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 AND SIOUX CITY RAILROAD
DUBUQUE AND SIOUX CITY RAILROAD. The Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad came about after Morris K. Jesup forced the DUBUQUE AND PACIFIC RAIL ROAD COMPANY into receivership in 1860.
The first survey of the Dubuque and Sioux City Railway was made in 1857, but it was not until 1866 that the first train reached Iowa Falls. On April 15 a large crowd of people met the train at its arrival. A three-day celebration was held; a special excursion train ran from Dubuque to Iowa Falls on April 24th. Both the Dubuque Herald and Dubuque Times carried stories of the celebration. Evening entertainment, dinner and dancing were held at Sayer's Hall. The following day the excursion returned to Dubuque where another grand celebration was held.
In 1867 the Illinois Central, which had progressed beyond Galena, Illinois and across the MISSISSIPPI RIVER to Dubuque, Iowa, leased the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, extending its western line to Iowa Falls. This line reached Sioux City in 1870.
