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Encyclopedia Dubuque

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DUBUQUE ATHLETIC FIELD: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:dubuquepennantjm.jpg|left|thumb|450px|Photo courtesy: Jim Massey]]DUBUQUE ATHLETIC FIELD. The Dubuque Athletic Field on what was known as the Fourth Street Extension between Dubuque and the bridge leading to East Dubuque, was originally a network of sloughs and islands. In the 1850s part of it was platted and became city land. The [[STANDARD LUMBER COMPANY]] was allowed to use it for their lumber yards. The land lay neglected until 1912 when Alderman McLaughlin of the Second Ward obtained $2,500 from the city council to convert the property into an athletic park.
[[Image:dubuquepennantjm.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Jim Massey]]DUBUQUE ATHLETIC FIELD. The Dubuque Athletic Field, also known as the 4th Street Ball Park, on what was known as the Fourth Street Extension between Dubuque and the bridge leading to East Dubuque, was originally a network of sloughs and islands. In the 1850s part of it was platted and became city land. The [[STANDARD LUMBER COMPANY]] was allowed to use it for their lumber yards. The land lay neglected until 1912 when Alderman McLaughlin of the Second Ward obtained $2,500 from the city council to convert the property into an athletic park.


[[ADAMS, Eugene|Eugene ADAMS]], a prominent businessman, with others circulated a petition and raised and raised $8,500. Filling in the sloughs was done with refuse and dirt collected by cleaning the city streets. Debris from the fire-destroyed [[HOTEL JULIEN]] included charred lumber, stone and brick. The filling continued in 1913 with more dirt. For the construction of the [[BASEBALL]] diamond, loads of rich black dirt were used.  
[[ADAMS, Eugene|Eugene ADAMS]], a prominent businessman, with others circulated a petition and raised and raised $8,500. Filling in the sloughs was done with refuse and dirt collected by cleaning the city streets. Debris from the fire-destroyed [[HOTEL JULIEN]] included charred lumber, stone and brick. The filling continued in 1913 with more dirt. For the construction of the [[BASEBALL]] diamond, loads of rich black dirt were used.  


With the field ready, the construction of a grandstand and bleachers became the priority. The grandstand had a capacity of more than 5,000 people. For those willing to pay an additional fee, a raised platform was placed in front of the grandstand on which one hundred opera chairs were placed. Bleachers provided room for an addition 2,000 people. The cost of the construction came to $8,000. Boxes for the two teams were located under the front the grandstand. The Dubuque Athletic Field was also called the 4th Street Ball Park.
With the field ready, the construction of a grandstand and bleachers became the priority. The grandstand had a capacity of more than 5,000 people. For those willing to pay an additional fee, a raised platform was placed in front of the grandstand on which one hundred opera chairs were placed. Bleachers provided room for an addition 2,000 people. The cost of the construction came to $8,000. In addition to admission, boxes for the two teams were located under the front the grandstand. The exclusive private use of an entire box containing four seats could be purchased for twenty dollars. A single seat in a box for the entire season cost five dollars. Money collected when to the Athletic Field Committee to pay for the chairs. (1)


the Dubuque Athletic Field had its grand opening scheduled for April 28, 1914. On that day, however, rain started to fall early in the morning. "With the gloomy weather came great gobs of gloom for the baseball fans..."  
the Dubuque Athletic Field had its grand opening scheduled for April 28, 1914. On that day, however, rain started to fall early in the morning. "With the gloomy weather came great gobs of gloom for the baseball fans..."  
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Source:
Source:
1. "Dubuque Athletic Field," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', May 3, 1914, p. 17


"Rain Delays Opening New Ball Park," Telegraph Herald,
"Rain Delays Opening New Ball Park," Telegraph Herald,

Revision as of 17:37, 7 February 2018

Photo courtesy: Jim Massey

DUBUQUE ATHLETIC FIELD. The Dubuque Athletic Field, also known as the 4th Street Ball Park, on what was known as the Fourth Street Extension between Dubuque and the bridge leading to East Dubuque, was originally a network of sloughs and islands. In the 1850s part of it was platted and became city land. The STANDARD LUMBER COMPANY was allowed to use it for their lumber yards. The land lay neglected until 1912 when Alderman McLaughlin of the Second Ward obtained $2,500 from the city council to convert the property into an athletic park.

Eugene ADAMS, a prominent businessman, with others circulated a petition and raised and raised $8,500. Filling in the sloughs was done with refuse and dirt collected by cleaning the city streets. Debris from the fire-destroyed HOTEL JULIEN included charred lumber, stone and brick. The filling continued in 1913 with more dirt. For the construction of the BASEBALL diamond, loads of rich black dirt were used.

With the field ready, the construction of a grandstand and bleachers became the priority. The grandstand had a capacity of more than 5,000 people. For those willing to pay an additional fee, a raised platform was placed in front of the grandstand on which one hundred opera chairs were placed. Bleachers provided room for an addition 2,000 people. The cost of the construction came to $8,000. In addition to admission, boxes for the two teams were located under the front the grandstand. The exclusive private use of an entire box containing four seats could be purchased for twenty dollars. A single seat in a box for the entire season cost five dollars. Money collected when to the Athletic Field Committee to pay for the chairs. (1)

the Dubuque Athletic Field had its grand opening scheduled for April 28, 1914. On that day, however, rain started to fall early in the morning. "With the gloomy weather came great gobs of gloom for the baseball fans..."

The festivities were rescheduled for Thursday, April 30th.

             All factories, business houses, banks and stores 
             which were to have been closed on Tuesday afternoon 
             will be closed on Thursday afternoon, which will 
             be a half holiday in Dubuque. All schools in the 
             city, as on Tuesday, will open at 8:00 Thursday 
             morning and close at 1:00 in the afternoon so that 
             all pupils will have the opportunity of witnessing 
             the parade and the doings at the athletic park.
Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

Around 1915 the idea of making the area a skating rink was proposed. A warming house able to accommodate two hundred people was built and two large stoves were installed. Two large arc lights, one in the center of the rink were installed with other lighting placed in the grandstands so that the entire rink was illuminated. A small fee was charged for those skating.

---

Source:

1. "Dubuque Athletic Field," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, May 3, 1914, p. 17

"Rain Delays Opening New Ball Park," Telegraph Herald,