Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
TOURIST CAMPS: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:0162.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Grandview Tourist Camp. Photograph courtesy: www.dubuquepostcards.com]]TOURIST CAMPS. At the beginning of the twentieth century, auto tourists had few places along the open road to rent a room. The majority of established hotels were located downtown. This was not an ideal situation for motorists who did not want to enter the hotel lobby after a day of dusty travel. | [[Image:0162.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Grandview Tourist Camp. Photograph courtesy: www.dubuquepostcards.com]]TOURIST CAMPS. At the beginning of the twentieth century, auto tourists had few places along the open road to rent a room. The majority of established hotels were located downtown. This was not an ideal situation for motorists who did not want to enter the hotel lobby after a day of dusty travel. | ||
A growing number of motorists began carrying supplies to create makeshift camps along the roadside at convenient and attractive locations. This solution worked until the popularity of automobile tourism exploded after [[WORLD WAR I]] | A growing number of motorists began carrying supplies to create makeshift camps along the roadside at convenient and attractive locations. This solution worked until the popularity of automobile tourism exploded after [[WORLD WAR I]]; the flood of travelers camping on private property upset landowners. Some community leaders and landowners saw the potential for profit and began to establish campsites, restaurants, and stores. | ||
In an effort to attract auto tourists, many communities began constructing municipal tourist camps in city parks. Towns soon began competing for tourists and added extra conveniences including picnic tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, showers, sheltered eating and recreation areas, and electrical hookups. Communities advertised these comforts on signs leading into town. | In an effort to attract auto tourists, many communities began constructing municipal tourist camps in city parks. Towns soon began competing for tourists and added extra conveniences including picnic tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, showers, sheltered eating and recreation areas, and electrical hookups. Communities advertised these comforts on signs leading into town. | ||
Revision as of 04:28, 17 October 2009
TOURIST CAMPS. At the beginning of the twentieth century, auto tourists had few places along the open road to rent a room. The majority of established hotels were located downtown. This was not an ideal situation for motorists who did not want to enter the hotel lobby after a day of dusty travel.
A growing number of motorists began carrying supplies to create makeshift camps along the roadside at convenient and attractive locations. This solution worked until the popularity of automobile tourism exploded after WORLD WAR I; the flood of travelers camping on private property upset landowners. Some community leaders and landowners saw the potential for profit and began to establish campsites, restaurants, and stores.
In an effort to attract auto tourists, many communities began constructing municipal tourist camps in city parks. Towns soon began competing for tourists and added extra conveniences including picnic tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, showers, sheltered eating and recreation areas, and electrical hookups. Communities advertised these comforts on signs leading into town.
The peak of free municipal camps was short-lived. Free camps attracted squatters and criminals. In an effort to discourage the criminal element, campsite owners began requiring users to pay a rental fee.
