Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Organization whose goals are the promotion of the Dubuque area for a broad range of commercial and industrial activities and promotion of the quality of life in the Dubuque area.
The Chamber is a member of a long line of organizations whose goal has been to improve the business climate of the city. The first BOARD OF TRADE was organized on September 28,1854, at a meeting held in the Globe Hotel. The officers included F. V. Goodrick, president; Edwin James, Jr., secretary; and M. Mobley, treasurer. Efforts were made by this group to expand the trade territory of Dubuque, but the organization, faced with the hardships caused by the CIVIL WAR, lasted only a few years before disbanding.
On January 8, 1876, the second Board of Trade was founded at a meeting held in the offices of the Dubuque Agricultural Society. Henry S. HETHERINGTON was elected president and John Samuel HANCOCK, secretary. Membership grew from ninety-six members in the first year to one hundred fifty the second year. In 1911 this organization, renamed the COMMERCIAL CLUB, sponsored the Dubuque Industrial Corporation that raised funds to attract the BRUNSWICK-BALKE-COLLENDER COMPANY, the first large industrial firm to locate in the city.
The Commercial Club members on February 16,1920, changed the name of their group to the Dubuque Chamber of Commerce. In 1922 when the Chamber purchased the former site of the DUBUQUE CLUB, it became one of the few Chambers of Commerce in the United States to be the owner of a modern building in which civic activities could be centered.
In 1928 a special committee of the Chamber was instrumental in combining the fund drives of the Dubuque Boy Scouts, DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB, YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.M.C.A.), YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.W.C.A.), Sunshine Circle, MOUNT PLEASANT HOME, HILLCREST BABY FOLD, Salvation Army, and VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION into Dubuque's Community Chest, the predecessor of the United Fund and United Way.
In 1929 the Chamber sponsored the first annual "Made in Dubuque" week to showcase Dubuque businesses. A "Miss Dubuque was chosen.
During the years of the Great Depression, the Chamber championed aviation and encouraged the city to plan on the development of an airport. An estimated 400 farmers, business, and professional people attended the first annual Tri-County Indoor Picnic at the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE. The following year, at least 10,000 people attended the Dubuque County Farm Bureau Picnic at UNION PARK sponsored by the Retail Merchants' Bureau of the Chamber. The Dubuque Chamber hosted representatives of fourteen other cities in 1930 at the Upper Mississippi River Conference to push for a nine-foot MISSISSIPPI RIVER channel. The same year, by special action of the Board of Directors of the Chamber, a Credit Rating Bureau was established.
The Centennial Celebration in Dubuque in September 1930 marked the Black Hawk Purchase Treaty of June 1, 1833; the 145th anniversary of the settlement of Dubuque; and the 103rd anniversary of the city on its present site. Various committees of the Chamber worked for years on this event.
In 1991 the Chamber received a Certificate of Achievement in the field of member retention awarded by the National Association of Membership Directors.
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Source:
Pamphlet. "Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Celebrating Its 60th Anniversary March 31, 1976