DUBUQUE LIGHT AND TRACTION COMPANY

Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

DUBUQUE LIGHT AND TRACTION COMPANY. The Dubuque Electric Railway, Light and Power Company purchased the Key City Electric in 1893. (1) The company after being placed in receivership was purchased by the General Electric Company and reorganized as the Dubuque Light and Traction Company. (2)

As early as 1893, Dubuque Light and Traction Company proposed a consolidation to the DUBUQUE STREET RAILWAY COMPANY. It was believed at the time that the latter company had more profitable routes. A disagreement about the division of stock prevented the merger from occurring.

By December 1, 1894 Dubuque Light and Traction Company was placed in the hands of a receiver as the result of it being unable to pay interest on its bonds, pay its taxes, keep the property and plant insured and in good condition. (3)

Trolley wire for the electric line arrived by January 19, 1895. Wound on six spools, the wire on each spool was 5/16 inch in diameter and reached a mile. It was expected that work putting up the wire would begin in a few days. (4) On January 30, 1895 the company began installing a new trolley wire for the main line. The process began at the northern limits of the line and used wire heavier than the one replaced. (5)

In an article about the company in January, 1896 it was reported that the power house of the company on 6th and Main was located in a brick building, 75'x 125', and 25 feet high. The plant used a Rice engine of 80 horse power and a Mayer engine of 450 horse power to power 10.5 miles of street railway, furnish power to several businesses, and provide commercial arc lights and 3000 incandescent lamps. Its circuits ran 75 miles. (6) In June of that year the company placed "two elegantly equipped summer cars" on the West Dubuque branch. The cars operated on their own power rather than being trailers. (7)

Some street improvements were paid for by the company. In 1897 when Alpine Street between Julien Avenue and West Third was to be improved, the costs were to be paid by the property owners of the abutting property, HILL STREET AND WEST DUBUQUE STEAM RAILWAY COMPANY, and Horace G. Torbert, the receiver for the Dubuque Light and Traction Company. (8) In 1899 Jackson Street between 15th and 16th streets was repaired. Dubuque Light and Traction was directed to adjust their tracks to conform to the change and install an iron culvert on the south side of the streets to carry away water. (9)

The receiver asked to be discharged in July, 1899 following the filing of his financial report on the company. (10) On July 13, 1899 property of the General Electric Company, formerly Dubuque Light and Traction Company, was sold to local investors. These included Benjamin William LACY, Dorrance Dixon MYERS, and John Peter ELLWANGER. W. J. Browne would serve as the general manager. (11)

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Source:

1. "Rumors of a Sale," Dubuque Herald, May 13, 1893

2. "Stranded Again," Dubuque Daily Herald, December 2, 1894, p. 8

3. Ibid.

4. "Brief Locals," The Dubuque Herald, January 19, 1895, p. 5

5. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Daily Herald, January 31, 1895, p. 8

6. "The Light and Traction Company," Dubuque Daily Herald, January 25, 1896, p. 1

7. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Daily Herald, June 2, 1896, p. 5

8. "City Council", The Dubuque Herald, July 28, 1897, p. 2

9. "City Council," The Dubuque Herald, July 28, 1899, p. 3

10. "Makes Final Report," The Dubuque Herald, July 9, 1899, p. 8

11. "Dubuque Men in Charge," The Dubuque Herald, July 13, 1899, p. 8

"History of Dubuque and Dubuque County," Telegraph Herald, January 15, 1939, p. 5 See: STREETCARS