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.
JESSE P. FARLEY MANSION
JESSE P. FARLEY MANSION. Located on the western side of Bluff Street across from WASHINGTON PARK, the home of Jesse P. FARLEY was constructed in 1879 at a cost of $20,000 and considered one of Dubuque's most elegant homes. It contained twelve rooms, an attic, and a basement.
The family lived in the residence for only twelve years. Financial ruin brought about by a lengthy and costly legal battle forced the family to sell the house in 1892. The SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (BVM) purchased the home on March 30, 1892 for $15,000. Remodeling was done and the institution was called the Saint Francis Home. Twenty boarders were cared for by four Sisters. A three-story brick addition to the home was dedicated on October 2, 1900.
Continued pressure for available space led to the purchase on April 30, 1909 of a lot to the north of the original Farley residence. Four old brick buildings were demolished and plans were made in May 1911 for a 70- by 38-foot addition maintaining the SECOND EMPIRE ARCHITECTURE style. This was dedicated on December 11, 1911. The institution was renamed MARY OF THE ANGELS HOME. This provided shelter for eighty regular boarders with ten Sisters in charge.