Entrance to Union Park, postcard 2

This image was taken directly in front of the pavilion, looking back towards the Entrance and the Loop. A trolley with people onboard is visible. The Lodge can be seen through the trees in the background. There is a bridge off the left hand side of the sidewalk (to the restrooms). Note that the electrical pole is no longer made of wood. The man is seated on one of the benches in front of the Pavilion (which is not visible in this scene); he looks very similar to the gentleman from the October 26 post, The Pavilion, Union Park. Could it be the same man?

Union Park Now: Dry Creek Bed alongside the Trolley Path

The creek ran alongside the trolley tracks. As you can see in this photo, it is usually dry. One can walk in the dry creek bed and find interesting artifacts both on the bottom and sides of the creek. Up farther in the park itself, there are areas where stone work is visible in an effort to control the meandering water.

Union Park Now: Entering the Loop

This image was taken from the same vantage point as the previous post; however, I was facing West towards the Loop instead of East. You can just see the Loop come into view. Imagine the Waiting Station directly ahead with flower gardens in the center. The Lodge would be to your left on the hillside.

Union Park Now: The Trolley Path

This is a photo of the trolley path as it appeared in 2003. You can almost see where the tracks were once laid. Standing by the side of the path, one can envision a trolley passing by as it entered Union Park in days gone by.

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 2

The Waiting Station was created to shelter patrons from inclement weather. It also created a grand entrance area to the park. This image features a summer open-air trolley, number 95. Notice the man standing by the flowerbed in the center; possibly he is the groundkeeper Mr. Bonz or perhaps Park Manager L.D. Mathes. Who knows? Under magnification it is possible to see little bridges that divert visitors to the left and right after arriving at the park. Also, you can see a building off to the right of the Waiting Station situated on the hill. Possibly these are the restrooms. This item was postally used in 1910.

The Loop, Union Park, postcard 3

This is a color postcard from an era similar to the previous post. This postcard was postally used in 1907, but again the image was most likely taken between 1900 - 1904 due to the style of the loading docks and railings. The Bowling Alley is visible in the background behind the trolley. Picnic tables are visible on the hillside to the right. Also, note the crude electric poles which will change over time. The flower beds again feature cannas. The garden in the center has changed configuration.

The Loop, Union Park, postcard 2

This postcard is entitled Loop of the Union Electric Co. Union Park, Dubuque, Iowa. This image appears to have been taken from the Lodge. It has a copyright date of 1906 by F. L. EGELHOF. However, with no Waiting Station present, I would guess that the image was taken prior to 1904.

Once again the Loop is featured as it appeared in the early days. Notice the 4 trolleys lined up with people boarding. The building behind the 2nd trolley appears to be the Bowling Alley. The Pavilion is just visible behind the 3rd and 4th trolley cars. Flowering cannas are often featured in the gardens. The flowers and plants pictured in the center of the loop have a very similar configuration to the next post.

The Trolleys to Union Park

During the 1900s & 1910s, the only mode of transportation in and out of Union Park was the trolleys. Above is an image of the trolleys in downtown Dubuque circa 1909. The trolleys in this postcard are enclosed. Usually the trolleys to Union Park were summer open-air trolleys as you will see over the next few posts. None of the trolley numbers are visible. Before cars became commonplace, trolleys served as an alternate form of transportation to the horse and buggy.

According to Michael M. Boge's book, Union Park: A Place of Memories, the trolley line to Union Park began at 6th and Iowa streets. The line continued out Couler on what is now Central or Highway 52 and curved into the valley to the entrance of Union Park. The trip cost 15 cents each way. I have not been able to obtain an image of the trolleys in that location. The postcard above is the closest I could find to illustrate what Dubuque looked like in that era. I'm hoping to visit Dubuque this fall for the University of Dubuque Homecoming celebration. Then I will take photos of this same image as well as the location at 6th & Iowa. The department store on the right is Willners. The sign in the top floor windows say J.W.? Law Offices. I will try to do more research to discover who the attorney was. I am also in search of newspaper articles and maps to illustrate the trolley routes. Also, the time on the clock is 11:55 (we'll assume a.m.)

Below is an approximation of the trolley line to Union Park. It is by no means accurate, but it is a start. The map is interactive and you can drag the image around to follow the blue line to Union Park.

CommunityWalk Map - Trolley to Union Park, Dubuque, IA