Encyclopedia Dubuque
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TENNIS COURTS: Difference between revisions
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In 1887 of the three tennis courts in some stage of completion, only one fully laid out. It was located in the upper end of the baseball park with a wire fence constructed to keep cattle from intruding. There was enough interest in the city to form a tennis club. (4) | In 1887 of the three tennis courts in some stage of completion, only one fully laid out. It was located in the upper end of the baseball park with a wire fence constructed to keep cattle from intruding. There was enough interest in the city to form a tennis club. (4) | ||
Tennis was also among the improvements brought to residents of [[ | Tennis was also among the improvements brought to residents of [[SHAWONDASE]]. In 1895 in addition to improvements to the cottages owned by such well-known Dubuque residents as Poole, Orrick, and Deming and the construction of a new water system, two fine tennis courts were constructed. (5) | ||
As plans were being completed for the club house at the new "golf club," a committee in 1900 was already surveying the grounds for ways of making the site better. In addition to the "links," the placement of tennis courts was being discussed. (6) A report noted in May, 1900 that "the membership includes the prominent people of the city and the money to make all the necessary improvements has already been secured. (7) | As plans were being completed for the club house at the new "golf club," a committee in 1900 was already surveying the grounds for ways of making the site better. In addition to the "links," the placement of tennis courts was being discussed. (6) A report noted in May, 1900 that "the membership includes the prominent people of the city and the money to make all the necessary improvements has already been secured. (7) | ||
Revision as of 01:19, 21 January 2020
TENNIS COURTS. The earliest example of the private ownership of a tennis court relates to the daughter of one of Dubuque premier industrialists. Mary Ellen Cooper, the daughter of Augustin A. COOPER, married John Robert WALLER on January 24, 1878. As a wedding gift, A. A. Cooper offered the couple one of the prime lots in a block he owned south of WASHINGTON PARK. (1) The Wallers constructed the home they called YORK (THE) as an English estate complete with tennis courts, fishpond, orchard and conservatory. The residence was a popular site for teas and parties hosted for the English families of Dubuque. (2) With the death of her husband, Mary Ellen sold the property to move closer to her sister in Maryland. Russell Mulgrew sold the York to Joseph J. NAGLE who sold the estate to the United States Treasury as the site for the new post office. (3)
In 1887 of the three tennis courts in some stage of completion, only one fully laid out. It was located in the upper end of the baseball park with a wire fence constructed to keep cattle from intruding. There was enough interest in the city to form a tennis club. (4)
Tennis was also among the improvements brought to residents of SHAWONDASE. In 1895 in addition to improvements to the cottages owned by such well-known Dubuque residents as Poole, Orrick, and Deming and the construction of a new water system, two fine tennis courts were constructed. (5)
As plans were being completed for the club house at the new "golf club," a committee in 1900 was already surveying the grounds for ways of making the site better. In addition to the "links," the placement of tennis courts was being discussed. (6) A report noted in May, 1900 that "the membership includes the prominent people of the city and the money to make all the necessary improvements has already been secured. (7)
Officials of the Y. M. C. A. Athletic Park announced the rapid completion of work at the site and a quick opening in May, 1900. Along with a running track; remodeled club house with the installation of lockers, dressers, and shower; new tennis courts were being constructed. It was expected that the many "tennis fiends" in the community would give the courts their full attention. "The ladies of the city will probably be admitted free to the park to play tennis." (8)
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Source:
1. Friedman, Larry and Fischer, Katherine. A. A. Cooper: Reinvesting the Wheel, River City Press, 2016, p. 91
2. Ibid., p. 92
3. Ibid. p. 93
4. "The Tennis Courts, "The Herald," July 24, 1887, p. 8
5. "In Society," The Dubuque Herald, April 7, 1895, p. 2
6. "The Golf Club House," The Dubuque Herald, March 4, 1900 p. 9
7. "In the Realm of Sport," The Dubuque Herald, May 6, 1900, p. 6
8. "Y. M. C. A. Athletics," The Dubuque Herald, May 5, 1900, p. 5
