HAWKEYE HIGHWAY

Huebinger's Map and Guide for Hawkeye Highway (Dubuque to Sioux City. Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/ykyguidiiyr/

Highway Marker

Hawkeye Bridge over a branch of CATFISH CREEK. (Note name of highway as part of bridge). Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/pages/You-know-you-grew-up-in-Dubuque-Iowa-if-you-remember/130170407077838

HAWKEYE HIGHWAY. Registered on May 19, 1917, the Hawkeye Highway ran from Dubuque to Sioux City through Fort Dodge.

Initially called the DRAGGED ROAD, the course was traveled in August 1910 before the road was started by four residents of Sioux City including Dr. F. A. Seeman, president of the Sioux City Automobile Club. The route of their travel followed the route proposed by the Sioux City Tribune. They left Sioux City early Monday morning and arrived in Dubuque early Tuesday evening. (1)

Funds available would complete the bridges and culverts of permanent construction; Center Grove, Center Grove, Julien and Epworth crossings; and grade and gravel the road from Dyersville to a point just west of the Julien crossing about five miles west of the Dubuque city limits. The 30-foot concrete arch bridge over CATFISH CREEK would also be finished. There was not enough money, however, for making the heavy fill and the seven foot raise in the grade or improving the old road from the Julien crossing to Center Grove.

To raise the needed $30,000, the Hawkeye Highway Improvement Association was formed. (2) The money was raised through solicitation among the business leaders and companies in Dubuque under the direction of E. P. Smith, chairman, and W. M. Kretschmer, secretary. (3)

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Source:

1. "Pathfinders Reach Dubuque," Telegraph Herald, August 24, 1910, p. 1

2. "Begin Campaign to Raise $30,000 Fund for Completion of Hawkeye Highway," Telegraph Herald