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.
POSTAL SERVICE
POSTAL SERVICE. Iowa's first post office, Dubuque Mines, was organized on May 27, 1833, within the jurisdiction of Jo Daviess County, Illinois. When Iowa was opened for white settlement on June 1, 1833, the first mail was delivered by George Ord Karrick.
The first post office in Dubuque was located on Main Street between Third and Fourth STREETS in the store of Milo H. Prentice, appointed the first postmaster in 1833. Jurisdiction over Dubuque came under the Territory of Michigan on June 28, 1834.
This period in Dubuque postal history lasted until the area fell under the control of the Wisconsin Territory from July 4, 1836, to July 3, 1838. There were several CANCELS used on letters mailed during this time. Guy Morrison became the postmaster.
During the period Iowa was part of the Wisconsin Territory, the post office location moved to 7th and Iowa Street. It shared a building with the DUBUQUE VISITOR, which was operated by John KING, the postmaster. In 1837 the post office name was changed from Dubuque’s Mines to Dubuque.
From 1849 unti11857, during the time the Globe Building served as the Dubuque post office, much of the mail was carried on the majestic STEAMBOATS on the MISSISSIPPI RIVER. The Dubuque post office moved to 6th and Iowa Street in 1857 for one year before being relocated in the Odd Fellows Hall at 8th and Locust Streets. This location too proved brief. A fire led mail deliveries to be made from the Town Clock Building.
A permanent post office was constructed at 9th and Locust Street in 1866. The present Dubuque post office was constructed in 1934. See: DUBUQUE CUSTOMHOUSE and POST OFFICE.
