Union Park Now: Looking Down at the Pavilion Area 2

Here is another view of The Pavilion area from a slightly different angle. The Promenade cuts through the park passing by the Triangle Garden and the Tree with Three Trunks. You can also see the area where the Ice Cream Stand and the Bowling Alley stood.

Union Park Now: Looking Down at the Pavilion Area 1

This image is very similar to a previous post "The Pavilion, Union Park" which posted on 10/26/09. The Triangle Garden and the Tree with Three Trunks are both visible. Also, you can clearly see the meandering creek which would have passed under the building.

Union Park Now: Remnants of the Dance Hall Part 4

I took this photo from the northwest corner of the Dance Hall. I was standing on The Promenade facing the Dance Hall. You can see the retaining wall in the background. Also, in the front of the photo, you can see where the creek is meandering along its new path along the dance hall foundation.

Union Park Now: Remnants of the Dance Hall Part 3

In this photo taken in early Spring of 2005, you can see the outline of the Dance Hall that replaced the Mammoth Theatre. Also, you can just barely see The Promenade at the bottom of this shot. I took this picture standing on the northern slope of the park looking down. Normally, during the Summer and Fall, there is too much foliage to see the remains of the building well.

Union Park Now: Remnants of the Dance Hall Part 2

This is another image of all that remains of the former Dance Hall that replaced the Mammoth Theatre. Plants and shrubs have taken over the structure.

Union Park Now: Remnants of the Dance Hall Part 1

After the flood of 1919, the Mammoth Theatre was torn down and replaced. Instead of cutting the hollow in half, a new building was constructed along the south side. Due to the decline of interest in theatre entertainment, its function was as a Dance Hall. When Union Park closed, the building was torn down. The Dance Hall floor was reused in Dubuque's new ballroom called Melody Mill. Eventually Melody Mill was torn down as well (in 1964); however, the dance floor was again saved. It is still used today at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds Ballroom.

Pictured above are the stairs as they appear today. Note the chunks of sidewalk which made up The Promenade. Years of exposure to water and the elements have caused the cement to crack and the pieces have been gradually pushed along the creek's path.

For more information about Melody Mill (including photos), visit Encyclopedia Dubuque

The Miner's Hut, Union Park

This undated postcard, "Scene in Union Park, Dubuque, Iowa" has a great view of one of the original Miner's Huts. It was located to the right, just past the Bowling Alley, as you walked down The Promenade towards the Children's Playground. Remnants of the stairs still exist; however, the railing was removed long ago. Also, there are many more trees on the hillside currently. It's actually quite steep.

The Promenade, Union Park, postcard 5

This card was mailed in 1908. It takes the visitor down The Promenade past the original Rustic Bandstand on the left. Coming up on the right is the triangle garden in front of The Pavilion. Keep walking and you would pass the The Refreshment Stand and The Bowling Alley. The Miner's Hut from the Nov. 21 post, Entrance to Union Park, is gone and replaced by a Pavilion. Since there are no people in the image, I am guessing that it was taken in the early morning before the park opened. Notice that as in the previous post, there are no benches in The Waiting Area.

The Promenade, Union Park, postcard 4

This image was taken from The Waiting Area. On the right from the nearest building to the farthest you can see The Refreshment Stand, The Bowling Alley, and another pavilion area (probably used for picnics). On the left you can see the stairs to the original Rustic Bandstand. Beyond that you can see a crowd of people in the plaza area around the second bandstand.

An interesting feature of this postcard is the lack of park benches in The Waiting Area. Where have they gone? I would guess this image was taken between 1909-1910 because of the clothing style and also the cement work looks rather new. The planters also seem to be a new feature in this image.

Visitors would continue down The Promenade to get to other areas of the park including the children's playground and in later years the Mammoth Theater. This postcard was mailed in 1912.

The Promenade, Union Park, postcard 3

The image "Center View of Union Park, Dubuque" was taken across from the Pavilion overlooking the Promenade and Waiting Area. The Rustic Bandstand is just out of sight, but music would have flooded the area on a day like the one depicted here. The buildings from the left are another pavilion, the Bowling Alley, and the refreshment (or ice cream) stand. The little building in the upper left-hand corner of the postcard is described as toadstool shaped pagoda in Michael A. Boge's book "Union Park: A Place of Memories. The park had many more so-called pagodas (which were originally miner's huts) when it was known as Stewart Park.

Take note of the fountain in front of the tree with 3 trunks that still grows today. Also, there were many planters on the grounds. The park was well-known for its beautiful flowers. The postcard in my collection was used in 1922; however, the straw hats worn by the men were typical of the 1910s.

Union Park Now: Looking Back at the Entrance 2

Again the same image as in the last 2 posts, but taken a few feet closer to the Loop area.

Union Park Now: Looking Back at the Entrance 1

This photo was taken from the same location as the image in the previous post. We are standing in front of the Pavilion area looking back at the Entrance & Loop areas.

Union Park Now: The Entrance 2

The Promenade as it appears today as you walk further into the park.

Union Park Now: The Entrance 1

This is almost the same view as in the previous post. Picture yourself walking down the Promenade have just disembarked from the trolley. Up ahead on the right is the Triangle Garden, which indicates where the Pavilion once stood. Continue walking and you would have been passing the ice cream stand and the bowling alley. To the left would have been the Waiting Area, which is now overgrown with weeds and trees, and the Bandstand.

Entrance to Union Park

Entitled "Entrance Union Park, Dubuque, Iowa," this image depicts The Promenade in its early years. Although this postcard was used in 1907, it depicts a scene prior to 1904 as there is a Miner's Hut left over from Stewart Park days. The electrical poles are crude. While there is no picnic pavilion to the right yet, the cement does look new. The Bandstand to the left is the original and looks newly built as well. As the Promenade curves to the left, there is a railing indicated that the path goes over the creek. Further back there is a little bridge where the path branches off.

The Recreation Grounds

This is an early shot of The Recreation Grounds of Union Park. This main sidewalk in this area was later renamed The Promenade. The vast number of benches reflects the popularity of the park. Also, it illustrates the function of this area later nicknamed The Waiting Area.

There are 2 distinct styles of handwriting on this postcard. The first hand is written by the sender. The second hand is responsible for the notes on the postcard image directly. Written in pencil, the writer noted the function of the buildings. The Pavilion is labeled "dance hall". There are also notations for "ice cream hall," "pool hall," and "bowling alleys."

This image has a notation: Copyright 1906 by F.L. EGELHOF. He is the same photographer who took the black and white image of 4 trolleys posted earlier. The two images could have been taken on the same day.

It is interesting to note that there are no fountains in front of Pavilion. Also, you can still see the old style wooden electric poles; therefore, photo was probably taken between 1901 and 1904. This card was postally used in 1907.

The Promenade, Union Park, postcard 2

This postcard is entitled "Union Park Scene, Dubuque, Iowa, U.S.A." It was produced by the Acme Art Store. The viewpoint for this black and white postcard was taken from the right of the Waiting Station and looks towards the front lawn of The Pavilion and an area know as The Waiting Area on the left in the background. You can see benches in this area for people to wait and meet their family and friends. You can just make out the stairs to the original Rustic Bandstand.

The sidewalk in front leads to the restrooms. At the time of this photo, there was a merry-go-round for children to play on. It was located on the lawn of the Pavilion along with large planters. You can also see the creek cutting through the lawn. The sidewalk off to the left was known as The Promenade; you can see people strolling down it. The building on the right is the Ice Cream Stand. In the background center there is a large sign advertising "Chatauqua Opens Today".

The card in my collection was not postally used. However, based on the clothing in the image I'm going to estimate that it was taken around 1910.

Union Park Now: The Promenade

This is how the Promenade looks today. The sidewalk is in very good condition. It's very well shaded and actually cool in the summer. If you look closely, you can see the triangle garden to the right. The triangle garden marks the entrance to The Pavilion area.

The Promenade, Union Park, postcard 1

This postcard, entitled "Scene in Union Park, Dubuque, Iowa" shows the entrance to the promenade as it appeared almost 90 years ago. Imagine stepping off the trolley and leaving the waiting station. Immediately to the right are a drinking fountain and a bridge/sidewalk leading to the restrooms. The first building on the right was known as "The Pavilion"; it served as a dance hall. One of the fountains and several planters are visible through the trees. Behind the greeters, you can see the bowling alley and refreshment/ice cream stand. The picnic pavilion curves off to the left. The crude light poles have been replaced by fancy iron work.

The cement work in this postcard looks new. I would guess this image was taken around 1910. Most of the sidewalks are still there today in fairly good condition.