Encyclopedia Dubuque
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TOURIST CAMPS: Difference between revisions
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A growing number of motorists began carrying supplies to create makeshift camps along the roadside at convenient and attractive locations. This solution worked until the popularity of automobile tourism exploded after [[WORLD WAR I]]; the flood of travelers camping on private property upset landowners. Some community leaders and landowners saw the potential for profit and began to establish campsites, restaurants, and stores. | A growing number of motorists began carrying supplies to create makeshift camps along the roadside at convenient and attractive locations. This solution worked until the popularity of automobile tourism exploded after [[WORLD WAR I]]; the flood of travelers camping on private property upset landowners. Some community leaders and landowners saw the potential for profit and began to establish campsites, restaurants, and stores. | ||
In an effort to attract auto tourists, many communities began constructing municipal tourist camps in city parks. Towns soon began competing for tourists and added extra conveniences including picnic tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, showers, sheltered eating and recreation areas, and electrical hookups. Communities advertised these comforts on signs leading into town. | In an effort to attract auto tourists, many communities began constructing municipal tourist camps in city parks. Towns soon began competing for tourists and added extra conveniences including picnic tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, showers, sheltered eating and recreation areas, and electrical hookups. Communities advertised these comforts on signs leading into town. | ||
In 1922 city officials announced that during the summer a tourist camp would be established at [[EAGLE POINT PARK]]. Work was being planned with the cooperation of the park commissioners, the Retail Merchants' Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce and the [[DUBUQUE AUTO CLUB]]. Visitors would be able to use the park without the payment of any kind of fee. The intended site, in the southern end of the park near the [[LOG CABIN]], would be equipped with running water, a system of sanitary drainage, and electric lights. (1) | |||
The tract for [[GTANDVIEW PARK]] was purchased in 1926-1927. By 1933 it featured a municipally owned and supervised tourist camp with city water and adequate lighting, including boulevard lamps. (2) | |||
The peak of free municipal camps was short-lived. Free camps attracted squatters and criminals. In an effort to discourage the criminal element, campsite owners began requiring users to pay a rental fee. | The peak of free municipal camps was short-lived. Free camps attracted squatters and criminals. In an effort to discourage the criminal element, campsite owners began requiring users to pay a rental fee. | ||
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Source: | |||
1. "Tourist Camp in Eagle Point Park, is Planned," ''The Telegraph-Herald'', April 28, 1922, p. 1 | |||
2. "Eagle Point and Grandview Tourist Parks Attract Many Visitors From Other States," ''Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal'', August 6, 1933, p. 23 | |||
[[Category: Parks]] | [[Category: Parks]] | ||
Revision as of 02:18, 8 April 2020
TOURIST CAMPS. At the beginning of the twentieth century, auto tourists had few places along the open road to rent a room. The majority of established hotels were located downtown. This was not an ideal situation for motorists who did not want to enter the hotel lobby after a day of dusty travel.
A growing number of motorists began carrying supplies to create makeshift camps along the roadside at convenient and attractive locations. This solution worked until the popularity of automobile tourism exploded after WORLD WAR I; the flood of travelers camping on private property upset landowners. Some community leaders and landowners saw the potential for profit and began to establish campsites, restaurants, and stores.
In an effort to attract auto tourists, many communities began constructing municipal tourist camps in city parks. Towns soon began competing for tourists and added extra conveniences including picnic tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, showers, sheltered eating and recreation areas, and electrical hookups. Communities advertised these comforts on signs leading into town.
In 1922 city officials announced that during the summer a tourist camp would be established at EAGLE POINT PARK. Work was being planned with the cooperation of the park commissioners, the Retail Merchants' Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce and the DUBUQUE AUTO CLUB. Visitors would be able to use the park without the payment of any kind of fee. The intended site, in the southern end of the park near the LOG CABIN, would be equipped with running water, a system of sanitary drainage, and electric lights. (1)
The tract for GTANDVIEW PARK was purchased in 1926-1927. By 1933 it featured a municipally owned and supervised tourist camp with city water and adequate lighting, including boulevard lamps. (2)
The peak of free municipal camps was short-lived. Free camps attracted squatters and criminals. In an effort to discourage the criminal element, campsite owners began requiring users to pay a rental fee.
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Source:
1. "Tourist Camp in Eagle Point Park, is Planned," The Telegraph-Herald, April 28, 1922, p. 1
2. "Eagle Point and Grandview Tourist Parks Attract Many Visitors From Other States," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, August 6, 1933, p. 23