Encyclopedia Dubuque
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SWISS VALLEY: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:HB9.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]SWISS VALLEY. Located south of Dubuque, Swiss Valley was a farming area in pioneer days. Its steep hills and fertile valley reminded residents from Switzerland of their native land and so the area was named. | [[Image:HB9.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]SWISS VALLEY. Located south of Dubuque, Swiss Valley was a farming area in pioneer days. Its steep hills and fertile valley reminded residents from Switzerland of their native land and so the area was named. | ||
A man named Googleman staked out, but did not live long enough, to record the location of a mining claim in the area. His farm was purchased by two families, the Baehlers and the Quades. The private cemetery of the Quades could be seen in 2015 along the northern side of Swiss Valley Road. | A man named Googleman staked out, but did not live long enough, to record the location of a mining claim in the area. His farm was purchased by two families, the Baehlers and the Quades. The private cemetery of the Quades could be seen in 2015 along the northern side of Swiss Valley Road. (1) | ||
In 1839 a grist mill was established by Glade and Etting upstream from the Baehler farm located near the modern entrance to Swiss Valley Park. Fred Baehler married Caroline Quade so all the residents in the valley were related. | In 1839 a grist mill was established by Glade and Etting upstream from the Baehler farm located near the modern entrance to Swiss Valley Park. Fred Baehler married Caroline Quade so all the residents in the valley were related. (2) | ||
On July 4, 1876 water from a large rainstorm collected in the valley and began its way toward Rockdale causing a great flood with loss of life. A Confederate spy named John Beall attempted to hide in Swiss Valley during the [[CIVIL WAR]], but was reported by a local farmer and caught. Tried by a military court, he was executed by firing squad. During [[PROHIBITION]] an illegal still was operated on the Baehler farm. Upstream from the cabin was a water-drive mill near the later location of the nature center. On the only road to the mill was a brothel. | On July 4, 1876 water from a large rainstorm collected in the valley and began its way toward Rockdale causing a great flood with loss of life. A Confederate spy named John Beall attempted to hide in Swiss Valley during the [[CIVIL WAR]], but was reported by a local farmer and caught. Tried by a military court, he was executed by firing squad. During [[PROHIBITION]] an illegal still was operated on the Baehler farm. Upstream from the cabin was a water-drive mill near the later location of the nature center. On the only road to the mill was a brothel. (3) | ||
The experiences at Swiss Valley in recent decades have focused on education. For many years, upper elementary classes visited the nature center for instruction in plants and animals they might encounter during the day and then participated in hikes led by [[WALTON, Bob|Bob WALTON]]over [[CATFISH CREEK]] into the hills. Stream studies were carried out and trout fishing was experienced. In 2013 teachers enrolled in Loras College's Communities of Exemplary Practice implemented learning in workshops with actual students. The seven day workshop taught best practices in integrating science and math with appropriate technology for middle school teachers. Teachers trained as IOWATER volunteers in biological and chemical sampling by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources taught what they had learned to other middle school students. (4) | |||
Volunteer efforts at Swiss Valley in April, 2018 cleared space of brush. The site was then to be planted with native prairie glass and flowers to replace the woody vegetation and invasive plants. The activity was part of the annual [[DUBUQUE DAYS OF CARING]]. (5) | |||
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Source: | Source: | ||
Barker, Richard A. '''Dubuque's Haunted History''', Boulder, Colorado: Trails Books, 2011, p. 152 | 1. Barker, Richard A. '''Dubuque's Haunted History''', Boulder, Colorado: Trails Books, 2011, p. 152 | ||
2. Ibid. | |||
3. Ibid. | |||
4. Becker, Stacey, "Teachers Go With the Flow," ''Telegraph Herald'', July 30, 2013, p. 1 | |||
5. Hinga, Allie, "1,300 Pitch in at Dubuque Days of Caring," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 28, 2018, p. 1 | |||
[[Category: Cemetery]] | [[Category: Cemetery]] | ||
[[Category: Parks]] | [[Category: Parks]] | ||
Revision as of 04:18, 21 September 2018
SWISS VALLEY. Located south of Dubuque, Swiss Valley was a farming area in pioneer days. Its steep hills and fertile valley reminded residents from Switzerland of their native land and so the area was named.
A man named Googleman staked out, but did not live long enough, to record the location of a mining claim in the area. His farm was purchased by two families, the Baehlers and the Quades. The private cemetery of the Quades could be seen in 2015 along the northern side of Swiss Valley Road. (1)
In 1839 a grist mill was established by Glade and Etting upstream from the Baehler farm located near the modern entrance to Swiss Valley Park. Fred Baehler married Caroline Quade so all the residents in the valley were related. (2)
On July 4, 1876 water from a large rainstorm collected in the valley and began its way toward Rockdale causing a great flood with loss of life. A Confederate spy named John Beall attempted to hide in Swiss Valley during the CIVIL WAR, but was reported by a local farmer and caught. Tried by a military court, he was executed by firing squad. During PROHIBITION an illegal still was operated on the Baehler farm. Upstream from the cabin was a water-drive mill near the later location of the nature center. On the only road to the mill was a brothel. (3)
The experiences at Swiss Valley in recent decades have focused on education. For many years, upper elementary classes visited the nature center for instruction in plants and animals they might encounter during the day and then participated in hikes led by Bob WALTONover CATFISH CREEK into the hills. Stream studies were carried out and trout fishing was experienced. In 2013 teachers enrolled in Loras College's Communities of Exemplary Practice implemented learning in workshops with actual students. The seven day workshop taught best practices in integrating science and math with appropriate technology for middle school teachers. Teachers trained as IOWATER volunteers in biological and chemical sampling by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources taught what they had learned to other middle school students. (4)
Volunteer efforts at Swiss Valley in April, 2018 cleared space of brush. The site was then to be planted with native prairie glass and flowers to replace the woody vegetation and invasive plants. The activity was part of the annual DUBUQUE DAYS OF CARING. (5)
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Source:
1. Barker, Richard A. Dubuque's Haunted History, Boulder, Colorado: Trails Books, 2011, p. 152
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Becker, Stacey, "Teachers Go With the Flow," Telegraph Herald, July 30, 2013, p. 1
5. Hinga, Allie, "1,300 Pitch in at Dubuque Days of Caring," Telegraph Herald, April 28, 2018, p. 1