HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES AND TYPES IN DUBUQ

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HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES AND TYPES IN DUBUQUE Jackson Park The redevelopment of Jackson Park from the town cemetery into a large public park during the 1870s spurred the spread housing into this area. Jackson Park historic district is distinctive for the number of large, high-style homes demonstrating a remarkable level of craftsmanship and unusual local variants on national styles designed by local architects. From the 1860s through the 1890s prominent citizens and wealthy industrialists either built their showcase homes conspicuously “on the hill” overlooking the town and River below, or in the desirable “upper teens” between 10th and 17th Streets. Public institutions serving the nouveau-riches located in this area as well, including a considerable number of religious institutions catering to multiple denominations. Characteristics of this area included high density residential development centered around large, prominent homes, institutional buildings and greenspaces; wide brick paved streets with limestone curbs and low retaining walls; secondary structures located at the rear of the property and accessed by alleys; elaborate iron fencing; street trees in the right of way; and park-like landscaping on the larger lots. West 11th Street Like the Jackson Park District north of downtown, the West 11th Street district is most notable for the high-profile upper-class residences that were prominently situated “on the hill”, i.e. on the bluff overlooking the town below. The styles, scale, materials, and location of these homes served as a clear demonstration of the wealth, position, and power of the individuals who could command the resources to construct these homes. Moving west away from the bluffs edge the housing assumes a more modest character, with smaller scales, smaller lots, and a higher density of development. A wide range of architectural styles and types are represented in the district, including some unusual and eclectic variants of national styles. Characteristics of this area included low density residential development along the bluffs with increased density and smaller homes to the west; massive limestone retaining walls along the bluff with lower versions to the west; decorative wood and iron fencing; and the location of secondary structures to the rear of lots or inserted into the topography.   xiii

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Langworthy Named for the Langworthy family, the members of which were influential in the settlement and development of both Iowa in general and Dubuque in particular, this residential district has a rambling, suburban character that is clearly distinct from the more dense urban setting of the districts near the downtown. Edward Langworthy’s Octagon House designed by John Rague is the showpiece of the district, but this district also is notable for its excellent range of typically “American” residential architectural styles from the 1890s through the 1920s. A wide variety of styles and economic levels are reflected in the mix of smaller bungalows, American Four-squares, and Tudors, mixed with the larger and more showy Classical and Mission Revivals, and Queen Annes. Characteristics of the district include relatively low development density with large houses on large lots; wide streets; fewer limestone retaining walls due to the more level topography; and secondary structures set at the side or rear of the property and accessed by driveways. Cathedral The Cathedral District draws its name and its character from St. Raphael’s Cathedral. The massive Gothic Revival structure serves as the centerpiece of the district, and is a clear signifier of the predominantly Irish Catholic immigrant community that settled this area in the 1850 through the 1880s. The district is composed largely of very densely developed worker-class housing on and around the south end of Bluff Street and Cable Car Square, giving the area a distinctly urban character. Most of the earliest wooden structures have been removed, renovated or replaced with more durable dwellings, but the district still retains its defining features. These include high density development of small structures very closed spaced on small lots, and minimal setbacks with little or no fencing or retaining wall features (with the exception of the homes on St. Mary’s). Larger high-style homes and institutional buildings constructed during the 1880s and 1890s infill lots in the northern end of the district. More recently, many of the homes on Bluff have been converted to commercial usage in and around Cable Car Square, creating a lively mixed use environment. HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES AND TYPES IN DUBUQUE xiv

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HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES AND TYPES IN DUBUQUE Old Main Although badly damaged and reduced by urban renewal efforts of the 1970s, the traditional commercial downtown area of Main Street does retain groupings of several important and architectural significant commercial structures built during the period immediately following the Civil War. Demolition, new parking, and redevelopment have separated the original “street wall” of similarly scaled and styled two and three story brick commercial structures that served as the center of commercial and retail activity for Dubuque from the 1840s through the 1960s. The style, scale and settings of the buildings, combined with the nature of the activities in this area give the Old Main district a distinctly urban, commercial character that is unique in Dubuque. Some of its defining features includes two and three story brick buildings complexly filling their narrow deep lots; prominent glazed storefronts at the first floor level with residential or rental spaces above; minimal setbacks fronting onto wide sidewalks and a wide central thoroughfare; little or no landscaping or fencing; interesting and unusual signage projecting from the storefronts; and rear alleys to provide access for deliveries and refuse collection. xv