Encyclopedia Dubuque
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COMMUNITY REST ROOMS: Difference between revisions
(New page: COMMUNITY REST ROOMS. Rest area for travelers. On April 16, 1923 the "Public Rest Room" in the Dubuque Chamber of Commerce was formally opened for accommodation of the public at 6:00 a.m. ...) |
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By August 1923 four thousand people, according to the [[TELEGRAPH HERALD]], had visited the community rest rooms. Merchants were cooperating with the Chamber of Commerce by giving each purchaser a check and delivering their parcels to the rest room where they were placed in the checking department. Before returning home, the shoppers could call at the rest rooms and claim their packages with their checks. | By August 1923 four thousand people, according to the [[TELEGRAPH HERALD]], had visited the community rest rooms. Merchants were cooperating with the Chamber of Commerce by giving each purchaser a check and delivering their parcels to the rest room where they were placed in the checking department. Before returning home, the shoppers could call at the rest rooms and claim their packages with their checks. | ||
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Revision as of 02:40, 13 December 2013
COMMUNITY REST ROOMS. Rest area for travelers. On April 16, 1923 the "Public Rest Room" in the Dubuque Chamber of Commerce was formally opened for accommodation of the public at 6:00 a.m. According to newspaper reports of the time, the opening of this rest room, "which has been a long felt want in the community will be hailed with delight by thousands of people in Dubuque and the surrounding country." Previously many people who arrived in Dubuque had been required to walk along the streets or spend their time waiting in places that might not have appeared welcoming.
Located at Ninth and Locust STREETS, the Chamber of Commerce building offered a forty foot square main room equipped with comfortable chairs and a reading table. The "private room" for ladies adjoined the main room and was also equipped with easy chairs, a couch, and reading table. The men's room was smaller, but was provided, as was the ladies', with toilet facilities and a lavatory. In the main room was a check stand where people could check, without charge, coats and packages. The rooms were left in charge of a matron whose duty was to keep the rooms in order, look after parcels, and answer questions. For those who arrived in Dubuque early in the morning, the room was opened at 6:00 a.m. The room closed at 6:00 p.m.
Every bus line entering Dubuque was asked to make the Rest Room their terminus.
The Rest Room was achieved through the combined efforts of the city council and the Chamber of Commerce. The city financed the remodeling of the room, equipment, and furnishings. The city also aided in the maintenance with an annual fee of $600. The Chamber of Commerce furnished the building and was responsible for its operation, supervision, and upkeep.
By August 1923 four thousand people, according to the TELEGRAPH HERALD, had visited the community rest rooms. Merchants were cooperating with the Chamber of Commerce by giving each purchaser a check and delivering their parcels to the rest room where they were placed in the checking department. Before returning home, the shoppers could call at the rest rooms and claim their packages with their checks.