Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
DUBUQUE WAGON BRIDGE
DUBUQUE WAGON BRIDGE. First highway link between Iowa and Illinois. The bridge, built in place of a pontoon bridge, was the concept of Mr. C. L. Strobel, a consulting engineer from Chicago, who had been hired to design a pontoon bridge between Dubuque and East Dubuque. Strobel suggested a high bridge would eliminate the need to build a draw through which boats could pass.
H. E. Horton, hired to build the pontoon bridge, immediately urged the acceptance of the new plans saying that such a bridge could be constructed for $120,000. This compared with the cost of $80,000 for a pontoon bridge. The Dubuque company that had formed to build a bridge approved the new plans on August 9, 1886.
The Dubuque City Council appropriated $25,000 towards the cost of constructing the approach road. Funds to cover the total cost of $127,200 were raised through the sale of stock and bonds. The directors of the construction company, organized by Joseph A. RHOMBERG, involving businessmen from Dubuque and East Dubuque, included the MAYOR of Dubuque; Bernard J. O'Neill, president; John MacDonald, secretary; and A. Kammann, treasurer.
Work on the bridge began on September 7, 1886. Almost immediately there was a rumor that the federal government would stop construction because the company had failed to apply to Congress for permission to build the bridge. Further investigation revealed that the government would not be able to stop construction because the bridge did not hinder navigation. Further, government engineers had approved of the plans submitted by the bridge company.
The dedication of the completed bridge took place on November 29, 1887. The first traveler using the structure was Mrs. George Gantenbein who crossed the bridge driving a team of horses with produce for the Central Market. The bridge replaced several FERRYBOATS that began service across the MISSISSIPPI RIVER in 1827, six years before the permanent settlement of Dubuque as a community. The bridge was taken down shortly after the completion of the JULIEN DUBUQUE BRIDGE. (Photo Courtesy: http://www.dubuquepostcards.com)
