Union Park was once home to a roller coaster. It was torn down a long time ago, when the park was closed. According to The Roller Coaster Database, the Union Park ride operated from 1908 - 1934. It was constructed by C. O. Breinig. It was a wooden, sit-down type of coaster in the classic figure eight pattern; it used side friction. My research is ongoing; however, the park's roller coaster may have been Iowa's first. Wood from the ride was later used to build a barn in Asbury, IA. The top photo above shows the valley where the coaster once resided. It rested south of the fishpond. In fact, you can see the fishpond in the lower right-hand corner of the photo. The second photo shows the creek that runs through that same valley. It's difficult to imagine a roller coaster in this area, but it is possible if you simply picture it without all the trees and forest undergrowth. One of these days, I'll have to go searching for the cement post holes that are supposedly still there marking the site of the Dubuque's only roller coaster.
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