Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
FOUR MOUNDS: Difference between revisions
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While Wright may have come to Dubuque to consider the project, the construction of the home (including the plumbing and lighting) was done by Lawrence Buck. In an unusual agreement for the time, Buck agreed not to design the furnishings of the home. The Burdens, however, agreed to make no structural change to the house without Buck's approval. The mansion is believed to be the only house Buck designed in Iowa. A more traditional home was added for Burden's son, [[BURDEN, George R.|George R. BURDEN]], who married Elizabeth Adams the daughter of [[ADAMS, John Taylor|John Taylor ADAMS]]. | While Wright may have come to Dubuque to consider the project, the construction of the home (including the plumbing and lighting) was done by Lawrence Buck. In an unusual agreement for the time, Buck agreed not to design the furnishings of the home. The Burdens, however, agreed to make no structural change to the house without Buck's approval. The mansion is believed to be the only house Buck designed in Iowa. A more traditional home was added for Burden's son, [[BURDEN, George R.|George R. BURDEN]], who married Elizabeth Adams the daughter of [[ADAMS, John Taylor|John Taylor ADAMS]]. | ||
The estate may have been the scene of the | The estate may have been the scene of the last use of servants in Dubuque. Not long before her death, Mrs. Burden used the [[TELEGRAPH HERALD]] to advertise for an upstairs maid. Invitations to dinners and parties hosted by the Burdens at Four Mounds were cherished. | ||
In February 1987, the city council stated that the city could not afford to develop and maintain the property as a park. The Four Mounds Foundation, a private non-profit group, proposed to maintain the property in its natural state with public use limited to hiking and nature study. | In February 1987, the city council stated that the city could not afford to develop and maintain the property as a park. The Four Mounds Foundation, a private non-profit group, proposed to maintain the property in its natural state with public use limited to hiking and nature study. | ||
Revision as of 19:34, 3 January 2009
FOUR MOUNDS. Fifty-four acre bluff-top property east of Peru Road and north of EAGLE POINT PARK along the MISSISSIPPI RIVER. Settled by Elizabeth and George A. BURDEN in 1908, the Four Mounds property was given to the City of Dubuque in 1982 by Elizabeth Burden. Hilly and heavily wooded, the property (named for its four Indian mounds. Burden had a home constructed in the style of PRAIRIE ARCHITECTURE being made famous the same year by Frank Lloyd Wright.
While Wright may have come to Dubuque to consider the project, the construction of the home (including the plumbing and lighting) was done by Lawrence Buck. In an unusual agreement for the time, Buck agreed not to design the furnishings of the home. The Burdens, however, agreed to make no structural change to the house without Buck's approval. The mansion is believed to be the only house Buck designed in Iowa. A more traditional home was added for Burden's son, George R. BURDEN, who married Elizabeth Adams the daughter of John Taylor ADAMS.
The estate may have been the scene of the last use of servants in Dubuque. Not long before her death, Mrs. Burden used the TELEGRAPH HERALD to advertise for an upstairs maid. Invitations to dinners and parties hosted by the Burdens at Four Mounds were cherished.
In February 1987, the city council stated that the city could not afford to develop and maintain the property as a park. The Four Mounds Foundation, a private non-profit group, proposed to maintain the property in its natural state with public use limited to hiking and nature study.
In 1988 Mayor James Edward BRADY stated that the lease proposed by the Foundation meant the loss of control of the property's use to the city. He asked the city council to reconsider its 1987 budget decision and directed City Manager Kenneth GEARHART to study the possibility of the city installing a wider entrance road and maintaining the property.
The Foundation claimed in 1987 a park would not be in the best interests of the land. The Foundation called for the development of a preserve, education/research park, and scenic trail. Preserve status would protect the land against uses that would affect its scenic qualities. The educational/ research park would make the property available to local colleges that might choose to use some of the buildings on the land.
In 1987 after six months of controversy, the Foundation took responsibility for the preservation and development of Four Mounds. The city continued to own the land, but agreed to a renewable ninety-nine year lease to the Foundation.]