Dubuque — Population: 57,686
Nestled in the limestone bluffs of the upper Mississippi River, Dubuque, Iowa, is
a city of firsts. Dubuque has the unique distinction of being Iowa's oldest city
and the first Main Street program in the state. Yet, its number one status is not
limited to the state level. In 1985, Dubuque was one of the first seven communities
in the nation to be chosen for the National Main Street Center's Urban Main Street
Program. Ten years later, the city was one of first five communities in the nation
to receive the Great American Main Street Award for its success in downtown revitalization.
Dubuque's central business district is a 70-block area, which also serves as the town's center for arts and tourism, consists of a wide array of architectural styles found in eight distinct districts: Historic Old Main, Upper Main/Farmers' Market, Cable Car Square, Ice Harbor, Couler, Jackson Park, Historic Millwork, and Town Clock. Dubuque's vintage neighborhoods, old churches, and waterfront district make this eastern Iowa town San Francisco scenic and a Hollywood motion picture favorite. Visit Dubuque!
Dubuque Main Street
1069 Main Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
phone: 563/588-4400
fax: 563/588-0645
email: office@dubuquemainstreet.org
www.dubuquemainstreet.org
Town History
Dubuque first appeared on a map in the mid-1600s. The town's namesake, French settler Julien Dubuque, was deeded the land that later would become Dubuque from the Mesquaki Indians in 1788. The first boundaries of the town were established in 1837.
Landmarks and Unique Local Features
Downtown Districts on the National Register of Historic Places:
- Cathedral Historic District
- Jackson Park Historic District
- Old Main Historic District (a/k/a Lower Main Street District)
Downtown Buildings on the National Register of Historic Places:
- Andrew-Ryan House
- John Bell Block (a/k/a German Bank & Trust Building)
- Bishop's Block
- Carnegie-Stout Public Library
- Central High School Building
- Diamond Jo Boat Store and Office (a/k/a Dubuque Tank Terminal Co. & Inland Molasses Co Operations)
- Dubuque City Hall
- Dubuque County Courthouse
- Dubuque County Jail
- Dubuque YMCA Building (a/k/a Iowa Inn)
- Fenelon Place Elevator
- German Bank (a/k/a Silver Dollar Tavern)
- Grand Opera House
- Hollenfelz House (a/k/a St. Mary’s High School for Boys)
- Orpheum Theater and Site (a/k/a Majestic Theatre)
- Redstone Building
- Security Building (a/k/a/ The Sampfer Building)
- St. Luke’s Methodist Episcopal Church
- Town Clock Building (a/k/a Spensley Building)
- William M. Black Dredge
- Washington Park
- Ziepprecht Block
Annual Events
Here are just some of the hundreds of downtown Dubuque happenings!
- January – Bald Eagle Watch
- May - October – Dubuque Farmers Market
- May – Dubuquefest
- May – Old House Enthusiast House Tours
- May – True Kick-off to Summer
- June – America’s River Festival
- June – Dubuque…And All That Jazz!
- July – Dubuque…And All That Jazz!
- July – Rock n Soul on the River
- August – Taste of Dubuque
- August – Dubuque…And All That Jazz!
- August – Summerfest Dubuque
- August – Irish Hooley
- August – Summer’s Last Blast
- September – Dubuque…And All That Jazz!
- October – Fall Into Art Gallery Tour
- October – Voices from the Warehouse District
- October – Cable Car Chili Cook-off/Tri States Largest Chili Cook-Off
- November – Mercy Festival of Trees
Low Interest Loan/Grant Programs & Commercial Property
For more information about available downtown commercial property and loan and grant programs for downtown Dubuque businesses and property owners, contact Dubuque Main Street at 563/588-4400.