ICE HARBOR - Revision history

Randylyon at 16:55, 16 October 2026

2026-10-16T16:55:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:55, 16 October 2026
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	While Dubuque was attempting to improve its waterfront, Congressional financing attempted to develop a winter harbor for riverboats. For the Upper Mississippi, an ice harbor had to offer certain characteristics: the site had to provide absolute safety in a bay with still water and freedom from running ice at all stages of the river; sufficient depth to float vessels of any kind; and accessibility to the main channel, stockyards, machines shops and all other facilities of a large town. (24) Various sites were studied by the United States Army Corps of Engineers before it proposed widening and dredging Waples Cut. (25)		While Dubuque was attempting to improve its waterfront, Congressional financing attempted to develop a winter harbor for riverboats. For the Upper Mississippi, an ice harbor had to offer certain characteristics: the site had to provide absolute safety in a bay with still water and freedom from running ice at all stages of the river; sufficient depth to float vessels of any kind; and accessibility to the main channel, stockyards, machines shops and all other facilities of a large town. (24) Various sites were studied by the United States Army Corps of Engineers before it proposed widening and dredging Waples Cut. (25)

	[[Image:1884 proposal.jpg\|left\|thumb\|~~250px~~\|1884 government proposal]] Waples Cut, however, had its problems. It was constantly filling in from deposits for the sewers, muddy water typical of the Mississippi, and debris from lumber rafts. (26) In 1882 little of the area had more than two feet of water when the river was low. This could lead to boats freezing in the mud and then sinking when the water rose in the spring. (27) In 1882 Congress appropriated twenty thousand dollars to dredge down six feet below the low-water mark and provide room for twenty steamers and fifty barges. In 1884 Congress appropriated another twenty thousand dollars for the ice harbor. (28) By 1885 most of the work had been accomplished.		[[Image:1884 proposal.jpg\|left\|thumb\|350px\|1884 government proposal]] Waples Cut, however, had its problems. It was constantly filling in from deposits for the sewers, muddy water typical of the Mississippi, and debris from lumber rafts. (26) In 1882 little of the area had more than two feet of water when the river was low. This could lead to boats freezing in the mud and then sinking when the water rose in the spring. (27) In 1882 Congress appropriated twenty thousand dollars to dredge down six feet below the low-water mark and provide room for twenty steamers and fifty barges. In 1884 Congress appropriated another twenty thousand dollars for the ice harbor. (28) By 1885 most of the work had been accomplished.

	In addition to a safe haven for ships, the Ice Harbor developed into a prime [[BOAT BUILDING]] site on the upper Mississippi. The [[IOWA IRON WORKS]] and later the [[DUBUQUE BOAT AND BOILER WORKS]] constructed vessels along the harbor's north side.		In addition to a safe haven for ships, the Ice Harbor developed into a prime [[BOAT BUILDING]] site on the upper Mississippi. The [[IOWA IRON WORKS]] and later the [[DUBUQUE BOAT AND BOILER WORKS]] constructed vessels along the harbor's north side.

Randylyon at 16:51, 16 October 2026

2026-10-16T16:51:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:51, 16 October 2026
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	While Dubuque was attempting to improve its waterfront, Congressional financing attempted to develop a winter harbor for riverboats. For the Upper Mississippi, an ice harbor had to offer certain characteristics: the site had to provide absolute safety in a bay with still water and freedom from running ice at all stages of the river; sufficient depth to float vessels of any kind; and accessibility to the main channel, stockyards, machines shops and all other facilities of a large town. (24) Various sites were studied by the United States Army Corps of Engineers before it proposed widening and dredging Waples Cut. (25)		While Dubuque was attempting to improve its waterfront, Congressional financing attempted to develop a winter harbor for riverboats. For the Upper Mississippi, an ice harbor had to offer certain characteristics: the site had to provide absolute safety in a bay with still water and freedom from running ice at all stages of the river; sufficient depth to float vessels of any kind; and accessibility to the main channel, stockyards, machines shops and all other facilities of a large town. (24) Various sites were studied by the United States Army Corps of Engineers before it proposed widening and dredging Waples Cut. (25)

	Waples Cut, however, had its problems. It was constantly filling in from deposits for the sewers, muddy water typical of the Mississippi, and debris from lumber rafts. (26) In 1882 little of the area had more than two feet of water when the river was low. This could lead to boats freezing in the mud and then sinking when the water rose in the spring. (27) In 1882 Congress appropriated twenty thousand dollars to dredge down six feet below the low-water mark and provide room for twenty steamers and fifty barges. In 1884 Congress appropriated another twenty thousand dollars for the ice harbor. (28) By 1885 most of the work had been accomplished.		[[Image:1884 proposal.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|1884 government proposal]] Waples Cut, however, had its problems. It was constantly filling in from deposits for the sewers, muddy water typical of the Mississippi, and debris from lumber rafts. (26) In 1882 little of the area had more than two feet of water when the river was low. This could lead to boats freezing in the mud and then sinking when the water rose in the spring. (27) In 1882 Congress appropriated twenty thousand dollars to dredge down six feet below the low-water mark and provide room for twenty steamers and fifty barges. In 1884 Congress appropriated another twenty thousand dollars for the ice harbor. (28) By 1885 most of the work had been accomplished.

	In addition to a safe haven for ships, the Ice Harbor developed into a prime [[BOAT BUILDING]] site on the upper Mississippi. The [[IOWA IRON WORKS]] and later the [[DUBUQUE BOAT AND BOILER WORKS]] constructed vessels along the harbor's north side.		In addition to a safe haven for ships, the Ice Harbor developed into a prime [[BOAT BUILDING]] site on the upper Mississippi. The [[IOWA IRON WORKS]] and later the [[DUBUQUE BOAT AND BOILER WORKS]] constructed vessels along the harbor's north side.

Randylyon at 02:17, 11 July 2024

2024-07-11T02:17:00Z

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	In January 1990 the Dubuque City Council rezoned thirteen acres on the northern side of the Ice Harbor from heavy industrial to commercial-recreational. This was done without receiving an opinion of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the use of the harbor. The importance of the issue was that if the corps did not dredge the harbor, the city would have to pay about $200,000 for the work. (56) In February the city was told by the Army Corps of Engineers that the center of the harbor would still be dredged since there was still commercial activity. The city would have to pay $15,000 to dredge a forty-foot area where the gambling boat would dock. (57)		In January 1990 the Dubuque City Council rezoned thirteen acres on the northern side of the Ice Harbor from heavy industrial to commercial-recreational. This was done without receiving an opinion of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the use of the harbor. The importance of the issue was that if the corps did not dredge the harbor, the city would have to pay about $200,000 for the work. (56) In February the city was told by the Army Corps of Engineers that the center of the harbor would still be dredged since there was still commercial activity. The city would have to pay $15,000 to dredge a forty-foot area where the gambling boat would dock. (57)

	September 20, 1990 was the last day of demolition in the Ice Harbor in preparation for the construction of buildings associated with riverboat gambling industry. The only building remaining was a three-story brick warehouse to be converted into the Iowa Welcome Center and the buildings housing the Woodward Riverboat Museum and the National Rivers Hall of Fame. (58) The city of Dubuque paid $1.75 million for land owned by [[MOLO ~~OIL COMPANY~~]] and Newt Marine Services and their relocation costs. (59)		September 20, 1990 was the last day of demolition in the Ice Harbor in preparation for the construction of buildings associated with riverboat gambling industry. The only building remaining was a three-story brick warehouse to be converted into the Iowa Welcome Center and the buildings housing the Woodward Riverboat Museum and the National Rivers Hall of Fame. (58) The city of Dubuque paid $1.75 million for land owned by [[MOLO COMPANIES]] and Newt Marine Services and their relocation costs. (59)

	The start of riverboat gambling on April 1, 1991 was credited with being the real “impetus” for the redevelopment of the Ice Harbor. (60) The biggest change was the addition of the [[DUBUQUE CASINO BELLE]]. (61) On land, the major change was the “expansion and conversion of a riverfront warehouse into a sort of "tourist mecca mosque." (62) The older part, rebuilt with state and private funding, housed the Welcome Center, historical exhibits and archives. The new portion, constructed by Robert Kehl, served as the headquarters of the Casino Belle. The city installed six parking lots-five paved and one to be paved in 1992 to accommodate the museum visitors and expected traffic from riverboat gambling and excursion boats. (63)		The start of riverboat gambling on April 1, 1991 was credited with being the real “impetus” for the redevelopment of the Ice Harbor. (60) The biggest change was the addition of the [[DUBUQUE CASINO BELLE]]. (61) On land, the major change was the “expansion and conversion of a riverfront warehouse into a sort of "tourist mecca mosque." (62) The older part, rebuilt with state and private funding, housed the Welcome Center, historical exhibits and archives. The new portion, constructed by Robert Kehl, served as the headquarters of the Casino Belle. The city installed six parking lots-five paved and one to be paved in 1992 to accommodate the museum visitors and expected traffic from riverboat gambling and excursion boats. (63)

Randylyon at 02:22, 25 December 2023

2023-12-25T02:22:45Z

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	An estimated thirty-three private boat owners leased frontage at $1.00 per foot annually. Before the Corps of Engineers began its $40,000 in dredging in the spring of 1961, all the pleasure boat owners were to leave. (43) This action foreshadowed the Dubuque Dock Board proposal in July, 1966 that boaters would be prohibited from living in their craft moored along city-owned land. This gradually did away with houseboats along the shore below the [[ZEBULON PIKE LOCK AND DAM]] (44)		An estimated thirty-three private boat owners leased frontage at $1.00 per foot annually. Before the Corps of Engineers began its $40,000 in dredging in the spring of 1961, all the pleasure boat owners were to leave. (43) This action foreshadowed the Dubuque Dock Board proposal in July, 1966 that boaters would be prohibited from living in their craft moored along city-owned land. This gradually did away with houseboats along the shore below the [[ZEBULON PIKE LOCK AND DAM]] (44)

	[[Image:POFD.png\|center\|thumb\|~~350px~~\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]		[[Image:POFD.png\|center\|thumb\|550px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]

	On August 4, 1973 the flood wall was dedicated. Constructed at a cost of ten years of planning and congressional lobbying, five years of construction, $12 million, and the life of one construction worker, the project included flood gates which were closed when the river's level reached sixteen-feet. The flat lands including the Ice Harbor area were now protected. (45)		On August 4, 1973 the flood wall was dedicated. Constructed at a cost of ten years of planning and congressional lobbying, five years of construction, $12 million, and the life of one construction worker, the project included flood gates which were closed when the river's level reached sixteen-feet. The flat lands including the Ice Harbor area were now protected. (45)

Randylyon at 02:21, 25 December 2023

2023-12-25T02:21:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:21, 25 December 2023
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	An estimated thirty-three private boat owners leased frontage at $1.00 per foot annually. Before the Corps of Engineers began its $40,000 in dredging in the spring of 1961, all the pleasure boat owners were to leave. (43) This action foreshadowed the Dubuque Dock Board proposal in July, 1966 that boaters would be prohibited from living in their craft moored along city-owned land. This gradually did away with houseboats along the shore below the [[ZEBULON PIKE LOCK AND DAM]] (44)		An estimated thirty-three private boat owners leased frontage at $1.00 per foot annually. Before the Corps of Engineers began its $40,000 in dredging in the spring of 1961, all the pleasure boat owners were to leave. (43) This action foreshadowed the Dubuque Dock Board proposal in July, 1966 that boaters would be prohibited from living in their craft moored along city-owned land. This gradually did away with houseboats along the shore below the [[ZEBULON PIKE LOCK AND DAM]] (44)

	[[Image:~~POFB~~.png\|center\|thumb\|350px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]		[[Image:POFD.png\|center\|thumb\|350px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]

	On August 4, 1973 the flood wall was dedicated. Constructed at a cost of ten years of planning and congressional lobbying, five years of construction, $12 million, and the life of one construction worker, the project included flood gates which were closed when the river's level reached sixteen-feet. The flat lands including the Ice Harbor area were now protected. (45)		On August 4, 1973 the flood wall was dedicated. Constructed at a cost of ten years of planning and congressional lobbying, five years of construction, $12 million, and the life of one construction worker, the project included flood gates which were closed when the river's level reached sixteen-feet. The flat lands including the Ice Harbor area were now protected. (45)

Randylyon at 02:19, 25 December 2023

2023-12-25T02:19:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:19, 25 December 2023
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	An estimated thirty-three private boat owners leased frontage at $1.00 per foot annually. Before the Corps of Engineers began its $40,000 in dredging in the spring of 1961, all the pleasure boat owners were to leave. (43) This action foreshadowed the Dubuque Dock Board proposal in July, 1966 that boaters would be prohibited from living in their craft moored along city-owned land. This gradually did away with houseboats along the shore below the [[ZEBULON PIKE LOCK AND DAM]] (44)		An estimated thirty-three private boat owners leased frontage at $1.00 per foot annually. Before the Corps of Engineers began its $40,000 in dredging in the spring of 1961, all the pleasure boat owners were to leave. (43) This action foreshadowed the Dubuque Dock Board proposal in July, 1966 that boaters would be prohibited from living in their craft moored along city-owned land. This gradually did away with houseboats along the shore below the [[ZEBULON PIKE LOCK AND DAM]] (44)

	On August 4, 1973 the flood wall was dedicated. Constructed at a cost of ten years of planning and congressional lobbying, five years of construction, $12 million, and the life of one construction ~~workers~~, the project included flood gates which were closed when the river's level reached sixteen-feet. The flat lands including the Ice Harbor area were now protected. (45)		[[Image:POFB.png\|center\|thumb\|350px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]

			On August 4, 1973 the flood wall was dedicated. Constructed at a cost of ten years of planning and congressional lobbying, five years of construction, $12 million, and the life of one construction worker, the project included flood gates which were closed when the river's level reached sixteen-feet. The flat lands including the Ice Harbor area were now protected. (45)

	By 1974 the years of the Ice Harbor being a site of manufacturing seemed well past. In June three members of the Dubuque Dock Commission informed a city consultant that they would endorse two proposals for the land once owned by the Dubuque Boat and Boiler Works. One plan, a product of a committee of the [[DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE]] called for parkland around the north and west shores of the harbor. (46) The second proposal from [[KEHL, Robert\|Robert KEHL ]] envisioned the construction of an arcade with shops, a restaurant, a museum and other tourist attractions, a pedestrian plaza and a boat-docking facility on the harbor. (47) A land-use plan for the area bordered by Dove Harbor, the river, and the Ice Harbor was commissioned of Westbrook, a planner for Victor Gruen Associates, Inc. who had prepared a master plan for Dubuque in the 1960s.		By 1974 the years of the Ice Harbor being a site of manufacturing seemed well past. In June three members of the Dubuque Dock Commission informed a city consultant that they would endorse two proposals for the land once owned by the Dubuque Boat and Boiler Works. One plan, a product of a committee of the [[DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE]] called for parkland around the north and west shores of the harbor. (46) The second proposal from [[KEHL, Robert\|Robert KEHL ]] envisioned the construction of an arcade with shops, a restaurant, a museum and other tourist attractions, a pedestrian plaza and a boat-docking facility on the harbor. (47) A land-use plan for the area bordered by Dove Harbor, the river, and the Ice Harbor was commissioned of Westbrook, a planner for Victor Gruen Associates, Inc. who had prepared a master plan for Dubuque in the 1960s.

Randylyon at 19:13, 2 April 2023

2023-04-02T19:13:26Z

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	In 2016 the Grand River Center hosted more than 180,000 people, bringing in more than $9.5 million in economic impact to the Dubuque area. More than 55,000 of those people came from out of town, and on average, each person spent about $175 during their time in Dubuque. The Grand River Center hosted events on 332 of the 365 days during 2016, was named a 2016 Best of MidAmerica Award Winner by '''Meetings Focus Magazine,''' and intended to launch a brand new website in 2017. (78)		In 2016 the Grand River Center hosted more than 180,000 people, bringing in more than $9.5 million in economic impact to the Dubuque area. More than 55,000 of those people came from out of town, and on average, each person spent about $175 during their time in Dubuque. The Grand River Center hosted events on 332 of the 365 days during 2016, was named a 2016 Best of MidAmerica Award Winner by '''Meetings Focus Magazine,''' and intended to launch a brand new website in 2017. (78)

			By 2023 the former site of boat manufacturing had become a thriving center of business development. One major challenge to the future of the area was--trains. While access to the Port of Dubuque could be achieved by driving along East 5th Street, the presence of trains blocking traffic could result in waits exceeding ten minutes. The less risky route, but a longer one, was using the West Third Street overpass. In April, 2023 the merger of two major railroads made this approach the most used.

			The merger involved the Canadian Pacific Railway acquisition of the Kansas City Southern Railway Company. The official date of the merger, April, 14, 2023, would result in the first single-line rail option spanning Canada, the United States, and Mexico and would allow the movement of a variety of commodities from grain to automotive parts. For residents of Dubuque, Bellevue, and Guttenberg, the Surface Transportation Board estimated that in previous years there were 11.5 trains per day moving through the area. With the merger the number of trains would increase to nearly 18.

			City officials in Dubuque were considering the construction of pedestrian and vehicle overpass at the 14th Street railroad crossing. In 2022 the city obtained a $2.3 million federal grant to design and engineer the project. More funding was possible through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

			City officials were also working with a Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study to seek approval of a Federal Railroad Administration implementation of "quiet zones" at the city's crossings which would prohibit trains from sounding their horns when approaching crossings. Officials familiar with the proposal expected that a number of improvements would need to be made in the crossings before such a zone would be approved. (79)


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	78. Hanson, Brad. "Grand River Center Brings in Nearly $10 Million for Dubuque," KWWL.com. Dec. 30, 2016, Online: http://www.kwwl.com/story/34155403/2016/12/30/grand-river-center-brings-in-nearly-10-million-for-dubuque		78. Hanson, Brad. "Grand River Center Brings in Nearly $10 Million for Dubuque," KWWL.com. Dec. 30, 2016, Online: http://www.kwwl.com/story/34155403/2016/12/30/grand-river-center-brings-in-nearly-10-million-for-dubuque

			79. Kruse, John, "Railway Merger on Track to Raise Local Train Traffic," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 25, 2023, p 1

Randylyon at 16:02, 31 August 2021

2021-08-31T16:02:23Z

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	[[Category: Landmarks]]		[[Category: Landmarks]]
	[[Category: Postcards]]		[[Category: Postcards]]
			[[Category: Map]]

Randylyon at 19:48, 19 October 2019

2019-10-19T19:48:21Z

← Older revision	Revision as of 19:48, 19 October 2019
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		See: [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER PORTS OF EASTERN IOWA AND WESTERN ILLINOIS]]

Randylyon at 17:13, 16 October 2019

2019-10-16T17:13:50Z

@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 [[Image:dubuquecentral-2.gif|right|thumb|400px|Confidence in the “currency” came from the names of important Dubuque residents who were stockholders in the company.]]
 [[Image:imp601.jpg|left|thumb|350px|Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque, Iowa]]
 In 1858 Congress designated Dubuque a "Port of Entry." Waples Cut was by then evolving into a protective harbor in which barges and other river craft escaped the ravages of winter and crushing ice floes in the spring.
@@ Line 131: / Line 150: @@
 The naming of the area was a small part of the activity surrounding the Ice Harbor in 1986. The Dubuque Development Corporation in May, 1986 suggested that the Fourth Street peninsula could become a river and historical theme park capable of attracting a million tourists annually.  The Corporation’s Ice Harbor committee was expected to suggest a park stretching from the north side of the harbor across largely unused or vacant land to Fourth Street and the [[DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY]].  The theme park would offer tourist-related business and recreational activities including the possibility of canal and carriage rides.
-Development would be made in coordinated steps with existing businesses including [[ROBERT'S RIVER RIDES]] which brought an estimated 200,000 visitors annually, the proposed [[HARBOR PLACE MALL]], the planned National Rivers Hall of Fame and non-tourist businesses on the peninsula.  The Development Corporation also announced that it had commissioned [[DURRANT GROUP]] to study expanding the concepts of the Ice Harbor included in the 1984 Welton Beckett economic development report.  The city’s Department of Community Development found that the Corporation’s announced study was not unique. Since 1973 there had been eight studies or meetings on the potential of the Fourth Street peninsula.  (54)
+Development would be made in coordinated steps with existing businesses including [[ROBERT'S RIVER RIDES]] which brought an estimated 200,000 visitors annually, the proposed [[HARBOR PLACE MALL]], the planned National Rivers Hall of Fame and non-tourist businesses on the peninsula.  The Development Corporation also announced that it had commissioned [[DURRANT GROUP (THE)]] to study expanding the concepts of the Ice Harbor included in the 1984 Welton Beckett economic development report.  The city’s Department of Community Development found that the Corporation’s announced study was not unique. Since 1973 there had been eight studies or meetings on the potential of the Fourth Street peninsula.  (54)
 Believing the riverboat gambling would encourage commercial and recreational development of the entire peninsula, city officials in 1989 proposed designating the 90-acres as an urban renewal area. The designation would allow the city to finance public improvement, develop aid, and condemn land for new uses. (55)
@@ Line 166: / Line 185: @@
-(Photo Courtesy: http://www.dubuquepostcards.com)
+[[Image:TIMELINE.png|left|thumb|750px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald, Nov. 10, 2008, p. 56]]
 [[Image:imp602.jpg|left|thumb|350px|Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]
 [[Image:ICESKATING.gif|left|thumb|250px|Postcard featuring iceskating.]]
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 [[Image:museum-aquarium.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Situated on the site of the Dubuque Boat and Boiler Works, this building signifies a new major attraction to the city.]]
 [[Image:djcasino-2.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The Diamond Jo Casino attracts thousands to the ice harbor to gamble or enjoy its entertainment.]]
 ---