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.
KANE, Mark R.
KANE, Mark R. (Bankston, IA, July 22, 1883--Dubuque, IA, Nov. 11, 1964). MAYOR. Employed from 1903 to 1906 in the Connolly Carriage Factory owned by Thomas CONNOLLY, Kane attended the CUTLER BUSINESS SCHOOL in Dubuque for one year before becoming a bookkeeper at the TELEGRAPH HERALD. He rose through the position of business manager to become vice-president and a member of the board of directors. (1) Locally, Kane also served as a director of the Chamber of Commerce.
Kane served as a member of the Dubuque City Council for six years and held the position of mayor from 1933 to 1935. During 1933, the city purchased 162 acres of CITY ISLAND for the site of an airport. Financially in the grip of the GREAT DEPRESSION, the city weathered the "bank holiday" of March 4th, but only two banks survived. Kane was a member of a committee formed by the Chamber of Commerce to consider public works projects in the city and county that would qualify for government assistance under the National Industrial Recoveryt Act. (2) As part of Dubuque's centennial celebration, the famous LOG CABIN was moved. The precise location of the ZEBULON PIKE LOCK AND DAM was announced as was the fact that alcohol would be allowed back in the community on December 5th. The first meeting of a group of Dubuque residents recommended by the City Manager and approved by the City Council for the Dubuque Safety Council was held on February 3, 1933. In August, Dubuque became the last community in Iowa to have a ZONING ordinance.
In 1934 evidence of the DUST STORM (1934) plaguing the western United States was felt in Dubuque as Dubuque skies were darkened. Operations at the City Island airport began. Dubuque's business climate improved with the announced opening of DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY and the reopening of the DUBUQUE BREWING AND MALTING COMPANY in January and the promise of a product by April. City officials celebrated the announcement that there were 9,000 customers with TELEPHONE SERVICE and RADIO station WKBB increased its programming to 89 hours per week. UNION PARK was closed, MELODY MILL was opened, and the city's sports enthusiasts enjoyed the publicity surround the city's first professional ski-jump tournament in Bunker Hill. An attempt to repeal of the manage form of government failed.
In 1935 work continued on the EAGLE POINT BRIDGE. The full potential of electricity was explored with an INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE style home being constructed. Construction also began on the lock and dam. Well #6 was dug by the WATER DEPARTMENT near EAGLE POINT and the announcement was made that residents would no longer see horse drawn garbage wagons.
---
Source:
1. "Mark Kane Dead at 81," Telegraph-Herald, June 11, 1964, p. 1
2. "C. C. Head Names Public Works Group for City and County," Telegraph-Herald, June 14, 1933, p. 2
