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.
FIELD OF DREAMS
FIELD OF DREAMS. A film made in and around the Dubuque area during the summer of 1988, the movie starred Kevin Costner, Burt Lancaster, James Earl Jones and Amy Madigan. The story dealt with a farmer (Costner) who is told, by voices, that when a ballfield is built, "he will come."
The film employed hundreds of local people as "extras" and experienced staff such as Susan RIEDEL. Moviegoers had great fun attempting to identify area sites used in the movie.
Proceeds from the premier, held April 20, 1989, went toward Motion Picture Arts in Iowa, an attempt to attract more movies to the state. The movie was nominated for the "Best Picture" at the annual Academy Awards program. Inspired by the film, construction began near Dyersville on a permanent site called Field of Dreams for exhibition games and training fields.