FIRSTS

FIRSTS. Dubuque, the first city in Iowa, has a rich heritage of being "first" in other aspects. The following list includes many of these pioneering aspects of the city's history.

1788--The first real estate transaction was carried out between Julien DUBUQUE and the FOX. (1)

1828--The "Galena," a steamboat for trade, landed in Dubuque. (2)

1832--The first white woman to arrive in Dubuque with the idea of staying was Mrs. Noble F. Dean. The first raft of lumber was brought to Dubuque. (3)

1833--Susan Ann MCCRANEY was the first white child born in Dubuque. A Mr. Fox was the first death in Dubuque. Milo B. Prentice became the first postmaster and the first Roman Catholic mass was celebrated in the home of Patrick QUIGLEY. The first physician to arrive in Dubuque was Dr. John B. Stoddard. The first schoolhouse was constructed. (4)

1834--The first horse-powered ferry was put into operation and the city's first temperance meeting was held on March 9th. The first known marriage occurred that year between a Mr. McCabe and Miss Mary Finley. The first justice of the peace, Ira Williams, was appointed in the fall. The first Methodist society was formed on May 18th and they constructed the first house of worship. The first Sabbath School was held. (5)

1835--The first political speech delivered by George Wallace JONES was given and the first closing of stores and shops on Sunday occurred. (6) The first court held in Dubuque County was convened on January 10, 1835. (7)

1836--The city first celebrated the Fourth of July. (8) The MINERS' BANK, the first bank in Dubuque and Iowa, was chartered. The DUBUQUE VISITOR, the first newspaper west of the MISSISSIPPI RIVER (except for St Louis) was published on May 11, 1836. On May 30, 1836 the first County Board of Supervisors held its first meeting in Dubuque. The city was originally platted on July 2, 1836. (9)

1837--The first literary society was organized. Leroy Jackson built the first brick house. (10)

1858--Dubuque was made an official port of entry through the efforts of Senator George Wallace Jones. (11)

1880--The DUBUQUE ACADEMY OF MUSIC, the first school in Dubuque and Iowa to teach piano and organ exclusively, opened. (12)

1885--On November 18, 1885 Dubuque residents experienced their first electric lights in the city. The first ADAMS-FARWELL AUTOMOBILES was shown to the public in Dubuque. (13)

1918--Dubuque became the first city in Iowa to have a day school for the deaf. It was located at JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and had eight students. (14)

1920--The Daily American Tribune, the first daily Catholic newspaper printed in English, was first published in July. (15)

1934--Amelia Earhart, the famous pilot, made her first visit to Dubuque. (16)

1935--On December 9, 1935 Jay BERWANGER became the first football player to receive the Heisman Trophy from the New York Downtown Athletic Club. (17)

See: Category--Firsts

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1. Kruse, Len. "Dubuque, Iowa's First City Has Many 'Firsts'," Julien's Journal, January 1996, p. 19-20

2. "Action Line," Telegraph Herald, January 28, 1975, p. 13

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. Kruse

8. "Action Line"

9. Kruse

10."Action Line"

11. Kruse

12. Ibid.

13. Ibid.

14. Ibid.

15. Ibid.

16. Ibid.

17. Ibid.