CULTURAL RESOURCES AND INFLUENCES

CULTURAL RESOURCES AND INFLUENCES

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There is so much to see and do for individuals of all

ages. From the mighty Mississippi to the limestone

bluffs to the public art to the food scene to the historical

landmarks- and of course the parks- Dubuque County is a

vibrant part of Iowa that is just waiting to be explored.

The mission of the Dubuque County Conservation Board is

to have network of high quality parks, habitats, trails and

waters supported by communities passionate about nature.

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A BRIEF HISTORY AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTAges ago, when Iowa was much different than it

is today, a race of human beings not unlike the

Eskimos inhabited the territory. The great glacier

of the Mississippi Valley was, at that time, receding

toward the north. On its edge lived a race of short,

stout, flat-featured men and women. Of them, little is

known. More has been discovered about those who

succeeded the short people — the Mound Builders.

They were called Mound Builders, because all through

the Mississippi Valley, and in other portions of the United

States, especially east of the Mississippi River, are visible

mounds that were built by this ancient people. In Iowa,

many can be found in Jackson, Louisa, Clayton and

Scott Counties, as well as other areas. The largest and

best known are the Effigy Mounds in northeast Iowa.

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Situated along the Upper Mississippi River and extending

east to Lake Michigan, these mounds were built in the

shapes of birds, bear, deer, bison, lynx, turtle, panther

or the water spirit; as well as conical mounds for burial

purposes. These peoples also built linear or long

rectangular mounds that were used for ceremonial

purposes that remain a mystery. Some archaeologists

believe they were built to mark celestial events or

seasonal observances. Others speculate they were

constructed as territorial markers or as boundaries

between groups. The Effigy Mound Culture extends

from Dubuque, Iowa, north into southeast Minnesota,

across southern Wisconsin from the Mississippi River

to Lake Michigan, and along the Wisconsin-Illinois

boundary. The counties of Dubuque, Clayton, and

Allamakee contain almost all the effigy mounds found

in Iowa. Little Maquouketa Mounds is a state owned,

county managed area with a significant burial site.

The Dakota Sioux had crossed the Rocky Mountains and

followed the Missouri River and its branches eastward.

These western Native Americans were more warlike

than those of the Atlantic Coast. When the tribes

clashed, the Mound Builders were crushed. In vain,

they tried to oppose the fierce strangers invading the

territory and Iowa became a battleground. The Sioux

held the region in the north of Iowa and in Minnesota

and penetrated Wisconsin. The Algonquins surged

below them to the Missouri River, occupying the rest

of Iowa and northern Missouri. The line between the

rivals reached about from the mouth of the Upper

Iowa River to the mouth of the Big Sioux River.

LIMITED POPULATIONS OF THE ROUGH GROUSE REMAIN IN IOWA. IT HAS BEEN RUMORED FINLEY’S LANDING IS THE LAST KNOWN LOCATION.

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Iowa was an ideal home for them. On the hills and in

the valleys were the deer; on the prairies the buffalo.

The noble wild turkey dwelt in the woods and the

prairie chicken and ruffed grouse were on every

side in meadows and thickets. The numerous lakes

and streams furnished fish and afforded passage

for the bark canoes. Wild plum and grape were ripe

for the picking. The hickory nut and the hazelnut

were plentiful and maize waved in the fields.

In about 1712 the Sac and the Fox tribes became close

allies. Formerly they lived with other Algonquin in

Wisconsin and Michigan but together moved to the

Mississippi River. The Julien Dubuque Monument stands

on the edge of the bluff above Catfish Creek in the

Mines of Spain Recreation Area. This area was important

historically in the Indian-French fur trading culture

and the first record of lead mining by a French trader,

Nicholas Perrot, in 1690. In 1788 Julien Dubuque was

granted rights by the Mesquakie tribe to mine their land

for lead. Dubuque settled close to the village of Kettle

Chief just south of where the Julien Dubuque Monument

now stands. It was here that Dubuque founded the

first Euro-American settlement in what is now Iowa.

Spanish influence was growing throughout the new

land and Dubuque, concerned about the legality of

his grant from the natives, Dubuque petitioned the

Spanish governor seeking permanent possession of

the land. In 1796 Dubuque’s petition was granted

and he named his 189 square mile area of land “The

Mines of Spain” in honor of this Spanish governor.

JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENT

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Dubuque eventually married Potosa, daughter of Peosta,

the chief of the Mesquakie Indians. Dubuque died in

March of 1810 and when he died the Mesquakie buried

him with tribal honors beneath a log mausoleum at

the site of the current monument. The Julien Dubuque

monument was built in 1897 and sits high above the

Mississippi River. It overlooks the Mines of Spain property

in the town that would eventually bear his name.

In 1833, the area where Julien Dubuque settled and

worked was opened to settlement by the United

States Government. Miners created a settlement- this

settlement eventually became the city of Dubuque.

The religious community began with St. Luke’s United

Methodist Church. It is the oldest Methodist church in

the state. Its origins trace back to the founding of the city;

when Methodist ministers arrived and began work with

the miners of the time. This was the first congregation

of any denomination west of the Mississippi River. A

small Catholic parish was established 1833. It eventually

became the Saint Raphael’s Cathedral parish. A Catholic

church council recommended to the pope that

three new dioceses be created, one of which was at

Dubuque. In 1837, the Dubuque Diocese was created,

and Mathias Loras was appointed as a bishop. When

he arrived in Dubuque, there were only a few priests

to cover a large area that consisted of several states.

Bishop Loras encouraged large numbers of immigrants

to come to the area from the crowded cities in the

eastern US. Many immigrants settled in Dubuque and

the surrounding area. Many Irish families came to the

area because of their desire for a fresh start from the

poor conditions in Ireland and the crowded conditions

in the east. For many years, Irish families mainly settled

in the southern parts of the city - that area was often

referred to as Little Dublin. They were followed by a small

group of Germans. However, over the years the German

population grew until Germans became one of the two

main ethnic groups in the city. While other groups—such

as Hispanics and African Americans -- have become

more prominent over the years, many living in Dubuque

are descendants of German and Irish immigrants.

H I S T O R I C A L A R E A S O F I N T E R E S T W I T H I N T H E PA R K S Y S T E M T O DAYSWISS VALLE Y NATURE PRESERVE AND NATURE CENTER The preserve features a nature center containing

interpretive displays concerning the wildlife,

ecology, and natural history of the Swiss Valley area.

The center also houses the administrative office

of the Dubuque County Conservation Board.

More than 10 miles of self-guiding nature and hiking

trails radiate outward from the center through the forest,

prairie, and wetland areas. The Catfish Creek, which

meanders through the preserve, is stocked with trout by

the Iowa DNR each year. Winter provides opportunities

for cross-country skiing and snowshoe hikes.

LIT TLE MAQUOKETA RIVER MOUNDSSituated high atop a limestone ridge, overlooking

the Little Maquoketa River just north of Dubuque,


LITTLE MAQU0KETA GREENWAY


this 41-acre preserve features 32 ancient burial

mounds. The preserve also harbors a mature

forest containing numerous wildflowers and a

small remnant of native blufftop prairie.

Purchased by the Iowa DOT in 1980, and managed by

the DCCB, this site is a classic example of a place to

observe “stream piracy” and the route that took the Little

Maquoketa River from its original bed. A trail up the bluff

continues at the top to circle around the Indian Mounds

that are protected by fencing. The mounds range from 13

to 42 feet across and 6.5 to 50 feet high. Over 15 Native

American tribes were consulted in the development

of the site. Informational kiosks at the parking lot

and blufftop explain the significant archaeological,

geological, and natural resources found at the site.

POHLMAN PRAIRIE PRESERVELocated just south of Durango, the Pohlman Prairie

Preserve is a unique 23-acre site consisting of native

bottomland forest and native prairie remnants on the

high bluffs overlooking the Little Maquoketa River valley.

The parkland was donated to the Conservation Board

in 1998 by the Kolck family in memory of Henry

Pohlman, the original owner. This “goat prairie” is in

bloom for much of the spring, summer and fall.

WHITEWATER C ANYON WILDLIFE AREABridging the lines between Dubuque, Jackson and Jones

counties, Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area is one of

the jewels in the Dubuque County Conservation Board

system. The 419-acre area is open for public hunting

POHLMAN PRAIRIE PRESERVE, DUBUQUE


during state designated hunting seasons. It is also a favorite with hikers, wildlife-watchers, and anglers dipping a line in Whitewater Creek. During periods of sufficient water, it is also floated by canoers and kayakers. Winter provides areas to snowshoe and cross-country ski.

One of only three true canyons in the State of Iowa, the walls of Whitewater provide a lesson in the state’s geology taking one back 450 million years to a time when what is now Iowa was under the sea. Rare plants and animals are also sheltered in the various natural communities found on the property.

K E Y S T O P S A LO N G T H E H E R I TAG E T R A I L Explore the Upper Midwest’s most scenic all-season trail. Follow the 26-mile route of a once bustling railroad into a 45- foot deep valley past old mining and mill towns. Discover the rugged beauty that welcomes thousands of bicyclists and hikers each year.

1872 BRIDGE• This historical train bridge was previously

used as an approach to pan the Mississippi River. It has since been relocated and converted to a rest stop along the trail.

GRAF FOSSIL SITE• Upper Ordovician Nautiloid Beds

at a roadcut near Graf, Iowa

• Most of the 10 meters or so exposed at Graf are shales from the Elgin Member of the Maquoketa,

which is in the Upper Ordovician. In this small section there is a remarkable variety of fossils. The massive upper beds are mostly dolostones and limestones, and several of them are coquinas (a rock that is composed mostly of fossils)

STONE ARCH CULVERTS• These historic limestone culverts were built

under the original rail bed of the Heritage Trail between Dyersville and Farley

SPLIT ROCK• The Heritage Trail passes through large cut

cliffs. This location shows off the dramatic geographical features of Dubuque County and recalls railroad history of the trail.


1872 BRIDGE GRAF FOSSIL SITE

STONE ARCH CULVERTS SPLIT ROCK


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S P E N D A DAY I N D U B U Q U E C O U N T YA LEISURELY DAY

1. Wake up in cabins at New Wine Park

and go for a morning birding hike.

2. Kayak down the North Fork Maquoketa River.

3. Head into Dyersville for lunch and to play

some pickup ball at the Field of Dreams

4. Ride the Heritage Trail.

5. Explore the Fossil site in Graf

6. Return to New Wine cabins and end the day

fishing and cooking a campfire dinner.

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AN ADVENTUROUS DAY 1. Wake up at Swiss Valley Nature Preserve

primitive campsites, make a campfire breakast

and hike back to the nature center.

2. Ride the Heritage Trail from Dubuque to Heritage

Pond. Fish or paddle board with a picnic lunch.

3. Go mountain biking or rock climbing

at the Proving Grounds. Take abreak

for a leisurely game of disc golf.

4. Continue on to Durango for food and drink.

5. Ride the Heritage Trail to Twin Springs for

evening fishing and camping overnight.


WEEKEND MINI-VAC ATIONDay 1:

• Wake up in your tent at Massey

Marina for a campfire breakfast

• Hit the Dubuque Water Trail with your kayaks

– Paddle along the Mississippi River between

A.Y. McDonald Park and Massey Marina

and access the 11-mile water Trail

– Snack lunch while you paddle

– Don’t forget your life jacket!

– Pop into Mines of Spain to do the

five-mile loop on Catfish Creek

– Try to catch some trout

• Rinse off and head to Dimensional Brewing Company for food, local beer and cider

• Back to camp for stories and s’mores around the campfire

Day 2:

• Wake up and cook breakfast to start the day

• Pack up and head to Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area

– There is plenty for the crew to do there including hiking, kayaking, fishing and hunting

– Grab lunch in Cascade at the Brothers Market Deli

• Hit the Heritage Trail and bike north to the Pohlman Prairie Preserve

– Prairie remnants are in bloom for

much of spring, summer and fall

– Photo shoot!

• Visit the 7 Hills Brewing Company for

dinner, beer and craft cocktails with

friends and enjoy some live music

• Back to Massey for another night of

tent camping and star gazing

A D D I T I O N A L D U B U Q U E C O U N T Y H I G H L I G H T SNATIONAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM AND AQUARIUMPart aquarium, part museum, part science center-

their vision is to become the world’s leader in

interpreting and protecting the life, history, and culture

of our region and rivers, to create a more global,

knowledgeable, and engaged citizen. Visitors can see

a variety of animals such as the Green Sea Turtle, the

Giant Pacific Octopus, the American Alligator, and

North American River Otters (just to name a few!).

JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENTThis area is important historically in the Indian-

French fur trading culture and the first record of

lead mining by a French trader, Nicholas Perrot, in

1690. In 1788 Julien Dubuque was granted rights by

the Mesquakie Indians to mine their land for lead.

Dubuque settled close to the village of Kettle Chief

just south of where the Julien Dubuque Monument


now stands. It was here that Dubuque founded the first Euro-American settlement in what is now Iowa.

EAGLE POINT PARKEagle Point Park is 164 acres overlooking the Mississippi River and Lock and Dam No. 11. It also offers stunning views of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. President Franklin D. Roosevelt viewed the park and proclaimed (of it), “This is my idea of a worthwhile boondoggle.”

FIELD OF DREAMS MOVIE SITEA place of fertile soil, traditional values and simple pleasure. And in Dyersville, Iowa, at the century-old Lansing family farm with its quaint, and oh so recognizable house, baseball still ranks as a favorite pastime for all ages.

Field of Dreams, released in 1989, is a movie that has inspired millions and became an Academy Award nominee for “Best Picture of the Year.” Welcome to this home, this farm, this baseball field, this little piece of heaven on earth.

FIELD OF DREAMS - DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Resources: https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ia-native/https://www.cityofdubuque.org/

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