Union Park Now: The Area Where the Death Pavilion Once Stood

This is the area where the Death Pavilion once stood. If you compare this photo to the postcard from the previous post, you can see the same steep terrain in the background. This photo was taken in the Spring of 2005.

The Death Pavilion, Union Park

This is an image of the pagoda in The Children's Playground that later became known as "The Death Pavilion." It was built in the same rustic style like the other picnic pavilions and bandstands in the park. During the flood of 1919 it became detached from its foundation and crashed into the Wading Pool. A total of seven people died in Dubuque on that fateful day including five at Union Park. The Death Pavilion was never rebuilt. This postcard was mailed in 1912.

The Children's Playground, Union Park, postcard 6

The far end of the park is depicted in this scene. The rustic style pavilion or pagoda on the left later became known as "The Death Pavilion". It was used for picnics until the 1919 flood when it floated away. The park had at least two sandboxes with covers that could be lowered each night. This card was postmarked in 1909.

The Wading Pool, Union Park

This is the "Children's Wading Pool at Union Park, Dubuque". The pool was designed to be a miniature version of the one at Ogden Park in Chicago, IL. The end near the photographer is rounded; the other end is straight edged. You can see benches at the end of the pool. The water depth varied from 3" at the straight end to 12" on the curved end.

A picnic pavilion was later built at the straight end; I am currently unable to locate a date for its construction. In the background on the far left hand side you can just make out The Death Pavilion. In the background center, the covers for the sand pits are visible. Also, if you put the postcard under magnification, you can see slides, swings, and gliders.

The wading pool still exists today. However, rain water and mud tend to fill it up.

The Children's Playground, Union Park, postcard 4

A postcard used in 1914 shows the entrance to the Children's Playground. I'm guessing that the building on the left is the pagoda that later became known as "The Death Pavilion". The people on the right in the background are crowded around The Wading Pool. This is one of my favorite postcards. It has a magical quality to it and takes you back to a different era.