding pathway beginning at the north end of Rhomberg Avenue led up the hill into the park. A high railing protected people from falling over the precipice. (4)

Park rules were published in the newspaper. Among the fifteen rules were prohibition of driving automobiles faster than five miles per hour or hitching horses to the trees. The use of vulgar language was forbidden as was the use of firearms. Violators of any of the rules could be removed from the park or face fines up to $100 and or imprisonment for up to thirty days. (5)

Within two months of the park's opening, the Dubuque Park Commission improved the pathway. (6) After trading one-half acre of land with the EAGLE POINT LIME WORKS, a set of stairs was constructed allowing people to reach the park from Rhomberg Avenue. Cement steps of 7-inch tread, five feet wide made for a much easier 400 foot climb. (7) Breath-taking views of the MISSISSIPPI RIVER were available from landings located along the staircase that crept up the bluff.

In 1910 a water system was installed within the park. Contractors Keller and Luchterhand constructed a 250 barrel reservoir for water that was obtained from a well drilled in 1909. (8) Plans were made in 1910 to pipe the water to other locations in the park. The right to sell refreshments in the park was awarded by the Park Commission to Frank J. Pfiffner. (9)

Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

Eagle Point Park, then 133 acres, was dedicated on June 17, 1910. (10) Shiras refused the honor of having the park named in his honor by requesting that the park be named remembering the legend of EAGLE POINT. By the time of the dedication, $36,000 had been contributed. Maintenance and improvement funds, originally raised by private contributions, were later provided through taxes. A memorial pavilion in honor of Shiras was constructed through the efforts of the DUBUQUE TRAVELING AND BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION. (11) The shelter house on Gun Point was dedicated to Shiras on May 29, 1921. (12)

Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium-Captain William D. Bowell, Sr. River Library-James Wall-Wild, Registrar

The construction of a proposed street car entrance to the park was blocked by the Ham estate at the base of the bluff. Negotiations were completed with Sarah Ham on May 1, 1911, when a price of $8,500 was agreed upon for the necessary land. Ham's refusal to then sign the bill of sale held up the construction for another year until May 1912. (13)

Work began almost immediately. UNION ELECTRIC COMPANY laid track and constructed a turnaround and waiting station for $10,000. The spur line, gradually climbing the 6 percent grade into the park, was opened on September 28, 1912. The first car, carrying company officials, left Eighth and Main and stopped at the DUBUQUE CITY HALL for city officials, before proceeding to the park. A crowd estimated at five thousand heard the opening day speeches.

The development of the forestry stage of Eagle Point Park has been credited to P. L. Phelps, a forestry expert from Rockford, Illinois, and former supervisor of national forests in the Pacific Northwest. Under his direction, dead timber, trees stunting the growth of other trees, and trees blocking road construction were removed. The park is noted for its diverse native trees. These include red oak, black oak, white oak, burr oak, white birch, black cherry, pin cherry, choak cherry, hawthorne crab apple, cotton wood, gray popular, linden, white elms, red elms, juneberry, aspen, willow, plum and sycamore. Trees planted in the park include pines, spruce, juniper and sugar maples. Native shrubbery include gray dogwood, red dogwood, red sumac, staghorn sumac, bittersweet, sheepberry, and roses. (14)

Construction of fish ponds during the 1930s promised one of many attractions at Eagle Point Park. Photo courtesy: Center for Dubuque History, Loras College
Fish pond under construction. Photo courtesy:Rob Klauer

During the GREAT DEPRESSION, the park board decided to construct a stone shelter to provide employment that would be created with federal funds. (15) To receive the funds from the Civil Works Administration (later Works Project Administration (WPA)), however, the park had to have a plan and someone who would accept a supervisory role. At the same time, Alfred CALDWELL had decided to begin a career of his own. Caldwell came to Dubuque highly recommended by renowned landscape architect Jen Jensen. (16) Caldwell was hired in March, 1934.

Caldwell directed the construction of the shelter area which he called, "The City in a Garden." (17) He was quoted as saying, "The gods were constructed out of form, wherefore beautiful built things become temples." (18) Although not a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous architect's influence is easily seen in the emphasis on horizontal features; large, board overhands, use of natural materials and the careful effort to make structures blend with their surroundings. The buildings in the rock shelter area appear to have come from the area rather than having been constructed. (19) Caldwell was forced out of the project in the spring of 1936 before the dedication of the shelter area in 1937. In its decision to discharge Caldwell, the park board charged him with making unauthorized and unpopular park policy decisions. (20) One such decision led to the cutting down of ten Lombardy popular trees near the park's north exit to improve the view.

Wendelin RETTENBERGER, one of Caldwell's three assistants and the person who finished Caldwell's work, remembered that money was tight. Most of the $200,000 the project received went to the four hundred workers. There was only about $18,000 a year to spend including gasoline and all utilities. (21) Fish ponds, rock walls, and Indian council rings in the park were created through the project. In 2004 the park shelters designed by Caldwell in 1937, were recognized by the American Institute of Architects among the most influential structures in Iowa from the decade. (22)

In 1933 as part of Dubuque's centennial celebration, the Neuman LOG CABIN was moved from Second and Locust STREETS to the park. Believed to be the oldest cabin in Iowa, the building was the scene of the first Mass celebrated in Dubuque. In 1949-50 the Park Board voted to remodel the cabin replacing rotted logs, windows and doors. A new shingle roof was added and the wood was treated with a preservative. (23) The total cost was $5,000. In 1963 a proposal was made to renovate the cabin and put it off limits as a pavilion. The exterior would be restored to its 1820s appearance and the interior would be provided with pioneer furnishings. The doorway would be covered with glass so that the interior could be viewed. Security would be provided by spotlights positioned outside. (24)

In 1936 local artist Jo Dillon prepared three panel murals for the rock shelter house. (25)


Eagle Point Pagoda. Photo courtesy: Jim Massey
Photo courtesy: Jim Massey
Photo courtesy: Bob Reding
Completed fishponds at Eagle Point.
Eagle Point Park draws visitors from around the United States.
Photo courtesy: Bob Reding
An early drive through the park. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium-Captain William D. Bowell, Sr. River Library-James Wall-Wild, Registrar
Flowers at Eagle Point.
Path up from the High Bridge. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding
A rare photo of the steps to Eagle Point Park being constructed. Photo courtesy: Rob Klauer
The same steps that were being constructed after they were finished Photo courtesy: Rob Klauer
One of the capstones pictured that was saved when the steps were being demolished.Photo courtesy: Rob Klauer
Shiras Memorial and High Bridge.Photo courtesy:John Knepper
Photo courtesy:John Knepper
Photo courtesy:John Knepper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTiCU31PVy4

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Source:

1. "Eagle Point Park History," Dubuque, Iowa Official Website, Online: http://www.cityofdubuque.org/index.aspx?NID=1149

2. Ibid.

3. "Shiras Memorial Dedicated Sunday," Telegraph Herald, May 30, 1921, p. 10. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F4RiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iHcNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1165,5053959&dq=history+of+eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en

4. Kruse, Len. "My Old Dubuque," Dubuque, Iowa: Center for Dubuque History, Loras College, 2000, p. 68

5. "Park Rules Are Given to the Public," Telegraph Herald, May 1, 1910, p. 10. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xm5CAAAAIBAJ&sjid=86oMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6080,1754952&dq=history+of+eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en

6. Kruse, Len, p. 68

7. Ibid., p. 69

8. "Eagle Point Park Plans," Telegraph Herald, May 15, 1910, p. 16. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1G5CAAAAIBAJ&sjid=86oMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2805,3277634&dq=eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en

9. Ibid.

10. "Eagle Point Park is Dedicated," Telegraph Herald, June 17, 1910, p. 10. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9W5CAAAAIBAJ&sjid=86oMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2885,6666337&dq=history+of+eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en

11. "A New History of the County," Telegraph Herald, January 17, 1939, p. 11. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eNdBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BaoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1824,3493599&dq=history+of+eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en

12. "Shiras Memorial Dedicated Sunday,"

13. "Ham House Near Eagle Point Sold," Telegraph Herald, May 20, 1912, p. 7. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s-BBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BqoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2869,2233462&dq=eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en

14. "Many Trees in Dubuque Centuries Old; Some of Them are Older Than City," Telegraph Herald and Times Journal, September 16, 1934, p. 3. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CdZBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4qkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2121,3357794&dq=eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en

15. Chandler, Curt, "Eagle Point History," Telegraph Herald, May 21, 1978, p. 35. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ncJBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B6oMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5971,3132466&dq=history+of+eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en

16. Ibid.

17. Fyten, David. "40 Years Take Their Toll on Eagle Point Pavilions," Telegraph Herald, September 15, 1974, p. 25. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Bf5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DL8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5307,2619661&dq=history+of+eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en

18. Ibid.

19. Ibid.

20. Ibid

21. Chandler, Curt.

22. Szeszycki, Emily, "Local Bridge, Park Shelters Honored for Architecture," Telegraph Herald, October 16, 2004, p. 3. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Pp1dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0VwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2444,3334905&dq=history+of+eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en

23. Thompson, Dave. "Park Board Cool to Log Cabin Plan," Telegraph Herald, March 11, 1963, p. 32. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bhJRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I8sMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5880,1380607&dq=history+of+eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en

24. Ibid.

25. "Young Artist Scores at Eagle Point Park," Telegraph Herald, June 7, 1936, p. 17. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yNBBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-KkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3049,3039355&dq=history+of+eagle+point+park+dubuque&hl=en


YouTube user:CTiCU31PVy4