Dubuque - Prairie

Dubuque, Iowa - Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin

August 6 - The GPS is giving me a choice of three different routes and I’m not sure which to follow.  I have a little trouble with the directions getting out of Dubuque and across the Mississippi River and on my way, but it works out.  

At Dickeyville, Iowa, I stop for the amazing Holly Ghost Parish Church with its extremely ornate Grotto and Shrines. This was built by a priest in1918- 1931.

The rocks and gems in the construction are amazing

There may be some more recent additions ?

Driving out of town, a huge solar array off the road

Next stop is Lancaster, Wisconsin:

Court House

Opera House

Post Office

Another stop at Stizer, Wisconsin:

Huge grain silos are everywhere

Next stop was Fennimore, Wisconsin:

Old Railroad Depot -Museum

Old Steam Locomotive

As I drive into Prairie du Chien my first priority is to see the Mississippi River.  I take Blackhawk Avenue across the bridge to St. Feriole Island.  This Island was once the townsite which was the epicenter of the North American fur trade period.  It was built by Hercules Dousman who started as a clerk for fur trade kingpin Joseph Rolette.  He eventually worked his way to the top and became one of the wealthiest men in Wisconsin.  There are a few other historic buildings remaining here from this French Canadian beaver trade period.  This island which also was once a military fort is is now a huge city park. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prairie_du_Chien,_Wisconsin

August 7 -  I start my day going across the two Mississippi River bridges to Marquette, Iowa.  It is right on the Mississippi River front with the beautiful view of the Casino Queen Boat and Hotel.  I stop and explore for a while, it’s a great view.

The river bridge is impressive from any angle

A good thought

Emma must have been someone special

I then drive a few miles to the Effigy Mounds National Monument.  I get there just in time to get on a unexpected guided walking tour. It turned out to be a long, but slow uphill hike through dense forest.  The tour guide was extremely good, but possibly a little too thorough extending the length of the tour.  People on these tours tend to be educated and ask lots of question and the tour guide overly explained everything, making me wish that I had missed the guided tour.  

There are hundreds of these Mounds in this part of the country, but they are not really very exciting to look at, in most cases they are rather small.  They no longer do archeology of the mounds, instead they use ground penetrating radar to look for artifact or burials.  If any exposed relics are found, the tribes are consulted who usually re bury them as they consider them sacred.  The view of the river from the top of the hiking trail was great however very hazy due to the Canadian forest fires.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effigy_Mounds_National_Monument

These are mounds

Some mounds are shaped like animals hence the names

They did not listen

I then went back to Prairie du Chien to roam around the downtown area until it was time for the Villa Louis house tour.  The tour guide was excellent and the Mansion was beyond expectations.  Approximately 90 % of the interior furnishings are the original pieces, also for the most part the paint and wallpaper was redone using the exact colors of the original mansion.  The original furniture that had been held by various family members was almost all returned back to the house when it was turned into a museum.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Louis

It is a beautiful house with things years ahead of its time

The original desk of Hercules Dousman

The house is under renovation

After this, there was a craft show on the river front and a local benefit food event with beer, corn on the cob and watermelon, really good stuff !

This bar looks like the original train depot ?

A brat, corn, watermelon and a farm rescue beer

I then return to  downtown Prairie du Chien where I find a live music jam session going on at the Tavern Bar which is filled with people, there were many local players, all okay and a few who were quite good.

It's a nice old school rowdy bar atmosphere

It’s then back on a side street for the night until about 4:30 AM when city workers start making a lot of noise across the street which cuts my sleep short.

I’m excited now to be heading in the morning to Lanesboro, Minnesota to visit my old New Jersey buddy Gordon Tindall and his wife Van for a few days.

Cedar Rapids - Dubuque, Iowa

Cedar Falls - Dubuque, Iowa 

August 3 - I drive across the city and then into the wide open Corn country.  It’s a nice break from the wild drivers, the rough roads, the four way stops and one way stops and closed roads chaos of the city.  As usual, I make several stops. Lots of photos were taken and the hardest part is to pick which ones to use, you only see a few here.   

Anamosa, Iowa:

This must be a fun bar

Grant Woods display

Ruthie must be fun too !

Dyersville, Iowa:

Their famous bridge

This town is all about "The Field of Dreams"

Once arriving in Dubuque, Iowa I stop to regroup and decide where to go in the downtown area and places to overnight.  I actually made a great choice by following route 20 which goes directly to the Mississippi River Port area.  I park on Main Street, no parking charge after 5 PM, lots of open spots being a Sunday evening, I like that. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubuque,_Iowa

I then take a short walk, lots of really great murals and building architecture as this is an old part of the city.  This city has quite an interesting history due to its location on the Mississippi River and the Railroad.  I then stop for a beer and a meal, both were very good, I'M off the a good start.  

I had looked up the Diamond Jo Casino which is a short distance away in the port area.  They allow overnight campers, very convenient and nice of them, but I will probably pay them more than the cost of a real campsite, but what fun is that ?   

               

August 4 - I explore Main Street which is an old section of town and Dubuque is the oldest city in Iowa.  It was founded in 1796 by a French trapper, Julien Dubuque who had good relations with the local Meskwaki Indian chief and married his daughter.  It quickly became a prosperous site due to both the Railroad and a Mississippi River connection.  It’s unusual, but both the rail and the river connection is still vibrant here today.  This city has much great architecture and the old downtown remains pretty vibrant.  It appears that they are very much into historic preservation.

Dr Ada Hayden, first woman to receive Ph.D at Iowa State  

I agree !

The great clock tower

 

I then discover the Fenelon Place Elevator or the fourth street Elevator ride up the steep incline, started for personal use by  local banker J.K. Graves in 1882 to enable him time to go home to eat and take a nap on his lunch break.  It eventually became so popular that it opened to the public and continues to this day.  It has been rebuilt and improved upon several times, I paid attention to the condition of the rails and ties on the ride up.

View of the city from the top

 I had a very busy day, I stopped at the post office, of course there were murals inside, then went to the beautiful Carneigie  Library for a while.  Driving around, I find several other interesting murals and the beautiful Dubuque County Court House. 

A very hard look

The court House is very impressive

A famous Stout family member

Carneigie Library

 I then go to the Port of Dubuque and walk the river trail to the historic Shot Tower where a freight train is waiting for a riverboat to pass through the swing bridge.  Luckily, I just happen to be there when the river boat passes through and docks, pretty cool !

An amazing story

 

Waiting for the bridge to close

  

The Shot Tower

Cruise ship coming to port

I then go to the National Mississippi River Museum with it’s vast exhibits, a two day event to see it all.  Then a drive to the burial monument of Dubuque’s founder Julien Dubuque which resides on a hilltop with a scenic view overlooking the city of Dubuque.  As I was there, a long barge pushed by a tugboat came into sight on the river and passed.

This dredge boat was an amazing exhibit 

   

I then stop for a beer to end my day at the Star Brewery Complex adjacent to the Shot Tower where I find that it was the oldest and largest and breweries in Dubuque. It could be  the brewing history museum of Dubuque with all  the display memorabilia of its past glory on the ground level.  It has closed and changed hands several times over the years and is now open again.

Very impressive old brewery

This machinery remains

August 5 - I spend a couple hours at the library followed by a return to the Mississippi River Museum to complete my tour.

 

Old print of the city

Old print of the Shot Tower

  

I reserved a motel room for the night and the room is fine, in spite of the poor reviews.  In the morning, the plan is to get on the road around 9 AM heading for Prairie du Chien.