Union Park Now: The Waiting Station Platform 3

The old post holes for the Waiting Station supports are still visible. Above are 2 examples, the second is in better condition than the first.

Union Park Now: The Waiting Station Platform 2

This photo illustrates the silt buildup on the Waiting Station platform. This image was taken in 2003 from the center of the platform looking South. From time to time the platform is cleared of silt. You can see that plants have started to grow on top of the soil that was deposited there. If left alone, this area will be reclaimed by nature someday.

Union Park Now: The Waiting Station Platform 1

This is an image of the right hand side of the Waiting Station platform. It appears that the platform was built up over the years as there are layer upon layer of cement. This would be due to the silt that builds up every Spring. The creek runs under the platform and continues down the trolley path. Over the years big chunks of the cement platform have crumbled into the creek bed and have been carried downstream. Notice the bushes and trees that are crowding in on the platform area.

Union Park Now: The Loop

This is a photo of The Loop & Waiting Station area as it appears today. The dark area in the center is the entrance. If you stand in the middle of the loop area, you can see that it still bears a resemblance to the postcards in the previous posts, The Loop postcards 1 & 3. The Loop still retains its circular shape as it did over 100 years ago. The cement platform and sidewalks are still in existence.

In the following posts you will see photos of the platform up close. Over the years I have seen it begin to crumble and erode. Every Spring the silt that builds up from melting snow and run off is removed. If it weren't removed, all evidence of the sidewalks and platform would be hidden.

The Waiting Station, Union Park

The Depot at Union Park was also commonly known as The Waiting Station. This is one of my favorite images featuring the park in its heyday. The signs on trolley #71 advertise "Baseball Today" and "Union Park Shows - Twice Daily - Big - Free". It's a very crowded image which hints at the popularity of the park. The clothing is typical of the 1910s. Back in the early 1900s, a trip to Union Park was a special occasion; visitor dressed up in their Sunday best for a day at the park. Note that in the background to the left-hand side of The Waiting Station, The Pavilion is just visible.

The Depot, Union Park, postcard 1

An early shot of the new depot, A.K.A. The Waiting Station, in a postcard entitled "The Loop and Station in Union Park, Dubuque, IA." It has a 1909 postmark, and the image was obviously taken after 1904. Notice that the configuration of the flowers in the center of the loop has changed. Also, there are flower beds along the tracks as the trolley enters and leaves the Loop.

By this time the ugly electric poles have disappeared and we start to see hanging light fixtures (like the one in the center of the upper third of this postcard). From the center of the Waiting Station and veering off to the left, the sidewalk to the Fish Pond is visible. Also, the Bowling Alley and The Pavilion are visible through the Waiting Station and the trees.