JOHN THOMPSON-1375 LOCUST

Corner posts have been said to resemble Union general and later President U.S. Grant.

JOHN THOMPSON HOUSE. This elegant Italian Villa style house was built by William Andrew and later finished by John THOMPSON, mayor of Dubuque and leather merchant. The architect was Van Osdel, the famous designer of the Palmer House in Chicago.

William A. RYAN purchased the home for his second wife, Catherine, and their six children. He often used the home for entertaining. The posts for the fence are said to contain the likeness of U.S. Grant, leader of Union forces during the CIVIL WAR, who purchased pork from his Dubuque friend who had the nickname, "Hog" Ryan.

To separate his second family from his first, Ryan erected a wooden fence between this home and his original home on the corner of Locust and Loras. This failed to accomplish its task. He then had the three storied home containing thirty rooms moved thirteen feet south to separate his second family from the children of his first family. Evidence of this relocation can be found in the basement. The newer foundation can be seen along with stone from the original foundation attached to the home and rocks used for filling the gaps located between.

Souvenir matches from the Ryan House.

For many years, the home, called the "Ryan House," was known as one of the finest restaurants in Dubuque. It become a property of the DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY and in 2009 was sold to once again become a private residence.