Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
DUBUQUE SHOOTING SOCIETY
DUBUQUE SHOOTING SOCIETY. Iowa's oldest existing club. Originally known as the Schuetzen Gesellschaft, the Society was founded in 1856. A one hundred-sixty yard range at 30th and Jackson STREETS was the scene of frequent intercity and interstate shooting competition. The area was known as "the sharpshooters' grounds." All of the charter members were of German descent, and none were native-born Dubuque residents. Among the charter members were men influential in BREWERIES, businesses, factories, RAILROADS and trades. Membership has not been a birthright, but many of the current members can trace their family names through generations of Society members. The Society was formally incorporated on June 28, 1865.
The coming of the railroad to Dubuque meant the necessity of moving the Society when tracks of the Great Western cut across the target range. On July 11, 1887, members of the Society formed into lines. With many of the members shouldering huge target rifles, the men marched north on Couler (now Central) Avenue preceded by a band. When the columns neared 30th Street, the men climbed into horse-drawn carriages for the ride to their new twenty-three acre park.
This natural amphitheater proved ideal for shooting and maintaining privacy. The park fronted the old Sageville Road, presently Highway 52 North. This site had once been the location of the county poorhouse farm. Purchased by the Society for $3800, the area was landscaped and planted in trees at the additional cost of $3,100. A meeting hall was constructed for $1000. Carriage sheds, target house, and shooting room with eight targets linked to electric bells cost another $1100.
Papers were filed to reincorporate on May 17, 1890. It was at this time that the name was changed to the Dubuque Shooting Society. The Society expanded twice. The first came after World War I. The second followed World War ll. While each of the three clubs has its rules and procedures, all operate under the Society by-laws. The three clubs meet together twice annually, at the annual meeting in February and at a picnic in July.
The oldest club is the 330 named for the time of meeting every other Thursday afternoon. The group formed after World War I and called the 660 Club met after the dinner hour of 7:00 p.m. on alternate Thursdays. In 1949 the 990 Club was formed with no special significance to the name. This club began its meetings every second Monday at 5:00 p.m.
The Society has often shared its facilities with the community with several thousand annually attending such events as receptions, reunions, and political events. Three hundred guests have been accommodated at one time. Today invitations to meetings and special events from club members are considered cherished honors.
The importance of the Society to Dubuque led the City Council on June 14, 1978, to halt plans to route a divided, four-lane highway through Society property. Society members at the time expressed their fear such an intrusion would mean the end to the clubs and park.