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.
CITY NICKNAMES
CITY NICKNAMES. Of the many nicknames Dubuque has had, the only one to survive is "The Key City." The origin of that nickname was credited to an 1854 issue of the Miners' Express. It was not until 1889 that the nickname became popular.
The title "Dubuque, The Key City" was used in a fifty-page advertisement to boast of the city's advantages over other Iowa communities. The basis of the name was said to reflect Dubuque's geographic location halfway between Milwaukee and Chicago and the river towns along the Missouri River. It was also used to indicate that Dubuque had more RAILROADS than other Iowa cities.
With the adoption of the Key City title, a large sign, bearing a big key, was hung across Fourth Street east of Central Avenue to welcome visitors. Fourth Street was then the entrance to Dubuque from East Dubuque across the DUBUQUE WAGON BRIDGE.
Dubuque has also been referred to as the "Heidelberg of America" due to its hills and use of stone in the construction of such buildings as DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL and WARTBURG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. The belief that Dubuque had seven hills and its many churches led to its nickname as the "Rome of America." Dubuque's independence in politics during the 19th century and during state of federal prohibition in the early 20th century led to its nickname as the "State of Dubuque."
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Source:
Jacobsen, James E. The Architectural and Historical Resources of Dubuque, Iowa, 1837-1955, p. 7
